I’m not in a position to give anyone life advice, but I can’t help but share some thoughts I’ve been having lately, as they relate to travel, life, and old age In some ways I consider this blog a diary of sorts, and sometimes it feels good to just type things out.
For some context, I suppose I’m having a lot of these thoughts because I’m getting older. I’m 32 – I’m not “old” by any means, but I’m not young either. When I was growing up I remember being told that the days are long but the years are short. In the last few years I have definitely started to feel that way. This brings me to the travel angle, and how aging impacts my perception and desire to travel, and that is both a good and a bad thing.
Travel (and life) used to be so carefree
When I was younger, traveling was so carefree to me. I certainly had a different youth than most – in college, I didn’t go to parties every weekend, but rather went on mile runs. To see also : Art in the park is a big draw for all ages. Even after I graduated from college, I mostly had only myself to take care of, and even lived in hotels full time. It was me and my carriage, and that was kind of freeing.
I look back fondly on those times, and I’m glad I had those experiences. When I think back to that era, I think of US Airways Dividend Miles, the British Midland Diamond Club, the old Lufthansa first class product, the days when SWISS had tons of award availability of first class partner, that short period where Turkish Airlines leased 777s of Jet Airways. and had first class, etc.
From an outsider’s perspective, some might think it sounds lonely or sad (I mean, I can’t count the number of people who said that to me right then), but it’s something I genuinely enjoyed, and I don’t have no regrets about it.
I am not suggesting that others should necessarily do the same thing. Rather my point is that pursuing whatever you are passionate about at a young age – no matter how weird – is great. Of course this assumes you are able to do it. I know I was very lucky, as I followed my passion and was able to make a living out of it.
Here in miles & points in the world, when I see people ten years younger than me traveling a bunch, I think to myself “good for you, and I hope you always remember these good times.”
And that brings me to how my life has changed quite a bit, but not in a bad way…
The older I get it, the harder it is for me to travel
I’ve just started on my current review trip, where I’ll be flying (almost) non-stop for the next few days. I love flying as much as I did ten years ago, but the feeling of leaving home gets harder with each trip. I’ve obviously come a long way here, because back in the day I didn’t even have a house. Even when I finally found a home, I was itching to go somewhere after a few days.
Leaving behind Ford, Miles, Winston, my mom, etc. To see also : 54gene’s CEO wants to correct the racial imbalance of health data., just gets harder with each trip:
Back in the day I would go to the airport without a care in the world, whereas now going to the airport kind of eats me up inside. And I recognize at the end of the day that I am incredibly blessed to have people (and creatures) to touch, because most people don’t.
Let me be clear, I still totally love traveling and I’m a great young man. Within a day of leaving I try to forget what I left behind. But as soon as I walk out the door, it makes my stomach turn a little. I am writing this post from a flight, and I remember how much I love to fly (and how the sauvignon blanc of Copa can be drunk, but that is for a different post). The cloud formations, the lightning in the distance, the day turning into night… it’s simply magical. Flying never gets old, but leaving home does
This evolution isn’t a bad thing
This post is in no way intended to be a “woe is me, life sucks, I’m mad I am not young anymore” reflection. On the contrary, it is intended to be a recognition of life that has different phases. Read also : ‘Pride is protest’ – the power of the people’s voice is better in the midst of politics and pandemics. If I were in the same place I was ten years ago, I might be sad and lonely.
I wouldn’t trade my current situation for anything. I’m happier to be home and going about everyday life than I’ve ever been. But with that joy also comes sadness when there are things to lose.
When it comes to travel, one of the things I’m most looking forward to is being able to see travel (and the world) through Miles’ eyes. You can never recreate the first time you had a particular travel experience, but you can see it through the eyes of a child, and I think that’s a beautiful thing.
The moral of the story is that if you’re younger, you’re traveling a lot, you’re a nomad, whatever…good for you. If you’re having fun and not hurting anyone, that’s the most important thing. Some people may judge your life from the outside, but that doesn’t matter. I think that every stage of life is worth enjoying for what it has to offer, and happiness can come in many forms.
And hopefully this will not be the last stage of life that I come to experience when it comes to travel, because things are not always as they are now. Heck, maybe in 18 years (when Miles hopefully will do his thing, whatever it is), Ford and I will be back to mindless travel, drinking dirty martinis in an airline lounge somewhere at 7AM before our Boom without an engine. An overture flight to somewhere, without a care in the world… or not. Or it’s fine by me. Life can be beautiful, even on earth 😉
Bottom line
Life is an adventure, and I realize that more with each passing day. Adventures can come in many forms, and in many cases they don’t even have to involve leaving home. There is much joy in everyday life, even amidst the chaos.
As I reflect, I can’t help but realize how much my perspective on life and travel has changed in the last ten years, and especially in the last five years. I didn’t want to be anywhere for more than a few days, and I couldn’t run out the door fast enough. Nowadays you basically have to drag me out of the house (though not in a David Dao way). I’m only happy when I wake up healthy and pretty well rested, and those around me are okay.
Thanks for giving me this reflection… and if anyone has anything to add to the topic in the comments section, I’d love to hear it! I learn every day in life, and if I’m lucky enough to be around ten years, I’m curious to see how my perspective evolves. Time flies.
