Fear and age getting in the way

Macd123 · May 21, 2019 at 03:12 PM

Well I keep looking for someplace to go because I’m retired and bored. Okay so I’ve travelled a lot over the years but have always been terrified of going anywhere - I should be over it by now. Also, I’m a lot older now so I keep getting concerned about health issues if I do travel. This is bad because if I don’t get out there I might become a shut-in. I’m committing sabotage of my retirement. Now I can afford it which makes it even more crazy that I can’t move. So frustrating that I still panic over enjoying life. What a long, strange, stressful trip it has been..... Peace

Skeezyks · May 21, 2019 at 04:20 PM

I've never been a traveler. And I'm still not. I don't even leave home (except to walk the dog) unless it is to go somewhere with my wife or to walk to an appointment in town. The thought of having to negotiate airports, & all of the other stuff that accompanies traveling, gives me the willies just thinking about it.

Perhaps if a person has travelled a lot in their life, & enjoyed it, continuing to travel as they age is just second nature, so to speak. But I think as one ages one tends to become more tentative in general, at least that's the way it has been for me. So if, as in your case, you were always terrified of travelling (even though you did it) it's not surprising to me that it's beginning to feel more intimidating now rather than less. Just my random thoughts on the subject. I hope you are able to find a way to resolve the dilemma you're facing.

Macd123 · May 21, 2019 at 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeezyks

I've never been a traveler. And I'm still not. I don't even leave home (except to walk the dog) unless it is to go somewhere with my wife or to walk to an appointment in town. The thought of having to negotiate airports, & all of the other stuff that accompanies traveling, gives me the willies just thinking about it.

Perhaps if a person has travelled a lot in their life, & enjoyed it, continuing to travel as they age is just second nature, so to speak. But I think as one ages one tends to become more tentative in general, at least that's the way it has been for me. So if, as in your case, you were always terrified of travelling (even though you did it) it's not surprising to me that it's beginning to feel more intimidating now rather than less. Just my random thoughts on the subject. I hope you are able to find a way to resolve the dilemma you're facing.

Thanks, traveling was always a part of my retirement plan - that’s why it’s frustrating that create such roadblocks. Lots of other seniors travel the only difference is that I go it alone. Don’t have many friends so finding a partner is a problem and I don’t want to wait forever..... I just feel that my world could get very small if I don’t try..... that said I need to weigh the pros and cons carefully but not forever hopefully... you’re lucky to have your wife - if I was married this might be much easier.... I’d feel more comfortable having somebody to lean on.... thanks again 🙏

greentires4me · May 21, 2019 at 06:28 PM

I don’t know if it’s cheaper now but i do feel now that I don’t travel as much like on plane it can become daunting at the what if’s. There is so much bad news of late with different countries and more civil wars going on it seems the western world becomes more and more unsafe or maybe it’s just what I see going around me. Considering I did a lot of travel in my early 20s and feel like I settled down not to doing that much.

SeekerOfLife · May 23, 2019 at 11:21 AM

I dislike traveling intensely. The driving is boring. I keep coming up with excuses to stop and take a break. I generally do not drive more than half hour.

luvyrself · May 25, 2019 at 09:09 AM

You might try to meet some people through Meetups online, google travel clubs, or try to start one yourself. A nifty travel club might be one in which people show out of towers around their own area.

divine1966 · May 25, 2019 at 09:56 AM

The thing is that planning to travel in retirement sometimes doesn’t work that way. Financial freedom usually isn’t there plus deteriorating health. Personally I love to travel and have been all over the place, world and states. But I likely won’t travel as much in retirement because my income would be much less and I’ll be older. I encourage people to do things while they can and not postpone it for later.

Astreja · May 26, 2019 at 12:26 AM

I'm not quite retired (about three years to go) but I have been travelling solo for a few years.

What works for me is a relatively short trip, 3-7 days away. I travel light, just whatever fits in a small backpack and my purse (hopefully with room to spare so I can bring back a few souvenirs). To conserve money to spend in the destination city, I try to book mid-week flights and stay at a hostel rather than a fancy hotel, and try to get around the city on foot or using local buses and trains.

Before departure, though, I tend to be quite nervous. I worry about getting to the airport on time, missing connecting flights, all sorts of things. Once I'm there, everything just unfolds naturally: Sign in at the hostel, store my backpack in the locker by the bed, and go exploring.

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SeekerOfLife Legendary Member Since Jul 2013 Location: Foothills, where I belong Posts: 14,593 (SuperPoster!) 10 4,064 hugs given	May 23, 2019 at 11:21 AM #5 I dislike traveling intensely. The driving is boring. I keep coming up with excuses to stop and take a break. I generally do not drive more than half hour.
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