Why I Couldn’t Travel the World
If you read any kind of travel blog, or keep up with travelling Instagrammers, you’ll know the life looks great.
Heck, even my Facebook feed with people taking ‘years out’ make the world-traveller life look like fun. I love reading about the adventures and insights of folks who are backpacking across Asia or America.
BUT I could never do it myself.
And I don’t just mean ‘I couldn’t afford it’, or ‘I wouldn’t be brave enough’, because I know if it’s really want I wanted to do, I could save up and build up enough courage to do it. But I don’t want that life.
I mean sure, I have a Wanderlist just like the rest of ’em, and places on my list to visit before I turn 30, but I do just mean visit. A brief one or two week trip is all I desire.
Here are some reasons why I couldn’t live the travel lifestyle:
- I’m a ‘nester’ by nature
That makes it sound like I’m pregnant…(I’m definitely not, btw). What I mean is, I like to make a home for myself and get settled. I like having a base to come back to, that I can call home. I can’t imagine living out of different hotel rooms and hostels, and having to pack up my stuff at the end of each week. No thank you. - I don’t enjoy the ‘travel’ aspect
The actual process of ‘travelling’ bores me. Trains and buses are the bane of my life, and air travel is down-right stressful. I much prefer actually being at my destination…preferably in a resort of villa with a pool and everything I need so I don’t have to move. - In fact, travelling makes me ill
I get horribly travel sick, and have to drug myself up whenever I travel by train, plane or boat. I also have health issues that are aggravated by travelling. So lots of fun, all in all. - I have too much stuff
Okay, I probably get attached to material possessions too easily, but it’s true. I have a mattress that I love, and a sofa I adore – not to mention all my sentimental pieces as well. I just couldn’t sell it or leave it all behind for too long. I also own a dog, whom I love, so that doesn’t really work out either. - I am very sensible with finances
That may just be the most boring statement in the world. It’s true though, I like to plan things and add to savings each month. I even have life insurance for God’s sakes. I’m not sure I could cope with the unpredictability of expenses while travelling. - I love where I am
Have I mentioned before that I love Cornwall? Seriously, it’s a beautiful part of the world. Why would I ever need to leave? - Travelling the world isn’t my dream
This is probably my most important point. For many people, travelling the world is their aspiration, their ambition. But it’s not mine. Mine is to run my own business, and one day design and build my own house.
Some of you with serious wanderlust may not care for this post, but I wanted to share my thoughts because I know many of you are probably like me, and you should know that it’s okay to be happy with settling, or nesting, or whatever. Travelling might not be your dream, and that’s fine.
I completely understand where you’re coming from with this post! I love going on holiday and seeing different parts of the world but I love knowing that I have a home to come back to at the end of it all! I am definitely a ‘nester’ by nature too and I think that is ok! If you think about it, we get the best of both worlds because we are settled and yet we still have the chance to explore when we feel up to it as well! :) xx
http://www.sweetserendipityblog.co.uk
Exactly Shannon! Love that mindset :) x
Sometimes I can’t help but get ‘itchy feet’ and be desperate to try something and new and explore, but I don’t think it’s really me! My life would probably disagree (Northern Ireland, London, Wales and now Cornwall all in 5 years is not exactly settled!) and since about 12 years old I’ve dreamed of running away and living in France but I just don’t think I could do it anymore. I’m a serious nester too, giving all of my belongings far too much emotional weight to be without them! We shall see … !
Abel x
Me too! :) I love exploring new places, and I’ve moved around a fair bit myself, but at least when you move, you’re setting up a bit of a home, even if it’s no more permanent than 6 or 12 months x
I have permanently itchy feet and am forever restless, so I have been travelling the world on-and-off since 2002. Pretty much all of my belongings fit into 1 case and I have never owned furniture. I guess I’m pretty much the total opposite of you! However, my parents moved to Cornwall 3 years ago, and whenever I go to visit I am stunned by how beautiful Cornwall is. If I was ever to settle back in the UK, it would be in Cornwall!
Wow! We really are opposites – I can’t believe all your belongings fit into 1 suitcase, that is an achievement and a half! I imagine you feel incredibly free because of that, and in some ways I am a little jealous :) It must be pretty magical x
Hmm this is interesting because whilst I absolutely love travel, and do so whenever I can, I think I’m with you. I’m not the kind of person that would like to just up and travel around the world for an extended length of time. Even though travel is a priority for me, I still want to do it in manageable chunks (and come home at the end). Hence the name of my blog. Total nester here!
Ah love your blog name – it basically sums it up! Visiting new places is so fun, and I love a good holiday and an explore, but I need to have a place to call home at the end of the day x
This. I love seeing new places and I dearly love travelling to other countries, but could I uproot my life and leave for longer than a couple of weeks? No way! I love Cornwall far too much. In fact, I’m borderline obsessed with this place. My heart is here, and truly, I would not be complete without it.
– Laura
eggshelldays.blogspot.com
So glad you agree Laura! I think we’re incredibly lucky to live somewhere like this that makes us not feel the desire to uproot. I can imagine if I lived in a city, perhaps I would get itchy feet more – who knows! x
Well said Laura! :) xxx
Hi Anna, I’m so glad you popped up this post. It’s great to hear someone else’s anti-wanderlust story! I am a complete home bird, I don’t like being far from my family, suffer from travel sickness and I get really panicky in enclosed crowded places so planes, trains, airports and stations are no fun at all. But funnily enough, the one place I’ll go through all of it to get to, is Cornwall, because that is totally worth it!
Lots of people say that about Cornwall – I’m glad it’s an aspirational place to settle :) I think a ‘home bird’ would describe me perfectly too! x