A Hesitant Traveler’s Perspective
I am not a natural traveler. That might sound weird coming from someone writing about travel, but it’s the truth. I don’t care much for spontaneity or feeling awkward in unfamiliar places. Since those scenarios are likely to happen while traveling, that means I don’t naturally care to travel.
Despite my hesitancies, I actually enjoy traveling and am good at it. I have so many compelling reasons to travel that the travel bug is alive and active around me all the time.
This is why I want to share my travel adventures with you. I honestly believe that we can all enjoy travel and be good at it. If the thought of traveling just makes you squeamish, that is completely fine. I hope you can enjoy being an armchair traveler for now, but someday find the inspiration to experience it for yourself.
However, if you have a slight interest, even if it is coupled with a squeamish feeling, then I think I can help you. It’s going to be a little uncomfortable and you’ll probably be hesitant to give it a go (I still feel this way). But remember, those uncomfortable hesitancies are nothing compared to what travel gives in return.
Let’s begin with the basics.
Motivations
Why do YOU want to travel?
Don’t travel because I or anyone else tell you to; do it because you want to. If you’re reading an article about travel, then chances are, you already want to, but maybe need a little encouragement to begin.
Now I’m going to share my personal motivation. This is what gets me on an airplane when all my fears and hesitancies are telling me to curl up on my couch at home. Even if my motivation doesn’t move you, maybe it can help you find your own.
Personal Connections
My motivation to travel is to discover what I have a personal connection to. It meets my need for inspired travel.
An example of this is when I traveled to Scotland. I went there because my best friend and I fell in love with Scottish history and culture when we were teenagers. I had read books and watched documentaries for years but I wanted to actually see where William Wallace roamed, where the mythical Nessie lurked, and where Robert Louis Stevenson dreamed and drafted stories. I wanted to set my feet on Scottish turf, feel the Scottish weather, and breathe the Scottish air for myself. So, that’s what I did.
If anything will get you out of your comfort zone and on the road, it is a personal connection. So, ask yourself, “what connections do I have?”
Do you have a favorite author?
Why not go visit their home, Alma Mater, or office? (as long as they’re open to the public, of course)
Do you love the beauty of pristine mountain lakes?
Why not visit that lake pictured on your computer’s screen saver?
Do you swoon for seafood paella?
Why not take a tour of the Spanish coast until you find the best ever?
There is something you are personally connected to; you study and talk about it all the time. You know what it is. I encourage you to let it be the inspiration to go explore.
Resources
What do YOU have that will help you to travel?
I’m not talking about luggage here (although you will need that). I’m talking about who you know.
You do not need to travel alone to be a real traveler. Going with a group is, in my opinion, the best way to try out travel. In a travel group, you get the comfort of an experienced travel leader, access to tour guides, and the camaraderie of friends. There is no need to do it alone, besides, travel is so much more fun with friends.
Three types of group trips that I recommend are:
Study Trips
My husband’s Alma Mater hosts one of these every year and we try to go as often as we can because they are always amazing. We learn so much and we don’t have to organize anything, which is very relaxing. I recommend you check to see if the college you have attended or are attending offers study trips. Don’t miss out on these if they are available to you.
Missions Trips
These trips are how I first got into traveling. My first mission trip was when my family moved to Papua New Guinea as missionaries in the early ’90s. Technically, it wasn’t a mission trip, more of a life adjustment, but I still count it.
These trips are usually life-changing since you get to meet people living in an entirely different culture and economic situation. You’ll begin to appreciate what you have and, hopefully, learn how to love people more. I recommend you check to see if your local church offers mission trips or if they are connected to any organization that does. Every Christian should go on at least one mission trip; it is not a waste.
Guided Group Tours
The world is your oyster on this one. These types of tours allow you to specify if you are looking for an adventure tour group, a singles group, a seniors group, or just about anything else. I recommend you do a diligent internet search or speak to a travel agent to find the perfect tour group for your interests.
Distinctiveness
How can YOU travel uniquely?
There is no reason why travel has to be the same for everyone everywhere. When I visit a new city, I may take the time to research the Top Ten Must-See Sites there, but I don’t ever visit them all. Likewise, I don’t expect my friends to do everything I recommend when they visit a place after I’ve been there.
I believe travel is unique and should remain that way.
Perhaps travel for you means day trips on long weekends. That sounds awesome to me. Besides, COVID has kind of limited us to these types of road trips. So, get your family in the minivan and enjoy the neighboring town.
Perhaps you’re like my friends, Justin and Sarah, and want to make RV travel your life. I might think this is a little crazy, but if this is your idea of travel, who cares what anyone else thinks. Get out on the road.
You are a unique person and you are going to enjoy travel in a way that is distinctly you. Celebrate it and share it. I’d love to know what got you into travel, what you enjoy or don’t enjoy, and how you approach traveling.
In Conclusion
Travel is a personal experience and you have to experience travel to understand that. My personal experience is that travel gives us connections to others while freeing us from our fears. You may perceive it differently, but you’ll have to try it before you can know for sure. Now go have a fabulous and inspired trip!
