The Downsides of Travelling Long Term and How to Overcome Them- By Josey-May Ball

I have been travelling on and off for the last decade. Sometimes I find it hard to comprehend that I have lived and traveled and visited multiple countries in just one year, places I explored five years ago seem like a lifetime ago now. Time moves fast in life… If only I could tell my 12 year old self that… Who used to sit and stare out of the window overlooking the rolling hills thinking about what else was out there and how I could reach it, I was desperate to go, thinking that I just wanted to be an adventurer, go explore and tell stories about what I discovered and learnt. That it’ll be fun alllll the time!

I am proud to say I did get there, and that moment I first stepped on an international flight on my own with a one-way ticket is still one of the most intense and rewarding points in my existence! I came from a working class background, I didn’t have anything paid for on my behalf, and I wasn’t even sure that I could save enough money for my first 4-month trip, let alone what I went on to do; Live, work and travel in over twenty countries and keep this incredible lifestyle going through whatever means necessary all this time later. But I did it, and you can too. You just have to get realistic about it all, and not expect it to come easily. Because in truth this kind of lifestyle is full of immense highs but also daily challenges, difficulties, often hitting your limits, exhaustion, fear and regular overwhelm.

Our current collective way of over stating, bragging, painting a rosy, perfect picture of life and ourselves constantly and trying to have and do it all is wearing pretty thin… Everything in life has its positives and negatives, and for nearly all of us we must engage with the world truthfully, make mistakes, learn, grow find out what we enjoy and feel passionate about, make a plan, and work bloody hard to achieve it.

-Long term Travel is no different.

Obviously, a nomadic life, trying to create an online self-made business and travelling the globe is a pretty sweeeeet life, I absolutely adore it there is no question about it. I have dedicated my time, thoughts, energy and money predominantly on this lifestyle my whole adult life. That being said- I was once under an illusion, (that I think some people still are) that a life of travel is always super-duper fun, easy, glamorous and harmonious. Which isn’t always the case. I am writing this article to be honest and to highlight the aspects of this life that are definitely difficult… Because going travelling is a big commitment, both personally and financially and I believe its always helpful to be prepared for all eventualities and feelings that may crop up unexpectedly, to make your trip, your return, and your future life an enjoyable and expanding journey.

The Less Glamourous Side of Travelling

No one (publicly) posts a picture of the world most disgusting squat toilet (I have, but to friends/family to brighten up their morning!! Haha.) Or your puffy red eye balls, greasy hair and cracked lips after a 40-hour flight, with added delays, stop-overs and multiple time zones all for that discounted price flight! Or the vomit/shit explosion, and the fact you slept on the highly questionable ‘bathroom’ floor…

Yep, these are real realities of many a budget travel trip. And guys, if you don’t want to go crying and running back to the airport in a flash, you must be prepared for these instances. Even try to take some positive from these experiences, relish in the good times because you had some hardship reaching that point, feel appreciative for what luxuries you have back home, and be grateful for your health when it is working brilliantly for you. Live and learn as the say!

I suffer with IBS, and chronic Insomnia at times, and regular changes in my diet, lots of spicy rich food, and cheap noisy hotels can play havoc with my health and peace of mind- Even when I think I’ll pick a countryside place to stay which I’m sure will be winning success, it turns out to have an army of cockerels and packs of dogs to keep me awake all night and nothing to eat but hot curry!

I had one week very recently in Indonesia where I hadn’t been to the loo in 7 days. Pain! I thought my stomach was going to explode, the countries pharmacies did not sell the medication I needed, all I wanted to do was sleep, however it was Ramadan (A Muslim holiday) and our pre-paid hotel was next to a mosque loudspeaker, which repeated VERY LOUD music and chants all day and night long, continually… I nearly lost the plot, but you know what- I survived to tell the tale, and came out of it a lot wiser and stronger person because of it. (I will never forget my prescribed medications or decent silicone ear plugs ever again!!!)

Missing, Being Missed, and Finding Your Self Out of the Loop

Leaving is always horrible, I hate saying goodbye. I’ve yet to do it without a ton of tears. But in long term travel you are usually on a high for at least the first few months, I always find it around month 4-6 that I suddenly get an overwhelming sadness and feeling of homesickness come over me. It can be really difficult to navigate, I then beat myself up for leaving at important times in my loved one’s lives, and also feel guilty for not enjoying the amazing locations I’m currently in. It’s a lose, lose situation. Acceptance is the only way forward, and to focus on the positives. Try not to over identify with it all too much, and just observe the feelings and let it go.

I often feel similar feelings of sadness when I feel out of the loop or left out of what’s going on back home- Like my friendships and relationships at home are drifting because we haven’t had much of a chance to speak or catch up due to time zones, shitty internet, or busyness. The truth is, we are all just trying to live our lives. We all have commitments, plans and busy periods and are on our own unique life paths. Travelling can isolate you from your peeps back home a bit, but if they are truly your loved ones and love and accept you, they will understand. And when you do reconnect either over the phone or back in person, it will all click back into place as if you had never been gone… And if it doesn’t, maybe it’s a sign that its run its course for you guys, at least you know and can move on- it’s just something else to make peace with.

Things Will Never Be The Same Again

Not in an overly dramatic way, in fact your old life often feel like time has stood still, especially if you are from a small town like mine, nothing really ever changes much, which in many ways is lovely! However, you do…

-The first time I returned home form travelling it hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt really unusual, disconnected, and sad. I didn’t get the same pleasure out of the place, I didn’t enjoy doing some of the same stuff. I had so much I wanted to talk about, discuss and share about life, the world, how upside stuff felt in a safe calm little western bubble after months spent in the chaotic beauty and rawness of Asia. But it was hard to know how to go about sharing that, where to start, how to convey all these new thoughts and experiences, feelings, political and spiritual view points to people who had no idea where I was coming from, because they hadn’t experienced it to the degree that I had.

I found myself fundamentally changed. I now view the world totally differently, my life choices and desires have changed and evolved because of my travel and life experiences, and that is ok. . . It’s true of anyone when life events affect people, look at career changes, becoming a parent, surviving a serious illness…

It took me some time to once again accept and understand that about myself. I even felt a little awkward about it all. “Am I talking about travelling too much..?!” But you should embrace these feelings, travel does change you. Not you as a person really, it really only makes you more open, adaptable and stronger. But you do change in the way that you grow and develop as a person and expand your views on life and this planet. This can only be a good thing in my opinion- So stand up, be proud, but also be humble. Know that its OK, if people don’t ‘get it’ or ‘understand you’ its not their journey, its yours.

The Value of Money

This is a simple one. When you have a few thousand pounds and make it last many, many months, to include all your travel expenses such as food, accommodation, flights, other transport, activities and more… Its really bloody hard to be OK with spending roughly the same amount on rent for a matter of weeks, a 2-week holiday, designer clothes, or a car. I found I have lost all interest in material things, and just relate all money I have on how many months world travel I could pay for instead!!

Chasing the Dragon

Finally, my only other downside that isn’t really a downside, its just an inevitable fact of a world travelers life. Is that the more beauty and amazement you discover and witness in this world the more you are desperate to find! Every year for the last decade, I reach the crystal clear ocean, with the swaying palm trees, friendly and smiling locals, intricate rock formations, and awe-inspiring sunsets and I think… “Yep this is undeniably the best beach I’ve found on Earth” Only for the following year for it to be topped and knock out the park by my next dream location…

Travel is addictive. 100 million percent, and your expectations for true wonder, majesty and magnificence will keep rising- So just be prepared for that guys and be open to a life filled and driven by travelling love!

If you enjoyed this article please check out our other article on the flip side and see why travel is great for the brain.

The Downsides of Travelling Long Term and How to Overcome Them

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