In recent years, the trend of becoming a travel blogger, remote worker, or social media influencer has gained popularity, leading to an increase in people choosing to travel the world and live as semi-permanent nomads. This is a significant shift from just over a decade ago when I first started traveling. Nowadays, it’s more accepted to say, "I’m going to travel for a while" instead of immediately jumping into college or a 9-to-5 job.
However, despite the growing acceptance of long-term travel, it’s still not the norm. According to a 2017 study by Expedia, most people only spend one to two weeks overseas each year. So, why aren’t more people traveling long-term? Not for a decade, but just for a few months?
The lack of free time and money are common reasons, especially in the United States where our vacation culture plays a significant role. But I believe these are just surface-level excuses. There are plenty of ways to travel cheaply and many people who have the time to travel but choose not to. So, what’s the real reason?
Fear and self-doubt.
People fear running out of money, being alone, potential dangers, deviating from their career path, getting sick, and not having a safety net. It’s intimidating to dive headfirst into the unknown, leaving your life behind with nothing but a backpack and a dream.
Our comfort zones may sometimes make us unhappy or bored, but they often keep us content enough to resist change. We might complain about our routine and daydream about different lives, but we rarely make a change. It’s safer to stick with what we know.
Our DNA also favors safety over risk. Why venture into the unknown, potentially dangerous world when we can stay safe in our familiar surroundings? This instinctual fear of danger and death keeps us in our comfort zones.
However, those with a strong enough desire to travel will overcome these instincts and societal norms. They’ll face the fears of their loved ones and the negativity of others who share their dream but lack the courage to pursue it. Most importantly, they’ll overcome their self-doubt.
The most common questions I get asked are about meeting other travelers, dealing with loneliness, and handling language barriers. These questions all stem from the same worry: "Do I have the skills to survive?"
I understand this self-doubt. When I first started planning my travel journey in 2006, I was worried about whether I had the necessary skills to travel. I wasn’t concerned about leaving my job or selling my car; I was worried about whether I had the courage, adaptability, social skills, confidence, and maturity to travel.
I knew that many people traveled the world, but I didn’t feel as experienced or hardened as them. I had been scammed in Thailand and got lost in a jungle in Costa Rica. I was a sheltered child who had never strayed far from his safe harbor. Did I really have what it took?
Despite my fears and self-doubt, I was stubborn and committed to my trip. I daydreamed about the adventures I would have, the friends I would make, and the experiences I would gain. I was drawn to the allure of the unknown.
Once I was on the road, I realized that I wasn’t an explorer venturing into uncharted territory. I was following well-trodden tourist trails with guidebooks in hand. If other backpackers could do it, so could I. I had already survived trips to Costa Rica and Thailand, made friends, and talked to strangers.
We aren’t explorers charting new worlds; we’re simply stepping onto an airplane and going where others have gone before. Our journeys are about having new experiences and learning about ourselves, not uncovering blank spots on a map. We’re following in others’ footsteps, blazing our own personal trails.
The hardest part of the journey is the mental preparation. Once you leave your safe harbor, you’ll feel the wind in your sails. Your fears will fade as excitement and a sense of adventure take over. You’ll be too busy having fun to worry.
If you’re worried about having the skills to travel long-term, don’t be. We’re all just figuring it out as we go. No one knows what to do when they first step out the door. But remember, millions have come before you. They made it, and so will you.
