Comments on: ‘I wish I could travel like you’ – compliment, envy or regret?

By: Em Dee

Em Dee — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 12:39:21 +0000

Those people who have partners who want to share their passion of travelling are really lucky ones. Same with people who have such jobs which give them more freedom and independency..

By: Hope

Hope — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:18:23 +0000

Good article, but with some of the comments I slightly disagree. I don’t think people who say this are saying you are lazy or don’t deserve to travel so much. A lot of people just wish they could do what you do, is that so bad? Yeah maybe they could figure out ways of doing it, but sometimes the biggest thing holding them back is just fear. And that’s not your problem I know, but not everyone is as fearless as you guys. I guess I would take that statement as a compliment 🙂

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:45:07 +0000

Good points Trudy. Women do have more expectations placed on them by society, and a 20 or 30 something women who chooses to do her own thing (such as travel) will raise more eyebrows in many communities than her male counterpart. All the more credit to those like you who choose follow their own choices in the face of this pressure. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

By: Trudy

Trudy — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:09:26 +0000

I’m only 30 and started some traveling a few years ago and still have not been to many places and people say that to me. This will especially be the case because I am a woman. Women ALREADY have so many life regrets by 30 that men don’t have. It seems sad. I feel like as long as you aren’t dead, there’s a chance to change something. Women follow roads they don’t want to out of familial force or societal expectations. They tell me I am “lucky” but all I did was make life choices. Regardless of lack of wealth (I wasn’t born rich, am not rich now and probably won’t die rich) I made choices that matched what I want and not all were easy. But most have been fulfilling and that includes the desire to experience the culture of others, whether close to home or thousands of miles away.

Great article. Thanks for sharing.

By: Mastermo411

Mastermo411 — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:56:05 +0000

It would be nice if I could travel, but given my responsibilities, I choose not to. One problem that I have had is the ability to find time outside of work to travel. I did find an idea that I wish existed. It would make working on the road much easier, and maybe I could travel while still keeping up my work more effectively. Check it out at http://bit.ly/abkPDz

I also agree with Erica (posted June 6, 2010). When I travel, its because I save up and do it. There’s other reasons than money that I choose not to travel like my responsibilities.

By: Erica

Erica — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 21:49:16 +0000

People at my work ask how my husband and I travel all the time. We don’t get paid very much and yet somehow find ourselves the only ones able to leave the country. I work in the video game industry and I can say that most of the people I work with have no excuses. That, and they definitely do not like when I tell them to stop buying 70″ TVs, all the latest video games and general techie items they don’t need… oh and god forbid you tell them they need to cook for themselves. :X

Where there is a will, there is a way. We scrimp and save to go to the places in our dreams.

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Sun, 30 May 2010 16:58:18 +0000

Thanks Juno, Laurie, Jackie and Adam for the recent comments (and the many others who’ve previously shared their thoughts on this topic.
One of the messages that comes through with the many opinions expressed is the point that we have made a choice to travel, and most of us have made our own sacrifices to achieve this. It’s not a better or worse decision than that made by those who choose not to travel. Neither side should envy or pity the other. Let and let live should apply to all sides… thanks again for a great debate.

By: juno

juno — Sun, 30 May 2010 10:53:32 +0000

What a great subject Andy! I didn’t travel as much as I wished but it is still more Han anyone around me. When they heard I have this and that travel plans, they immidiately goes “wow I am so envy of you”. Hen I think, “why?” They are just not creative enough. Just saw other’s plans ans want to make that as theirs. Funny thing is people who say like that makes more money Han me, not married, and no obligations.
Sometimes feel sorry for them. I think they are envy me because they don’t know what they want. I am doing what I do cause I know what I want, and we all do, right?
Great point, Andy.

By: Scene by Laurie

Scene by Laurie — Tue, 25 May 2010 20:21:32 +0000

I agree with your bottom line. Anyone who has a passion and the conviction to pursue it (whether it’s travel or something else) is fortunate, even with the sacrifices and trade offs that may be necessary.

By: Jackie Rose (@letssitoutside)

Jackie Rose (@letssitoutside) — Tue, 25 May 2010 19:19:13 +0000

As I said above, great article!

One thing that popped into my mind while reading the comments was that we, travelers, can’t feed into people’s ignorance or resentment. If we walk away from conversations about travel, or only offer a line or two about choices, we won’t change anything. I’ve found that asking questions is a good way to open up a conversation and take the focus off my trip. Have you ever wanted to travel? If you could go anywhere, where would you go? Why don’t you think you can? This also seems to get people to view their own situation and maybe even look at how they spend their money/time, instead of just being critical about how you spend yours.

To Adam, your last few sentences really grabbed me. Scroll up and see my previous comment before reading on…….Since this last accident, everyone keeps asking me if I’m done with “this travel thing”. When I talk about future trips, they roll their eyes. It’s as if there’s some karmic relationship between my desire to break the cookie-cutter mold and take a few months off to see the world, and the fact that I’ve had a few bad accidents while abroad. “Someone up above is telling you to stay home.” “Next time you come home it’ll be in a body bag.” People make me feel like I don’t deserve to travel after wearing their nerves thin so many times…

Ah! I try to follow my own advice and not run away from these conversations. I know that most of the time people are scared for my health and I recognize that it is a bit insensitive of me to start talking about future trips while my friends and family are still helping me get through operations and physical therapy. Anyway, thanks for your comment!

Safe journeys.