Navigating the Challenges of Travel Burnout: A Personal Journey
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Chapter 1: Understanding Travel Burnout
Travel is not just about visiting new places; it’s about enriching your life through experiences. As Rolf Potts wisely stated, "The point is to travel in such a way that it deepens and diversifies your life." This sentiment resonated with me when I arrived in Albania in July 2021, having just taken my first one-way flight, ready to embark on a journey to become a travel photographer.
Upon reaching Tirana, I met an Australian traveler named Luke in the hostel courtyard. He described himself as a “digital nomad,” and while he seemed aware of how clichéd that term had become, he was on a quest to visit 100 countries—a goal he was nearing.
I followed him on Instagram and quickly noticed a pattern in his posts. He appeared as a small figure in vast landscapes, arms wide open, seemingly embracing the beauty around him. His captions always began with the country’s name in uppercase, followed by an exclamation mark and the relevant flag emoji.
However, I also noted that Luke dominated our conversation, hardly letting me get a word in. As he sat comfortably with a full mug of beer that he barely touched, the hostel volunteer, Monika, exchanged incredulous glances with me, clearly surprised by his monologue.
Seizing the chance to learn from his experiences, I asked him how his perspective on travel had evolved over the years. He paused, seemingly taken aback by the question, before admitting that travel had begun to feel like a routine for him.
"What do you mean?" I inquired.
He explained, "For instance, during my flight into Tirana, I was engrossed in a Netflix show. When the pilot announced our landing, I felt irritation rather than excitement at being interrupted."
That realization hit me hard; I never wanted to feel that way about travel.
A couple of weeks later, I found an opportunity to work as a freelance travel photographer. Unlike Luke, I knew I wouldn’t be entirely remote since capturing a place requires being physically present. I aimed to remain grounded in the moment.
However, as my travels evolved, they shifted from a quest for inspiration to a search for sustainable work opportunities. This transition took me across the Western Balkans, to Nepal, Central Europe, and eventually India, culminating in a challenging year of travel.
As my journey extended into a second year, I felt myself slipping into the same routine as Luke. I spent two weeks in Pokhara, Nepal, doing little more than reading and resting by a serene lake. I became introspective, avoiding new connections, and I struggled to plan my next destination. Rather than excitement, I felt burnt out and overwhelmed by experiences I hadn’t processed.
I recently encountered a quote in Rolf Potts' The Vagabond’s Way that would have served me well during that time: "Travel is not an endurance contest... sometimes the best way to maintain a lifelong relationship with travel is to return to familiar ground."
Eventually, I returned home for my first solo photography exhibition, which lasted through December. This was my first chance to pause after nearly two years of constant movement, allowing me to reflect on my experiences.
The Importance of Reflecting on Your Journey
Traveling, like anything else, requires a healthy balance. I found that keeping a travel journal became essential for self-reflection. It served as a space to evaluate whether my journey aligned with my personal goals.
Am I pursuing a specific objective, or what do I hope to gain from my experiences?
It's crucial not only to write regularly but also to revisit past entries to assess your growth and trajectory.
Reevaluating the Concept of Freedom
In reading Oliver Burkeman’s 4,000 Weeks, I found insights about digital nomadism that resonated with my experiences. Burkeman suggests that while freelancing and long-term travel have their advantages, they also come with challenges, particularly in cultivating deep relationships. The lifestyle often leads to a lack of shared rhythms, making it harder to bond with others.
I realized that what I had perceived as freedom was merely a trade-off. The ability to choose my location at any moment hindered my capacity to be present for my most important relationships.
The Value of a Home Base
When I embarked on my journey in 2021, I exchanged the stability of home for the freedom to travel. Yet, this meant I lacked a solid foundation to fully engage in my work, as my mind was constantly preoccupied with thoughts of my next move.
Initially, this didn’t pose a problem, but over time, it became overwhelming. I found it increasingly difficult to decide where to establish a permanent base.
I discovered that pausing my travels and returning to familiar surroundings was vital for processing my experiences. A reliable base allowed me to write about and reflect on my journeys without the constant influx of new stimuli.
Conclusion
While the privilege of long-term travel is undeniable, it can become detrimental without mindfulness. I learned that travel isn’t the ideal lifestyle I once envisioned; it doesn’t resolve your issues or alter who you are. Instead, it transports you—along with your emotional baggage—to new locations.
The potential for growth lies in how you respond to your experiences. I haven’t connected with Luke recently, but I often wonder if he achieved his goal of visiting 100 countries and how he felt about it. My pace of travel has slowed significantly, and I’m at peace with that.
The first video discusses practical strategies for avoiding travel burnout, emphasizing the importance of mindful travel practices.
The second video explores the harsh realities of long-term travel, particularly the issue of burnout experienced by travelers in Vietnam.