Would you delay the birth of your children so that you could travel the world carefree for longer?
It's a topic that's gaining traction on popular social media platforms like TikTok, where videos asking the question have gone viral.
Web Travel speaks to a world traveler who explains why she has already made the decision to prioritize exploring over raising children.
Australian-born Adriana Neptuna, who has been married for eight years, says she and her husband want to “make the most of our 30s” by experimenting and taking risks before thinking about starting a family.
The award-winning blogger, who documents her travels on her website TikTok and Wanderlicious, has traveled to 44 countries so far and says she's “not ready to give up.” [travel] “not up yet” in the way she came to know it.
Australian-born Adriana Neptuna, who has been married for eight years, says she and her partner (both pictured) want to “make the most of our 30s” by experimenting and taking risks before thinking about starting a family ponder
“I love the freedom of traveling to new places on a whim, usually based on recommendations from other travelers,” she explains.
“If the weather turns bad or I don't like a place, I just pack my things and leave.” I imagine it would be more difficult with little ones in tow. I assume it would also cost more, which you would have to plan more carefully.'
Adriana acknowledges that it is possible to travel with family, but points out that “with very young children it can be more difficult to explore remote regions” and places without family-friendly facilities.
As a full-time traveler and digital nomad, she says it can be easy for her to “keep putting off having children” because she's constantly moving for work and otherwise her work would have to change.
Adriana says from her own experience that she “definitely” thinks this is a growing trend as there are fewer expectations of “having children and settling down after marriage.”
She adds: “That is no longer the case.” The world is wide and there is so much to see. Traveling teaches you so much, not only about foreign cultures, but also about yourself.
“I'm not sure if I would have been mature enough to start a family in my early 20s. “I was too busy exploring.”
Adriana, who documents her travels on her website TikTok and Wanderlicious, has traveled to 44 countries so far and says she's “not ready to give up.” [travel] “not up yet” in the way she came to know it. Pictured: Adriana and her husband in Bali
“I love the freedom of traveling to new places on a whim, usually based on recommendations from other travelers,” explains Adriana, pictured left in Hue, Vietnam. She suggests that it may be more difficult “traveling with very young children when exploring remote regions” and places without family-friendly facilities. Pictured right: Adriana in Petra, Jordan
Despite her personal preferences, Adriana's message to expectant parents is: “It's best to have children when you feel the time is right.”
The travel-loving woman remembers that she got to know different cultures “at a young age” because her parents often moved around for work.
“When I was 13, I lived in four different countries and went to school in Australia, Poland, Dubai and then England,” she says.
“I realized that every country is completely unique, but they all have similarities. “Every country has delicious food, wonderful traditions, unusual customs and overall really nice people.”
Despite her personal preferences, Adriana's message to expectant parents is: “It's best to have children when you feel the time is right.” Pictured: Adriana at the Taj Mahal in India
Her first taste of traveling abroad came on a trip to New Zealand for her aunt's wedding, where she also visited some geothermal hot springs.
“It was so cold outside it was snowing, but the ground was really hot,” she says.
“I remember warming up my hands by picking up the hot stones from the ground. How bizarre is that? The air was freezing cold, but the ground was hot. New Zealand is full of wonders.”
When reflecting on her love of traveling, Adriana says her theory is that it makes you feel “the same sense of wonder you have when you're a child.”
She adds: “You see things for the first time, try new foods for the first time, you usually get completely lost, but in the end you make some of the best memories.”
Adriana's world travels have so far included 20 countries in Europe, two countries in Africa, six in the Middle East, one in North America, two in Oceania and 13 in Asia.
When reflecting on her love of traveling, Adriana says her theory is that it makes you “feel the same sense of wonder you felt as a child.”
These are Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Vatican City in Europe .
The rest are Egypt and Morocco in Africa; United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Qatar, Oman, Jordan and Bahrain in the Middle East; Mexico in North America; Australia and New Zealand in Oceania; and Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, India and the Maldives in Asia.
Where's next on the list?
Adriana and her partner dream of traveling to every country in the world and are currently setting their sights on South America.
“I’ve never been to this continent and the wildlife, landscape, food and people really fascinate me,” says Adriana.
“I would like to visit Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.” I am also very interested in seeing more of Africa as I think it has some of the most beautiful places in the world. But it's hard to know where to start.'
When asked how many more countries she would like to experience before starting a family, Adriana suggests between 20 and 25.
Adriana and her partner dream of traveling to every country in the world and are currently setting their sights on South America. When asked how many more countries she would like to experience before starting a family, she suggested between 20 and 25. LEFT: Adriana in Bali, Indonesia. RIGHT: Adriana in Hoi An, Vietnam
For now, she plans to continue traveling with her partner, who was able to quit his job to join her on the adventure.
But there are times when full-time travel can impact relationships, she says.
“I'm lucky that my partner travels with me, but I don't see my friends from London as often as I'd like,” she adds.
“The friendships you make while traveling can also be fleeting.” You meet people from all over the world and may never see them again. But the stories you have are worth it.'
When it comes to starting a family, Adriana wants to continue exploring the world, but probably in a different way.
“I think it will make a huge difference to the way I travel, but that doesn’t mean I still can’t experience new places and cultures,” she continues.
“I think I just need to be better at planning.”
For more information from Adriana, visit www.tiktok.com/@wanderlicious.adri and www.wanderlicious.co.uk.