Oh, I still do it. I make myself do it. I've done it for not-so-happy reasons, like helping out when someone was sick. I've done it for happier occasions, like an anniversary party and just-because. I have flown once a year - at least! - for close to two decades. And I'll continue to fly up North or on vacation . . . but to a lesser degree.
Here's why: I only have so much energy - mental, emotional, physical. I'm at the point in my life where I need to direct that energy to different things, to other hard things like losing weight and writing.
I'm totally open to a road trip. A long weekend away sounds good. I do enjoy seeing new things or seeing old things in a new way. But here's the thing: I like where I live, and I love my home. I will no longer apologize for that.
This quote by George R. R. Martin sums it all up for me:
I HAVE LIVED A THOUSAND LIVES
AND I'VE LOVED A THOUSAND LOVES.
I'VE WALKED ON DISTANT WORLDS
AND SEEN THE END OF TIME.
BECAUSE I READ.
Do you enjoy traveling or are you more of a homebody? Do you have a fear of flying? Is anyone in your life critical of that? Do you feel like you're not "really living" if you don't see the world?
I enjoy traveling, but we rarely get to go anywhere because we're tied to the farm, not to mention the Herculean steps we have to take to get our dogs to the best kennel.
ReplyDeleteI love road trips though. We try to take short day trips when we can. It's a shame Texas is so big it takes a day just to leave the state. LOL!
When we travel, we bring the tortoises to a "kennel" also. They don't particularly enjoy it, but they do okay.
DeleteFlorida has so many interesting places - we haven't even begun to see them all. I see some day trips and short road trips in our future. :)
I do not like to fly although sometimes that's the only option. But weekend trips are good. Those won't drain you as much.
ReplyDeleteSometimes flying really is the only or best option to get somewhere. We've flown up north more times than I can count, but we've also driven up, too. Flying is faster, but somehow driving feels safer, even if it probably isn't.
DeleteI totally get it. My family is scheduling all this crazy stuff, and it just makes me tired thinking about it. Not that I don't love my family. I do. They just need a lesson in less is more. Hey, I'll foot the bill for your anxiety seat on the plane. And fill it with cheese. ;)
ReplyDeleteMaybe I can have a whole row - one seat for me, one for the anxiety and one for the cheese? :)
DeleteFlying once a year is doing pretty well! I don't do it that much, but with America being so huge I can see how it's the easiest way to get around. I do find travel very inspiring, but being able to go anywhere we can imagine in our writing is awesome - and much cheaper!
ReplyDeleteIt's so different today, too, with being able to see and learn so much about other places online and also to see/visit other people using Skype and webcams, etc.
DeleteMy father-in-law won't fly. Just won't. Neither will my grandmother-in-law. But it's nothing that they should have to apologize for.
ReplyDeleteI'm more of a homebody. I personally don't mind flying. I'll do it if I need to, but mostly it doesn't matter because I can't travel too far or often these days. My dogs' special needs precludes them from going to a kennel, so either my significant other or I have to stay home with them. And I do it gladly because why wouldn't I?
Some family members are occasionally critical of that, but that's their problem. I get home when I can. And I have never felt like I'm not really living.
Great quote by GRRM.
I've had family members tell me that I never come up anymore, that they would like to see me, that I've removed myself from everything fun related to family, etc. Meanwhile, I've traveled up north almost every single year, at least once. You really can't please everyone.
DeleteIt's an awesome quote! :)
I have the same sorts of feelings a lot of the time. I mean I have a number of things I'd really like to see and places I'd like to go, but yes--draining. When I am older I will probably go on group tours where all I have to do is sign up then show up... That way I see all the stuff, but don't have to plan. I get it is sexier to do a more authentic version, but man... totally stresses me out.
ReplyDeleteI feel extremely grateful I've already visited the one place I ever truly wanted to go - Florence, Italy. I've enjoyed the other places I've been, too, like Alaska.
DeleteNothing wrong with group tours - you do you! :)
I traveled a lot in my 20s and totally had the wanderlust for awhile. But I'm more of a homebody now. I still love to travel, but now I'm mostly going places I can drive to rather than fly. While I have some wonderful memories of my travels, I think I'm far more content with my life now. And that's better in many ways.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm more content with my life now, too. And my home. Everything is starting to feel more like "me" - inside and out. :)
DeleteI don't actually have a home of my own, although I'd like to, but even when I did I still enjoyed travelling. Driving, flying, walking whatever. I would fly more if I could and I disagree with George. I love reading but it's not living. It's vicarious living. I understand why many prefer to avoid the trouble and cost of travelling but I think it's worth it.
ReplyDeleteI've read recently that when we read, our brain waves light up, not as an observer of the story but as a participant in it. Sure, it's not exactly the same as experiencing the actual place, the actual moment but sometimes it's enough. :)
DeleteI am happy when I get there, but there is usually anxiety before I go. I'm a little like Dorothy..."There's no place like home." I still enjoy the adventure of new places though...
ReplyDeleteEven if it was a good trip, and I had a nice time, I'm still happy to get home, to be home. :)
DeleteI can really relate to this blog post, Madeline. I just returned from clearing out my mom's assisted living apartment in central Illinois and then driving her to Colorado to live near me. One of my darling daughters-in-law helped with the whole adventure. That's when I really came to grips with my own physical limitations. I keep forgetting that 74 1/2 is a long way from 50 in stamina and strength. Air travel is horrid, and road trips are not that much fun anymore either. I'm so happy to be home with my husband, Sassy dog, and Katie Cat, and I plan to stay right here!
ReplyDeleteYou've had quite the time of it lately, Patricia! Try to rest up and relax now, and enjoy being home. :)
DeleteI really enjoy traveling. Aside from being a full-time author, it's one of the biggest goals in my life--to see the world. In the last few years, I've been to quite a few amazing place, but I feel like I'm just getting started. My bucket list is a mile long.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I understand where you're coming from. Traveling is stressful, and flight has gone from something I used to enjoy to an anxiety-ridden ordeal where people are either nasty or harried. It's always good to come home.
To me, traveling is uncomfortable because it forces you to grow.
I'm glad you enjoy traveling so much because I really like reading your posts about all the places you've gone, especially the haunted, creepy ones. That's the way I like to experience them, from the safety of my own office, through your words. :)
DeleteThanks for giving me the perfect excuse to keep traveling! :)
DeleteI understand your reluctance. I face this as well, with such fatigue after traveling that I've got to really consider each trip.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I'm doing now, too - considering each trip.
DeleteI'm not saying I'll never travel again or fly again or anything like. I just need to take everything into consideration - what's involved with trip, what's going on at home, my health/stress level etc - before ultimately making a decision.
I'm right there with you. I loved going to Paris but have no desire to take such a long trip again any time soon. The flying is really difficult for me due to anxiety and then the exhaustion that comes afterwards. A friend of mine is on a dream trip around the world for two months, and just hearing about it made me tired. I am definitely more of a homebody. Love the Martin quote! But then I kind of idolize him so that's no surprise. :D
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you weighed the Paris trip and the potential anxiety and exhaustion, and decided it was worth it. I think that's the way to do it. :)
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