Why We Really Travel: What Are We Chasing
By Prerna Chandra ·
“Travel far enough, you meet yourself.” — David Mitchell
These days, it seems like everyone’s a “traveler.” Open any social media app, and you’ll see people jetting off to Bali, posting selfies at the Eiffel Tower, or hiking in remote mountains. It’s like travel has become this shiny badge of honor, a must-have experience to add to our identity. But here’s the thing — what does travel really mean? Is it just about ticking off locations and getting Instagram-worthy shots, or is there something deeper to it?
I recently went to Indonesia and couldn’t help but wonder -Was I chasing adventure, or was I trying to run away from something? Was I really learning anything from these trips, or was I just crossing off items on an invisible checklist?
Because let’s face it, travel isn’t always about where you go. It’s often about why you go. And in today’s world, the word “travel” gets thrown around a lot — but do we really know what we’re seeking?
The Traveler vs. The Tourist: What’s the Difference?
Let’s be real for a second: when we say we love traveling, what do we really mean? There’s this idea that there are “travelers” and “tourists,” and one is somehow more authentic than the other. Travelers are often seen as the ones backpacking through hostels or staying in homestays, while tourists are the ones hopping from one major city to another, checking off famous landmarks.
But does it really matter which category you fall into? Honestly, no. What matters is the intention behind why you travel. Are you out there to explore new cultures? To try every dish in a new city? Or maybe you’re just trying to escape the everyday grind of life. No shame in that.
But ask yourself — are you traveling to discover new places, or are you looking for something within yourself?
We all like to imagine that the moment we step onto foreign soil, we’ll suddenly feel happier, lighter, more alive. But here’s the truth: if you can’t find happiness in your everyday life, you won’t find it at the top of a mountain or lounging on a beach, no matter how stunning the view.
Travel as a Mirror, Not a Cure
“Wherever you go, there you are.” — Jon Kabat-Zinn
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking travel will magically solve our problems. We’ve all been there — scrolling through endless pictures of tropical beaches, thinking, “If I could just be there, everything would be fine.” But guess what? Travel doesn’t fix what’s going on inside of us.
Sure, travel opens your mind. It introduces you to new ways of thinking and forces you out of your comfort zone. But here’s the catch: travel won’t heal you if you’re not open to healing. It won’t make you happier if you’re not already trying to find happiness in your daily life.
I met someone during my solo trip to leh who had left everything behind — quit his job, sold his stuff, and set off to “find himself” on a year-long trip around the country. On Instagram, it looked like he was living the dream. But when we got to talking over coffee one morning, he admitted, “I thought travel would fix me, but it didn’t. I had to figure that part out on my own.”
Travel can be a mirror — showing us who we are without the distractions of home. It can help you see things more clearly, but it won’t magically change you unless you’re willing to do the inner work, too.
Finding Your Kind of Travel
Not all travel looks the same, and that’s okay. Some of us are adventurers, always looking for the next mountain to climb. Some of us love slow travel — staying in one place, really getting to know the people, the culture, the rhythm of life there. Others prefer luxury, enjoying every indulgence a new city has to offer.
And then, there are those who prefer staying home, in the comfort of the familiar. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that either. Travel doesn’t have to be about chasing new experiences all the time. Sometimes, the deepest kind of travel happens when we explore our own neighborhoods, or even our own minds.
“Travel isn’t always about seeing new things, but seeing things in a new way.” — Henry Miller
Breaking Free from the Travel Fad
Travel has become this trendy thing that everyone feels like they should do. But here’s a question: are we really traveling because it’s something we deeply want, or are we doing it because we feel like we need to?
In a world that’s constantly telling us to “go explore,” it’s important to pause and ask ourselves what we truly want. If you love the comfort of your city, your home, and don’t have a burning desire to travel — don’t feel pressured. It’s okay not to want to see every corner of the globe. Your happiness doesn’t depend on it.
Travel doesn’t have to be a part of your identity unless it truly speaks to you. And if it doesn’t? That’s completely valid. Don’t let anyone make you feel like you’re missing out just because you’re not hopping from country to country.
What Are We Really Searching For?
At the end of the day, travel is personal. It’s about more than just the places we visit. It’s about how those places change us — or how we hope they will. Some of us travel to disconnect, others to reconnect. Some are searching for something, while others are just seeking a temporary escape.
But here’s the thing: no place can give you what you’re not willing to find within yourself first. Travel won’t fix everything, but it can open your eyes, broaden your mind, and help you understand more about yourself and the world.
So, next time you think about your travel goals, ask yourself: Why am I doing this? Is it for the destination, the adventure, or is it for something deeper? Either way, let travel be more than just an aspiration or a checkmark on your list — let it be an intentional part of your journey, wherever that may lead.
And if travel’s not your thing? That’s perfectly fine, too.