Your bags are packed, you head out into the world full of wanderlust and some nerves, you start your adventure but then you’re hit by traveling realisms! What do you do?
There are two sides to every story and It’s no different with long term traveling. There is the mind blowing, creating unforgettable memories, experience things you couldn’t imagine, life changing side and then there is the other side..
(Please note: The traveling realisms posts in this series mostly applies to those looking to or are budget or solo traveling/backpacking long term. I.E 6 months+. To those only traveling for a few days or a couple of weeks, these posts probably don’t have any relevance to you.)
The other side of the story
Table of Contents
It’s the side we don’t like to think about, the side that doesn’t get talked about much, because…well It’s not glamorous, not pretty or appealing – It’s the traveling realisms & realities of everyday life, the things that get edited out of what you read and see.
Have you ever noticed how when you research traveling you’re mostly only shown the shiny side? You get told about the adventures, you see the jaw dropping picturesque scenery, the incredible stories but where is the in between stuff?
For example you read an article about experiencing a night market, it talks about the vibrancy, the mouth watering food, the atmosphere but there is no mention of the communication issues. Or you see pictures from the highest peaks, tempting you, telling you how you can experience it, but it conveniently leaves out the struggles, and arduous journey it took to get there.
Before your long term travels begin, you will read and see so much about how easy it is to pack your bags and travel the world without mentioning or making you aware of the nuts and bolts, the everyday life.
- Next to no mention about downer days
- Times you will feel lonely
- Times you might run out of money and low on funds
- How to replenish depleted funds
- The possibility of falling into a party lifestyle
- What happens when the novelty runs out
- The possibility of getting bored
- Feeling like crap, accidents, things going wrong, making bad decisions
- Transport and accommodation not being what you expected
Our fault too
All the blame cannot be placed on the things we see and read though, we have to shoulder the blame too because we don’t want to really think about it.
We are all guilty of it. When the time comes to plan a trip, the excitement, nervousness, fear and anxiety takes over, we seek out all the amazing things we will experience. We think of the highs, discovery and adventure but we rarely think about what everyday life will be like. We build pictures in our heads, thinking of jumping from one adventure to the next, we don’t think about the in-between days, or how we will feel months into our travel life once the novelty runs out.
It’s only once we experience it for ourselves that we think ‘Oh I wish I knew about this before’.
Helping you become aware of traveling realisms for your future travels
This traveling realisms & realities series was created to help you for your future long term travels whether that’s solo or budget traveling. It’s to help you be aware of the traveling realisms & realities, so when you’re faced with the situation you will know how to cope, overcome, adapt and even thrive rather than panicking.
I’ve traveled all over the world for over a decade, I’ve been through most situations, I’ve cursed that I wasn’t made aware of certain things beforehand and I’ve met so many first time travelers who didn’t know how to deal with situations because they just weren’t aware. So this series is to help prevent that happening to you.
Traveling realisms series covers
Long term travel can be gruelling at times, there are times you have to dig deep, find motivation to keep the lifestyle going and you do have to have mental toughness. It’s not a long holiday that’s for sure.
You have to be willing and prepared for both sides of the coin, the good and the bad, take the rough with the smooth. However the series of posts below will help you prepare for when traveling realisms appear for you.
The traveling realisms posts covered in the series:
- Adapting to hostel life
- Reasons you can get stuck in one place long than anticipates
- How to cut costs and make money stretch when funds run low
- Learning to deal and cope with language and communication problems
- The backpacker party culture
- What everyday long term and backpacking life is really like
- How to deal with loneliness when it hits
- How the backpacker hostel bubble can turn into a trap
- How long term travelers can lose sight of reality
- How to cope & deal with constant hello’s & goodbyes
Long term budget traveling realisms series:
BEFORE YOU GO
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Weather you would like to get informed on long-term solo travel or love reading travel stories of adventure, discovery & despair Amit has you covered. Check out his latest books
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61 Comments
Deepika · May 7, 2018 at 4:22 pm
Agree with your thoughts outlined in the “The other side of the coin” – things could happen outside of your planning scope, no matter how meticulous and detailed you are. But you’ll emerge enriched, with newer experiences.
Followingtherivera · May 7, 2018 at 1:09 pm
This is a really thought-provoking post. As much as I love to travel, I couldn’t do it long-term. However, I still can relate to feeling things like homesickness and not liking a country, it happens! Still, it’s great that you inform others, but also see the awesome inspiring experiences you’re having in this life. Enjoy it Amit, you’ll have so many memories to look back on!
Kristie · May 7, 2018 at 12:38 pm
I really appreciate your honest assessment of a life of travel. I know I have often idealized it in my head, sure it would be perfect. But your description helps bring people down from the clouds to let them know what real ups and downs they will experience. You are doing travelers a favor!
AMBER · May 7, 2018 at 11:57 am
This is such an interesting post. It is difficult to travel long term on a budget, constantly tracking what you spend, spending hours picking a restaurant if you have to eat out… it is so stressful at times.
Adventuregirleliana · May 7, 2018 at 3:54 am
It’s really great that you are talking about a really important thing that needs to be talked about in long term traveling world. Back in the day, I used to day dream about being a long term traveler but somewhere in my heart I knew it wasn’t for me solely because I will miss not having a typical regularly programmed scheduluke in my life. I hope future long term travelers find your post! It will surely benefit them.
Alexander · May 6, 2018 at 7:58 pm
You are a hero to be on the road for so long. I don’t think I would be able to make it. At least not the way you do. I still wanna have a place I can regularly return to and call home.
I think I am finding a good balance for myself though. Half of the time I work remotely and I feel like I can be more location independent with.
Kristie · May 6, 2018 at 6:32 pm
I appreciate the honesty in this post (and series). I would rather know exactly what I was getting into than see only the “Instagrammable” moments. I know sometimes I fantasize about living this lifestyle, but I know that I appreciate having a home base too.
Joe · May 6, 2018 at 5:02 pm
I’ve definitely been guilty of dreaming about what a trip is going to be like, only to realise that it’s completely unrealistic when it comes to planning. Love how in depth this series is, no doubt it’s going to come in useful!
Tif · May 6, 2018 at 4:25 pm
When I first started traveling I forgot all about the money I would spend getting to and from airports (even once home) & about the money I would spend in layover. This is. Real talk and I enjoyed it!
Katie · May 6, 2018 at 3:02 pm
Love the realism of this. You have stated some things that I couldn’t agree more with. We only ever see the nice things on Instagram. Thanks for the read!
foreverroamingtheworld · May 6, 2018 at 3:08 pm
Is there anything specific that 8ve touched on that you like Katie?