This post has been my thoughts for a few weeks. Something that I have wanted to post after recent conversations, and from the people I have met in the last 12 months. Ironically I was going to post it a couple of days back, however due to a bout of anxiety I put it off and stayed away from my blog for a couple days.
There is, from my travelling experience, two types of traveller. This opinion was formed from my experiences as I make my way around the places I have been fortunate enough to visit, and from speaking to people of all walks of life on these journeys. It has really helped me to understand why people travel and that travel isn’t always about having fun in the sun.
The first kind of traveller can be split into two groups. These are business and leisure travellers.
Those wanting to learn.
These are people eager to travel. The ones that are hungry for adventure or personal development. Someone wanting to expand their horizons, become more confident and learn about new cultures. It could also be someone travelling with work, wanting to develop in their career and travelling is a requirement in the role. The common link between the two is that travelling is the gateway to development and new experiences. The learning aspect that drives them to board that plane.
But these aren’t the only people that travel. It isn’t always with high ambitions and the pursuit of fun. In fact, it is quite the opposite.
The escape of pain and misery.
Not everyone that heads to the airport does so with a giant smile on their face as they hand over the passport. Despite the Facebook feed being flooded with messages from family stating how jealous they are, with those all too common ‘is there room in your suitcase for me!?‘ comments, spending a week, or month or even a year abroad isn’t always a guarantee for happiness.
It certainly is an escape from the norm. However what that ‘norm’ is exactly largely determines why that person is travelling. A relatively comfortable existence often results in boredom and the need for adventure. Leaving a boring routine, but not necessarily a miserable life. But for some- and sadly, a fairly large percentage of people- travel is a way to escape. Whether this escape is from people, a place or even themselves, travel is used as a distraction.
I have realised this as I meet new people. Some backpackers have left poisonous relationships or family members. Some have suffered losses of close family or friends and needed to take a break from the pressures of life back home. Some have terminal illnesses and this may be the last time they get to see certain places they have had on the bucket list. The last one in particular hit me hard not too long ago as I checked in a couple into a hotel in Sydney. I asked rather merrily what their reasons for visiting were and the husband stated that his wife was terminally ill and this would be one of their last trips together. I would have had no idea as she looked relatively healthy as she stood there whilst I went through the check in process, and no training can prepare you for such an answer. I decided not to show too much emotion, acknowledged what was said and assured them a great stay with us, and that we would be here 24/7 if they needed anything during their stay. A quick check in, I felt they did not need a reminder of how tragic this situation is for them and their loved ones.
This was just one example of the sad reality of life, and the troubles we all face day to day. Whether it is depression that makes someone feel the need to escape their thoughts and find a way to try and stimulate themselves outside the 9-5, or wanting some alone time to take in some recent news, the view outside of the airplane window isn’t always met with excitement. It can be another chance to escape some kind of suffering.
I would put myself in both of these categories. Since I left the UK for the USA in 2010 on my first trip abroad alone, I have always desired for more travel. I made so many lifetime friends, gained confidence and learned that alone time is great. But then in 2013, my dad died. After this I was drained of any motivation to travel, however I realised that travel helped to keep depression and anxiety at bay with so many new experiences on a daily basis. The motivation to get up and do things can be difficult after such a loss, but because I new what travel was like prior to this, I realised it would be a remedy and a positive distraction from the negative feelings.
I know there are people out there that will benefit from this. Not to forget such an event, but to make the most of the time we have and get out and explore. Knowing so many others are going through similar things, knowing we aren’t alone and having new conversations with new people about similar experiences can be a great therapy. Travel isn’t always filled with happy people smiling 24/7 like their social media portrays. It is a mix of all kinds of people travelling for many different reasons.
And with this, what is your reasons for travelling?
Featured Photo by Marten Bjork on Unsplash
Thank you again to all my followers and regular readers, and hello to you if you are new to my blog!
New to this site? Click here to visit my About My Blog section
Want to keep up with my travels? Click here for my Travel Diary
Want to introduce yourself and your blog and discover new ones? Click here for my meet and greet page.
Happy blogging!
One Chance to See the World 
Loafing around without clear aim and relaxing somewhere else also a good reason for travelling. And doing abroad something new can also end easily in pain and misery!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh it can end in that, but it is a risk I am willing to take. I am a sensible traveller 😉
And that is a great reason to travel. With no clear aim and relaxing gives plenty of time for ideas and finding out what you want 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this post! Mine was the breakdown of a marriage and again a need to escape. I actually just wrote about it on my latest blog. I’d always wanted to travel but this kick-started it and made me live my life to the fullest. Thanks so much for sharing your story!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am sorry to hear that, but it seems like it was a motivator for you to really achieve what you wanted to do. Negative events in our lives are often great opportunities for us to grow and inspire us to do more things. Thank you for commenting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly! You’ve got to make the most out of the bad things that happen. Like they say, when life gives you lemons!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good write up, Sam.
Personally, I hate to travel, I don’t do well at it, physically. The only trips I enjoyed were the train tour, & the two Alaskan cruises we took, but two is enough.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And of course this is fine! If travel isn’t your thing, or isn’t something that comes easy, you do you. I guess I mention it because this is what I am doing right now 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoy everything you write, & that’s enough for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Great read!
I travel for different reasons. I travel because I want to explore new places and stuff. I travelled once because of a heartbreak. Recently, I travelled because I feel drained from work and humans! 😉😅
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! It sounds like you are both kinds of traveller, and you can only benefit from the adventures you take 🙂
Thank you for commenting 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent post, Sam, and your check-in story moved me particularly 😢
My reason is almost always the first one, as I’m big on learning and trying new things 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, yes it was very sad but a reminder to live this life whilst we can. Learning and trying new things for me is a necessity whilst I am here, I am glad we agree on this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have almost always traveled for vacation, to see family on holidays, and for work. A couple of funerals and weddings.
I enjoy traveling alone (my trips to Noir City fall into that category).
Not sure I have ever traveled to escape my life–though one could argue that is what a vacation is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess a vacation can be classed as an escape in general… it just depends on what from. I know the majority of people in the UK do it to escape the weather!
If you get to travel to visit family, that’s great. I don’t have many relatives in close proximity, so it was always a great excuse for a road trip. Like you said, funerals too. Not so fun, but often an opportunity to reunite with the family you may not have seen for a while. Weddings the same, just with a happier environment 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I travel for work but within that schedule, I travel with a specific destination each day, one that is for myself. Having suffered significant losses, over several years, as I grow older I’ve realised one cannot run away, one runs towards life.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great reply. Running away only buy you time to nurse your wounds then you’ve got to come back to face your battles.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am sorry to hear of the losses you have had, and you have a great mentality towards life. Losses are a reminder that we are not here forever, and that is most definitely a motivator to ‘run towards life’ as you said.
Thank you so much for the comments.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I travel to lessen the boredom I am feeling at work. So stressed of being so unproductive, hence, I diverted my thoughts on traveling. New places and cultures entertain me.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Work can do that to you. Sadly work is usually a very boring part of our lives, and travel helps us to escape that. Thank you for commenting and enjoy your travels!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love learning about new cultures I just hate travelling altogether.
No that’s wrong. I hate the inconvenience of travelling, the long plane trips , the strange beds hence I always go 4 stars to ensure comforts, the dangers not knowing where is safe?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know exactly what you mean. I am always nervous before a flight but I love the experience of flying, once I am settled with a beer and the entertainment on long haul flights. I have never stayed in a hostel until I landed in Australia and never wanted to. But I have realised that even hostels are very safe and I haven’t encountered any issues myself. Certain places can be dangerous, and I haven’t ventured anywhere that is considered a danger. This is something that would concern me throughout the holiday if I went somewhere that wasn’t recommended.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love to travel. I travel not only because there’s a sporting event that I want to see I travel because I’m getting older and who knows when there will be a time that I won’t be able to go anywhere ?
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s how I think, and a reason why I am travelling right now. I think it is a way of thinking that truly reminds us that time is limited and that we should make the most of it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sorry about your father’s passing. I love to travel. I’m opened to new experiences. I’ve had positive and negative experiences in travelling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your words of support. I find travelling to be full of both kinds of experiences, however both kinds of experiences can help us grow and develop.
Thank you for sharing and I am pleased we are interested in similar things 🙂
LikeLike
Love this post
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Much appreciated 🙂
LikeLike
When I travel my intent is to relax and to learn. With me the two go hand in hand. I relax when I am learning and I learn when I am relaxed. Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed this post. 🙂 – Letstalkaboutpersonaldevelopment.blog
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for commenting, being relaxed is beneficial for so many reasons. Learning is certainly one of them. I am pleased you are eager to learn whilst you travel too, learning is underrated!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sam – Another great post. Very thought provoking. I definitely fall into the learning category of traveler. But in the past I have traveled to heal. I think no matter why we travel, if we go in the spirit that we are going to have new experiences, meet new people, and go with the flow, it will be an amazing positive experience. -Jill
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s right Jill, knowing it will be of benefit to us in any way whatsoever is a big motivator to travel. And it is better to see travel for the benefits than to fear going out of our comfort zone and not doing it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly. There is so much to experience!
Always enjoy reading about your travel adventures!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
As I am homebound, from physical, psychological and financial restraints, my traveling is done on the internet. I can freely listen to, ignore or chat with people globally. I see sights that I could never dream of visiting, learn things from incredible viewpoints, and share my perspective and experiences to interested people in all walks of life! My life’s experiences have mostly been related to special needs: abuse, anxiety, depression, physical and mental disabilities (particularly autism and ADHD), single parenthood, ultimate love, and happiness. I share what feels good, delete what doesn’t, and generally enjoy as much life as I can! So, I’m glad to have a new source of contact with the world!
Bev Sweet
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am sorry to hear of the things you have mentioned here that hinder travel, however it seems like you are living life right. Ignore the bad, embrace the good, and do what makes you happy. This is a great platform for us all to find blogs that we enjoy, and to travel through other people’s eyes and experiences.
It is nice to meet you, and I hope you continue to meet great people here!
LikeLike