Comments on: Everyone Says I’m Running Away https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/everyone-say-im-running-away/ Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer Thu, 29 Jun 2023 09:24:34 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.2 By: Jane https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/everyone-say-im-running-away/#comment-1727632 Mon, 14 Jun 2021 13:15:40 +0000 https://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=3127#comment-1727632 Hi there Matt,

Your blogs are very interesting. I love how it looks like a reality in todays world. I am also a frustrated traveler and money and responsibilities are always the issue when I think of travelling. I don’t know really my passion in life as I don’t have special skills nor talent. I don’t have also have a higher degree in education. As of now, I’m working abroad and it open my eyes to possibilities to travel and learn something what I really want in my life. I wish you more power to write more and inspire more people like me.

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By: Kristine https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/everyone-say-im-running-away/#comment-1646920 Fri, 19 Feb 2021 00:18:18 +0000 https://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=3127#comment-1646920 I came back to read this again because I think this was one of the first posts I read by you when I first became interested in traveling. It was such an inspiration because up until that time, I thought I was the only one that felt this way–I was often being told I was immature, I needed to grow up, and I had to stop “running away.” Ten years later and I may only have 12 countries under my belt, but so much of that time was spent living in one country, trying to learn 2 languages, and experiencing fulfillment and awe. Even though I have “settled down” in the US for now and I pay the bills that need to be paid, I still find myself looking forward to when the covid situation improves and I’m able to travel again. Thanks for this post.

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By: Darrel https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/everyone-say-im-running-away/#comment-253172 Thu, 21 Jun 2012 01:21:28 +0000 https://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=3127#comment-253172 I agree with everything you wrote! However I am the exact opposite. People find me strange because I don’t want to leave my house or explore the world. People get frustrated with me for having my roots so buried deep into the soil that my movements are mere bending in the wind, rather than breaking to it. They demand I must explore the world, or else I’ll forever be a child. But I digress. All the fantasies I could ever wish to explore within are always with me at all times — they exist inside my mind. Images of other countries with their gently rolling grass and bright blue skies can be seen without my eyes. Cultures can be read through books and blogs of citizens who participate in them. Even cultures that do not exist can be visited and brought to life.

I honor your desire to see the world. We live on a gorgeous planet. And I completely understand the restraints that society tries to shackle us with.

I don’t enjoy traveling because there are too many unknowns. Too many unknowns that are uncomfortable. I would love to see all of the different wildlife and plant life Earth has to offer us. All of the interesting people, with their unique personalities and rituals. But there are so many things keeping me from wishing to visit them physically — bacteria and viruses, dangerous animals, dangerous plants, potential accidents (either by car or by plane), confusion between cultures which could result in harm, or getting sick from the unfamiliar food. Too much worry would prevent me from enjoying the pleasures of my surrounding environment.

But that’s okay! I experience freedom through my imagination. Life is short; we should enjoy it however it is most comfortable for us.

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By: Michi https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/everyone-say-im-running-away/#comment-252997 Wed, 20 Jun 2012 12:42:06 +0000 https://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=3127#comment-252997 Amen! Thank you for such an inspiring piece. I’ve had so many wonderful visitors come see while I’ve been abroad in Europe (have been here 5 years now and have been able to travel all over), but one of them – an acquaintance, really – indeed proceeded to rub in my face (for the next 10 days) that I was “running away”, that I was only “pretending to be happy” (whaaat??), that Spain was “boring” (whaaat??), and why wouldn’t I just come home? Of course, this was a person who was born and raised in L.A. (as was I), but that never left the world outside L.A. to explore the world other than the occasional resort holiday to Mexico or Hawaii (nothing wrong with resorts, but it’s definitely not any sort of cultural immersion, and you pretty much have all the comforts from home and more). And of course, my parents are always the first ones to get disappointed when I don’t head home…

Anyway, at the moment, my husband and I are at a crossroads where we have enough saved up, despite the heavy financial crisis in Spain, to either a) head to the States, which is nice because all of my family and friends are there, but it’s not the lifestyle we have in mind, or b) head in the opposite direction, even further away from family and friends, but might perhaps be exactly what we’re looking for at this moment in time.

*sigh* I can only hope that we’ll have enough strength and balls to go through with what’s best for us, whatever that may be. Even if it involves family members probably wanting to disown us for… “running away”.

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By: Katie https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/everyone-say-im-running-away/#comment-251984 Sat, 16 Jun 2012 06:52:40 +0000 https://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=3127#comment-251984 L.O.V.E this! You are my new hero.

I want to quit my job right now.

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By: Alec https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/everyone-say-im-running-away/#comment-250788 Mon, 11 Jun 2012 14:22:18 +0000 https://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=3127#comment-250788 Well said Matt!

I couldn’t agree more. For many of us travelers, we are simply experiencing life…there is definitely way more to life than to just stay at home behind the television, or even worse stuck at work behind a cubicle!

I have been away from my home in Canada and have been living in Asia for the past 6.5 years..the amount of new things I have learned is priceless!

All the nay sayers just got to learn push their boundaries and get of of their comfort zones!

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By: Gerald https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/everyone-say-im-running-away/#comment-250722 Mon, 11 Jun 2012 08:29:46 +0000 https://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=3127#comment-250722 Dunno which one might be seen as “worse”…going around the world to experience new places and cultures or sitting all day in front of a telly watching where others have gone

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By: Gregory https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/everyone-say-im-running-away/#comment-250471 Sun, 10 Jun 2012 12:37:26 +0000 https://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=3127#comment-250471 Nice article, and agree, I have been living abroad for 10 years, and the people back home have mixed feelings about this. Some say “amazing” other say “running”, all in all people are different, some look to be normal, fit in and simple, others just want different things. Conformity is not always the answer, and people have to follow their dreams.

A friend told me 10 years ago that when he was old he wanted to have stories to tell, have the grandkids all around talking about their amazing grandfather. He did not want the only story to be his cubicle. Thats it for me, the grandkids are going to be talking about me long after I am gone 🙂

Good post

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By: Beth https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/everyone-say-im-running-away/#comment-249244 Wed, 06 Jun 2012 14:58:43 +0000 https://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=3127#comment-249244 This blog has just saved me. Thank you, that’s all I can say x

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By: Heba https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/everyone-say-im-running-away/#comment-249186 Wed, 06 Jun 2012 10:35:44 +0000 https://www.nomadicmatt.com/?p=3127#comment-249186 HEY MATT,I READ YOUR INTERVIEW WITH HEATHER POOLE ….LOVED YOUR INTERVIEW SKILLS LOL…I JUST SIGNED UP FOR YOUR SITE….I’M A WANNABE FLIGHT ATTENDANT AND I LOVE THE IDEA OF TRAVELLING WHENEVER YOU WANT TO(JUST LIKE WHAT YOU DO) BUT OFCOURSE WITH GOOD PLANNING…GOD BLESS YOU…TAKE CARE..PEACE AND BLESSINGS…HEBA.

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