“Comfort alone is not living”: A great essay from Turner Wright on why we travel

Over at the invaluable travel site Vagabondish, Turner Wright recently penned a fantastic, bookmark-worthy article on “why we travel” called “Growing Up: An Essay from the Immature Traveler.”

In the essay, Turner argues that what long-term travelers might lack in stability, perfect relationships, and a well-paying job, they more than make up for with a multitude of exciting, inspiring, and often discomforting experiences that constantly serve to keep life fresh.

No, it’s not always easy, but, Turner writes, “Comfort alone is not living… We need to be kicked out of the familiar at times to prove to ourselves that we can survive without TiVo and microwave ovens; that we can order sushi in an out-of-the-way Tokyo restaurant without causing a language barrier stir; that the measure of happiness is not the money in the bank or the items around the room. It’s the human experience, one that needs to be pursued to its fullest potential.”

If you’ve ever wanted to take a long-term trip but couldn’t bring yourself to quit your job, put your relationships on hold, and give up the stability to which you’ve become accustomed, you’ll want to head on over to Vagabondish and read the whole thing.