Comments on: Everyone Says I’m Running Away

By: johnny - onestep4ward.com

johnny - onestep4ward.com — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 03:47:55 +0000

i couldn’t agree more mate! i’ve been following your blog for a while now and it’s inspired me to start my own. Really compelling stuff.

I truly believe ppl need to sit down, detach themselves from all the sh*t going on around them and seriously contemplate what makes them happy…. and if that’s their 52 inch LED TV then so be it – good luck to them BUT if not then go out and seek your happiness, get off the standard trail and live your life. Ul regret it if you don’t!

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:33:54 +0000

Hi,

I get your point here….I think most people want to travel and see as much of the world and what it has to offer. There is so many other cultures and different people to meet. My question is what do you do other than travel in your life? Do you have a degree/education/ a prospect of getting a good job when and if you ever decide to come back from travelling? Or could you offer your services/expertise to the country you are travelling in?

Alot of people I personally know travel and get wasted/party etc then come back to nothing…no prospects of were to go next. So in a way they did run away from their problems to experience the high life but in the end had to come back to the same problems. I am not saying everyone is the same but I think its always good to have a back plan so when the day comes to hang up your rucksack, you can do.

I’ve been trying to go travelling for 2 years now, but now have the prospect of a really decent job and a really good musical project. My time will come but for now I am happy doing the things I love. I would ideally do the same job i currently work as (Engineer) in another country some day.

By: Leigh

Leigh — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:41:58 +0000

Why is running away always considered a bad thing to do? Isn’t it worse to stay in one place when it’s not right or even healthy.

Besides, most people are trying to escape something, and staying in one place automatically mean you’re facing your challenges.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 07:50:21 +0000

I’m also American and just got back from NZ, my first trip abroad! The whole thing was very last minute and my friends’ and family’s reactions were a mix of, “You’re crazy!” and, “Wow, I’m so jealous!” It was for five weeks, which seemed like a pretty decent amount of time, but then I met so many people who had been traveling for several months around the world and who were shocked that I had never been outside of the states before. Most, if not all, of these people were from other countries, mainly Europe. Here I had been dying to travel for years and finally bit the bullet, only to find out just how wired the US culture is to follow that certain “dream”. I became well aware awhile ago that it wasn’t for me, but didn’t really have any clue how different ideals were in other countries. I mean, I found out today that my sister had never even seen a passport before, and she’s 35. Also, I only met a handful of other Americans while in NZ, just showing more how little we travel.

Anyway, I’ve decided that it’s better to travel now than later. Can’t predict the future and don’t want to have regrets about not seeing the world. Now to rebuild the funds and plan…

Thanks for this blog, Matt! Such a great inspiration and help.

By: Noran

Noran — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:40:59 +0000

Now this article makes me feel normal.

Agree with you in every word.

By: Angel

Angel — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:17:01 +0000

Great article brother
If people who work 9-5 understood that they are really the ones who are running away. Maybe then they would understanding that they are no longer alive. 9-5=0

By: Leandro

Leandro — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:52:38 +0000

Good article. I’m going through a life pretty much predesigned by society and I’m too weak or too coward to do anything else. I admire your bravery and the bravery of others who dare to live life like you. Sometimes I get so desperate about the monotony of my life that I end up in front of a computer screen reading about other places or imagining myself traveling through Europe or maybe Egypt. In fact, a google search of “running away” took me here.

By: Kenneth

Kenneth — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:01:02 +0000

Thanks Matt. I am K2 from bootsnall. I just had a conversation with my dad about this and I was frustrated that he didn’t understand (and I know my mother won’t either). I hope to send them your words since I couldn’t explain it myself why I wanted to travel.

By: Ely

Ely — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:14:11 +0000

I just discovered your website and I absolutely love it. Please keep doing what you are doing. You are inspiration. Very few people have the tenacity to do what they want. I’m slowly taking charge of my own life. First by leaving DC and moving to Barcelona. This article really hit close to home. I’m glad that I’m not the only one!

By: jo

jo — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:06:37 +0000

Matt!
YES YES YES!! I agree with your words. Good for you. I myself am reading this article because I am trying to decide if I should travel. I am trying to work out if I am traveling to escape! The reason it feels like it is escaping is because we all know it shouldn’t matter where you go inner peace comes from within. And real joy is not the same as pleasure. I feel both the need to become a master and channel my energy into something productive, and the need to explore and live life to the full. If I am sad and look to travel to open my self up to a new perspective is this bad? Should I only travel if I also seeking knowledge?

Thank you