Long Term Travel – Friendships
The Harsh Reality of Travel and Losing Friends
I’m 28 and I’ve always been on the move. From my childhood across various U.S. cities through to recent solo trips to places like Romania and Bali, traveling is in my blood. But as I dream about future adventures, I can’t help but feel a bit of loss. Travel and losing friends it seems, is a fairly common thing.
Keeping up with friends back home gets harder with every trip. Catch-ups are getting fewer and farther between. Once close friends disappear into the past and I no longer get invited to weddings, birthdays, or baby showers like I once did. It does beg the question – Is it worth it?
Hi there! I’m Emily, a travel writer with a passion for exploring the great world we live in. I love to share my travel wisdom where possible to ensure people can truly make the most of the time when they visit places. One of my most memorable trips was Rio De Janeiro in Brazil, that city has some of the most wonderful, crazy energy!
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The Early Days
Traveling started as an extension of my life, not a departure from it. I promised my friends, “I’ll share everything with you, you’re going to get so many photos, you will get sick of it” I would joke, and I meant it. We’d catch up over calls, where I’d relay my adventures and they’d fill me in on life back home. It felt like I was just a story away from them.But as my travels continued, the dynamics began to shift.
The more I explored, the more I realized that experiences were easy to share, but emotions and everyday life were harder to communicate. Making new friends was part of my journey, but these friendships were different – they were born from shared moments and often faded as quickly as they sparked. My friends back in the States, however, had their routines, their daily lives that I was slowly becoming a smaller part of. Our conversations, once filled with excitement and long talks, started to dwindle to quick updates. The reality hit me – as I was expanding my world, I was drifting from the world I used to share with them.
Trying to Live in Two Worlds
My life has been a whirlwind of new cultures and experiences. Just a couple of months ago, I was on the streets of Vienna in Austria, and now I’m soaking up the sun in Bali’s Amed Beach. Throughout these adventures, I’ve felt a slow, growing distance from my friends back home. It’s not just about the big events I’m missing (although missing these is never easy) – it’s the everyday moments. I miss hearing about their day-to-day life, the small victories, and challenges. In Austria, I made friends over coffee and museum visits, and in Bali, I connect with fellow travelers on sunlit beaches.
These friendships often instant and intense, lack the depth and history of those I have/had back in the States. I am beginning to feel like a guest in the lives of my long-term friends – catching up over short calls, trying to bridge the growing gap with stories of my travels. That’s before we get ot time differences. This journey is incredible, but it’s also bittersweet. Each new destination brings amazing experiences but also a reminder of the changing relationship with my friends at home. Talking to people I meet and gaining insight into there journies leads me to the conclusion that travel and losing friends is a very common pattern.
As I plan my next stops, I’m acutely aware of this trade-off. Mine and my friends lives are moving in different directions. They’re buying houses, getting promotions, or starting families, while I’m planning my next trip to Iceland or South Korea. The freedom and excitement of discovering new places comes with a sense of loneliness, and a longing for those familiar, long-lasting connections.
Reflecting Thoughts on Travel and Losing Friends
Sometimes, when I’m alone in my hotel room or watching a sunset in a new country, I wonder if this life of constant travel is worth the sense of loneliness that comes with it. Missing out on my friends’ lives back home, the weddings, the birthdays, the ordinary coffee dates – it do sometimes find myself questioning my choices.
These moments of doubt however, are fleeting. Every time I’ve felt lonely, there have been countless moments of joy and a sense of belonging to the world in a way that’s unique to me and my journey. The experiences I’ve had have shaped me in ways I couldn’t have ever imagined. Traveling isn’t just about seeing new places; it’s about discovering new parts of myself.
Of course, it is hard not having a constant group of friends around, but the trade-off is a life filled with incredible views, unique experiences, and self-discovery. Not to mention a connection with people from different cultures all over the world! This path I’ve chosen, with its ups and downs, feels right. It’s more ‘me’ than anything else – a journey of embracing new experiences while acknowledging the occasional loneliness as part of the journey.
Final Thoughts and Looking Ahead to the Future
After Indonesia I plan to head to Japan, then South Korea, and hopefully Iceland – I do think about how my continued travels will shape my friendships. I know some friends will drift further away into the distance, while others will remain despite the distance and time apart. Some friends I can pick up where I left off like no time has passed, and I truly value these. But for the most part, the life of travel and losing friends is a natural part of this journey I’ve chosen to accept.
I’ve learned to cherish the video calls with my friends back in the States, no matter how brief. And I look forward to making new friends in the countries I visit. This life of travel isn’t just about the places I see, it’s about the people I meet, and the memories we create, however short they may be. Who knows if I will think differently in the future but for now, here’s to the present!
The Reality of Travel and Losing Friends FAQ
It’s quite common for travelers to form connections quickly. The shared experiences, adventures, and unique circumstances of being away from home often accelerate friendships, creating a bond.
The nature of travel means these friendships are often formed under the assumption that they’re temporary. Different life paths, geographical distances, and the return to everyday responsibilities can make maintaining these connections challenging.
Acknowledge and embrace the emotions you’re feeling – it’s okay to feel sad about goodbyes. Staying connected through social media can help, as can planning future meetups. It’s also important to cherish the memories and the joy those friendships brought to your journey.
Absolutely. While these friendships may be brief, they add depth and richness to your travel experiences. The connections made, even if temporary, can offer unique insights, shared laughter, and a sense of friendship that can enhance your journey in irreplaceable ways.
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