How Important is Travel to You?

The end of April has arrived and warm weather is here to stay. Though I love crisp air, I find myself a bit sad during the first few months of the year. After all the togetherness and joy surrounding Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, January through March always feels like a dreary letdown. April 1st is when I often declare my new year. The sun comes out, beach trips do not feel so far away, and people emerge from their cocoons and are talking to each other again!

Warm weather not only brings us out of our shells, but it also awakens our desire to travel and explore. Some of you are shaking your head yes and thinking, “Exactly! I have got to get out of here!” and others of you are not sure what I am talking about as none of the seasons make you especially excited to travel. Whether you love to travel, hate to travel, or are not sure how you feel about travel, do not assume your significant other feels the same way. Time to chat! ~smile~

How Important is Travel to You?

There are places I want to see someday; but, overall, travel for the sake of travel is not super high on my list; however, it is much higher than it used to be. People change over time… so, when we get married, it is always a bit of a gamble. For example, I am sitting outside under the glorious sun writing this and Eric is in his office cave on his computer. When we were first married, I remember him liking being outside and doing outdoorsy activities more than I did; but, we have since flip-flopped! Though you will probably never find me roughing it in the wilderness, you will find me outside way more than you used to. Vitamin D is a need, people! ~smile~

As of now, where would you say travel falls on your priority list? Does is come in somewhere below deep cleaning your dishwasher or is it located in importance near food and water? Is it more important than pedicures but only slightly? Is it less important than your dream job but only by a hair? If you have not taken much time to think about it, I encourage you to think about it now.

Sometimes travel does not seem important when we are young and trying to find our place in the world; or, maybe it seems like a distant dream because we are flat broke earlier in life. Regardless of your current circumstances, it is a good idea to understand where travel fits on your list. Is it yes, but not now? Is it a retirement plan? Is it something you want to experience as soon as possible? Is it something you cannot imagine your life without? Is it something for which you are willing to go into debt – or will you only travel when you can pay for it in full?

Get Out Those Trusty Creed Notebooks!

• On a scale from 1-10 (1 being unimportant and 10 being of the utmost importance), how important is travel to me?
• When I think of traveling, what comes to mind?
• Which emotions (positive or negative) do I associate with traveling and why?
• How much travel (both ideally and “I would fight to make it happen”) do I want my children to experience before they leave the nest and why?
• Do I consider travel a needed, important, or crucial part of life? Why or why not?
• When I consider traveling in my future, do I picture my spouse being with me on every trip, most trips, a few trips, or no trips?
• Is it reasonable to conclude that I could be happy and content in a marriage which did not involve travel?

What Does the Bible Say?

Though these verses are not specifically regarding the context of travel, they may give us a glimpse into God’s mind on the matter.

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15, ESV)

Sometimes preaching the gospel will involve a conversation with your closest neighbor and sometimes it might require boarding an airplane and traveling across the world. At any rate, God is clearly not averse to travel.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105, ESV)

As His people, God guides us in our lives by His word – wherever our feet take us.

And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. (Exodus 13:21, ESV)

When God led His people out of Egypt, He did not abandon them. He guided them faithfully.  

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23, ESV)

O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great. (Psalm 104:24-25, ESV)

God’s creation is far and wide and meant to be appreciated and enjoyed. Do you agree?

Are Your Beliefs About Travel Strong Enough for Your Creed?

There is a solid chance most of you will not list travel anywhere in your creed and that can make sense. What one believes about the importance of travel is individual to that person. It is not usually something one feels compelled to share with the world. If travel is important to the both of you, find a way to incorporate it into your creed. Maybe you believe your calling as a couple requires travel or that travel will enhance your ability to live out what you say you believe.

Whether or not you consider travel is creed-worthy, it can be incorporated into your vision for your life and relationship. If one of you lives to travel, the other is a homebody, and you get married anyway… let’s just say it is worth discussing at length before you tie the knot. ~smile~

Top Ten Travel Destinations

While you are discussing your desires regarding travel, take some time to prioritize your top ten desired destinations! Here are mine:

• USA (see all 50 states; visit friends and family across the nation)
• Dominican Republic
• Australia
• Italy
• Greece
• Ireland/Scotland
• England
• Germany
• Thailand
• Canada (Prince Edward Island)

A desire to travel can be a great motivator to work hard and save money. If travel is important to both of you, make a list of your top travel sites and share them with each other. Which places match? After completing your list, prioritize the top ten trips you would like to take together as a couple. Make a list of trips you would like to take someday with children. And, finally, list any trips you wish to take with friends or just you two alone. Your desires may change over time and that is okay; but, having a visual guide can help you plan so those pipe dream trips do not remain pipe dreams!

What if I Want to Travel but my Significant Other Does Not?

This is the reality for many couples. One person wants to explore the world and the other is content at home or making an annual trip to some destination five hours (or less) away. Such a dynamic can (and usually does) cause tension unless both parties are completely fine living two separate lives (which is not much of a marriage at all and can lead to all forms of temptations).

As we stress in almost every post lately, honesty about your likes, dislikes, plans, and personality traits is important. If you are not a big traveler and have little interest in becoming one, be up front about it. Go on a trip and see if you gain a desire for more travel, but do not enthusiastically declare your intention to become a traveler if you have no proof that you want to make it a significant part of your life.

And, if you love to travel and have dreamed of traveling all your life, do not suppress your desire. If your sweetheart likes staying close to home, that is fine, but it does not mean you should hide a major portion of who you are to appear more like him or her. Let it shine. A desire to travel is good so be proud of it! A lifetime of staying in one place will get to you if you have the itch to keep on the go!

Whether or not we want to travel might seem low on the pre-marriage list of items to discuss. After all, it is not finances (though, trips are not free), religion (unless you wish to go on missions’ trips or visit important religious landmarks), children (hmmm, where will you take your children on vacation?), or career (some careers are more conducive to travel). So, even though it is not as important to discuss as some other topics, it should not be ignored. It is sure to come up at some point. ~smile~

If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it’s lethal – Paul Coelho

Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer. – Unknown

How central is travel to your core and how important is travel to your well-being?

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