The Unspoken Struggles of Full-Time World Travel
Sometimes looks can be deceiving. Behind the photos, videos, and happy moments that we choose to show the outside world, travel can be so much more. What most people who are unfamiliar with this way of life don’t realize is that long-term travel is not the same as a two week vacation. It is not an easy fix to resolve the problems that come with a more “ traditional” lifestyle. Long-term travel is sweat, tears, frustration, and sacrifice. It is not easy, and not every day will be “insta-worthy”.
I want to share some of the unspoken struggles that I have experienced while traveling, and hopefully by doing so you will feel just a bit more prepared to encounter and overcome these same challenges. Travel will, without a doubt, change your life and shape you into a stronger, more confident person, with a collection of unique experiences you will carry with you for the rest of your life.
Remote work is still work
Yes, remote work means flexibility and not being confined to the same mundane routine every day stuck in an office, but it is still work. Like with any job, there will be stressful days, days where you work more than you would like, and travel can add an extra layer of difficulty to your job.
Not only do you need to be responsible for your role in your job, but also make sure you have access to wifi and quiet working spaces. You’ll have to be extra careful when planning to make sure travel days don’t overlap with important meetings, that you understand time zones and time changes around the world, and that your accommodations are remote work friendly.
That being said, remote work is so worth it! You are free to choose where you create your office, and weekends and evenings will be so much cooler as you can spend that time exploring new places.
Travel planning is a full-time job of its own
If you’ve ever planned a vacation before, you know just how difficult it can be to organize the logistics of the whole trip. Now imagine doing that same process every week or every month. From flights, to accommodation, to local transportation, to where to eat - everything will be new and that means a whole lot of research and planning.
I definitely recommend traveling slower if you plan on working remotely. Moving to a new city every day or every few days is possible, but make sure you have lots of down time for rest and relaxation to avoid the infamous travel burn out.
Errands are still errands, but everything is different and new
Just as if you were living a traditional life, you will have to run errands and do all the dull “normal life” things while full-time traveling.
Going grocery shopping, getting a haircut, going to the doctor or dentist, and the list goes on. The added challenge is that you will have to navigate all of these things in an unknown place, with a language barrier. So much research will have to go into everything you do, since everything is new.
Sometimes this is fun, but sometimes it can be really stressful to find a trustworthy doctor in another country.
My recommendation to overcome this challenge would be to join expat facebook groups whenever you can. You can ask other foreigners for advice about almost anything. And you can always ask locals for help as well. Your accommodation’s host might just know the best place to get a haircut or to see the dentist in case of an emergency.
Loneliness and making new friends in a new place
It’s safe to say that many travelers struggle or have struggled with loneliness while traveling. This can apply even if you aren't traveling solo. Sometimes you just miss the community, family, and friendships from home and this can be difficult to overcome.
Before anything else, remember that it is okay to feel lonely, uncomfortable, and lost sometimes. This is especially true at the beginning of a trip when you are just arriving and getting a feeling of your surroundings.
Embrace this time when you don’t have a million plans or people to hang out with and spend time with yourself! Go out to eat, explore, and do activities that you love. What you’ll find is that by doing things that you genuinely enjoy, naturally, the right people will start to end up in your life. Plus, there is nothing better than being on your own terms while traveling.
Check out this article if you are wondering how to make new friends while traveling!
Sometimes things won’t go as planned
Even if you put countless hours into travel planning, searching for the perfect accommodation options, and making sure that everything will work out seamlessly - things can still go wrong.
When you are full-time traveling there is so much that is out of your control. You might miss a flight or two. The dreamy Airbnb you booked might look nothing like its pictures. You might fight with your travel companion(s) because you are hungry, lost, or frustrated. The weather might ruin your weekend plans. You might eat something you thought would be delicious, but ends up sending you into the hospital. There is so much that is out of your control, and it is so important to remember that this is okay and to just go with the flow.
Oftentimes the biggest travel “fails” turn into the best stories and memories. In the end, your mindset will make such a difference in how you feel about your experiences. Positive mind = positive life ♥.