Anyone else lost excitement for travel?

[Anonymous]

I have less bandwidth for it all. I used to be fine showing up in a city without speaking the language and just figuring out the bus or train system. Now especially with kids, it's more of a schlep and less of that carefree exploring feeling. I took bigger risks then, but now for the kids feel like I need a lot more caution. Plus one of my kids needs a lot more structure.

But I miss it. I hope that eventually I'll be able to do it again, even if it's a slower pace.

I also understand the allure being different when you can find any of the foods in the Internet or in any major city. It's never as good as discovering it in that little cafe in the middle of nowhere, but it does change things a bit.

[Anonymous]

Me a bit. I traveled extensively for work in my 20s and 30s and for fun before we had kids. We are planning our first non-beach international vacation and it'll be interesting to see if I'm in a rush to plan another. Travel has gotten so expensive and it's not as special as it used to be. It is a bit surprising because I used to consider it a core part of my identity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A little bit. I used to LOVE to travel in my 20s.

I think all the social media has made travel so performative these days. I spend so much time researching the trip and seeing thousands of photos of everything, reading blog posts that describe the process, reading reviews, etc. that by the time I get there it just feels like going through the motions and I've seen it all before.

Some of the excessive research is necessary with kids - I don't have nearly the flexibility that I did in my 20s to just show up in a city and find a bed somewhere for a night. But I don't think it's ALL necessary, my kids are pretty easy going and fun to travel with.

I'm experimenting with my next couple of big trips... Doing barely any research. I don't want to know what to expect and I want my days to still hold a little mystery and possibility. We'll see if that helps.

Yes, this! I tried explaining this feeling to my husband, who does almost none of the planning, and he was surprised, go figure.

I have two teenagers who really enjoy traveling, so I will keep planning trips with them while I can, but I am feeling really unmotivated about it.

[Anonymous]

I love to travel. The crowds everywhere though push the enjoyment factor to the limit. Standing for 2+ hours in line everywhere or having to time out to the minute the day that tickets for your planned visit date drop is not fun.

[Anonymous]

I’m in my early 40s and less excited for expensive flights, time zone changes, packing light…being less comfortable and spending lots.

I’m excited for North American road trips, especially since my kids will be drivers soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love to travel. The crowds everywhere though push the enjoyment factor to the limit. Standing for 2+ hours in line everywhere or having to time out to the minute the day that tickets for your planned visit date drop is not fun.

Maybe you need to plan a different type of travel. I am headed out on a trip this week and literally the only place with lines will be customs.

[Anonymous]

I’d still rather take fabulous trips than have a new kitchen. Sure, I’d prefer both…but thus far I’ve invested more in traveling with my kids while I can (recognizing I can’t control where they launch and if they’ll continue to travel with us once they couple up).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No I haven't gotten sick of it because I grew up poor and didn't travel a lot. I traveled some in my 20s with dh and loved it. Then we had kids and it was costly and had kids who were not good travelers so we took some breaks. Now my kids are old enough to travel well and we have done an international trip but it's getting so expensive and we have to save for college. I'm envious of people who have enough money to do international travel frequently.

If you can earn miles and pay for the airline tickets with those, there's lots of international destinations that are cheaper than domestic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A little bit. I used to LOVE to travel in my 20s.

I think all the social media has made travel so performative these days. I spend so much time researching the trip and seeing thousands of photos of everything, reading blog posts that describe the process, reading reviews, etc. that by the time I get there it just feels like going through the motions and I've seen it all before.

Some of the excessive research is necessary with kids - I don't have nearly the flexibility that I did in my 20s to just show up in a city and find a bed somewhere for a night. But I don't think it's ALL necessary, my kids are pretty easy going and fun to travel with.

I'm experimenting with my next couple of big trips... Doing barely any research. I don't want to know what to expect and I want my days to still hold a little mystery and possibility. We'll see if that helps.

Yes, this! I tried explaining this feeling to my husband, who does almost none of the planning, and he was surprised, go figure.

I have two teenagers who really enjoy traveling, so I will keep planning trips with them while I can, but I am feeling really unmotivated about it.

Conversely, if you don't plan you're likely to miss some places, and hit some of them at the wrong time.

[Anonymous]

Nope. I cannot relate to this thread at all. I love travel and never get sick of it. I was not able to travel for years (aside from driving to the beach for a long weekend) due to COVID and my mom's illness and death. Now, I jump on a plane at every chance I get and am always thinking about the next trip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A little bit. I used to LOVE to travel in my 20s.

I think all the social media has made travel so performative these days. I spend so much time researching the trip and seeing thousands of photos of everything, reading blog posts that describe the process, reading reviews, etc. that by the time I get there it just feels like going through the motions and I've seen it all before.

Some of the excessive research is necessary with kids - I don't have nearly the flexibility that I did in my 20s to just show up in a city and find a bed somewhere for a night. But I don't think it's ALL necessary, my kids are pretty easy going and fun to travel with.

I'm experimenting with my next couple of big trips... Doing barely any research. I don't want to know what to expect and I want my days to still hold a little mystery and possibility. We'll see if that helps.

Yes, this! I tried explaining this feeling to my husband, who does almost none of the planning, and he was surprised, go figure.

I have two teenagers who really enjoy traveling, so I will keep planning trips with them while I can, but I am feeling really unmotivated about it.

Conversely, if you don't plan you're likely to miss some places, and hit some of them at the wrong time.

Eh, sure.

But I’ve learned there is something to be said for not stressing out over planning and just winging it. It’s far more relaxing and you tend to stumble across great things you would have missed had you focused on a rigid schedule of usual suspect hotspots.

Ever traveled abroad and NOT set foot in a museum or gallery? It’s still fun. In fact, I’d say it’s the most fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A little bit. I used to LOVE to travel in my 20s.

I think all the social media has made travel so performative these days. I spend so much time researching the trip and seeing thousands of photos of everything, reading blog posts that describe the process, reading reviews, etc. that by the time I get there it just feels like going through the motions and I've seen it all before.

Some of the excessive research is necessary with kids - I don't have nearly the flexibility that I did in my 20s to just show up in a city and find a bed somewhere for a night. But I don't think it's ALL necessary, my kids are pretty easy going and fun to travel with.

I'm experimenting with my next couple of big trips... Doing barely any research. I don't want to know what to expect and I want my days to still hold a little mystery and possibility. We'll see if that helps.

Yes, this! I tried explaining this feeling to my husband, who does almost none of the planning, and he was surprised, go figure.

I have two teenagers who really enjoy traveling, so I will keep planning trips with them while I can, but I am feeling really unmotivated about it.

Conversely, if you don't plan you're likely to miss some places, and hit some of them at the wrong time.

For example, we did a day trip to Sintra last summer. We knew the Pena Palace wasa must do. We take thr 45 minutes train to grt to Sintra, then the 20 minutes bus to Pena, then find out the timed entry is sold out for the whole day. With thr right planning, er would have bought advanced tickets.

[Anonymous]

Not at all (at least not yet!). I love to travel and wish I could do more of it. So many places I want to take my kids, but so little time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A little bit. I used to LOVE to travel in my 20s.

I think all the social media has made travel so performative these days. I spend so much time researching the trip and seeing thousands of photos of everything, reading blog posts that describe the process, reading reviews, etc. that by the time I get there it just feels like going through the motions and I've seen it all before.

Some of the excessive research is necessary with kids - I don't have nearly the flexibility that I did in my 20s to just show up in a city and find a bed somewhere for a night. But I don't think it's ALL necessary, my kids are pretty easy going and fun to travel with.

I'm experimenting with my next couple of big trips... Doing barely any research. I don't want to know what to expect and I want my days to still hold a little mystery and possibility. We'll see if that helps.

Cannot disagree on this – being the planner feels pretty spoiler-y sometimes. We did a fabulous bucket list trip this summer and I did almost zero research and, because it was a safari, I didn’t have to think about restaurants and planning out each day and it was glorious. We all agreed it was the best trip we’ve ever taken. The considerable downside is the cost. But, like this pp, I’m making a conscious effort for future trips to not get too far into the weeds when planning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A little bit. I used to LOVE to travel in my 20s.

I think all the social media has made travel so performative these days. I spend so much time researching the trip and seeing thousands of photos of everything, reading blog posts that describe the process, reading reviews, etc. that by the time I get there it just feels like going through the motions and I've seen it all before.

Some of the excessive research is necessary with kids - I don't have nearly the flexibility that I did in my 20s to just show up in a city and find a bed somewhere for a night. But I don't think it's ALL necessary, my kids are pretty easy going and fun to travel with.

I'm experimenting with my next couple of big trips... Doing barely any research. I don't want to know what to expect and I want my days to still hold a little mystery and possibility. We'll see if that helps.

Yes, this! I tried explaining this feeling to my husband, who does almost none of the planning, and he was surprised, go figure.

I have two teenagers who really enjoy traveling, so I will keep planning trips with them while I can, but I am feeling really unmotivated about it.

Conversely, if you don't plan you're likely to miss some places, and hit some of them at the wrong time.

I’m not sure I even care that much anymore. I might have a better trip throwing a dart at a map and going in totally clueless.