I don't have travel guilt. I love it, and I'm unashamed of money spent on travel. The flipside is, I rarely buy clothes or shoes for more than $20 a throw, and I have no interest furniture or homewares (or much else, except books and music). So the way I see it, you spend $120 on a dress, I'd put that towards accommodation, so win-win all round if it pleases you.
My partner, on the other hand, takes it as a criticism when someone says "Are you going away again?" or "You're always on holiday!". I thought his reaction was odd, because while it's tainted with jealousy, there's no reason that most of the people saying it to him couldn't do the same. They choose not to, they got a bigger house, send their kids to private school etc. They choose that life, we didn't.
I know money is the big factor, but house swap with friends - ANY location is a holiday worthwhile having. Day trip on days off, if work is inflexible - a 2 hour drive and picnic lunch will seem like a holiday if the setting is appealing.
I was at a dinner, and another friend said she had started saying she wasn't going anywhere, because of the reaction, and she felt anxious at the thought of all the travel for no reason. Not anxious at the safety of travel (which is another post) but just about pending trips.
I put this down to guilt. We grew up going nowhere and now travel, whether an hour's drive away or a plane trip, is more accessible to the masses. So we have guilt about an affluent lifestyle (whether it's staying at a youth hostel down the road or 5 star hotel, all travel is affluent, when it's a trip that you don't NEED to take, a trip for leisure).
Upon further pressing, she admitted part of it was the reaction she got from others. I know that they don't mean ill by their jealousy (and I truly believe it is borne out of jealousy) but I think it's unfair they take away the enjoyment of her travel. Fifty percent of the joy of travel is the thought and excitement of the pending trip - the organising, looking at pictures in anticipation, saving up with the glorious goal of what you will be paying for and so on. To not be able to revel in it seems a waste, and decreases part of the enjoyment of the trip.
There is no travel for no purpose. It may be for leisure, it may be to 'have a holiday' but there is always a purpose. For me, it's to see the world (be that home or abroad, a day trip or a few weeks). There is so much to see, even in your own city.
Terry Pratchett says it best "Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving”
There is so much to be gained from exploring a new place - a confidence once you 'master' their ways/language/systems, the different art/food/culture opening new interests and sometimes learning a different version of history to one you'd been taught.
The other part, as Pratchett points out, is that you comeback a little changed, you appreciate that run of the mill life you lead a little more, you see 'home' a little clearer.
That is always worthwhile, because that is the majority of your lifetime.
So never take on the criticism of those who question your desire to travel. We will all have our share of pain and misfortune, if we haven't been through it already, it will come. No one will get a life free of difficult times and sadness. Happiness is fleeting unfortunately, so we must always make the most of it while we are lucky enough to have it. Don't minimise it for anyone. Revel in it. You've earned it. It can change at any minute.
In Fahrenheit 451, the genius Ray Bradbury writes "Stuff your eyes with wonder, live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories."
And that is why I love to travel.
PS These photos are taken in Sydney (a day trip) and Newcastle (an overnight adventure) - both feeling a world away from our norm. Travel doesn't have to be the big overseas trip to be worthwhile.
It's such a shame to feel guilty about travel. Most people who make negative comments are jealous that they aren't going. I saved for 4 years to go on my dream trip to Italy. Although some people did scoff, I didn't feel guilty at all and enjoyed every minute of it! :-)
ReplyDeleteI get the same long faces and raised eye brows when I tell people how often I travel. Sadly,most people believe you have to have a great deal of money in order to be able to travel. Thank you for joining me for #TheWeeklyPostcard, Lyndall.
ReplyDeleteOur friends are used to it. They have never known us to do anything other than travel - constantly. They don't ask when we will be away, they ask when we will be home. Maybe some people just need more accepting friends- lol.
ReplyDeleteWhen we became expats living overseas, I discovered a whole group of people who loved traveling. As expats who were just there for a few years, I think that many of us felt the need to "seize the moment" and explore that part of the world while it was convenient. It was wonderful to be on the school playground and trade info and tips. I think being in that group also inspired me to go to places that I would have previously been hesitant to visit.
ReplyDeleteI've never thought of any travel as a waste of money; I consider it a different priority. Someone once said, "It seems to me that too many people spend money they don't have to buy things they don't need to impress people they don't know." I'd rather be spending my money on creating lifetime memories than on buying "stuff" that doesn't last.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you, I don't feel guilty, we work hard and travel is a priority for us...we budget, we choose to not eat out as often, or like you say buy as expensive clothes, because we would rather use those funds to travel.
ReplyDeleteThe thing is travel doesn't have to mean hopping on a flight on going abroad. You can take a day trip or a weekend getaway. It doesn't have to be luxury accommodation, try a hostel, camping, and as you said house swap.
ReplyDeleteBut for some they are jealous because they like the idea of travel but it is not enough of a priority to not buy the latest clothes, cars and eat out regularly.
To me just do what you love to do and if that's travel great, if it's not then that's fine too. What makes the human race special is that we are all different and have different wants and desires.
Really? People criticise you for travelling? I don't think I have ever been criticised for travelling at every opportunity. But I love what you said in the beginning of your post - it's just a matter of choice how we want to spend our money. I send my kids to the cheapest school in the neighbourhood. I don't send my children for expensive enrichment classes. I live in public housing. I take the trains and buses instead of taxi. Hence, I have the money to bring my children out everyday (like you said - it need not involve taking the plane. We do tons of 'travel' within our own little country). For every enrichment class that my kids do not attend, I can make a trip to Universal Studios Singapore! Okay, maybe TWO enrichment classes, but you get the idea. So yes, maybe people do criticize me behind my back that I am indulging my kids with weekly visits to aquariums, zoos, theme parks, cable car rides. I guess I just believe that the world itself if the best classroom for the kids.
ReplyDeleteYou only live once so do what makes you happy!
ReplyDeleteIt annoys me so much that people make those kind of remarks! I have had it so much this year, when people have asked me what I do and I respond with "I'm on leave from my job and have been travelling overseas" I always get a remark similar to "Oh..how lucky for some" I often joke back and say "someone's gotta keep the tourism industry going and it may as well be me" but it really pisses me off..... It's all about choices and whilst I have been known to splurge on material items that is certainly changing, where I once saw a pretty dress I now see a nights accommodation somewhere!
ReplyDeleteI love the quote that goes something like "Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer!"
Go forth and travel I say!!