I was talking to Nicole from More is Better a few days ago about life plans as I was pushing her to travel like I push everyone to travel. While on the subject, I realized I didn’t know what I would do after I stopped traveling. In fact, I’ve been moving so long that I can’t picture life without it. Travel has become a lifestyle for me. Always moving, always on the road. I still have a bunch of destinations to visit before I become more sedentary but eventually, I’ll slow down. It’s inevitable. But that scares me. I’ve forgotten what it’s like to live in one place for more than 6 months.
All of which makes me wonder- can you travel for too long? When travel becomes a lifestyle, are you really better off? Most travelers who take a long term trip do it as a career break or take the infamous gap year that lasts for a year to a year and a half. Then it’s back to the real world. Not fully because more people come back from this with a new set of work/life priorities but they still go back. There are the digital nomads out there who works from the road and move from place to place slowly. Then there are the real long term travelers like myself who have been going for many years with no end in sight.
That’s when travel becomes a lifestyle and like any lifestyle, it’s hard and scary to give up. As much courage as it takes step away from the cubicle and head out on the road, it takes as much courage to step away from the road and go back to a more routine lifestyle. Travel eventually becomes all you know. It’s all I know. After about 4-5 months in one spot, I get anxious and antsy and I need to move again. I think of all the destinations worth seeing and think about how I should get there soon. I formulate plans with friends and plan holidays to far off places. This summer I’m off to Europe then Australia and New Zealand. I want to see Africa and South America. All of that means I still have years on the road ahead of me and I’ll be even more entrenched in this lifestyle of constant motion.
Eventually, we all need a fixed address. We can take can multi-month trips to far off destinations but everyone needs a place to call home. You can’t spend your whole life moving from one place to the next- it’s unrealistic. So can you travel for too long? Yes, I think you can. When travel becomes a lifestyle, I think it’s a sign you have been on the road too long. At that point, travel is your life- it’s what you do and there is nothing else. You have no home or fixed location and friendships are always ephemeral because, in about 5 months, you’ll be gone again.
I sometimes think I’ve been on the road to long. But am I ready to give up this lifestyle yet? No. Not yet. Because, when I think I might, I remember I still haven’t climbed Kilimanjaro, dived in the South Pacific, or sailed down the Amazon yet and I realize that I still have a bit more to go with this life I lead right now.
One thing I’ve noticed is that everyone who has this lifestyle either was married before they started or are single.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with traveling as a lifestyle. When I first saw your title I thought to myself that there have been times when it was good to get home; traveling can be tiring when you have a predetermined amount of time to fit everything.
In your case, I don’t think you can do it too long, as long as you continue to enjoy it. The day you wake up and wish you were “home” will be one day too long.
I’m becoming sort of a celebrity on this site, huh? Which is pretty awesome. Now that I AM going to travel, you can brag about how you’ve had such a big influence on my life
Also, to address the post more specifically: I think that only you can know what’s too long and too much for you. If you’re still happy doing what you’re doing (whether that’s travel or something else entirely), then keep on doing it.
Oh, and you can’t stop traveling yet. Because, hello? MY LIFE LIST!
Matt, i think what you describe is a Nomadic Lifestyle, which is bit different to traveling imho. sure, you could describe it as very slow traveling, but i think there is one significant difference. Working. I found myself quite fast bored from pure traveling, which is this one-the surface floating through different places. i found working and traveling almost unlimited in duration cause you still have the feeling of being productive in some way. Be it harvesting melons in Australia or blogging from Thailand. I think there is a deep rooted need of doing something, at least for me.
so for me nomadic work-traveling has no limits, as long as you don’t have a need for long term relationships and traditional company centered careers. but for the do-nothing-floating-around-travel lifestyle i can not do that for too long. probably a question of character.
I always have said that my favorite destination in the world is home after a long trip.
Yeah, I know what you mean…I traveled Europe for two years (I mean, I was technically changing my address every six months-ish, where I would leave my stuff, but traveling to a different country every week or so), and I got sick of having to pare down my belongings, relocate, get visas, etc. Then I decided to find a career where I still could travel frequently but have a permanent zip code, and while there are times I definitely envy your nomadic state, I do like having the stability of a semi-permanent mailing address!
Matt,
To be honest, I envy you and other people who are able to travel long term. I am not quite at a point financially where I can just drop everything and leave. I am getting there and I have my retirement from corporate life (or at least a 12-18 month leave of absence planned). I have been to many places like NZ, India, Russia, England, and France, but only for 3-4 weeks at a time. This year I am doing 2 weeks in China, but its way too short. That being said, I think eventually you have to settle on a place or city that you are truly happy living in and make it work.
Thanks for your perspective.
Matt, I think the only way you’ll settle at one place long enough is when you have a family!!!! But you are young, you are creative, and you don’t really have to answer to anyone (except maybe yourself). So travel far, travel as long as you can. For someone like you, “home” might just be a tad too boring, so I won’t be surprised if in a few months, you’d be itching to go somewhere again! Your life list is pretty long…many people would be disappointed if you stopped now! So don’t even wonder…
I agree with Nicole (go figure
), that only you know when it’s time to take the next step whether it’s diving in the South Pacific or planting roots somewhere finally. How long have you been traveling? You realize that we’re going to be friends now, right?
Only you know if you’ve been on the road too long. And from the sound of it you seem happy. Besides the U.S. is all gloom and doom right now. Who needs that if you can avoid it.
I agree with Jan. If you can be productive while traveling, you could travel indefinitely. Well, maybe not indefinitely, but for a really, really, really long time. Every time I spent 4-6 months living in France I eventually became antsy for lack of something to do other than be on permanent vacation. Yes, I was a student or an English teacher each time, but those activities took up relatively little time. If I had had a job or some way to be fully productive I could have stayed much longer.
Hey Matt,
I have a question for ya. I’m going to be pretty much moving down to Mexico for a few months starting mid May and I’m in search for some kind of health insurance plan that is good for international travel and such. Have any good suggestions or what do you do? Thanks!
You’ve been away from home/travelling or whatever when you simply want to have a more permanent home. That amount of time is different for everyone including some who travel their entire life. Those who are never more than a week or two anywhere but still going after several years impress me as they have been really itinerant.
I would have pinned you as more of a digital nomad than a “real long term traveler” by your definition. You work wherever you go, and at least some of your income is earned online.
Does it make a difference, though? Life is still lived on the road, moving from place to place and fancy to fancy. Most people aren’t independently wealthy, so we have to work around the world at some point. Like Jan says, pure travel gets old pretty quickly anyway.
And sure, travel as a lifestyle may not be a forever thing, but since you are traveling slowly (like me), living somewhere for months at a time, you’d be surprised how long you can keep at it.
I always thought that travelling was a way of life..but I cannot live like you do..I have a home to come back to..a husband as well and all I can manage is travel around my country whenever I get time off..now that Im on a sabbatical, I dont have bosses to answer to..
i’m on the other side of things. torn on being settled or being nomadic. i’ve been in baltimore for nearly 5 years now (longer than i’ve been anywhere). i travel an impressive amount considering i only have 10 vacation days a year at my day job. but realizing i will never be fulfilled at my job until i have a job that involves travel – maybe even finding a way to encourage others to travel…
good luck!
anne
I think you can carry on travelling all your life in one form or another if you want to. My grandfather was born in the US, moved to England as a child then as an adult lived in Paris, Venice, Rome, Kenya and England. In between he travelled a lot too. My father also travelled constantly as a child (see above), then settled down for a while in England when he had me and my brother, (although he made sure he had plenty of travel for work), and now takes at least six trips a year, some for a few days, some for a month. He has a home in London, which he always comes back to, but he’s in his sixties now, and always planning his next trip. I know that what he does is different to what you are currently doing, but I guess what I am trying to say is that you can always have travel in your life, without necessarily having to stay on the road.
If I can do that for the rest of my life I’ll be happy.
you know when i left home 8 years to travel. my goal was forever, but after 1.5 years i really got tired of it. now, i’m an expat, which in my mind is still traveling, but for the actual travel trips, i don’t like to go for more than one month. maybe cause i’m a mom and like more stability or who knows, but i find being an expat is suiting my ways more than being on the road all the time!
The Travel Expert(a) and an Expat with a Twist
With this post, I was sort of thinking out loud and reading the comments I am amazed at the variety and depth of opinions. Good showing y’all! Camels and Chocolate hit it right with me- the idea of a semi-permanent address is probably what I will move to in the end but where that is I don’t know yet. And it’s not for awhile. Too many dreams in my head.
Jan also hit on the button too- travel eventually gets stale
and Nora- I’m not a full digital nomad yet!
Thank you for all your interesting perspectives
when travel becomes a lifestyle, how to you keep other people in that life? Or do you just end up becoming ok with a solitary existence?
I’d like to know what that career is Cames and Chocolate! Sounds great. I too struggle with this. I haven’t traveled straight for months and months, but I have taken the route of marina villatoro…be an expat for a few years at a time and travel from there. But, this can also be a crazy existence, because I split my free time into travel and going home to reconnect with family and friends. I’m torn between sticking close to home and adventuring out to far away places. Hard decisions…but good ones!
PS. My summer travels are taking me to southern African, S.A., Swaziland and Mozambique. I can’t wait!!!
Sometimes I envy your lifestyle other times I am glad I have a permanent home. I need something in between two week’s vacation and constant travel.
Like most people have been saying, you’re young- so go with it.
Setting off for the first time for extended travel has been full of excitement for us. It’s an interesting test to see how it suits us. We have lived in a major metropolis for 8 years, and were “done” with it after 5. It’s not easy to disentangle oneself. Now that we are free, it’s exciting to see all the potential. I’d like to try living in another place, and leave my country for something new, but I imagine that would never feel truly “permanent,” more of an itch to go and find something new. Once an expat, always an expat, I feel.
I think the thing I look forward to most when I travel is a home-cooked meal, prepared by moi. Otherwise, I could travel for a very long time without feeling too out of sorts. But my hubby would need to be there. And my iPod. And, my books. And my favorite sandals. And…. and…. and…
Thanks for the thoughtful post, Matt!
Travel is kind of addictive. The lure to me is every place you go, you would meet different people. So even visiting a same place, the experience is different. So there won’t be the case I say “Ok, i’ve traveled all the places, and I will stop now.”
http://www.OurExplorer.com
local guides, local wisdom
No, it’s not realistic to keep on traveling forever. Everyone does need to build some roots eventually.
But, as a chunk in your life, why not?? I think it takes real courage to live as a nomad for years on end.
You will eventually settle down in one place, that’s for sure. And I can bet that you’ll look back on your years as Nomadic Matt as some of the very best years of your life!!
interesting – and i don’t think it is an either/or situation. you can still be settled and travel a lot. you just aren’t constantly traveling. for instance, you could decide to be somewhere for 4-5 months each year – ONE place, to call home, and then travel the rest of the time, if you’d like.
i tell you, travel gets a lot more difficult with disabilities, and kids. but it is still do-able! you’ll find your way. that said, there’s something about a place to come home TO that makes travel all the better.
the nomadic lifestyle is not for every one I’d even say it is not for many, I traveled for many years & like others eventually found a place i wanted to stay in. I expect that in the next few years i will start hitting the road again i decided some time back that i could have my cake & eat it no need to sell all & not maintain a base a little patience and planning & 2-3 months here then else where is a easily attainable..
I really agree with all your single words… I feel exactly the same and I m still wondering if I will be able to go back to a fix point on day…
Nice post. I get antsy if I’m in one place more than a couple of weeks. I really can’t imagine not travelling.
As long as you are enjoying it, i don’t think one can travel too long.
I always think of you as living in Thailand because you spend so much time there and teach English there. That seems like your home for now & “jump off” place to travel from and return to after wards.
I grew up with a lot of traveling and moving and prefer that lifestyle.Some people are just not meant to be in one place forever and it is easier to have that kind of life today than ever before.
We can all see by this post, that some of your “community” is online. One doesn’t need to have someone living next door to be in a relationship or have an interesting conversation.
My heroes for permanent travelers ( who helped inspire our open ended family world tour that we began in 2006) are the Terhorsts that retired at 35 in 1885 & are STILL happily traveling over 20 years later. I think he ( Paul Terhorst ) even coined the phrase “permanent traveler” in his famous 1988 book “cashing in on the American Dream”. They have found plenty of things to keep them busy, fulfilled and excited on their slow travels around the world ( combined with deep immersion in places like Paris, India, Argentina and Thailand).
As a couple and a family ( especially with just one child) I think some things are easier, as one is fulfilled in primary relationship goals, thus one takes “home” where ever you are and has a travel partner/s to share everything with.
Of course, it can be a little more complex as well, as couple travel and family travel ( short or long) is different than single travel. Everyone’s needs have to be considered & with a child, one needs to take full responsibility for their education ( if doing long term travel). ( Personally, I think all parents should take full responsibility for their child’s education whether traveling or not).
No, there really are no limits to travel, except the ones that you put on yourself. In today’s world, one can do it as long as it makes you happy.
We don’t have to work, but do find plenty to keep us busy. We don’t miss home cooked meals, because we cook them ourselves. In many ways, our lives are not that different than when we lived in one place. The basics remain the same no matter where we are in the world. I don’t agree that “eventually we all need a fixed address”. Why? Not today.
We are on the move traveling intensely and constantly for 7 months out of the year, but also have returned to the same small village in Spain for the last 3 winters where we do much less traveling & replenish ourselves.
Our child goes to the local school and we have consistent IRL friends ( along with keeping up with online friends & many old IRL friends & family via Skype webcam calls & online). We even garden here on our roof top during our 5 month winter stay, since the weather is spring like! Extended family ( and friends) have visited us & we them, so we have had the joy of sharing our traveling lifestyle with them & mulitgenerational journeys.
I think if one does slow travel with a constant base to return to, one can travel forever…or at least as long as one wants to. Like the Terhorts & others, we will change our bases from time to time. I think combining deep immersion with travel is superior to expat life, yet has some similarities. If we ever tire of travel, we will stop, but so far, we find it just gets better.
We find it a really free way to live. Even if we ever do settle down, I can not imagine, that we would ever stop traveling. Even when we were settled down in our dream home, we continued to travel.
I think the answer is no, you can’t ever travel for too long….IF that kind of freedom & exploration is what pleases you.
I think it TOTALLY depends on how you do it, and who you do it with – travel of course
I totally relate to what you mean by needing a “home” eventually but I feel like you can make a home wherever it is you are – its all about what you make of it. How we’ve personally done it is by basing ourselves in a certain place (this year it was Montreal for 3 months and then Toronto for 7) and then making 1 to 2 week trips to other destinations from there. It’s allowed us to have the best of both worlds, a fantastic place to live (that’s still technically “traveling” so its awesome) whilst simultaneously making trips to fulfill our travel niggles that seem to arise every 6 weeks or so!
I’m super lucky to have my boyfriend as my travel partner which definitely makes the whole experience far more “homely” – wherever we set up together is basically home to me anyway! I’m sure if I was traveling alone I’d feel the pangs for a stable “home” environment far more strongly!
WOW I chattered on, anyway awesome post!
I think you cannot travel forever, but I had been thinking that you could live for a few months at a time and “travel slowly” but I haven’t been in that situation before. My longest amount of traveling was 2 months, so I am not sure how I would feel after 3 years of traveling. Like you said Matt, after being in one place for 6 months, you are itching to travel. What makes you think in 15 years that you’ll feel so much different? Love, a child, something like that might change the equation I suppose. But people with wives and children also do it. Look at http://manvsdebt.com He has a child, a wife, and they travel full-time. I think it can be done!
Hey Matt,
This post is pretty poignant for us right now…we just finished up a trip that has kept us from home for over 2 years and now we are in a very weird place. Normal life seems appealing and terrifying all at the same time. I want some stability at this point but then I worry that in 6 months I will be sitting on the couch at home wondering what happened to our free lifestyle.
I think that Soultravelers3 has it right when she says everyone needs a base and, if you are travelling “base-less” as we have been for the past 2 years, you feel a bit lost at times however if we had spent more than 5 weeks in a certain place during the past few years maybe things would feel different.
I think too that all of us who love travelling do need to re-charge and that is different for each us. Also, as we get older (the big 3-0 is looming) we have come to realize that as much as we love to travel we do have other goals as well related to careers, home, family etc.
So for us I guess we need to take a deep breath and look at returning to non-traveling for a bit as a way to re-charge ourselves for the next big adventure.
Great article!
I agree, eventually we all need a base to move from. I plan on becoming semi-nomadic to have that base soon enough. Well, if a year is soon enough…
It’s funny that I came across this because I was having a discussion with my mom today who told me “You have to settle down eventually.” Do you? And why? I agree that the roving lifestyle at some point gets old. You don’t have the comforts that come with being settled and it’s tough having friends turn over rather quickly. A semi-nomadic lifestyle though let’s you have the best of both worlds- a place to call home and the freedom to leave when you want!
Annoyingly I was going to write a similar post on my website about this. I’ve found myself getting bored of travels and the one day events that I book way in advance seem to pip my interest a lot more. E.g. Music concerts.
Although you haven’t really revealed it here I guess you spend a lot of time on the internet whilst travelling Matt, and with all the niche sites being done it makes you feel the productivity previously mentioned. Maybe this is a key point and really we do need to be doing something productive rather than just pleasure (i.e. just travel).
I’ve met people at different stages of travel, when people are nearing the end (financially or planned) a good percentage of them seem relieved and keen to go home. (This is more true with people who don’t keep blogs etc online, hence an online opinion is slightly biased – maybe its the keeping busy thing again).
Long term travel certainly isn’t for everyone (anyone?). I am actually looking forward to going home in a few months time, of which I plan to do the whole internet work thing, and continue in a job abroad (in Japan!) come October time, this excites me more than knowing I’ve got another year of sight seeing.
I think we eventually all are ready to go home, where ever we decide that may be
Hey Matt, a good post and thoughtful comments. Yes, I think you can travel for too long. Like you, I spent a good many years travelling … but then realised it was time for a break when, deep in the middle of Borneo when some Penan indian’s took us under their collective wing, the experience just became one of many from that time instead of an experience of a lifetime.
Sometimes you need a little perspective to retain the wonders of the world. I’d somehow assumed I’d have to do it all before I was 30 and then hang up those travel boots … but somehow life doesn’t work that way and we’ve had many great adventures since then.
Happy travelling and retain that sense of wonder!
simon