Everyone says I’m running away
When I started traveling, my father used to ask me what I was running from. A commenter once told me that I should stop running from my problems, and start living. He said, “Grow up.” There was even a blog titled “Mom Says I’m Running Away” years ago. We are all Peter Pans refusing to be “adults.” We are all just Peter Pans refusing to be “adults.”
While American society thinks traveling is something everyone should do at one point, it’s only gap years after college or short vacations that seem to be acceptable. Come back to The Matrix and get it out of your systems.
Those who live nomadic lives, or who stay a little too long before the final stretch, are accused of running away. Responsible people don’t just travel forever. We nomads are either weird or miserable people who are running away from something. To all the people who believe I’m running away: You are right. I am running.
I run away from your “real” life.
I avoid your life.
I run towards everything – towards the world, new people and cultures, and towards my own idea freedom.
I say to all those who think I’m running, you are right. I am building a happy life. While there may be some exceptions, most nomads are not doing so to escape their problems but rather to explore the world. They’re running from the 9-5, office life, weekend errands and commutes. We (I) would like to travel the world, experience different cultures, taste different foods, go to crazy festivals, meet people and have different holidays. We want to create a life we are happy with. I want to look back and say that I did exciting things and lived life on my own terms, not that I spent my lunch break reading blogs like this while wishing the same thing. No one ever dies thinking, “If I’d spent more time at the office!”
My perspective as an American might be different. My country has a long and narrow path: go to college, find a job, marry, buy a home, have 2,5 children, raise them and retire. After you have put in the time and effort, you can enjoy your hard work. Society boxes you in and restricts your movements to their expectations.
And any deviation is considered abnormal and weird. People may envy you for traveling, or wish they could travel like you. They never do. No matter how strongly their hearts pull them, few people have the courage to make the leap. The lifestyle is so different that they are fascinated.
While social media, the rise of digital nomading, and websites like this have made quitting your job to travel the world or teach English in Thailand a little more acceptable, the general attitude is still “follow the path if you want to be normal.”
Well, I don’t want to be normal.
I feel like the reason why people tell us we are running away is that they can’t fathom the fact that we broke the mold and are living outside the norm. I feel like the reason people tell us we are running away is because they can’t fathom that we broke the mold and are living outside of the norm. Maybe they’re jealous, too? But life is only what you make of it. You are the creator of your life. All of us are bound by our own burdens. Whether it’s bills, errands or, as I am, blogging deadlines that we set for ourselves. You have to be determined if you want something.
People traveling the world don’t run away from life. The opposite is true. I believe that those who break the mould, travel the world and live their lives on their terms are living life to the fullest. Many people will never know the freedom we enjoy. We are the captains of all our ships. We chose this freedom. It was the freedom and attitude of travelers in Thailand years ago that inspired me to live my life today. I was inspired by the way they broke the mold. I asked myself “Why not me?” I’m not fleeing. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”
Click here to learn more and start reading it today!
I’m not running away.
No. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”
Click here to learn more and start reading it today!
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. Skyscanner is my favorite search engine, because it searches all websites and airlines in the world.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. Booking.com is the best option if you don’t want to stay in a hostel. It consistently offers the lowest rates for hotels and guesthouses.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. This is comprehensive coverage in the event of an accident. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Want to Travel for Free?
Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Want to Travel for Free
Travel Credit Cards allow you to earn rewards that can be used to redeem for free flights or accommodation. Discover Cars offers affordable international car rentals. They’ll find you the best — and most affordable — rental car for your trip, no matter where you are going!
Need help finding activities for your vacation?
GetYourGuide is a large online marketplace where it’s possible to find cool walking tours and fun excursions as well as skip-the line tickets, private guides and more. Ready to book your trip? Here are all the companies I use to travel. You can’t go far wrong with them. They are top-of-the-line and the best you can get.
