We traveled a lot last year, both because we wanted to and because certain things came up for work and life that we had to travel for. And in all that travel and time on planes and in cars, we got burnt out. There came a point after our trip in November to Australia, New Zealand and Bali (where so much went wrong) that we decided we needed a hiatus to recuperate.
Because while travel is incredible and life changing and amazing, it’s also exhausting both physically and mentally. It drains you of energy and when you travel like we do, where it’s not really a vacation-type of travel, we then come home and plunge right back into our busy lives and it seems like you never quite get caught up. I’m not saying I don’t love it, I do. And I’m so thankful that we’ve worked hard to get to this point where we can travel a lot and see amazing places around the world. But there comes a point for every traveler when you just want to be home in your own bed for more than a few weekends at a time.
We also have a lot going on at home including moving this January, family issues, and work that never seems to slow down and so when we got home from our trip in November, we knew we needed to be home for a bit, for our own sanity. We actually were scheduled to do a long weekend over New Years in New York and canceled it so that we could use that weekend to rest and get ourselves organized to move.
All in all, travel is worth every second. It’s worth every penny you pay and every moment you create, but it’s also ok to realize that you need a break. There is certainly such a thing as travel burnout and when you get to that point, just realize that we’ve all been there. Trips that go wrong, too many nights not sleeping on planes and being jet lagged at all hours of the night. Travel is incredibly rewarding but it also comes with a cost. So when you experience travel burnout, just smile knowing all the amazing memories you’ll have from your travels and then head home for a while, sleep in your own bed, eat good food and give yourself a break. Travel will always be there when you’re ready and that’s usually sooner than you think!
And don’t worry… I’m not stopping traveling anytime soon, just taking a bit of a breather, but I can’t wait to share a bunch of great content in the new year and get back to traveling in February! And after being at home for over a month, I’m already getting back into the swing of travel planning for lots of amazing trips over the course of 2016!
Sarah Elizabeth says
Amen to every line of this. Enjoy your rest xxx
Casey says
Thank you! 🙂
Cynthia says
Definitely in agreement here! What makes travel great can easily be exhausting if you’re never “off the road” to appreciate it. I am sooo enjoying being home after being away for Christmas… I could definitely do this several more weeks (if not months?).
Casey says
Totally! Travel is exhausting and trying to work while traveling and keep up on everything else doesn’t help!
Bailey K. says
I hear ya. We’re taking a looong break. Besides weekend getaways, family visits, and camping trips, (aka places we can get to by car), we don’t have any big trips until May. YAY! I’m just excited to cuddle with my pups for months. And enjoy my home city, which is at its best in the spring. Speaking of Austin, you still need to get down here. 😉
Casey says
Wow! Nice long break! I hear you on just staying home, I’m so exited to just cuddle up on the couch and catch up on all my shows, which I’m so behind on! And yes, I totally need to make it to Austin sometime soon 🙂
Macy Volpe says
THIS POST!!! I have one similar scheduled for tomorrow. December was so incredibly busy, I just didn’t know how to react…and neither did my body.
Casey says
Totally!! It’s like everything falls apart when you’re so crazy busy or in random situations… sometimes we just need a break!
Emily of Em Busy Living says
Everyone needs a break, even from their favorite things! Get some rest and then get back out there! 😉
Casey says
Totally! Sometimes you just get worn out! But it’s already been about a month of not traveling and I’m itching to get back out there…so I guess it worked 🙂
Rachel @ STCL says
This is so true, esp after trips with super long flights/travel days! I felt the same after traveling every weekend for a month and then for a Europe trip! Starting to get ready to get back to it though!
Casey says
Yes!!! So agree.
Jojo says
Thank you for writing about the other less glamorous side of traveling a lot. It is a good reminder for me of why I do not want to be a full time traveler.
Casey says
Totally. I enjoy my time at home too and sometimes you just get burnt out!