Have you been bitten by the travel bug but are stuck at home? You’re not alone! In this post, I’m sharing practical advice and creative ideas on how to deal with wanderlust when you can’t travel. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s inside: travel shows and documentaries, fun ways to distract yourself, and one idea you haven’t thought of that will keep your travel dreams alive…
Hello there friend! No doubt you’ve found your way here because you’re experiencing that itchy feet, nagging inner drive to travel. We’ve all been there, myself included. But lately I’ve been wondering…
Is Wanderlust A Bad Thing?
The definition of wanderlust is “a strong desire to travel“.
On one hand, it inspires us to pack up our things and head out on an adventure to see the world. It makes us curious and gets us outside our comfort zone. All good things.
But what about when you can’t travel? Wanderlust can easily turn into frustration, resentment, and discontent. And before you know it, you end up feeling jealous of someone else’s trip. Or maybe even bitter about your life and wishing you were somewhere else.
How To Deal With Wanderlust
Wanderlust doesn’t always bring out the best in us. But luckily, there are some positive things we can focus our energy on, and ways to deal with wanderlust that are actually productive! So in this post, I’m breaking down tons of ideas you can try out today:
- Fascinating virtual tours and experiences
- How to see time at home as an opportunity instead of an obstacle
- Unique ways to explore your hometown
- How to “relive” past trips
- Fun ideas for staying entertained at home
- An outside-the-box approach to travel experiences (be sure to scroll to the end!)
Does Wanderlust Ever Go Away?
If you’re feeling a strong sense of wanderlust right now, you may be wondering how long it will last. And the reality is, it’s probably different for each person. Some people truly thrive when they’re on the road and going place to place, while others are happy to take one trip a year.
If you travel really often, it’s a pretty big adjustment to slow down the pace, and negative feelings can start to pop up. But what’s reassuring to know is that as long as you take some intentional steps, the intense feelings of wanderlust can be decreased. So hang in there!
But also keep in mind that the desire to travel may never go away. And why is that such a bad thing? Travel can be super fun and rewarding. The key is to find the balance that works for you.
What To Do When You Can’t Travel
There will likely be times in life that travel just isn’t possible. So in the meantime, when that feeling of wanderlust starts to creep in, here’s a list of things you can do to squash that feeling (at least temporarily).
1. Go On A Virtual Tour
With advances in technology, tons of destinations and tourist spots around the world are now offering virtual experiences. Museums, Zoos, Aquariums and National Parks are just a few examples of places you can tour from the comfort of your home. The Google Arts & Culture site is a great resource to check out for a variety of virtual reality-type things to do.
Can’t travel to Italy for a cooking class? Try out the live-stream version of Handmade Pasta with Grandma instead. Dreaming of the beach? Check out this live webcam in Hawaii. Many resorts worldwide have live cameras that you can tune in to and Youtube, of course, has lots of travel vlogs as well.
2. Embrace Your Hobbies
If you’re not traveling, that likely means you’re spending more time at home. Maybe this is a great time to pick up gardening, work on arts and crafts, or try pilates. Spending time doing something that makes you happy can give you the same endorphin rush that travel does, so take advantage of it!
If you want, you can choose a hobby that relates to travel, like learning a second language or brushing up on your photography skills. That way you’re still making progress towards your ultimate goal of traveling more.
3. Plan A Trip In The Future
Just because you can’t travel right now doesn’t mean you won’t be able to in the future. Why not plan your dream vacation while you’re stuck at home?
This can really occupy some time and will get you excited for and anticipating your next trip. Plus, it’s smart to do some research beforehand anyway! That way you’re prepared and ready to go when you’re able to travel again.
4. Take A Scenic Drive
It’s kind of crazy how much a road trip or scenic drive can really satisfy wanderlust. The open road… good music playing… what’s not to love? It’s a great way to still get out and explore while keeping it on a small scale. It could be a multiple-day road trip or simply an hour-long drive out of town.
Just going outside your normal daily routine will give you a breath of fresh air and a sense of adventure.
5. Read An Inspiring Book
Another great use of your time (and a great way to escape, in my opinion) is to spend time reading. You have lots of options here, but a few ideas are to read a travel guidebook to a place you want to visit, or a fictional story about a favorite destination.
Right now I’m reading a book called Sea People, which is a fascinating account of the people of Polynesia and their unique characteristics and history. I’d love to visit the tiny islands of the Pacific Ocean one day, so for me, this book really transports me there.
6. Save Your Money
Let’s face it, it can be a real bummer when you’re itching to travel but can’t. One smart way to approach the situation is to plan ahead, specifically when it comes to money. Taking a break from traveling means you have a great opportunity to save money for your next trip.
Create a travel fund! Or make a budget for yourself that allows you to stash away some cash for future trips. It will ease the sting of wanderlust because you’ll be preparing for more travel down the road.
7. Explore Your Hometown
I bet you there are places in your hometown that you haven’t been to yet. Sometimes we forget to explore our own backyards! A few ways to change that are to try a new restaurant, spend a night in a local hotel, or even just visit a neighborhood you aren’t familiar with.
What is your town known for? If a tourist was visiting, what would they do? Ask yourself those questions to get started.
8. Try A “Staycation”
Along the same lines as exploring your hometown, a staycation is another option. Have a girls spa day, host a cooking party, or camp in your backyard. There are SO many fun things you can do at home, and even involve friends and family to make it feel more festive.
Another fun idea is to host a theme night. For example, maybe it’s a Hawaiian luau and you get a few decorations, leis and grass skirts, and eat Hawaiian cuisine. Just be creative and have fun with it.
9. Get Out In Nature
So many studies have shown that we’re happier and more thankful when we spend time outdoors. And you don’t have to be climbing Machu Picchu to get those benefits! Find a hiking trail, go canoeing, or rent bikes for the weekend.
The goal here is to spend time in the great outdoors and really appreciate the nature around you. Other options are to go camping (or glamping!), rent an RV, or visit a botanical garden.
10. Relive Memories Of Past Trips
How often do we really look back on photos from past trips? Probably not often enough. But you can relive those great memories by pulling out your photo albums, watching old videos, and reflecting back on the funny and memorable things you experienced.
Did you buy any souvenirs on your past trips? Or make any new friends? Learn a word in a different language? You can use those happy memories to bring back the feelings you had before. And who knows, maybe it will inspire you to start a travel journal or create a shadowbox of memories.
11. Watch Travel Shows & Documentaries
If you’re still needing more inspiration, you’re in luck, because there are so many great travel documentaries, t.v. shows, and movies that will transport you. Even though you aren’t physically there, video can give you a sense of what a place is like.
The Travel Channel, Netflix, and other video streaming services are a great place to start. If you’re a movie buff, check out this list of the 50 best travel movies of all time. That should keep you busy for a while!
12. Practice Gratitude
Remember to be grateful for what you have! It’s easy to get caught up in wanderlust, but you don’t want it to steal your joy. Take some time to remind yourself of the things you’re thankful for, like a home, a job, and the people you care about.
Travel may come and go, but there are other meaningful things in life! Just simply remembering that can truly change your mindset and how you face not being able to travel.
13. Host Other Travelers In Your Home
Last but certainly not least, have you ever considered hosting other travelers in your home? When you have that sense of wanderlust but can’t travel, this is great option. You’ll meet new friends, learn about their culture, and have a unique experience. There are so many parallels to travel, although this time around, you’d be more of a tour guide helping others explore where you live.
And consider this – after hosting a traveler in your home or country, you now have a friend that’s a local! So if you end up traveling to their hometown at some point in the future, you’ll have a familiar face you can reach out to.
Dealing With Wanderlust When You Can’t Travel
So what did you think of these practical ideas for dealing with wanderlust? I hope you found it helpful, and are inspired to try one or two for yourself!
Comment below and let me know which one surprised you the most…
