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Fear of traveling has a genesis. What’s yours?
Is fear of traveling holding you back from seeing the world? It’s not as if the desire isn’t there. There’s something nagging at you that you can’t quantify; it can only be felt, not seen.
It has no basis in reality. The heaviness just hovers above and paralyzes you to the point where you take no action to achieve those dreams. It’s easier to ignore and brush them aside.
People think that dreams should remain as such. It should be a lovely flight of fancy where we allow it to invade a small space in our mind and then snuff it out quickly as if the thought never existed.
Looking out at the city of New York from the top of Rockefeller Center
Is this fear of traveling another act of self-sabotage?
That is the mythology. We don’t give credence to such fantasies because we consider ourselves unworthy of having good things to come into our lives, It is never a conscious thought but it is borne out in our actions of self-sabotage. How do these detrimental acts show themselves in our daily lives?
I had to stop to take a picture of the red rocks and cacti that literally surrounded me on my drive in Sedona
Say you resolve to start saving up for your trip to a place that you fell in love with after seeing it in a travel magazine. As time and self-doubt crept in, you begin to spend said money on another new outfit to join the rest taking residence in a rarely utilized closet. We can then rationalize why we can’t do the things we’d like to do like travel.
Could this fear of traveling be the result of someone else’s opinion?
Sometimes, we are discouraged by others who mean well but are only echoing their own trepidations. They will question your motives: “What’s wrong with this country?” “What are you running from?” “The grass isn’t always greener…”, etc.
Perhaps they aren’t as moved to venture out beyond their own self-imposed prison gates. So, while many may offer their words of wisdom, it is always best to follow your own heart. Because no one knows you better than yourself.
No one knows your bliss, no one will understand what compels you. Or what drives you to seek out other cultures, lands, peoples, sights, sounds, and passions more than you do. You are the final arbiter of what is best for you, so trust your own instincts; trust your gut.
A long view of the Snake River in Jackson Hole, WY where I learned how to fly fish!
One of the greatest gifts that come with freedom is self-determination. How often do we allow others to eclipse what we truly desire to do, see or speak? How often do we give others who hold no sway over our lives the power to define it?
Going against the expectations and perceptions of others can be challenging. But isn’t it better to lose the favor of others in order to gain your sense of autonomy? What’s the worst that could happen? Finding out who truly has your best interests at heart?
Could it be a medical condition or an unwillingness to try something different?
Or does it go deeper than that? Perhaps you suffer from a real condition called Hodophobia and if you do, there are ways of coping with it. Does your fear of traveling make you afraid to venture out to foreign lands because they seem strange to you? I have to admit that we Americans can suffer terribly from Xenophobia; we fear things that we don’t comprehend.
You will be pleased to know that other cultures share the same hopes and dreams as we do. The only thing that may differ is the way that they live their life may not mirror your own.
I think that’s a good thing. It’s what makes this world so rich, vibrant and colorful. It weaves us together like a beautiful patchwork quilt; each of us contributing a piece that is uniquely ours. Yet it is held together by a common thread, humanity.
Whatever your stumbling block (and only you can identify it) remember that it will only cause a lack in your life, it won’t contribute anything meaningful to it. It will cause you to miss out on so many opportunities to become a fully contributing citizen of the world.
Whatever objection that you can come up with to justify your not getting on a plane or sitting behind your steering wheel to venture out into the world, can be overcome. I have always believed that people can and will always do what they truly want to.
The only thing that prevents them from overcoming their fear of traveling is themselves. What else are you allowing to hold you back? When will you give yourself permission to live life on your own terms?
Very thoughtful post and one that I think will be helpful to many. Personally, I’ve always loved to travel, but I know others who feel differently. You brought up some good points about the reasons for that and offered inspiration. I also love that quote by Pearce.
Thanks, Cathy! I appreciate that.
I hope many of the ditherers read this inspiring post and, finally, take haert.
Thanks, Inka….I hope so too. Life is too short not to experience everything it has to offer.
I loved this. I’ve been thinking about some of these very issues for an upcoming post in a few weeks. It won’t be as gracefully written as yours is here lol.
Awww…Abby, I love your writing….can’t wait to read it!
Since I have always loved the travel, I simply can’t understand those that don’t. I think the excuse or saying “what are you running away from” is misplaced and strange for people to ask. Why wouldn’t you want to explore the world?
My sentiments, exactly! That is such a foreign concept to me!
This reminds me of a poem I came across by Harun Yahya:
“I always wonder why birds stay
in the same place.
When they can fly
anywhere on the Earth.
Than I ask myself
the same question.”
The first step is always the hardest…
Love it….I agree…the first step in any process is the most difficult. While it would be nice to be able to push someone into doing something that you know is wonderful…they have to take the initiative. What’s that saying? The longest journey begins with that first step.
A lot of people I talk to don’t travel because it’s too expensive. I guess they need to learn more about the budget travel opportunities out there!
Definitely, Scott….where there’s a will, there’s a way!
Renee, this is a very inspiring post. The rewards of travel far outweigh any potential excuses. If one wants to travel there is always as way 🙂
Very well said, and I agree with Nomadic Sam; many times it is the expense of travel that keeps people grounded. To that I say–travel within miles from home, you’ll be surprised to see how much is available.
I agree. It is good to travel a place where you want to go but it is very expensive and costly.
Travel isn’t as expensive as you may think. It really is about priorities and planning ahead. I like to plan at least 6-12 months in advance so that I can save, find deals….anything that you truly WANT to do….you can…it simply depends on you.
I think that “fear” is that one thing that makes people not follow their dreams, whatever they may be! It’s wonderful to travel, but we’ve gotten used to always have money and stay in nice places (resorts, hotels) and we’ve forgotten that to travel you actually don’t need that much money, just a lot of courage and passion!
Amen, Madeline….I’ve thought that fear was the most useless emotion. It causes you to miss out on so many things and life and adds absolutely nothing to it. I agree…where there is a will to travel, there is a way!
This was such an inspirational post, I LOVED it! There is no excuse not to travel.
Agreed….we just have to keep getting the word out!
Oh I love this very inspiring!
Thanks, Amanda…that means a lot to me!
Loved this post! So many of my friends tell me ridiculous reasons why they can’t travel and hate me for choosing to do so. Anybody can travel, you just need to make it your priority.
Thanks, Kara….it’s so frustrating to hear friends and love ones with their excuses….if they only knew…right?
Ah, so do you think people are afraid reality won’t live up to their dreams of travel, and so they don’t go so they can hold onto the ideal image?
You know, I think that is a real possibility, Gray! I have to admit that I have been disappointed a time or two while traveling, but that taught me to stop having pre-conceived notions and simply go with the flow. Being open is the best way to experience anything and I hope more will begin to realize that.
Hey! I just found your blog, thanks for your post. I especially liked it cause you used the name of my blog in your post! (flights of fancy). I’ll be reading from now on, keep up the good work!!
Hi Roni,
Glad you found me! BTW, I love your blog name too!
I have always loved to travel and find it so interesting hearing people make excuses not to. Usually they say at the end of a conversation that they are just afraid of the unknown, understandable
This is a magical post, Renee.
I’d just finished writing a comment elsewhere about how traveling is something I desperately want to do, however, I remain realistic about how money and obligations will likely hold me back from going to even half of the places I long to visit.
Then I read this post and it was honestly as if you were speaking directly to me. You’ve listed so many of the ‘excuses’ and phrases I’ve used to put of seeing the world. I visit travel blogs more than I read the news because I obviously have a passion to travel. Perhaps coming across your words and seeing how yourself and your daughter embrace life was meant to be. Perhaps these posts are the inspiration from a real life person I needed!
Thank you for all of your work, Renee.
BJ
Beautifully written post! Even as an avid traveller, I and my husband sometimes doubt our abilities to pull off a trip, we always go, but it’s terrible that little voice that questions… The world is truly an amazing place and couldn’t agree more that people are people and love the pic with the guy with the sign we are all foreigners somewhere, too true!
Great piece of writing.You’ve captured the excuses well.