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.
Hey Kathy, I get asked that all the time and it’s usually followed up by a snide “how can you afford all that?” comment! I love to travel and to me, getting to ‘run away’ isn’t a bad thing at all. Like you said, it’s about broadening your horizons and gaining more perspective on the world. That said, I think it’s also important to recognize that travel is a privilege and that not everyone is able to embark on these same adventures as us for a variety of different reasons. So it’s not necessarily that non-travellers are always close-minded or anything like that, we need to be mindful that other factors might be involved.
You are completely right. Some people are not able to travel. We are so so lucky to have these opportunities. Everyone has the right to travel or not to travel and neither makes them short minded. Just the ones who insist I am running away from something 🙂
So relatable! I love the adventure and learning about new cultures etc. Some other people just dont get it
I’m so glad that you have related to the post.
oh yeah. i get that question a lot as well and it is normally coming from people who have never travelled. so they can’t relate at all what the perks of travelling really is.
I love this so much. I can totally relate. I hate feeling stuck in one place when there’s so much to see and explore! Followed you on Instagram and Facebook.
I am so glad you can relate to it Michelle. It really gets on my nerve when people think I am running away :-0 Thanks for following my journey
I can tell you for a fact that what I have learned this year is that travel can be both, escapism and a healthy need for distance to re-ealuate life back home.
You are so right Mike. However I don’t think escapism is running away. Its more taking time out 🙂 We all need escapism now and again.
If this is running away then I want to run away too
It’s an honest view. Most people who ask the question have led sheltered lives or have no sense of adventure or have never left their home town. Or go to the same hotel in Spain year after year! Live and let live. We travel to see interesting places, meet like minded and interesting people and be more open minded about life. I think the people we meet on our journeys are just as important as the road we travel!
Very true Wendy. I have met so many amazing people on my travels and as you said they have made my trips what they are.
The people who ask me this type of question are people who have never travelled or have any lure to travel.
Love it
I’m glad you enjoyed reading it 🙂