Huge yearning to travel?

[RayWinstone]

I've recently started to have this massive desire to travel loads. Now, I've always liked a holiday but I also recognised them as a big old expensive faff and didn't really prioritise them. Something has clicked in me recently and I have this intense desire to cram in as many trips and excursions as I can (for eg, I'm currently dream planning a short break in northern France, a snow holiday next December/January, a summer break somewhere warm and an exciting trip to Sri Lanka or Thailand. To be clear - not all of these will be happening or I'll be bankrupt!).

For context (as I suspect these factors may contribute!) I'm 43, my kids are 11 and 7 and I've recently started earning more money. Does anyone recognise this? Is it a 'thing'. It's so strong, it honestly feels a bit like broodiness but for holidays, not babies!

It's a thing! I always cluster book. Currently planning Cyprus in march, Slovenia and Croatia in April, Slovakia in may, a couple of weekend trips over the summer and a long haul in October/November. Every few years I just need to get the travel bug out my system. Once it's all over I'm usually worn out and look forward to just staying at home.for me it comes on cycles, whenever I crave some excitement in my life whilst conveniently forgetting how much energy it takes and the dent it puts in my wallet. I still don't regret a single last minute trip.

Interesting! Did you find this happened all of a sudden when you or your kids hit a certain age/stage of life?? Or have you always had a wanderlust? The itch is extreme!

It's always been there. For me it started after I had to leave military (medical). Its hit really hard now DD is 10 months old. It makes sense that it's hit you now in my opinion. It's anticipation for the next chapter with your kids. It's a proper bye bye to the toddler/young kid years. You sacrifice so much during that time. The yearning to travel I think is closely connected to either trying to fill something/ or getting to know the person you are today. Makes sense of you've given the most part of yourself to kids for a decade! I say do it - travel but don't get into debt over it. Also I recommend this book to you : "I'm Off Then: Losing and Finding Myself on the Camino de Santiago". It's an easy read and well worth it.
Sorry for bad grammar, I'm on my phone 😊

That makes so much sense, thank you @Journeyintomelody . I'll embrace it then!!

Yes I get this! For me it's kids getting older (old enough to be left at home if DH and I want to go without them), the money to do it, and, after losing some very wonderful people at a far too young age, realising life is short.

Yes I am starting to get this. I was a very young parent so it wasn't really on my radar before as I couldn't afford it anyway and was too busy as a single parent. DS is almost an adult and I'm thinking I'd like to see a bit more of the world now I can.

Do it! I got 'the bug' last year and have started travelling as much as we can afford/have time for and it's incredible! DS has the time of his life, I think he was born to be a travel content creator.

We are travelling more as we are retired. My son is a prolific traveller, he's 39, just had six months off (self employed). Wouldn't do it if I had kids who were school aged.

Yes, I think it has to be done before they properly start school or once they've finished. Unless you home school, or are prepared to pay sky high prices to go away every half term and school holiday.

Thanks everyone. My kids are very much school aged but I am a teacher too so school holiday travel is a must unfortunately.
I definitely feel this itchy urgency I have stems from a sudden realisation that time is slipping away... We don't have long left for family holidays and experiences, really. My oldest is only 11 but I know how quickly time is going to fly (and also how reluctant she may be to join in before too long!). Also, you don't know what's around the corner. So I'm going to embrace it and go for it as far as if feasible!