Travel and Me: My Travel Confessions

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I started this blog because I wanted (and needed) a creative outlet, and the prospect of people reading my posts and being encouraged and inspired to travel was a massive bonus. Apparently having a travel blog means that I should be brilliant at travel…but guess what? I’m not, so here are my travel confessions.

my travel confessions — Photo Credit: Lucas Wesney

At the beginning of this year Lucy Lucraft wrote a brilliant post on her travel confessions, rereading it recently got me thinking about how and why I travel and the ways it can effect the way I blog about travel.

I Prefer to Travel Solo

I grew up believing that people only travelled as families, couples or groups of friends, the idea of solo travel was completely alien to me. Over the years I realised that if I wanted to travel and see more of the world I would have to do so on my own. I have since taken a couple of group trips, and I wouldn’t totally rule it out again in the future, but I can honestly say that I prefer to travel solo.

I can pick my own dates without worrying that other people won’t be available.

I can travel as early or as late as I like and don’t have to worry about the punctuality of others.

I can literally go wherever I want.

I can stay where I want, eat where I want, do what I want.

I can travel at my own pace.

Travel, for me, is not about compromise.

I Find Travel Exhausting

I’m the sort of person who believes that the holiday starts as soon as you leave home with your luggage, so have no problem with airlines who insist you should be at the airport hours before your flight. However, when it requires a two-hour coach journey to get to the nearest airport it can be bloody tiring before the plane has even taken off.

Read: Enjoy an Early Morning Flight With YOTELAIR at Gatwick Airport

I’ve written previously about my issues with travel sickness and the anxiety which inevitably goes hand-in-hand, so I like to try and make it process of getting to and from my destination as simple as possible. I’m so organised I surprise myself sometimes.

Sometimes just being surrounded by other people can be a bit overwhelming, so I like to be able to take myself away from large groups and allow my senses to process what I am experiencing. This can mean something as simple have stopping for a coffee and doing some people-watching, or as much as locking myself in a quiet room for an hour and having a nap.

I’m Not Very Good At Relaxing

I’m quite happy to laze around in front of the TV or sit and read a book for an hour, but I can do this at home at the weekend. When I’ve spent money on transport and accommodation I want to spend my travel time exploring the destination.

For some people, travel is about chasing the sun, discovering beautiful destinations with clear blue waters and sun-kissed beaches. I often talk to people who have taken a trip and spent the entire time lying on a beach slowly turning into a lobster. Now, I’m not one to judge people for the way they want travel, but this isn’t my idea of a relaxing break.

I’m Not Adventurous

I don’t hike, ski, throw myself out of planes or any of the other thrill seeking activities that adrenaline-junkies tend to do.

In my opinion adventure doesn’t have to be about crazy sports or dangerous activities. For me, it’s about discovering the personality of a place, and having the confidence to head of somewhere on my own.

So these were my travel confessions. What are yours?

Let me know in the comments.