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As our next travel out into the big world fast approaches, I have been doing a lot of soul searching as to why Dave and I travel so much.
Once the honeymoon period is over, after we have seen our friends and family and after we are successfully back at our jobs, we instantly start feeling the need to leave.
Why We Travel
We loved every move at first, but quickly became tired of the routine. I was talking to my friend yesterday and had this epiphany. Even though we haven’t always been travellers, we have always been movers.
As soon as college was over, we moved to Toronto without a plan, then we moved to Vancouver without a plan, we moved back to Toronto on a whim and bought a house faster than most people buy a new car or television.
Selling Our House
We sold that house and went to Asia for 8 months and then we moved back only to start planning our next stage in life.
It is a question we have been asked quite a few times in our life.
The answer to this question is not something that comes off the cuff but one that comes from looking inward.
Over the past 10 years, we have travelled more than most. While other people are content to put down roots, see their friends regularly and take their yearly vacations and getaways, we always feel the need to keep moving.
I think that putting down roots is a great thing, don’t get me wrong. Many times while we are travelling, we discuss how nice it would be to go home and find the perfect place to live out our days.
We're excited to see our friends and family and maybe this set of travels will finally get travelling out of our system. When we get home, maybe we'll buy a place in the country and live out our days in harmony.
Can't stop exploring
But every time we come home, we feel differently.
Even now, when we have slowed our travels down, got a place in Toronto there is always this nagging feeling in the back of our minds that pushes us to get out and travel. I know that some of that is due to the pressure to keep the business going, and travelling is a big part of that, but I also know that this is something that has been inside us for a long time.
You know that feeling right? When you think that for some reason you need to justify something that people just don't understand. Like you have to explain why it is you do something? Well, I think a lot of people have been in this situation at one point in their life or another.
By forcing ourselves to answer the question “why?” I think we can better explain to others the inspiration and drive behind why we do what we do.
So, Why Do We Travel?
This is something that is just not summed up in one sentence. The answer is made up of many reasons and in order to find the full answer to this question, we had to look back on our life choices. And a pattern emerged.
When we first met way back in the early 90’s we immediately decided that we should move to Vancouver and have an adventure after spending less than a year in Toronto after college.
We sold what little possessions we had at the time and off we went with a guitar and two suitcases. We landed at the airport without a plan, but we were definitely excited.
That was the start of things to come. Even when we do manage to stay in a city for almost 3 years as we did in Vancouver, we still needed change. We changed our career paths in Vancouver, both joining the booming film business.
But most important in understanding our psyche, we changed apartments. We always seem to need to keep changing. The apartment that we moved to wasn’t necessarily better or even in a better location, we just felt the need to change and move.
Reason #1: We are driven by change.
After we became bored with everything that Vancouver had to offer, we moved back to Toronto to start to rebuild our lives again. We had to integrate ourselves into the Toronto film business which is a little insane considering things were just starting to take off in Vancouver for us. But things worked out.
Reason #2: We are motivated by a challenge
I think that Dave and I thrive on challenges. We enjoy starting over fresh and reinventing our lives.
We enjoy having to work hard and set goals to succeed and the minute we become too comfortable or relaxed in our surroundings, we become antsy.
We moved back to Toronto in 1996 and up until we became full-time travellers, we moved 8 times. One of those times we decided to move out of the city to buy a house up north and try something new, another was spending the summer at my parents trailer after coming home from our travels in Africa.
One of our biggest challenges was leaving our jobs in the film industry, cycling the continent of Africa and starting this blog. We had been in our jobs for 15 years, had no cycling experience and had no idea whether a blog could be a career.
These all posed significant challenges for us but we rose to the challenge. It brought out the best in us. When we are faced with something that seems crazy or insurmountable we charge towards it rather than run the other way.
When I look at the way we travel and where we travel there is always something that challenges us. And that is what keeps us going and fuels that fire to explore new places and take on new things that push us out of our comfort zone.
Travel keeps us Moving
We travel because we have always needed to be on the move. We are two people that need change. We have always found that with each new move, our lives improve immensely and we have become so accustomed to change now that when we sit still for too long we easily become a little blue.
Yes, we have taken up hobbies, a lot of them. We join groups and work at becoming better at certain sports and activities, but we seem to thrive on change more. Going to the same gym day after day or riding the same bike route or running the same boardwalk doesn’t cut it for either of us.
Luckily we have grown and changed throughout the years together in our lifestyle as opposed to growing apart and even though our choices seem strange to others, we love how we live.
The Draw of Travel is Strong
It has taken its toll on friendships. When two people take off every chance that they get, of course our friends will go on with their lives and make new friends and find new interests. We have found that we only have a handful left and we do yearn for a circle of friends that we can feel at ease with. But the draw of leaving is stronger.
So Why do We Travel Again and Again?
I guess that there are certain people in this world that are just explorers through and through. While people tend to judge travellers as being flaky and irresponsible, some of the greatest people in history were explorers and travellers.
Marco Polo traveled for 24 years and Ibn Battuta traveled for over 30 years. Christopher Columbus explored the world for years and Mark Twain and Ernest Hemingway seemed to be on the move their entire life trying new things, exploring new worlds and moving to new places.
We feel more alive when we are traveling. Especially when we push ourselves to the limits like cycling a continent or climbing a mountain. When we are sleeping in rustic cabins or tents or when we are hiking through the jungle, there is a sense of truly living, a sense of becoming one with the earth. When we are watching a glorious sunset or exploring an ancient ruin, we feel at peace.
We Travel Because it makes us feel alive.
I only wish that my friends and family would come and experience what we have. Leaving our possessions behind, meeting new people, exploring new places and trying new adventures has become what life is all about for Dave and I. Until someone goes on their own similar journey they will never understand where we are coming from and why we do what we do.
All we know is that it makes us happy and isn’t that what life is all about?
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Al says
I agree with you completely. What gets me going is definitely the challenge, but for me it’s also the unknown. Although I enjoy the standard travel destinations, there is something about going somewhere unusual or not part of most peoples travel wish list. When I head out the door, knowing I’m going somewhere that is off the beaten path, there is a certain feeling that I just can’t get enough of. Working as a freelance audio technician helps, since I can run off without having to get any approvals or permissions. I just block out a few weeks (or longer) and go.
debndave says
I love that you said that you enjoy standard travel destinations. We do too. You don’t have to constantly get off the beaten path to enjoy travel. Travel is wonderful everywhere! Although, it is very exciting to mix it up and that is what we do too. You are lucky that you can take time off work. That is exactly what we did for eight years with our jobs before going in to travel full time. We started out in 2000 on a 5-week trip to Thailand and then our trips started happening more often and became longer as time went on. We finally decided that we loved travel so much, we wanted to make it a career. A career in travel isn’t for everyone that’s for sure, it’s something that makes sense for constant wanderers like us though.
Rob @ Worldwide Travel Advice says
This is great! My girlfriend and I have been travelling for a while now – nearly a year! A lot of what your saying really makes sense now we’ve been on the road for so long. Do you think you’ll ever stop travelling?
Cheers guys, happy travels!
Rob.
Mike says
Hi Dave & Deb,
I love your blog. It’s great seeing people take the plunge and follow what truly makes them happy. You have some amazing articles and photos. If you are ever interested in submitting any articles or photos to us at BarrelHopping, we have ongoing contests where you can win cash to help fund your continued travels. For every article or photo you do submit we will also provide a link back to your site for more exposure. Our end goal is to help fellow travelers like you do more of what they love. Here are the details http://barrelhopping.com/get-paid-to-travel/
Todra P. says
My boyfriend and I feel the exact same way! It’s like you read our minds with this post. We’re trying to figure out how to make an explorer’s life our own. You’re very blessed.
Sue Canfield says
Love it! Our family is traveling and for some of the same reasons you do. Joel and I find that staying in one place starts to get monotonous after a bit. We crave change and I’ve always believed that change is good for us. Many people fear change; they should embrace it.
No, this lifestyle isn’t for everyone. And we may decide at some point to settle back down – especially if it seems best for our little girl. In the meantime there’s so much we want to see and share as a family.
Before we started traveling our favorite times and when we felt the closest was when we took day long road trips. This is just an extension of that.
davendeb says
Thanks for the comment Sue. You are right it isn’t for everyone but for those of us that are hooked on traveling, we all have our own reasons for doing so.
davendeb says
Fantastic Rasheed! Let’s live our dreams together:)
Rasheed Hooda says
“All we know is that it makes us happy and isn’t that what life is all about, just doing what makes you happy?”
You said it, sister. That’s why I am prepping to do it as well.
Rasheed
Anil says
It’s hard maintaining friends although traveling frequently, you find out who the ones you stay in touch with frequently are – and those tend to be very strong friendships. The acquaintances and other friendships come and go no matter where you are.
Trisha says
I agree with the others – you are both very fortunate to have found each other – forget that crap about ‘opposites attract’! Could you imagine what your relationship would be like if one of you were the opposite? I doubt that you’d still be together and having fun!
There’s a GREAT book you should read – “Please Understand Me” by Meyers-Briggs (the original, not the updated one, which sucked) – I’ll email you a link to it, and you can pick it up used super-cheap……basically there is a pesronality type that describes you both to a “T” – Of the four primary types, Thinker, Feeler, Organizer, and Adventurer, can you guess which one? 🙂 🙂
Don’t ever change or try to – because a LOT of other people get to live vicariously through YOUR adventures, so by having fun you’re providing a much-needed service!
DC says
Trisha said: “so by having fun you’re providing a much-needed service!”
Wow! That’s one, profound, two, true, and three, the very best state of living you can imagine. Serving others make me happy, and if all I have to do is have fun! WOW!!! Now, that’s the way to go.
Thanks for your service, 😉
brian from nodebtworldtravel.com says
Change = Challenge – That was the key thing I pulled from this. I ask myself why I like to travel and the challenge, the adventure of new situations and new people is my primary motivator.
Bethany says
Just out of curiousity – do you often feel like you have too many ideas? Do you get great ideas and then other ones too and get all excited to work on them? Then in a couple months you get overwhelmed and have no idea what to do next with your ideas? I have the same moving problems as you and wondering if you have the same idea problems as me. I cannot count how many times I’ve moved yet sometimes I yearn for the life my friends have. A house, 2 kids, a yard to mow, they go to work and then go home and instead of working on other projects they just relax – they seem content. However whenever I get close to that life I run away. One side of me wants that life and the other (obviously larger side) cannot imagine it.
davendeb says
Ah yes, you are not alone with the ideas. I am great at coming up with ideas, I love working on new ideas. I always seem to need to have a project. And I think you hit the nail right on the head. Other people are content with their lives, and maybe we are still searching for what makes us content.
Technomadia says
Movement, change, new experiences – the urge for it is indeed what fuels our souls. And, unfortunately it does put some friendships on hold.
But looking forward to new friendships that you find while traveling is exciting too! We’ve made so many friends – both in rendezvouses with other travelers and visiting so many places – it’s awesome.
This week, we head to Burning Man – where we are hosting Camp Nomadia. It’ll be a camp of about 50-70 full time travelers from around the world. It’ll be a spot at Black Rock City where we are a neighborhood of like minds who really are at home. It’ll be good to be amongst so many peers, make new friends and feel connected to our nomadic tribe.
All our best!
– Cherie
davendeb says
That is amazing. I wish I could come, Camp Nomadia sounds incredible. Oh the laughter and the stories that will be told in that camp. I can’t even imagine. And you are absolutely right, it is all of the friends that we have met on the road that have become very special to us. Even my blogging friends, I am feeling a kindred spirit with them all because we are so like minded and I am looking forward to meeting everyone in person one day soon! Have a great time at Burning Man and I look forward to reading all about it!
marina k. villatoro says
Some people are just wanderers, it’s soooooo true!!!!!!! I’ve been installed (that’s how the Spanish word for settling down is – I think it’s really funny), back to what I was saying:) I’ve been installed in Antigua for 2 months, and i’m starting to get that yearning again! It’s like a jonesing effect. I try to fool myself that I can stay put, but it’s just no way! and why change that, right:)
It’s just a bit harder with a kid! ALthough we still do it ALL THE TIME!
davendeb says
I love that saying, installed and I love that you are already yearning again. It is so true. I always laugh that once we move home, I have to have my place set up perfectly as quickly as possible. I put all of my energy into making it just right only to leave again in a short time. Sometimes I wonder why I bother, but then I always say that all we have is right now. Not tomorrow, not yesterday, so you better be happy and comfortable in your surroundings no matter how short of a time you are staying. Anyway, I went off on a tangent. Good for you for traveling with your son. I agree that it may be harder, but on many levels, I bet it is far more fulfilling too! I imagine you seeing the wonder in his eyes and the excitement when he see’s new things. It must be amazing.
Geogypsy says
I too am one that moves and loves the challenge. I’ve travelled most of the US so now am getting ready to broaden my journeys. There’s something very special and exciting about the new Now.
Many seem perfectly content to stay at home, or at least nearby. That gives us some to share our adventures with. Just think how crowded it would be if everybody traveled.
I can tell you’re my kind of people.
Just found you and plan to be back.
Enjoy the journey of life.
davendeb says
Hey Geogypsy, thanks for checking us out, I am on my way to visit your blog now! You are absolutely right, it would be crowded out there. For some reason we even find that travel brings us closer to our friends and family. It is like we all feel the need to tell one another how much we care. When we are home, Dave and I especially are very lazy at getting together and keeping in touch.
Amy @ The Q Family says
Love this post, Deb!!!
It’s good to know what you want and pursue them. I also like the fact that you understand the other side of the spectrum that someone might thrive in stability and putting their roots down. We all have our own happy bubble and it can’t all be the same. I’m glad that you have a chance to pursue your wanderlust and can’t wait to see you on the road. 🙂
davendeb says
Thanks Amy, It is very true, like Audrey said, we are all just wired differently. I think that we all want a little bit of what others have. I cannot reiterate enough how often Dave and I really feel that we want to settle down. But, it is just not the way we are made up. Whenever we have tried, it hasn’t worked out. We are just made to be on the go I guess. And yes, I like your happy bubble comment. We all just have to do what makes us happy, not what others think we should be doing.
davendeb says
Hi Baron, No Lottery here:) We just happen to have jobs in the film business that is very flexible. Dave especially is very well established, so when we come home there is always work. Plus we live a very basic lifestyle while we are at home. It is amazing how far the money can stretch when we don’t have many bills.
Baron's Life says
Deb,
So eloquently written and narrated…I can only conclude you’re a couple of soul gypsies…using airplanes to travel intead of horse drawn carriages as the romano did and still do…I envy you being able to live this life style.
How do you support yourselves if ur travelling all the time? did you win the lottery?
just curious…love your post and blog…cheers, keep safe and well…both of you
Audrey says
I agree that there are people who need to put down roots and thrive on stability and others that get energy from moving and doing new things. I always thought that my inclination to want change and move all the time came from my childhood – we moved every 2-3 years since my father was a diplomat. But, I married a man who had spent the first 18 years of his life in one place and had the same wiring as me.
You’re lucky you two found each other! Enjoy the continual learning and growth together!
davendeb says
Hi Audrey, you are lucky too! It would be really tough to have the wanderlust and have your partner feel differently. So it goes to show that it is all about the way we are wired and not our upbringing. Neither Dave or I traveled much as children, so I don’t know what caused the switch to be flipped once we met. But I like it.