The thick National Geographic Tour book arrived in my mailbox. Well, technically it was on the floor of my apartment building’s vestibule. My box is too small so the mailman just throws it down. Thump.
The catalog is big and glossy and bursting with the stuff travel dreams are made of. And I feel nothing. It’s like the numbness I feel from an old lover…just nothing. I used to pore over a book like this – dreaming and wishing and hoping. And then I traveled to more than fifty countries…and loved it, but grew a bit weary at the same time. Somewhere along the way, I’ve lost the pure joy of travel; the wonder and awe — that feeling of utter excitement when I was heading on a trip, smiling at the clouds outside my airplane window.
I can relate when I read former National Geographic travel writer, Daisann McLane say this in one of her recent columns:
“…Eventually saturation sets in. I’ve found that if I experience too much of the staggeringly stunning, my threshold for awesome goes up and up until the inevitable happens: I lose all ability to really see it. When burnout sets in, I know it’s time to take a break….The best travel happens when you open yourself up to all human experience and activity, not just the “beautiful.” Sometimes the lowbrow end of the spectrum is where your best travel memories are waiting.”
Is it gone for good?
Can I get it back?
What’s Next for Me?
I don’t have an answer to these questions…yet. Don’t get me wrong, I am very grateful for all I have been able to see and do. And I still have more to see and want to. But it’s not the same.
I continue to travel, if a bit more locally (or at least comfortably) lately; seeing not only more of the USA, but more of my region of the Midwest. I know and love my hometown of Chicago, but it is time to venture around a bit around my own backyard. I just visited lovely Door County, Wisconsin, growing Indianapolis, the Motor City – Detroit, and Ann Arbor, Michigan. And I have to admit…I was excited again. Is it possible that the Midwest reawakened my travel love? A little bit, yes. It is energizing to see these former industrial cities reinventing themselves and building something new. Stay tuned this year for a new series of posts: My Midwest. Oh, but of course, I’m also heading to Canada and Mexico in early 2014. I didn’t say I was done with travel, just doing it a bit different from now on.
Until then, thanks for encouraging me, commenting, and continuing to read along.
2013: The Year in Photos
I hear you Lisa. I spent years working on an art history degree and hours upon hours viewing all the major works of art on 40 foot screens – then I traveled and was often a bit underwhelmed. I wasn’t prepared for the smog in Athens, I found the Mona Lisa so small at the same time, other things stop me in my tracks and learning the ways of new cultures certainly helps to spark the flame again. If you find yourself in Texas this year, let me know and we’ll share a meal. 😀
Thanks for chiming in Maria. I hate to sound whiny while others don’t get to travel as much, but it is a reality of too much of anything.
Where in Texas are you? I’m hoping to get to Austin in the next year or two! And I’m ALWAYS up for sharing a meal. 🙂
Lisa, I’m in Austin – so definitely stay in touch 🙂
Slow down, recharge, and your insatiable thirst for travel will come back. I’ve been on the go for the last 2 years pretty strong living in Alaska, South Florida, tour guiding in Cuba (72 days last year), Peru, and now living in Kauai. They are all fabulous places, but living out of a suitcase can get old. I’m taking a break now until mid-March. It is well-deserved. Plus, it will give me the chance to get excited again about a new place and new adventures.
BTW, I’m from the Midwest, near LaCrosse Wi (small town called Trempealeau). Go PACK!
Hi MTP! Yay WI! It’s DAMN cold up there right now, so I think Kauai might be preferable! I’ll be writing about Door County soon actually. I am definitely slowing down my travels. I’d prefer to just live in a new place and explore rather than changing locations every week or so.
“May all your dream come true but one”. Still one of my favorite quotes.
I haven’t truly exhausted all my dreams but then again I’ve never really been one to invest my all into dreams, hype and expectation. Whilst I don’t run the risk of being underwhelmed there are drawbacks to not having fantasies too.
I don’t think you can ever lose interest in the spectacular, you just start realising it in other things.
Thanks so much Loz. So true about hype and expectation. And getting a fresh perspective is so important!
This is very true. I definitely got travel fatigue – of ruins, temples, skyscrapers and islands – as time went on. But I’m still super glad we opted for RTW travel because it changed our lives. Happy 2014 to you!
So true! My RTW trip definitely changed me life. In and of itself, and then my continuing career as a travel writer and photog as well! It’s crazy and surreal still!
I am right there with you. Still love to travel, but the numbness has set in. I’m taking it much slower in 2014 so I can get that rush back.
I really felt like that last year so took 2 1/2 months off from traveling which I savoured and that brought it back. Like you, I’m also a big fan of exploring in your own back yard. One of my favorite things to do is go to a new cafe once a week. It’s such a simple thing, but it helps you to get to know your city. I’m also traveling less this year. Sometimes less really is more. Hang in there! You’ll find a way to get it back.
I really hope the excitement of travel comes back to you. Maybe you just needed a small break? Take a breather, and re-evaluate. I’m certain you will get your groove back. I hope you have a great 2014. Thank you for sharing this.
I wanted to thank you for writing about this. So often, bloggers (especially in travel, I think) want to write only positive stories, only things that are optimistic and encouraging, but the reality of a life filled with relocations is that sometimes you need to catch up with yourself, and I appreciate when folks are honest so we can talk about it. I’ve written about travel fatigue myself, for those that are interested: http://lynfuchs.blogspot.com/2012/03/wandering-mystic-meditation-on-travel.html
Hi Julia – Thanks so much for your comment and feedback. It is so true. I need to continue to inject more raw honesty into posts and travel is definitely changing for me…good and bad. I just never want to sound whiny, because no matter what, I am still very fortunate.
I can understand that. I just started working full time as a travel writer/blogger, literally about a month ago, and I already fear that reading and writing about travel day in and day out, could take the magic out of it. I fear that! In your case, I think you just need a long break from it. In the meantime, I am sure there is something else you can get passionate about; don’t worry, I’m sure you will find it!
He puts it well. I did a year out a few years ago and traveled to over 20 countries and saw something cool every day. By the end though you have much higher expectations and a really pretty waterfall in Thailand or Vietnam isnt appreciated because you maxed out in Iguazu a few months previously