Welcome to the TravelPod forums

[laorfamily]

What a wonderful topic.

I miss everything and nothing.

I miss the hectic travel schedule but I welcome the stability that comes when I return.

I miss the excitement of discovery but I embrace the familiar.

I miss meeting new people but I treasure my family and life long friends.

I miss the adventure…ehhh…who am I kidding?
Life with a 2 and a 5 year old is an adventure everyday (and almost every night).

You know, the more I grow, the more I know, the more people I meet and the more I experience one cliché always rings true “the grass is always greener on the other side”.

It’s not that I don’t get antsy every week or so and just want to “go”, I do – but then I realize that there are things which could be a lot worst than sitting in-front of a computer for eight hours a day – like not sitting in front of one.

[starlagurl]

I agree. This is the most interesting, intelligent forum I've ever read!
I am inspired and encouraged to write for the 1st time and say this
I have pondered the question of who I am while at "home" and travelling. Why 2 people? why can't I hold on to the peace? I think it's because when I leave the resposibilities and expectations of working/family life behind, I also lose the ego-self. With no-one to impress, or live up to, no labels to wear.. it's so much easier to become our "real selves". When the ego is diminished, it allows the soul to shine thru. That allows us to connect with people more easily and deeply and to take time to see the beauty in the world. I've often wondered if I never came "home", would the bliss fade? Or do we need to experience both to feel the balance? Perhaps the challenge, the ultimate journey, is to maintain that feeling of peace and oneness, nomatter where in the world we are.
Hope this wasn't too long, just great to find I'm not the only one who feels like this

Welcome to the forums, dinemo, glad you decided to speak up!

That might be very true...

I think we can't be "our real selves" like that because we are TOO RUSHED in our daily "normal" lives. We can't take the time to actually think "is this what I want to be doing right now?" because there are so many responsibilities and obligations that we are fulfilling on a day to day basis.

If there is no time for travel, it's hard to remember who we really are. But, I think that it's not necessary to travel to figure this out. Just taking time and relaxing in our home towns is a great way to do it.

[wakingdream]

What a wonderful topic.

I miss everything and nothing.

I miss the hectic travel schedule but I welcome the stability that comes when I return.

I miss the excitement of discovery but I embrace the familiar.

I miss meeting new people but I treasure my family and life long friends.

I miss the adventure…ehhh…who am I kidding?
Life with a 2 and a 5 year old is an adventure everyday (and almost every night).

You know, the more I grow, the more I know, the more people I meet and the more I experience one cliché always rings true “the grass is always greener on the other side”.

It’s not that I don’t get antsy every week or so and just want to “go”, I do – but then I realize that there are things which could be a lot worst than sitting in-front of a computer for eight hours a day – like not sitting in front of one.

Very nicely put. I feel much the same as you do, that's for sure. I think we have to see the bright side of life from every angle.

[kili-kelly]

The problem with travel it that it is too addicting. I went on a volunteer trip to Tanzania and was bored silly when I came back home. The problem was that I could not afford another trip like that (and of course, a travel addict cannot get satisfaction with lesser trips), so I did the only thing left for me, quit my career and moved to Africa permanently.

[starlagurl]

Really? I like small trips a lot! I find that they are very satisfying to me!

[wakingdream]

Really? I like small trips a lot! I find that they are very satisfying to me!

I like both. Longer trips are generally away to another country that is very different from my own in most or all aspects. With these, the longer period of time gives me a chance to fully immerse myself into all-or as many as possible-aspects of the destination for a broader understanding and therefore a much richer experience.

Short trips are usually to destinations where the culture is either very similar or the same which allows me a leg up on understanding underlying elements, therefore I feel like I can (almost) jump straight to the sights and attractions I'm interested in without losing any particular depth of experience. Ofcourse every place is worthy of a thorough look, but when cultures and social aspects are the same then there is one less complicated layer to understand before getting the whole picture. Make sense?

[skylab]

Nice topic to keep alive! I just got 'home' about 3 weeks ago but I still feel like im traveling in some ways. I'm too use to the travel lifestyle. I feel myself hanging out with people from other cultures more so people i already know. Helps living near NYC otherwise i'd go crazy!

[shangguan]

I always find that after I've been home for about a week and a half that I am ready to get on the road again. I never feel at home more than when I'm out getting lost somewhere.

[wakingdream]

I'm sure I've written this here somewhere but I always find that identifying and striving for the mindset I have on the road is something I'm always aspiring toward.

Getting home can be a real let down but how many people can really travel forever (besides Scott Woz anyway). I'd thought I'd like to make travel a way of life, and I suppose I could, but I also want a solid family, I love my friends, I have many rich interests and in no way am I ever bored. Never. It's just impossible for me.

So, is there a balance? Is it achievable? Can you live the "boring" predictable life with routine while throwing in some serious spontaneity and exciting travel opportunities to create a good blend of both?

Do some travelers want this or are people just trying to figure out how to stay out there as long as possible and when it's done, it's just done?