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 βwhat are you running from?β
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 love this Kathy, so very very true.
Thanks. I feel quite strongly about this π
I love how you turned that around; Running away from ignorance and close-mindedness is what keeps me going too! Great post and I’ve enjoyed perusing your blog π
Thanks Caitlin. It was a bit of a decision to write this as it could be seen as insulting :-0
it occurred to me the other day that I NEED to travel and to get away from my life to be able to come back, to be able to make that choice all over again.
Exactly. Travel is an addiction. Keep on travelling π
I can relate to this. While I might not get asked what I am running from I get a lot of friend/family doing eye rolls when I can’t make their event because I am not in the country. Like you I love to travel and am over explaining or apologising. It’s my life and I intend to live it my way π
“It’s my life and I intend to live it that way” – Love that! Safe travels π
That would be a nice answer! I am constantly getting surprised by questions people ask. Like it’s their business?! Probably they are too scared to visit even the city nearby so they want to spoil you travels too. π
Yes I have had a few surprising questions asked before. Now I just direct them to this post π
I too don’t understand why people ask such stupid questions! We all have different goals and priorities in life, travel may not be high on their list and buying a fancy car may not be high on my list, why don’t people understand priorities differ? By the way, you framed the right answer, the next time I am asked this stupid question I will give them exactly this answer!
Deep thoughts. Sometimes I wonder the same question but I believe that instead of running from something we are actually running towards something better π
Fantastic words there Raphael!
I’ve never actually been asked what I’m running from. I suppose I am amongst a large group of people who also love an adventure and really enjoy travelling. Most people certainly don’t travel as much as I do, and many are settling into being “grown up” now, but noone questions me about travelling as much as I do. I suppose it depends on the people, huh?
Yes it definitely depends on who you are surrounded by. I am surrounded by a lot of people who do not travel. However most are very interested in where I go etc. It is just a few who bug me with this question.