This summer I had the amazing opportunity of travelling to Europe for two months and then when I returned, all over the United States! Now that school is starting, I’m having to stay in one place, I’m realizing how real the travel withdrawals are… Nothing you do can recreate the feeling of being somewhere new, fun and different! Don’t be surprised if you start to feel these ten common travel withdrawals either.
1. Living on a set amount of items.
I thought for sure when I returned home that I would never miss living out of a backpack and a suit case again, but there is something so peaceful about knowing that all of your belongings are right with you and not trying to keep track of a million things. It also makes choosing your outfit in the morning that much easier!
2. Exploring new places every day.
I am firm believer that when travelling, no matter where you go (even a resort in Hawaii!!) you should get out and try to see something new every day. By doing so, you are making the most out of your trip and broadening your horizons as much as possible. When you’re in your home though, you become limited in the “new” things you can see and do. This can make for some less than exciting afternoons and daydreams about your next travel adventure.
3. Meeting new and different people.
It is practically impossible to travel without meeting new people. I found this to be particularly true in Western Europe where every one was so friendly. It is a nice change from your normal habitat of minding your own business and sticking to yourself. I find myself walking down the street almost wishing that it would be socially acceptable to go sit next to a random person at a coffee shop and strike up a conversation.
4. Taking a break from the norm and your routine.
Travelling forces you to break from your norm and disrupt your routine. It is a nice break from normal life and no two days are exactly the same. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love routine and order, but every once and a while, when the days start blending together, I start wishing for the times when I could randomly just decide what I was going to do when I wake up in the morning.
5. Being with your travel buddies 24/7.
If you aren’t going for a solo trip, spending endless hours with your travel buddies is one of the best parts! You get to know the person so well and you go through trials and adventures together that you could never do together otherwise. Once you get home though, everything changes, and sometimes it would be nice to go back to the simple times when you woke up and your friends were right there by your side, ready to take on the day together.
6. Accepting that you are and look like a tourist and using it to your advantage.
It’s the latest trend to try and be and act like a local, but at the end of the day- this never works. I found it was best to just embrace it and get away with stuff that you wouldn’t have otherwise. People are way nicer to you when you are lost and helpless when you are a tourist, then they are in your hometown and that is something to definitely miss.
7. Trying new foods… and getting them for great prices.
Don’t get me wrong, some of the best food in my entire life I have had in my hometown, but there is something special about walking into a restaurant and having no idea what you are ordering because you just pointed at an item on the menu. Sometimes its good, and sometimes its not, but you almost always get a good story out of it and it is definitely different than showing up at your usual place and ordering a smoked turkey sandwich.
8. Learning about different ways of life.
Living in one place for a while, it is so easy to get caught up in your little bubble and can be hard to branch out. Travelling allows you to burst that bubble and learn about how other people live their daily lives. This is something I find myself craving every day, but can be hard to achieve in the same way at home.
9. Missing your home and appreciating it from miles away.
When you spend a lot of time in one place, it is so easy to start to take it for granted. By leaving though, you realize how great you have it and start appreciating the people and the place way more. Coming home, I’m realizing I am starting to go back to my old ways and complaining about things that I used to miss.
10. Learning about yourself in ways you can’t at home.
Overall, my favorite part of travelling is learning more about yourself. You are put in situations that test your abilities as a human, and you get to watch yourself handle them and grow each time!
With those in mind, I think it’s time for me to log off and research my next trip! If you are feeling the same, we encourage you collegiettes to do the same!