I’ve been traveling the world for most of my adult life. People tell me I’m living the dream. But am I? Take a look at these “10 reasons why traveling is a waste of time” and you decide.

1. It’s obsolete.

In the “good old days,” you had to travel to see amazing sights.  Now, you can just turn on the TV and see the pyramids of Giza, the Great Wall of China, the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef, the the remote sandy beaches of the Seychelles.  Not to mention filming sites of your favorite movies and TV series (like Game of Thrones sites in Dubrovnik, my favorite). Nowadays you don’t have to worry about getting sand wedgies or windburn. Just sit in front of the television.

2. It’s expensive.

The money you spend on flights, hotels, visiting new cultures, scoffing down delectable (and occasionally detestable) food, gawking at sights others only see on National Geographic, trying hair-raising activities. Don’t forget about gas fees, border fees, passport and visa fees. Is it true that travel makes you richer than money ever can?

3. It’s dangerous.

Are you happy with your mundane, boring life? You just never know when a tsunami or earthquake might hit.  Or a blizzard.  Or fall off a mountain.  Wait, what?  These could happen where you live?

You might get hurt or even end up in a foreign hospital.  You’d better just stay in the house to be on the safe side!

4.  It’s uncomfortable.

Tummy trouble in Thailand

Those long-haul flights, jet lag, airport delays, Montezuma’s revenge, flea bites, sore feet, sun burn, cold weather, disgusting bathrooms.  Is it worth the hassle just to venture off the beaten path and experience something totally new and exhilarating?

You might get sick from the food or water. On the other hand, they don’t have all the processed foods, meats with hormones and steroids, and vegetables with toxic sprays.

You might have to haggle with vendors, hone your social skills, or make new friends that you may never see again.

5. It’s indecipherable.

Good grief, what if someone speaks to you in their native tongue, instead of your English? What should you do… pantomime? Run away?  Scold them? If you’re not careful, you might pick up a few words in other languages to add to your lexicon.

You might get lost. There are amazing places that are off the beaten path and hard to find, especially since you won’t understand street signs.  You’ll have to rely on and enhance your problem-solving skills. You’ll become more independent and confident. We can’t have that.

6.  It’s addictive.

New friends at the Temple of 1000 Pillars. Photo by Kary Kern

You might want to travel some more.  You might even start planning your next trip while on the current trip.  You might plan several trips out.  You might try to get your friends and family hooked, shame on you.  People will start to say you’re obsessed.

7. It’s redundant.

No matter where you go or how exciting a time you had, you have to go back home, right?  Why bother going at all?

8. It takes you out of your comfort zone.

You’ve gotten accustomed to doing the same things over and over again. Work, shopping, restaurants, etc. You might not even realize how stagnant your life is until you go somewhere new and exciting and totally different from your day-to-day life. You have to live in the present and experience the world as it unfolds in front of you.

9. You might have to embrace a new perspective.

You will be exposed to a totally new way of living which will broaden your perspective. There is a lot of natural beauty in the world, but there are also places you’ll visit that do not enjoy the quality of life we have in America. It will stay with you long after you return home and reflect with gratitude on how lucky you are. Or, you can just stay home and continue to be rigid and closed off to new experiences and personal growth.

10. You hate being the life of the party.

At every party I attend, people seek me out to see where I’ve recently traveled to. It invigorates me and it inspires them to travel. Note: after telling them about my latest adventure and interesting personal travel stories, I always ask them where they’d like to go. Almost 100% of the time they choose a place that I’ve already been to, so I’m able to switch the focus to them and provide them with inspirational information. Is this a legit one of the 10 reasons why traveling is a waste of time?

Is traveling a waste of time?

By now you’ve realized this article is “tongue-in-cheek” aka sarcasm. Traveling the world is one of the most wonderful things you can do with your life!

It makes you realize how big the world is and how small you are.

‘Nuf said.  What are you waiting for?  Get your wanderlust on!  It will refresh and give you a whole new outlook to bring back home.  No cure necessary.  Or desired.

Click here to read “Why Travel Makes You Healthy, Happy, and More Productive.”

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About the Author

Patti Morrow is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and the southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of the “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.

She is also the star of the upcoming TV series “Destination Takeover” which is scheduled to premiere in the next few months.

Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.