Comments on: The Travel Slump (And How to Deal With It)

By: Grace

Grace — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 21:40:35 +0000

Thanks for the great post, Matt! When I was living in Spain I definitely hit a slump where all of the beautiful landmarks started to look the same – but I was seeing everything in the same way. Stopping to mix this up is definitely what is needed.

By: Dominic

Dominic — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 17:26:23 +0000

This is really great advice, and definitely true. A lot of people do fail to recognise the difference between a short holiday (sorry, ‘vacation’!) and long-term travel. People sometimes thought I was just being grumpy when I’d say something like “great, another temple. Let’s move on”.

At the end of my seven month trip last year I was at the stage where I felt ready to go home; sadly less than three days later I wanted to leave again!

By: Brittany

Brittany — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 16:56:38 +0000

This is great advice! I’ve heard many times of long-term travelers falling into “the slump” so it’s reassuring to know it’s normal and have a coping mechanism ready. It’s sometimes crazy to think this could happen, but it’s good to be prepared for this before setting out on a nomadic journey!

By: Satish

Satish — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 05:01:43 +0000

I totally agree, in order to get rid of the slump, its important to stay at one place longer. Usually trips with booked tickets and tight schedules can wear you out. Compared to visiting a place and getting to know people around for a time till you feel its time to move on. In my time in South East Asia, if I liked the place, I got a part time job and in a way meet more people and stay longer. I have always loved your tips as they come handy quite often and love the way you have been maintaining the blog regularly.Thanks 🙂

By: Irene

Irene — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 18:48:58 +0000

So glad that you talked to this phenomenon, Matt. It does not sit well to complain to those whose lives are 9-5, M-F, with weekends full of grocery shopping and laundry, about how you have just spent three days in a row in Inverness just reading blogs and two mysteries, having no desire to partake of the opportunities of where you actually are! Your readers understand, and it’s refreshing to hear their responses. Thanks!

By: Pierre

Pierre — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 16:51:44 +0000

My enthusiasm started to fade a bit about 6 months into my year of travel, even though I was returning home for brief stays between trips. The cure for me was to start traveling differently: I signed up for a couple of organized tours, although I had never considered myself to be a tour group person. I also focused on enjoying my hobbies, rather than constantly sightseeing. For example, playing ice hockey throughout Eastern Europe was a great way to see that part of the world from a different perspective. It also helped keep me in shape!

I think it all comes down to the same idea: don’t let travel become a routine!

By: NomadicMatt

NomadicMatt — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 16:06:28 +0000

In reply to Sue. I agree. Physical health is important to your mental health, especially when you're on the road for a long time.

By: Sue

Sue — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 17:37:02 +0000

Matt, Oh my gosh, this is so true. I hope people will read and heed this advice. 3 1/2 months into our 6 month European tour, we hit the slump. We were tired, getting sick a lot and just over it, in general. Our mistake (one of many) was to try to keep up the “vacation” travel. Sightseeing, eating, drinking, etc. EVERYDAY! We couldn’t do it. We ended up cutting our trip short and coming home. Now, we know what our limits are for sure. We are planning to go back next year to finish up our tour. One suggestion I would make is to take time to exercise and keep in shape. We ate and drank our way through Europe and that is not good. And even though you walk everywhere, it wasn’t enough. Taking care of yourself will make the trip easier and better in the long run.

By: Janalla

Janalla — Sun, 31 May 2015 21:51:11 +0000

I can totally relate to the travel slump. Twenty years ago, I needed to take a vacation about 6 months into my 18 month RTW trip. I spent 2 weeks reading, having daily massages and eating Tom Kha Gai in Koh Samui. Nobody had really talked about traveller’s fatique before so I didn’t realize how common it was but it makes sense that everything can become routine after awhile. Once I accepted that it was normal, I gave myself permission to take mini-breaks from traveling more often. So I ended up getting to know some local people and places a lot better because I was living there rather than passing through.

By: Stathi

Stathi — Fri, 29 May 2015 13:45:57 +0000

I’m about to head off for long-term travel (6+ months) so I’m curious to see how I will go with the ‘travel slump’.

Damn law of diminishing returns. I guess it’s just a matter of weathering it, like you say Matt, and recharging.

I have kept a journal of my feelings in the last month being burnt out with work and study – a real slump, so I think referring to that may help put the travel slump in perspective!!