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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I don't enjoy going on holiday

121 replies

sugarfreegum · 08/05/2023 19:39

There I have said it. It's not that I hate it, but I definitely don't get what the fuss is all about. And I flatter myself that I am open-minded, not unadventurous, etc. etc. I even like travelling for work, which I have done a lot. But when I go on holiday, it always seems like a lot of faff for a lot of money and not that much pay off. I would rather spend on little things that make daily life better, like good coffee, books, nice clothes to wear. Am I the only person in the world like this, because everyone else seems to be bonkers about holidays?

OP posts:
lottie2888 · 08/05/2023 19:42

I totally agree. I like going to see my family ( which is a plane ride away ) but anything else I’m not interested in.
I feel guilty and like I’m letting myself down as I should be more adventurous but then I remind myself my carbon foot print is nice and low!

SpringIntoChaos · 08/05/2023 19:45

Same OP. I'm always decidedly underwhelmed by the whole thing! I really don't understand all the hype!

SpringIntoChaos · 08/05/2023 19:46

And to add...I've lived/worked in some very exotic overseas locations so it's not that I'm unadventurous! I just can't abide the whole 2 weeks/packing/forced fun stuff!

fetchacloth · 08/05/2023 19:47

I feel the same OP. When I have been on holiday I fret constantly about anything and everything, I just can't seem to be in the moment whilst away.
So I might as well stay at home.

JamSandle · 08/05/2023 19:47

There's absolutely no wrong or right. Do the things you enjoy.

There are a wide range of types of holiday, whether you want to relax, explore, volunteer, learn a skill, be a foodie, be in nature etc. But they don't need to be your thing.

Valid8me · 08/05/2023 19:47

I don't agree - I love my holidays. Usually only for a week somewhere hot but I really missed it during covid when we couldn't go! I can buy good books/coffee/nice clothes anytime.

TwilightSkies · 08/05/2023 19:48

Yeah I feel the same. Nice to know I’m not alone!

Gettingbysomehow · 08/05/2023 19:51

I hate going away. Id rather stay at home. I've travelled the world already and I'm 61. I like my home comforts and my garden and pets.

Bumdealoftheweek · 08/05/2023 19:51

I definitely don't feel the same as you but it depends where we go. A UK holiday is not a holiday for me as you can't guarantee the weather, it's super expensive and whilst there are some lovely places it's not something hugely different on a day to day basis. We would also stay self-catering so it's the same jobs just a different location.

I LOVE going on holiday abroad. It's a total break from the norm - no washing, cleaning, work or running the kids around for activities. We get to just be together, do fun activities and relax. I love trying new foods and generally just having long lazy days with no demands on my time. We eat out the majority of the time too.

CremeEggThief · 08/05/2023 19:53

Don't go then!

Do what you enjoy instead. We're all different!

AlltheFs · 08/05/2023 19:54

I am the same. I really don’t find them that enjoyable. I’d rather have time at home and day trips.

We have 2 weeks in a villa coming up, it will be same old shit in less comfortable beds really, hopefully warmer! But if it wasn’t for the fact DD and DH will love it I could happily not bother.
I spend the whole time missing my animals and home. It does help that I live in a beautiful place in the sort of cottage people go to on holiday (UK).

Xrays · 08/05/2023 19:58

Bumdealoftheweek · 08/05/2023 19:51

I definitely don't feel the same as you but it depends where we go. A UK holiday is not a holiday for me as you can't guarantee the weather, it's super expensive and whilst there are some lovely places it's not something hugely different on a day to day basis. We would also stay self-catering so it's the same jobs just a different location.

I LOVE going on holiday abroad. It's a total break from the norm - no washing, cleaning, work or running the kids around for activities. We get to just be together, do fun activities and relax. I love trying new foods and generally just having long lazy days with no demands on my time. We eat out the majority of the time too.

Same. I only go on holidays which are a total break for me. I don’t want to cook, clean or do any of the usual crap I do on holiday. A self catering villa / caravan etc wouldn’t be a holiday to me.

PermanentTemporary · 08/05/2023 19:59

If I look back, I've disliked most holidays until 5 years ago. At that point for the first time I had some spare money and ds was a teenager. At that point I started doing what I liked on holiday and - what a surprise- have really enjoyed them ever since. Before that I was either travelling on an exhausting shoestring, travelling with people I didn't get on with brilliantly but who had kindly offered me a cheap holiday, or doing what my partner of the time wanted. Enough!

I hope you do whatever you like with your own time.

Daffodilmorning · 08/05/2023 20:01

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with choosing to spend your money on everyday things, rather than going away… but are you sure you’re not just going on the wrong type of holidays?

There are definitely some holidays I enjoy more than others (definitely not a fan of cooking on holiday for example!). But if you are constantly sitting by a pool, maybe you’d prefer exploring a new city instead. Or if you usually do city breaks, maybe you’d prefer getting away from it all in nature?

There are so many different holiday options, I struggle to understand how anyone could struggle to find something they’d enjoy.

Original poster
sugarfreegum · 08/05/2023 20:04

Ha! I have found my people.

OP posts:
Prisonbreak · 08/05/2023 20:04

We travel quite frequently. It’s a big part of our life together. However we don’t like sitting by a pool and lazing the day away. We are the exploring type. Seeing new places, new cultures, having adventures, getting lost and laughing about it. Making memories that we still talk about. We enjoy it

ClemFandango1 · 08/05/2023 20:06

Strongly agree, OP. The whole thing is a stress fest.

Anonymous48 · 08/05/2023 20:07

Going on holiday isn't mandatory. If you prefer to stay home, then why not? It's hard to believe that there isn't some sort of holiday or location that you would enjoy though.

bakermummy21 · 08/05/2023 20:13

For me it's all the stuff you have to before you go, the planning, travel/airport stress etc. Enjoy it while there but after a few days more than happy to come home.

greenlychee · 08/05/2023 20:16

I agree in some ways OP, but I think sometimes it's important to have a change of headspace, because it helps you put things in perspective a bit even if it's not much fun! so when you get home you have a new view on things, situations, relationships, work etc, and also you can look at things a new way and have a new found appreciation for getting home.

so whilst every holiday may not be enjoyable the benefits of a break from the norm go beyond the pleasures of a holiday (or lack thereof!). People often don't realise this aspect if they are not holiday people.

Original poster
sugarfreegum · 08/05/2023 20:17

greenlychee · 08/05/2023 20:16

I agree in some ways OP, but I think sometimes it's important to have a change of headspace, because it helps you put things in perspective a bit even if it's not much fun! so when you get home you have a new view on things, situations, relationships, work etc, and also you can look at things a new way and have a new found appreciation for getting home.

so whilst every holiday may not be enjoyable the benefits of a break from the norm go beyond the pleasures of a holiday (or lack thereof!). People often don't realise this aspect if they are not holiday people.

Ahh, now this I do appreciate. I get the same from a work trip though.

OP posts:
DancedByTheLightOfTheMoon · 08/05/2023 20:18

When you look around at how stressed and miserable people are at airports, on plane and even on the beach, it does make you wonder.
I am happier at home, l find it alot more relaxing, l often see a plane up above when l'm in my garden and think glad that's not me, l can't stand the faff of it all. Like the saying " You don't have to go to India to find peace".

JMSA · 08/05/2023 20:25

I love it. I definitely have a 'Peter Pan' side to my personality, where I enjoy escaping from real life for a bit!

TenoringBehind · 08/05/2023 20:34

I understand this. I look back on holidays with some small amount of fondness, and am glad I’ve seen somewhere new, but I don’t enjoy them when they’re happening. I always count down the days until I can go home.

I resent spending all that money on something I don’t enjoy just because I feel we should have a holiday.

This year we’ve decided not to bother because we’ve spent so much on energy, and rather relieved.

Lcb123 · 08/05/2023 20:36

I’m the opposite (can’t go on holiday enough) but if you don’t enjoy it, then don’t do feel you have to do it! Life’s too short to go just because you think you ought to