What is the most depressing part about traveling? Sitting on an 8-hour flight back "home." Every time I had to go home, I felt depressed, so much so that I started to ponder and asked myself these questions: "Why is it depressing to go home?", "Is it really my home?", and "Where, then, is my home?".
When we travel, we place ourselves in a completely new environment. It forces us to learn, adapt, and grow. It is always exciting not knowing where that street over there might lead us, and because of that, we've changed. The problem is that when we return home, we can't help but notice that everything remains the same. It's as if we never left, and that bothers us. It bothers us to know exactly where that street will lead us.
In our minds, we are wired to be reminded that things are not supposed to change at home. Since we are young, every Christmas, we go back home and celebrate with the same people, follow the same traditions, and do the same things every year. It is what we have come to expect from the word "home".
It is also a symbol of stagnant and inert.
No matter how long you have been away, the city will still look the same. The people will still talk about the same crap over and over again, and your life will still be waiting for you at home, ready to go on autopilot.
That is what Bangkok reminds me of, and I don't like it. I don't learn anything new when I'm there. I don't meet interesting people when I'm there. I can't talk about random topics like space, astronomy, Isaac Asimov, or share my fondness for design and indie music when I'm there. And that is where the depression comes from, the realization that there is more to this world than "home." That is why I have to ask myself, "Where is home?"
Don't get me wrong. I like Bangkok.. it's just not the place I want to live forever.
In my quest to find where I belong, I decided to travel around Europe for 3 months while living with as many locals as possible. I have experienced many ways of living, many kinds of passionate people, and many cultures to which I can relate. It is within this process of searching that made me become a traveler. I might not find my "home" anytime soon, but that does not matter. I believe I have the right to know which city fits my personality most, and that is what I would gladly spend my whole life doing.
This is why we need to travel, in search of our home... our real home. It is not the question of where you are born or where your parents live, but it is the question of where you think you belong, and traveling is the only way to discover your home. How would you know where you belong if you have never experienced anything but what has been shoved in your face by society at home?
Further Reading for Inspiration
Looking for more articles to inspire you to travel more? Here are a collection of articles that you might like:
- Hiking to the Everest Base Camp is one of the most memorable epic moments of my life. Here's a long-read piece about my experiences hiking the Everest Base Camp: On My Way To Everest Base Camp.
- Ever wondered what it is like to travel the world with a third-world passport? Check out: Traveling The World On A Third World Passport.
- Here's why I always celebrate turning a year older with a hike: Climbing Kilimanjaro On My 33rd Birthday.
- Are you currently planning a trip around the world and looking for cheap countries to visit? Here are the 13 Cheapest Countries To Visit in the World.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for the most beautiful travel blogs to follow? Here are the 24 Most Beautiful Travel Blogs to Follow.
- For adventurers and backpackers out there, here are the 10 Best Adventure and Backpacking Blogs You Should Follow.
- I truly believe we need more Asian representatives in the English-speaking travel blogging industry, especially for blogs about Asia. Here are the Top 10 Kick-Ass Asian Travel Bloggers To Follow.
- Did you know that you can travel without leaving your couch? Here are the 8 Great Travel Books You Should Read.
- For the best travel videos to inspire you to travel even further, here are the 20 Most Creative Travel Videos of All Time.
- If you are looking for travel vloggers to follow on YouTube that aren't cringeworthy, check out: 10 Best Travel Vloggers to Follow On YouTube.
- The best way to improve your photography skills is to learn from the best. Here are the 10 Best Photography YouTube Channels to Follow.
- A photo is worth a thousand words. Here are the 25 Most Beautiful Travel Photos I Ever Took From Around The World.
- Ever wondered what it is like to be a travel blogger during COVID-19? Check out: Being A Travel Blogger During COVID-19 - What Is It Like?
- Looking for off-the-beaten-path destinations to visit this year? Check out: 8 Best Off-The-Beaten-Path Destination to Visit.
- Can't travel internationally for the time being? How about traveling in your own country? Here are the 7 Reasons Why You Should Travel in Your Own Country.
- To find the most inspirational travel quotes and captions to go with your photos on your Instagram, check out 34 Short and Unique Traveller Quotes for Instagram.
- We often hear bad stories about locals from travelers, but what about the other way around? Here are some of the Notorious Stories Of Terrible Backpackers.
- If you lost your bag while you were traveling, here is how to deal with the situation: My Bag Was Stolen In Germany.
- People often preach about how important it is to live in the moment, but sometimes, that may not be such a good idea. Here is The Problem With Living In The Moment.
- Want to embark on your first solo trip but not sure where to go? As a long-time solo traveler, here are my favorite places based on real experiences: 10 Incredible Travel Destinations for Solo Travelers.
- Solo traveling is not for everyone, and even though I love it to death, it is not always flowers and sunshine for solo travelers. Here are the 10 Things I Hate Most When Traveling Solo.
- Travel friends come and go, but that may not be such a bad thing. Here is why you should embrace your travel friends: A Life Of Brief Encounters.
- Hiking is life. Here's why: One Year Of Incredible Discomfort - 10 Things I've Learned From Climbing Mountains.
- Here's why having no plan is the best plan: Magical Things Happen When You Have Nothing To Do - The Art Of Doing Nothing.
- Is life getting you down? Here's why you can't always blame life for everything: Life Doesn't Suck. We Just Suck At Living It.
- Want to know why I chose to travel alone? Read this: We Travel Alone, NOT To Be Alone.
- For a meaningful solo trip, you need to share it with someone. Here is why Happiness Is Only Real When Shared.
- Traveling is no longer for the rich. Here is why: "People Think I'm Rich".
- The Himalayan Mountain is one hell of a teacher. Here are the 7 Life Lessons The Himalayas Taught Me.
- Want to travel alone but scared that you might get bored out of your mind? Here is How To Enjoy Yourself And Have Fun While Traveling Alone.
- Want to start traveling solo as well? Here is What It's Like to Travel Alone.
- Here is a simple story on how I started traveling: F*ck It, I'll Do This Alone.
- For more inspiring articles like this, visit my Inspiration page.
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4 Comments
I have spread my life over 3 european countries and since a year I have been travelling extensivlly knowing I dont have to choose I will grow and take things from everywhere I go and it becomes a part of me- rather then me becoming part of the city or country.
Thank you for the comment Deborah. Totally agree. I may not have find my home yet but I sure left my heart in many of the places I looked for home :)
I love this post Pete, spot on.
Thank you for the comment!