Humans Need To Travel

If we were to go back thousands of years, humans would Travel or what we’d call migrate.  They’d migrate away from dangerous areas where predators often hunted them.  People would migrate to find water, food, land to begin farming and plant crops. They’d then continue to migrate to those areas where others have settled, and a population began to grow. 

One of the questions I often ask people when we first meet is, “If you didn’t have to work for money, what do you do?” 

The interesting thing is that most people immediately say they’d like to travel.  As a single guy and attempting to date a single woman, almost every woman’s profile includes the words, “I love to travel”  or, “I’ve been to 50 countries can’t wait to visit more!” Or, “Must have a passport and be willing to travel.”  

We also are slowly coming out of what was the craziest year in recent history. The Covid-19 Pandemic of 2020 had many people on “lockdown” or, rather restricted travel.  Countries were restricting entry, and airlines were limiting flights.  We heard over and over from people they can’t wait until the restrictions are lifted so we can travel again. 

This is where I’m going to be a pain in the ass and ask the question, “What’s the big deal about traveling, anyway?!” 

Let’s Go Do A Thing

Okay, let me clarify.  I am absolutely down to travel to a destination to do an activity.  As I mention in the very beginning about why I’m accelerating my journey to FIRE, or Financial Independence with an option to retire early, is because It would be pretty rad to go overseas to the Metal festivals in Europe, like The Wacken Open Air Festival, Bloodstock, the Download Festival, or the amazing 7-day festival with 350 bands the Hellfest in 2022! 

Anyway… sorry, I got a little excited there.  What I’m trying to say, is that I’m not one that is into travel just for travel’s sake.  Like being a rover, wanderer, nomad, vagabond that drifts around.  Like I said, one of my favorite places on the planet earth is Universal Orlando Resort with multiple theme parks with amazing attractions and rides!  So, being intentional and traveling to this place to do this thing is totally my jam. 

Should Travel Feel Like Work

I know some people feel that the joy of travel is experiencing other cultures, and meeting all these other people is what travel is about. Ummm… sorry not my jam. Like my son is a huge fan of Japan and Japanese culture he would love to visit Japan and take in all of the cultures that Japan has to offer.  To me, that sounds like a lot of work.  

“I’ll travel to a destination to do an activity…I’m not into travel just for travels sake”

I wasn’t always like this. I thought traveling from gig to gig in a band, blowing up the stage, and melting faces every night would be pretty rad.  But I was 20 years old at the time.  Perhaps, now that I have a life of experience my view has changed. Or, maybe I’m just becoming old and lazy?

Some people, perhaps, look at travel as an escape. An escape from life. I guess if you have a life that you feel you need an escape from we to have other issues to work on. I’m not saying you shouldn’t take a break. A vacation vs. this post about travel are different things.

Maybe I’m jaded because I did travel for work since 2005. At times, it was 70-80% of my time. I’m not trying to have a pity party for myself. But the novelty of traveling kind of wore off, and it became something else. These work trips and days can be long, you are away from your kids and family. Then when you are home you have limited time for family and other responsibilities. It causes stress on your spouse and your relationship. Who knows, maybe this contributed to why we had the divorced in the first place?

What Brings You Joy

There is something I’ve learned since reading The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck by Sarah Knight.  Meeting a bunch of strangers and traveling to a bunch of places I don’t care about is not something I’m into. Or in the words of the author don’t give a f*ck. 

Here’s the thing. We are living in a limited timeline.  We only have so much time before we die, and I’ve learned, recently, to spend this time doing those things that I truly give a f*ck about.  These are the things I find value in. Like when I’ll travel to go to this club to see this band. 

Witness The Wonders of the World

Don’t get me wrong there are beautiful things in nature and man-made that would be cool to see. Especially now that I’m older, I’d like to see the Grand Canyon, or the Roman Colosseum, maybe the Eiffel Tower in France.  I’ve thought about going snorkeling with sharks in Hawaii how bad-ass would that be?!  When the kids and I visited the Black Hills, Yellowstone, and Mount Rushmore it made me see the amazing landmarks around the country.  I could see visiting more national parks and soak in those sights.  To me, that is traveling with purpose or being intentional. 

Maybe I’m being a crabby, old dude with a “get off my lawn” attitude, but I like the security and safety of a “home base” where I have roots and can always feel “home” a place to reset my mind and body.  Have a place with a sense of permanence.  Maybe others can help me understand what I’m not getting about travel. 

Thanks for following along, and what is your views on travel and how have they changed over the years.