Is there a right or wrong reason to go travelling?

Travel Forums General Talk Is there a right or wrong reason to go travelling?

1. Posted by Gartt (Full Member 31 posts) 16y Star this if you like it!

Im just curious as to what people think on this question.

I decided almost on a whim to plan my first trip (three months in asia early next year) after finding myself very depressed all the time. Having spent two years doing nothing after finishing Uni and having a degree in a wholly useless subject and being stuck in a dead-end retail job. I figured why not, ive got no real commitments or ties but am I doing it for the right reasons? Or am I just trying to escape responsibilty or growing up? Does there even need to be a reason? Im still not sure but im very excited, anxious and nervous all at the same time about going away.

Has anybody else had similar experiences or what are your opinions on the subject? Apologies if it sounds like an angst thread, its not. Im just curious.

2. Posted by TLWH (Travel Guru 520 posts) 16y Star this if you like it!

Quoting Gartt

I figured why not

No better reason.

Go for it, you might at least discover a good reason to work in a dead end job . . . to save and get out!

Im still not sure but im very excited, anxious and nervous all at the same time about going away.

Happen to all of us mate, it's what helps with the buzz of travel.

Go for it, never know you might find a better job somewhere else on the road. ;)

3. Posted by TheSpade (Budding Member 17 posts) 16y Star this if you like it!

Put it this way, you'll regret the things you don't do in life not the other way round.

I'm 100% confident that going away in the right decision here for you, you'll love it. :)

When you're laid on your death bed looking back at life you might think to yourself 'I wish I'd went travelling instead of working in a job I hate all my life' and ultimately not being happy.

Go for it, you're not running away from responsibilities or trying to avoid growing up and no there doesn't need to be a reason for going travelling. You go travelling because you want to and because you know it'll be an amazing experience.

[ Edit: Edited on Sep 22, 2008, at 10:18 AM by TheSpade ]

4. Posted by dr.pepper (Travel Guru 316 posts) 16y Star this if you like it!

Hey Gareth,

It's a great question. I'm sure most people here will tell you to just go for it, and I'm inclined to agree. But I know that feeling of doubt about whether travelling is just an escape from responsibility. Part of it is probably societal pressure, as a lot of people hold that sort of negative view about travel as something that's irresponsible. My advice is to make sure you're comfortable with your motivation for going travelling. If you find yourself feeling very depressed a lot of the time, then obviously you need to change some stuff in your life. Travel may or may not be the change you need, but at least you're trying something. I think that's really important. It's a proactive step.

Eric

5. Posted by KScott (Budding Member 27 posts) 16y Star this if you like it!

I'm off travelling to escape whats happening at home, just split up with my g/f whose gone to uni and I'm faced with:

Start working 8 - 5 Monday to Friday in a (possibly) boring but well paid job for the next 40 years.

OR

Travelling for a loooooooooooong time and having the time of my life meeting new people, seing new things and taking strange substances.

No contest.

Kieran

6. Posted by Swept Away (Travel Guru 1116 posts) 16y Star this if you like it!

HONESTY is a good place to start... you don't like what you have right now and there is the option to just jump.

"Traveling, Traveling, I'm traveling, leaving logic and reason"- Bjork for madonna's bedtime stories

are you escaping? maybe. But it is not necessarily bad. Especially, if you can afford it. I wish I can, I'll be off to Europe in a speed of light.

If you hail from the 1st world, you are born with the privilege of making a good life. So you need a reason to justify your escape. NOT HAPPY, okay pack your suitcases and take it to another hall.

TRAVELLING can also be an illusion. So do take the time to listen to what your angst ridden heart is screaming and follow it like a submissive little boy.

7. Posted by ristinw (Full Member 53 posts) 16y Star this if you like it!

"Is there a right or wrong reason to go travelinig?" ~~~ this question has been lingered in my mind recently ;)

I wanted to travel to somewhere which is far away from my hometown. I didn't want to travel alone, so i planed to travel with my friend. But recently, my friend is struggling with economics problem, and "traveling" is not a welcomed subject at my friend's home. But anyway we still decided to go...... but recently....... i think i'm feeling "guilty" or "something which is not right", because recently i have had bad recurring dreams which was about my friend was being scolded for using money to travel instead of using the money to do some other "useful thing" (i really hate that dream!!!!what useful thing?? For me, travel is the most amazing moment in life!!!). In the dream, instead of going with my friend, i go alone.....

@~@ But....i really scared of traveling alone~~~~~ >_< What should i do?

8. Posted by jamez1912 (Budding Member 12 posts) 16y Star this if you like it!

Quoting KScott

Travelling for a loooooooooooong time and having the time of my life meeting new people, seing new things and taking strange substances.

No contest.

no contest :)

9. Posted by Clarabell (Travel Guru 1696 posts) 16y Star this if you like it!

I think the only WRONG reason to go travelling would be if you didn't really want to do it and maybe were just doing it for other people or something. And thats clearly not the case.

If you're bored/unsatisfiied with your life and want to escape, then why not? The only thing is you've got to remember that most people have to go home at some point, and at some point you'll have to address the things you're unhappy with so as not to get into the same old rut. But right now there's no rush!

Your situation sounds a bit like the situation I was in a few years ago. Travelling was a time for me to get away, have fun, and also think a bit more about what I wanted. I knew I wanted a career change and when I came back I applied to go back to uni and now I'm studying nursing.

I totally agree that you'll regret it more if you don't do it.

10. Posted by Dantoy147 (Budding Member 11 posts) 16y Star this if you like it!

Very good question. I'm in the same boat. I went travelling 4 years ago and loved every second. I've decided to pack my job in and head off to New Zealand for a year in Feb 09. I'm feeling bored and depressed at home. Recently split from my girlfriend, I have no commitments like a mortgage or kids, so I thought what the hell. I also work in banking - which is not very enjoyable at the moment!

As has already been said in this thread - do not end your life with any regrets! I cant wait to get to Heathrow and begin my trip. Although I am crapping myself because unlike last time, Im going on my own. Also, whats the worse that can happen?

I came back from travelling a much more confident and happy person - which has been gradually worn away by 4 years of full-time work and the drab and dreary UK - so I'm off again!

Have fun

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