To feel that people who constantly travel are just running from their problems?

[BluntGoldPoster]

Frequent travellers act as if they’re enlightened, but is it just escapism? AIBU to think it’s more about avoiding real-life issues?

Eh?

But if you could, wouldn't you?

What is "real life"?

Most people either simply can't afford to keep travelling or want other aspects of life to come to the fore, such as having children or a linear career path. For people who really don't want those things, what's the problem? What are they avoiding?

How can they be escaping/ avoiding real life issues if they return home after being away??
Wont the problems still be there??
This is a ridiculous statement!!

Do you think it’s not possible to actually enjoy travelling?

Some might be, others aren’t. I don’t think it’s true of everyone who travels. Maybe they just enjoy it and can afford it and you’re jealous?

You must know there is just no basis for a generalisation like this.

Why do you assume frequent travellers have problems to begin with?

What's wrong with wanting to escape reality?

What a silly proposition.

Do you think real life doesn’t exist in other countries? Do problems evaporate when you cross a border?

What about people who order takeaways a lot? Are they being lazy to avoid real life issues?
Or people who watch TV every night - shouldn’t they be working on ways to solve inequality and reverse climate change instead of watching soaps and crime dramas?

So nobody should be going on holiday? How frequent is too frequent?
What real-life issues do you think they are escaping in particular?

It’s possible for people to be in an addictive cycle of travelling, where travelling is all that matters, home is just a place to park while gathering the funds to set off again. So it’s like any other addiction that takes over a person’s life and distracts them from the business of maturity.

I know someone who bought a camper van and has been travelling constantly since her child died. In her case, yes, she’s escaping. And she’d be the first to admit that. But plenty of people just enjoy travelling because they like seeing new places / eating different food / being in the sun during our winter etc etc etc.

Who says they have problems? What if they just love travelling? If I were over 45 with no kids (or any age and didn't want kids) I would probably do the same thing myself.

Nothing wrong with it at all, honestly - I think we all need a break from reality sometimes. My curiosity is more about when it becomes a lifestyle. Does the constant escape make it harder to address things at home or find contentment without the next trip lined up? Just wondering if there’s a balance between enjoying travel and using it to avoid certain realities.

And fair enough, if it's bringing them some peace

@BluntGoldPoster but what do you mean by "address things at home"? If they're leaving three kids to fend for themselves then yes that's a problem, but what things does a single person need to address?

I think maybe people who are constantly moving house or changing jobs (both through choice rather than necessity) seem to be in search of something that will make their lives whole, but I think going on holiday is just that?

Perhaps the enlightenment they receive whilst travelling to run away from a boring staid existence is an answer to that existence in the first place. Perhaps then their real lives improve

This is a variation on another comment I've read on here that people who travel a lot must hate their home/where they live.

Ridiculous.

Well funnily enough I find I travel less now I live where I want to rather than where I had to for work so there may well be something in it

Like most things , there will be lots going on

For some, yes. Probably a very small proportion though. I’ve certainly done it in the long past and dream of doing it again.

But I think what I am trying to escape is an unreasonable way of life that I feel forced into and nothing to do with being immature or irresponsible. I have little interest in things that many people think are important and find society in general increasingly rigid and conformist. I try to find an middle ground but usually fail.

What makes you think this? Do you know any frequent travellers with problems they're running away from?

Exactly.

I’m usually running to my problem as all my travel is work related, and most problems are work related!!!

It feels like this is about a specific person OP and if you want opinions you might as well just tell us about them! In such general terms I don’t really know what you mean.

Does the constant escape make it harder to address things at home or find contentment without the next trip lined up?
What if seeing new places and having new experiences is how they find contentment? Is there something inherently better about finding contentment in your home town?