I am very passionate about traveling and have been given multiple opportunities to do so. I have done study abroad programs in Scotland and England as well as Costa Rica. I also did some volunteering in Fiji and have traveled all around the U.S., primarily the New England region. By now, I've become an expert on the five stages of travel:
1. Denial
Whether it’s realizing that your travel date has finally come or tricking yourself into thinking that you need to overpack because “you never know," we’ve all been there. When I was a kid and my family traveled, I was infamous for overpacking. I needed at least two shirts for every pair of pants, extra bras/underwear, at least a few socks, some sweatshirts and cardigans to go with my shirts, and most importantly, shoes. Needless to say, if we were going on a four-day trip, then I’d pack for an eight-day trip.
2. Anger
This part is where the flukes come in, whether it’s traveling by plane and having your luggage lost or realizing that you forgot your toothbrush and pajamas (because we’ve all done that). If you’re ever taking a long bus ride, you might get angry at the fact that you didn’t get the row to yourself, or you get stuck with a really obnoxious neighbor, or worse, a crying baby.
3. Bargaining
In this case, I’m talking about the money, spending and financial aspects of travel. Everyone looks for the best deals for planes, trains and automobiles. You turn your cookies off when you’re searching for flights on the computer because you’re more likely to find cheaper tickets that way. Traveling is expensive, almost everything and everywhere costs money, so you try and get your money’s worth.
4. Depression
The term depression when traveling is not geared toward the mental illness. It’s more-so the feeling that you get when you’re homesick during a study abroad, or when you have to leave a place that you love, and even when you’re saying goodbye to go back to where you came from. Because I go to an out-of-state school, I don’t really go home often, usually just for the holidays and big breaks. I do get a little bit sad having to leave Prince Leo behind, and I also get sad when I have to say goodbye to my family until the next time I see them. Traveling gives people a sense of joy and excitement because you’re moving around and doing things and maybe seeing things that you’ve never seen before. But once your adventure is over, it all seems bittersweet.
5. Acceptance
This is where you can breathe, take a moment, and realize you had a successful experience by knowing that you were able to pack the right things and choose a really great place for a really great price. Leaving or coming home doesn’t have to be such a terrible thing.
Now knowing that you got through these five stages of travel, book your next trip! Go see the world, go camping with friends if you’re outdoorsy (not like me), or take a road trip. Be spontaneous, have fun, and know that it was all worth it in the end!
Look forward to my upcoming article about crucial things you should know about traveling!
