On Deciding to Take 4 Months Off From Traveling

Over the last couple of months while visiting home, I have debated my immediate future plans back and forth countless times.

There are some very good reasons for me to take a few months off from my nomadic existence and spend some quality time with my family, but convincing myself to stay put in one place for the next fours months has been a challenge.

My original plan was to visit Ohio for the holidays, get in some family time, and then head straight to South America.

However, as the days and weeks passed, I decided to spend a little extra time in the town where I was born.

Reasons for my decision.

Sometimes we all need a vacation.

One of the main reasons for my decision is that I started to feel that I needed a little break from the road.

Long-term travel isn’t always easy. Perhaps you have heard of the infamous travel burn out. When this occurs, traveling can become more of a chore than a desire. I never want this to happen.

Travel is my passion, my love, and truly I’m not burnout on traveling. In fact, I fight the urge to jump on a plane almost weekly.

However, I started to feel travel burnout creeping in and taking a few months off to regroup will let me hit the road freshly rested and with a new perspective.

I wasn’t growing tired of traveling, but I became more aware and anxious about having the same conversation at every new hostel, answering the same questions, packing and repacking my backpack, and spending endless hours at airports. It was starting to wear on me.

Another reason I decided that a break would be the right decision is because every aspect of my life revolves around traveling. It rules my world.

If I wasn’t out sightseeing, I was writing about sightseeing. If I wasn’t posting social media about traveling, I was writing posts, answering emails, or editing photos of……you guessed it …..travel.

For the last two years, I’ve had no separation. Every waking moment of my life seemed consumed, happily I might add, with travel.

Everyone needs a vacation. While many people tell me they envy what I do and hope to experience a part of it on THEIR vacation, the truth is this is my everyday life. Don’t get me wrong; I love it!

However to truly appreciate it, every once in awhile I need to take a break.

Crossing off Projects on my “To Do” List

As you probably have noticed, my site is undergoing a redesign. This is just one of the many projects I have lined up and am working on over the next few months.

In fact, I have so much on my plate that if I were on the road right now, I wouldn’t have much time to enjoy it. I am actually excited to finally have the chance to work on these projects and I look forward to checking them off my never-ending “to do” list.

Here are some of the things in the works that you can expect over the next 4 months.

A New Blog Design – Which is in progress now!

Adventure Stories – I have a ton of stories I can’t wait to share with you guys but haven’t had the time to sit down and write. Adventures like Camping in the Wilderness of Denali Park (Which could rival a National Park in Hawaii) Exploring Ancient Petra, Visiting the Black and White Temple in Chiang Rai. These are just a few that I have been eager to share.

Budget Post – By popular request, I have started a budget segment on the blog. I am working on getting daily and monthly budget posts written for every country I have toured.

Travel Tips Post – Also by popular request, I am writing a comprehensive list of travel tips for every country in which I’ve spent a significant amount of time.

Backpacker Banter and I started an e-book, “Plan It, Do It, Live It. Your RTW Planning Guide”, but because of our crazy schedules it has been put on the back burner.

One of my goals is to get this book completed or at least near completion before hitting the road again.

Monthly columns – As many of you know, I write monthly columns on the prestigious Vagabonding site.

For the next three months, i will talk about conquering the challenges that come with long-term travel.

Videos – I have a ton of video footage of places around the world that I want to edit and put on my youtube channel.

This will be the “year of video” for A Backpackers Tale. Make sure to subscribe to my channel to get all the latest updates.

So as you can see there will be plenty of entertaining stories, advice, and scenery coming soon.

Stay Updated On Where I am, and what I am doing via Email!

Catching Up With Family

Another reason I have made the decision to stay put in my hometown is family. It is rare for all my family to be home at the same time, and over the next few months, my brother, which is usually Tall Ship sailing, and my mother who travels quite a bit herself, doesn’t have any major travel plans.

This seems like the perfect opportunity for all of us to be together, as well as, with other members of my family who haven’t been in the best health.

Although we all stay in close contact when I am on the road, it is nice actually to sit down and enjoy time with one other.

What’s the New Plan!

Although I am staying put, and workong on my bucket list ideas, I am hopping that time goes fast and it won’t be long before I am back on the road. In May, I will be soaring into the blue skies on another around the world trip.

I am not sure where I am headed, but I have thought of a few possibilities. I could really use your help – please feel free to comment and let me know which one you would prefer.

Tall Ship sail to the Caribbean

South America

India Nepal and Everest Base Camp.

Japan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia so for the next four months I will be fighting my wanderlust, staying put and getting in some things in my life in order.

While I love long-term travel more than anything, and I am looking forward to getting back on the road taking a break is something I need at the moment.