I’ve been travelling for about 5 months straight now… a pretty freaking long time fo most people in the world. Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about how well my expectation matched up with the reality of long-term travel. Some things have worked out exactly how I planned, and other’s not so much. One thing I’ve realized is that I can actually do without a lot of the comforts of home quite easily. Much more easily than I could have anticipated.
Things that I Surprisingly Do Not Miss:
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My wardrobe– At home I had a lot of clothes- something for every possible occasion and then some. Now, I consider myself a fashion success if I don’t wear the same t-shirt three days in a row. If we conveniently ignore my fashion freak out last week, downsizing to an absolutely tiny wardrobe has been no problem at all. I barely even notice anymore.
- Wearing make-up– On a similar note, I used to wear make-up every single day- to work, to the bars, wherever. Now I might put on a little mascara and eye shadow if I’m going out on the town, but otherwise I am fresh faced every single day. No hair dryers or straightening irons either. And the weird thing is I really don’t think I look any different than I did before.
I have even LESS stuff now - Owning Stuff– This really ties in with the top two. Before I left I was pretty worried with how I would deal with living out of a backpack without all of the amenities I’d been so used to all my life. Turned out it really hasn’t been a big deal. I have the things I need, I find the things I don’t and when it comes down to it- I really don’t need all that much.
Karaoke in China - My Social Life– I super love my friends, and at home I used to go out to happy hours, sporting events and bars on a multi-weekly basis. Nowadays I’m usually too tired, or busy working to go out most nights. But that’s okay, when I DO manage to get out I meet all sorts of interesting new people, instead of being clustered with my friends at the table in the corner. Plus, beer is cheaper here anyway.
Yummy wantons in Shanghai - Western Food- I get the occasional serious Mexican food craving, but usually I’m too busy eating awesome local food to care. Anyways, if I’m seriously jonesing, a slice of pizza is usually not too far away.
<3 - Diet Coke– This one’s a cheat- turns out you can find coke products pretty much anywhere in the world, so my addiction can continue unchallenge.
What are some things that you thought you would miss about home, but shockingly have not?
I’ve also let go of most material possessions. I can’t say I particularly miss anything, but it turned out I’m slightly attached to Russian food. So I actually made borsch for the first time in my life and some vegetable sauces, etc. I’m pretty amazed by that actually, I don’t even like Russian food all that much.
I miss the sense of urgency in the States and I miss food, but I am doing fine. I don’t miss my stuff at all that much though.
I think the biggest change that takes place is our perspective on things. Back home I was much the same. Clothes, not to mention the shoes (oh so many shoes!) for every possible occasion, cabinets full of make up and perfume (it must be mentioned that I hardly wore either one when I was living in NYC either) and the idea of wearing anything twice in a row was enough to induce a mild heart attack. Now, two years on the road later, I put blush on for “fancy” occasions, wash my dingy underwear in the hotel sink before putting it on the very next morning and have about 4 shirts and 2 pants to choose from. And I don’t even bat my lashes twice! I’ve definitely learned what I can do without in life.
It’s funny realizing how much you can live without. I agree on the wardrobe and makeup points.
Hahah, hilarious. I noticed the make-up thing about ME too…I don’t bother with it so much on the road, and I still look the same in all my photos…
I’m actually kind of jealous that you had a good excuse to become liberated from your “things.” But I’m also glad to hear that you aren’t really missing many of those things now that you don’t have them. Crazy how we can get by so little, isn’t it?
I loved the freedom of having a very limited wardrobe and find that, now that I’m back home, I still wear a very small portion of my wardrobe. I stopped wearing makeup on the road…and still don’t (except for a little concealer and some lip gloss). I love it! Cheers!
I’m with you, but my addiction is regular Coke! Thank God I’ve found it everywhere, but I must admit that it tastes slightly different Down Under.
I’ve only been gone a month but so far haven’t missed much other than Mexican food, friends and family and having everything in one place. I’m starting to resent having to re-pack everything back into the backpack every few days.
Hope you’re having a blast!
If you’re from the US, the reason it tastes different is because it is sweetened with real cane sugar instead of the high fructose corn syrup that they use over there.
I agree with Monica about missing my bed at home when I’m sick, hungover, or especially tired. But now that I sold my actual bed out of storage, it’s just the concept I’ll miss. 🙂
Interesting thoughts! I hadn’t realised how much I don’t miss the things that I thought I would until I read this.
I also don’t miss clothes, make-up, hair straighteners……but it would be nice to wear some clothes that aren’t stained and misshapen!
I miss dairy products. I find I crave a icy glass of milk! And when I’m tired, hungover or sick, I really miss my bed and my mum. And it sounds terrible, but I really miss nights infront of the TV with a bar of chocolate. Sometimes I splash out on a nice hotel with movie channels so I can do this!