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.
People always ask me when I’m going to stop travelling, settled down and have a baby! I’m running away from that preconceived concept of life. I don’t want that and I’m happy with what I’ve got.
Great perspective! It’s true that so many people view travel as a negative, or as if you’re running from something. I often encounter people who think I’m just traveling for vacations, when in reality I travel to learn and open my mind. For people who aren’t passionate about it, that can be hard to understand. Travel isn’t for everyone, but I think we should all support each other in what our hearts call us to do!
Haha! The questions we face as travelers from our friends and relatives!!!!! Quite unusually I haven’t been asked this particular question!!! But then yeah, any such questions are really irritating! But its ok, they are ignorant and can’t understand that travel widens one’s minds and horizons!
Haha. Cheers to your spirit. As a traveler, even I am fed up of hearing this. It’s time people respect my love for travel as I respect their fondness for a dull life. (Being wicked). I don’t know why people even have to question or interfere travelers. These days, I don’t even answer such people.
Hahaha, I saw the title and wondered what you were going to say. Then you were running away, but your answer to those who ask from what? is a classic, lol. I agree!
I wouldn’t call it running away (although others may see it that way). Making your own path is a hard task and a lonely one too most of the times, so kudos for having the will to keep doing it! For many, stepping out of your comfort zone is labeled as an escape of sorts; in reality, only a few have the courage to go out and do it. I’m guessing you’re one of the few braves 🙂
I think the people who ask the question are trying to understand you but they don’t know how to approach the topic. Your lifestyle choices baffle them and they want to know whether they’re making the wrong or right decisions about how to live.
Cool article and perspective on why we travel. I think it is the same With me. I don’t want to get stuck in my home town. I want to experience the world, learn from other cultures, get New perspectives. I Guess I am running away from getting stuck in a normal life With a 9-5 job and full predictability. I want to be surprised 🙂