What are you running away from?
This is the question I am regularly asked when I talk about my travels. My reply has always been nothing, I just enjoy travelling. I love my home but I just want to see more of the world.
But on a more recent trip, it occurred to me that maybe they are right. Maybe I am running away and perhaps I need to be more honest about this.
So here is the truth and my reason for going on so many trips. Why I am never here for your short noticed get together or why you have to ask . . . Are you in this country on X date?
I am running away.
I am running away as far as I can from having a sheltered view on the world. Also, I am running from having the closed view of what life should be, and from being narrow minded. I am running free to explore the world, which helps me to see how things are done in other countries so I can learn more and improve myself. I am running to meet more people. I want to know the best possible me.
I want to broaden my mind and learn new things. I’m running from me being told how life should be. I want to be free to work that out for myself.
So in future, when I’m asked “what are you running from?”
My honest reply is going to be . . . “perhaps from being like you!”
What are your thoughts on this post. Do you get asked similar questions or is there a question that is your bug bearer? Perhaps you disagree with what I’ve said. I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below or share on social media and tag a friend. Don’t forget to subscribe (its free!) to my blog for fortnightly updates.
I’ve always been SO defensive when people have asked this question. Why do I need to be running away? Why can’t I just LIKE travelling?
Then recently my mother passed away, and he first thing I did was book a 2 week trip to the Balkans. I realised then that I do use travel as an excuse to run away. And looking back, I always have. I’ve run away from “growing up”, I’ve run away from a kind of scary marriage proposal, I’ve run away from commitment and I’ve run away from conventional life. And I’ve realised now that all of the above is totally okay! Using travel to “run away” and escape is the best, and I’m totally not ashamed!