Do you constantly have the desire to travel? Like every minute of every day? How can we not want this when the world we live in is so beautiful? However, as nice as it sounds to just leave or go on vacation, we can't. We must go on with our lives, pushing aside that strong impulse to explore. It may seem easy, but ignoring your dreams of travel is a lot harder than one might think. These are some of the daily hardships people with wanderlust know far too well.
1. It is impossible to focus on other tasks when you have adventure on your mind.
You may be at school, work or just trying to accomplish daily tasks. Then you hear the name of a country you wish to visit, and it’s all you can think about. You begin daydreaming of all the places you want to travel. You start planning your trip and even get into the minor details such as what to pack, where you will stay and when you will go. Anything you try to do beyond this point is completely useless. You have travel fever and it is impossible to get rid of.
2. You are constantly reminded of where you want to travel.
Whether it is pictures hanging on your walls, conversations with peers or even the background on your laptop, there are everyday reminders that make you question why you haven’t left yet. You enjoy seeing or hearing these things because it excites you, but it is depressing at the same time. Unfortunately, you can’t just up and leave. You have commitments and obligations. The irony is that life is getting in the way from you experiencing life.
3. Wondering how you are going to pay for these many trips.
When traveling anywhere, money is always an issue. The expenses of traveling out of the country are outrageous. Airfare alone is enough to drain your bank account. Once you have reached your destination, you must transfer your money over to the local currency. On top of that, you may have to pay for any additional excursions, packages, meals, shopping, museums and so on. The list is endless. And here I am trying to find $5 to get some food from McDonald's.
4. Knowing that you won’t be able to travel the entire world is unsettling.
If you’re like me, you want to go everywhere. Literally. Everywhere. However, you must come to terms that this is unrealistic and entirely impossible. No matter how much we travel, one person cannot cover every inch of this earth. The world is a big and amazing place. But that’s the beauty of it. There are places out there that no man has ever been before. It is remarkable that with the outstanding growth of our world there are still parts that have yet to be discovered, tiny crevices hidden away in corners of the earth.5. Your time will come eventually.
It may be the opportunity to study abroad or perhaps it’s during your retirement years, but knowing that you will be able to experience the world when the time is right is enough to get you through the day. Until that day comes, keep dreaming, planning and believing. There is so much to see and so little time to see it. Don’t ever give up on your desire to travel. If it’s meant to be, it will happen. One way or another, things will work out. Never stop wondering. Never stop wandering.
