Make yourself comfortable. Pour yourself a glass of wine. Let’s talk.
(OK, first I’m going to talk. But we’ll get to you soon, I promise.)
I’ve been seeing a plethora of posts lately on how people should travel — specifically whether they should travel solo or alone. Matador Network just published back to back pieces in favor of solo and group travel and Nomadic Matt recently swore off solo travel, settling into a less “Nomadic” lifestyle.
The conversation of whether or not to travel solo is one worth having. Traveling solo can be incredibly therapeutic and a powerful experience in personal growth, but it can also be lonely and it isn’t for everyone.
Regardless, this all got me thinking about the Blogosphere’s tendency to insist that certain types of travel are more or less respectable, life-changing, and/or worthwhile than others.
Following the travel (life) rules of others makes for a grumpy backpacker. (Fernando Botero’s “Cezanne”)
Digging further to the very backdrop of this theme — ALL travel bloggers are guilty of bias in a unifying passion that EVERYONE should travel.
Which got me thinking even further… wait for it… I swear these tangents have a point.
Is it really fair of us to insist that self-actualization requires a certain amount of stamps in a passport? Is it rude to insist that those individuals who do not travel are less respectable than those that do? If people do choose to travel, who are we to say how and why?
When it comes to how we travel, and whether or not we travel at all, why are we constantly trying to simplify layered life preferences into strict folders of right and wrong?
Now, let me backtrack a bit. I don’t think any of the pieces I mentioned are trying to shove anything down anyone’s throat. They’re providing individual accounts of travel preferences. And I do happen to believe that those with the means to see the world, should try to see as much of it as they can. We were all given this planet to live on so it seems a little wasteful to only experience a very small part of it.
On the other hand, maybe you’ve found a desk job that makes you happy — that’s fantastic! If you love your hometown and prefer to vacation with a small suitcase rather than live out of backpack, good for you!
What I hope to communicate through my blog, more so than any sort of lifestyle hierarchy, is the importance of figuring out what makes YOU happy and pursuing that passion at all costs. I find it terribly unfortunate that social constructs have left populations of unique people feeling coralled into narrow paths of life progress and even worse — bored.
If you’re miserably flipping through friends of friends of ex-girlfriends Facebook profiles at work and finding it more exciting than the job you’re toiling away at for 40+ hours a week, then YES — its probably time for a change. Leave that lousy career and go see the world!
But, if you’ve followed the path from college to career to promotion to professional such-and-such, and you really enjoy it, I think that’s just as respectable as spending months or years on the road. If you love what you do, then that should make it worth your time.
Travel bloggers have unique opportunities to share their experiences, to entertain, and to enlighten their audiences. We can show you that travel isn’t as scary or expensive or difficult as you might think. But as a travel blogger, I’m following MY passion. (Which is why I’m able to devote 30+ hours a week to this little nugget of internet space and not worry about the money.) I love to travel and I want to share that love with those who share my passion, and with those who are curious about pursuing it. I want to create a narrative of how life changing travel can be, but I also want to inspire you to create your own narrative, in your own voice.
Cheers to you and whatever passions you pursue!
If you love the idea of solo travel, let me show you how fulfilling it can be — then go give it a shot for yourself. If you’d rather spend a summer uncovering the very best pubs in Ireland with a group of your best friends, then go for it! And if you’re raising a family and have never felt more fulfilled than when you’re sitting at the dinner table with your kids, then I applaud you as well. Someday, after all this wanderlust leaves my system, I’ll probably feel more drawn towards that image than the idea of fighting off hungry Argentinians for stove space in the hostel kitchen. Ahhh… someday.
The thing about travel, as with anything in life, is that its only worth while if it feels right to you, regardless of what anyone else says.
Alright, time to wrap all this up now that I’ve reached the bottom of this bottle of wine I’ve been cyber sharing with all of you… Wait — no ones out there? Crap, guess I finished it myself…
Stars on the Ceiling is a blog about travel. Its also a blog about living life on YOUR terms. So please, don’t let me or anyone else out there define them for you.
However, I do still recommend seeing the world for more terms to choose from…
What are YOU passionate about and how do you fit that into your life? If travel is your passion, what type of travel is most fulfilling to you and why? Its your turn to share… let’s hear it in the comments section below!
Here’s my favorite quote from this piece: “Is it really fair of us to insist that self-actualization requires a certain amount of stamps in a passport? Is it rude to insist that those individuals who do not travel are less respectable than those that do? If people do choose to travel, who are we to say how and why?”
As travelers, and as people, it’s important that we remember how influential perspective is and that it’s very easy to push an agenda or a lifestyle on others because it works for us. What works for one person is not necessarily the best for everyone else.
I enjoy solo travel and I like to explore places with my camera as a companion. What I think would be my ideal travel style, however, would be to spend my days solo and then reconvene with a group of friends in the evening, so that we could swap photos and stories.
Sara recently posted..The Grass is Always Greener: To Travel or Settle Down?
yes, it is SO important to always keep our agendas in check. And that ideal style of travel you just described sounds pretty perfect to me as well!
Britany Robinson recently posted..Travel Influence versus Inspiration: Let’s Talk About YOU
There’s no wrong way to travel
Michael recently posted..Celebrating New Year’s Eve in New York for under $60
Agreed!
Britany Robinson recently posted..Let’s Stop Telling People How and Why to Travel
Great post! I would just add two things. First, I do read quite a few travel blogs where the author does seem to go beyond just saying why they live their choice to travel but go do far as to assume that if someone doesn’t travel, it must be because fear is holding them back. I don’t think that’s true at all. It just doesn’t appeal to everyone.
Second, if someone is miserable in their job, taking off to travel may not be the answer – maybe they just need time off to pursue other passions or simply just change jobs.
Katie recently posted..Saturday Scenes: Wurzburg, Germany
Thanks, Katie! I totally agree with your two points. A sense of elitism does sneak into the attitude of *some* travel blogs. Not everyone who doesn’t travel is afraid of travel. Some people just aren’t into it! And yes, there are plenty of people who need to make a change in their lives that doesn’t necessarily involve travel. It might involve going back to school and working towards a new career or a multitude of other paths. As long as you’re always working towards a more fulfilling life, then you’re doing something right!
I think you really hit the nail on the head with this piece. In fact, I think this is one of the most honest, smart, and correct (in my opinion) posts I’ve read on any travel blog. I find it a little offensive when people write that the only way to travel is their way, or that somehow their method of interaction with the local populace is more authentic than anyone else’s. This post really sets you apart from the pack for me. ^^
Charlie recently posted..Fly Away Friday: Sweden
Wow, Charlie, thank you so much! That really means a lot.
Britany Robinson recently posted..Snapshot Saturday! Medellin Botanical Garden
Way to go Britany. I think I read the travel articles from Matador you’re referring to and immediately felt disappointed with some of the assumptions they made. One of the reasons I travel solo is because very few of my friends or family can afford or take the time to go with me. If I never traveled alone I likely wouldn’t be traveling very often. It takes a secure and mature person to realize that their way of enjoying and exploring life might not be the only or best way for others. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Mariah! I would probably opt for traveling with friends and family if more of my friends and family were able to as well. Solo travel has been great for me personally, but everyone has different needs and preferences!
Britany Robinson recently posted..Snapshot Saturday! Medellin Botanical Garden
Yes!! I totally agree with you–what’s most important is doing whatever makes you happy, or doing what you feel passionate about. I love solo travel in particular. But I also like doing a lot of other things by myself, too. I think one of the Matador articles said the trouble with solo travel was not having anyone to share these amazing experiences with.
That may be true sometimes, but I remember this one day in Barcelona…I spent the whole day just walking around the neighborhoods, window shopping, and trying different kinds of food pretty much non-stop. I was walking back to the hostel when I realized that it was the happiest I had been in a long time. And I was okay with not having anyone to share it with–being independent and doing everything I felt like doing contributed to that happiness. It’s nice to reminisce with people about experiences, but it’s also really fun to tell people about what you did while you were away.
But just because it’s like that for me doesn’t mean it’s like that for everyone else. It’s all a matter of personal preferences.
Kristine recently posted..Unconventional ways to save $$ for traveling
absolutely Kristine — whatever makes you happy, do that and do a lot of it! provided its legal:)
Britany Robinson recently posted..Snapshot Saturday! Medellin Botanical Garden
So true! I have plenty of friends who love hearing about the places we visit, but they are perfectly content with their one or two trips a year. They are not longing for more. They actually enjoy where they live and love their life the way it is. I do feel some people get a big head when they travel a lot and want to make people jealous or tell people they should do the same as them. Just live your best life and let others do the same! Great post!
Christy recently posted..Norway Travel Tips
Yes i know lots of people as well that would rather hear and read about my stories and others than spend long periods of time traveling. Nothing wrong with that!
Britany Robinson recently posted..Snapshot Saturday! Medellin Botanical Garden
I have to disagree that ‘If you’re miserably flipping through friends of friends of ex-girlfriends Facebook profiles at work and finding it more exciting than the job you’re toiling away at for 40+ hours a week, then YES — its probably time for a change. Leave that lousy career and go see the world!
Maybe, it’s for a career change, move to a new state, dump for crappy friends. Travelling isnt always the answer… but I <3 it and I enjoyed this read. Cheers.
Chasing the Donkey recently posted..Pack your money maker
Good point. I agree that travel isn’t always the answer to fix our problems. Thanks for pointing that out!
Britany Robinson recently posted..Snapshot Saturday! Medellin Botanical Garden
Wow. All I can say is, amazing post! So true as well. I’m currently one of the ones trying to go from desk job to traveling but in the meantime, I am okay with what I have experienced so far. It has made me who I am. Thanks for this and hope your travels in Columbia continue to go well.
Elliot B recently posted..Quick Recap So Far
Glad you connected, Elliot! Very excited for you and your future travels!
Britany Robinson recently posted..Snapshot Saturday! Medellin Botanical Garden
Everybody has different ways that they like to travel. Other countries and cultures that are different from our own may travel totally in different ways. It does not make it right or wrong just different from what we would do.
One of my biggest dislikes is traveling with a large tour group. For many people this is how they like to travel and can not understand why you would not travel that way. Some people think I am crazy for traveling by myself.
My goal is to tell my stories and tell people how I like to travel. If that works for them great and if not that is OK too.
Jeff @ GoTravelzing recently posted..Antoni Gaudi’s Architecture in Barcelona
Hi Jeff, thanks for reading! I’ve tried the large group tour and it worked well for my first big trip but now that I’m accustomed to traveling, I prefer to do so on my own as well. Everyone has their preferences!
My passion is travel and I do write and speak about it but I always want the conversation to be about intentional living and pursuing dreams. My travel experiences serve as great examples of that but I would never want to tell anyone how to travel, why they should travel, or even convince them that they should.
This is a great post! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and starting this conversation.
“Intentional living” – I love that! thanks for reading
“Someday, after all this wanderlust leaves my system” – just a little advice from a fellow traveler – it never goes away, EVER. I thought after my world trip that I’d get a lot of it out of my system as well – be okay with smaller trips here and there, and here I am planning my next trip – which by the way may include backpacking South America (but I’m scared about it’s safety so keep keep reassuring – er – posting!!
). This is who you are, and you are feeding your soul. Good on you! Just thought you should know, I’ll be the little old lady sitting next to you on a safari in Kenya when we’re 80 saying, “Ha! And we thought this would go away!”. 
Ha — you’re probably right Jill. Can we just make a pact not to join those old people tours? Just keep staying in hostels til we’re 85? I mean, maybe I’ll stay at nice hotels by then, but I’ll still stop by the hostel bars to check up on the whipper-snapper scene and have a cocktail or two:)
As for South America — DO IT! I’ve felt safe here, like 90% of the time. You have to be a lot more careful than you do in SE Asia, but its totally worth it. Where else are you thinking about?
Britany Robinson recently posted..How Working in the Service Industry Makes You a Better World Traveler
Haha, DEAL
), then traveling a bit on my way home. Thinking of doing more Asia (Bali, Sinapore, Japan, China) and then hit London because I wanted to go on my world trip but couldn’t afford the ticket! In the opposite direction, would do South America… so one direction or the other – haven’t made my mind up yet, but I have a while yet 
Maybe you’ll still be out there and we’ll meet up!!
I’m doing a working holiday visa in New Zealand at the end of this year (ssshhhh! Still a secret
I hear SA is mostly safe, just have to be smart about it. It’s just that I was just in Nicaragua and know all too well the feeling of constantly being stared at, whistled at, and whispered to everytime you pass a male. Didn’t feel safe BUT – wouldn’t take it back for the world. I LOVED the country, especially when I met people to explore with me, just makes me a little more concerned about SA than I was before! I’ll be following your adventure though!! Love your blog
That sounds amazing!! I’ll be in South America until mid June, then heading back home for a few weeks before I head to London in mid July to do the Mongol Rally — driving from London to Mongolia. Woo! You better start blogging again… Can’t wait to hear about it!
AHHHHHH!!! Haha!! Never heard of Mogol Rally – just looked it up, what a shit-show adventure!!! I love it!!! Seriously. You’re going to have an experience you’ll still smile about in your grave. Keep in touch. I like talking to a like-soul; we are few and far between.