Transitions in Travel: Finding Balance Between Being On the Road and Laying Roots
Rice fields in Ubud, Bali
Every time I hear one overhead or read the latest news about the industry on the web, I think about it. I think about expertly packing my backpack, ensuring I have my earplugs and sleeping mask. I think about being so exhausted I can barely stand and so irritated that I’m ready to run people over, yet content, original, unique and adventurous all at the same time.
I’m talking about airplanes. I’m also talking about the fact that I haven’t been on one in four months.
For someone who rarely travels these thoughts and feelings may sound odd. However, after three years of hopping on an international flight every few months, navigating the ins and outs of airports and airlines in your own country and those abroad, it feels like a part of me is missing.
It’s not that I’m unhappy. In fact, it’s exactly the opposite. We are now living back in the US. I’m cooking to my heart’s content in a beautiful kitchen, my husband gets home from work at 5:30 instead of 8:00, I’m growing a garden, I’m mowing a lawn – all things I enjoy, and things I missed terribly for three years. Yet, I am having a difficult time dealing with this travel drought.
I suppose most travelers come to this point during their adventures. Unless you are permanently on the road you must face this transition whether you’ve traveled around for a month or several years.
I balanced this state of being nicely before we moved abroad. I worked full-time, I traveled and explored, I enjoyed having a permanent home. However, after leaving that for an extended period, I find I’m a bit out of whack. The comforts of home sooth me, but the memories of being on the road have me worrying that I won’t feel that bliss of exploration again, even though my heart knows this isn’t true. Travel will always be a part of my life.
One of my biggest fears in all of this laying roots and staying grounded business is losing my sense of adventure. I fear getting too comfortable with the conveniences of daily life again, of being afraid to try a foreign food or eat from a roadside stand. I fear losing that toughness that allows one to take travel delays and culture shock in stride, the kind of toughness that is unique to hardcore travelers.
Instead of falling victim to these fears I’ve decided I need to figure out a way to face them and overcome them. To not let my brain tell me I’m going to turn into a local homebody when my heart knows this isn’t true. These are the ways I choose to overcome my fears and if you’ve ever been in a similar transition perhaps you can share how you face yours.
Celebrate the good in this transition. There are some good things about our transition back home, some very good things. I will focus on those things that aren’t material although I can’t hide my happiness with our washer and dryer and stove. I love growing our own food, we have our dog back with us, we see family and friends more often, and I look forward to long drives alone something I couldn’t do abroad.
Explore my backyard. When traveling abroad it is easy to forget that the people and things in your own backyard are incredibly interesting. Local foods, festivals, restaurants, farmers and organizations have my full attention and I aim to learn much more.
Never stop researching. We may not have plans to travel anywhere until this December, but it doesn’t hurt to keep researching for the future. Trip planning thrills me. I love the challenge of finding the best deals and learning what to see and do. Although at moments it may seem like forever until I’ll get there, France, Italy and Austria will all still be going strong a year from now, I won’t miss out on much.
Keep reading and connecting. My expat life exposed me to a world of inspiring people who travel extensively and live their lives in places other than their home country. By reading the excellent content they provide and connecting with these individuals it helps me to feel like I am still a traveler.
And I AM still a traveler.
Laying down roots and exploring the world is like having your cake and eating it too. I intend to do both.
Themocracy
I think the exploring your backyard thing is so important. When we lived in San Francisco we had to force ourselves to have days when we acted like tourists so we’d actually see all the city had to offer
I find myself looking at airline offers and wishing, but knowing that I can´t travel (although I do live outside the US). There is always a little of the escapist desire with travel. BTW, there are some great fares to Brazil right now (US$800 to Rio), if you can´t contain yourself until December and want to visit
kat – I agree and I think we are going to have to start making ourselves do that. It is so tempting to stay around the house, but we need to do more things around here. Bourbon and winery tours come to mind.
Corinne – Ha, ha! I’m tempted. There is quite a bit I’m missing right now.
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This post was written for me. We will be making the transition back home at some point, probably before the end of the year. There is something so exciting about the constant travel, and it is exhausting as well. I long for my home with all of my things, friends and family, but wonder when we do get back will we be itching to hop right back on a plane to someplace new?
gastroanthro – So glad you could relate to the post. We’ve been back six months now and it hasn’t been until this point that I’m itching to go somewhere. I’m glad to be back, but now that all the newness and settling has taken place I want to have my next trip in sight. It’s a tough balance to achieve, I think.
I know I’ll be going through a similar transition when we do settle down after this journey. Acting as a traveler in your own backyard is a great idea, especially as you may realize that it is more international than first expected (I always have to resist the urge to ask everyone where they are from when I’m in the States).
I am SO missing a washer/dryer/stove right now! That’s tempting enough to cause us to settle down soon…
I’m sure the act of settling down a bit will be a journey itself especially with as on-the-go as you have been. I couldn’t agree more about how international things are at home. Just the other day I learned that the owners of a farm we buy from spent time as expats in the Dominican Republic and India.
I will be honest, the washer/dryer/stove are awesome to come back to! I know now that I can survive without them, but I will continue to appreciate them every second I put them to use!