Comments on: Time to Go?

By: Adam Costa

Adam Costa — Thu, 26 May 2011 22:19:14 +0000

Steph,

I know the feeling well. Whenever I’m “home” I’m dreaming of hitting the road, and when I’m abroad I’m thinking about going back.

And maybe that’s the thing. As travelers the main thing is to “go”… it doesn’t matter whether it’s home or abroad. As long as we’re moving, we’re happy.

Just my .02

-Adam

By: Drew Meyers

Drew Meyers — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:51:21 +0000

I’m in the same boat — I can seriously see myself living abroad at least half time and my parents are worried I’ll do the same thing.

The US is great and all, but the world is a huge place with lots to see and experience!

By: Spencer Spellman

Spencer Spellman — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 17:55:22 +0000

Wow, what a “real” post Abby. These are often some of the questions that I wrestle with when thinking about actually doing the RTW or expat thing long-term. Sounds like the journey is just beginning!

By: Nina

Nina — Sun, 16 May 2010 05:32:48 +0000

Go, stay and be where you are happiest Abbs. Your friends are always with you as long as you keep us with you in your heart and thoughts and BBM! Just don’t forget to check in once in a while. Let us know you’re ok. The only reason I’d advise you to move back would be purely selfish. Keep doing what you’re doing for as long as finances/work allows. I’ve lived so many lives in 34 years, but the one thing I didn’t do a ton of was travel, granted that i moved A LOT, it was all within a few states. That’s my one regret in life. I’m planning on changing that though….hopefully starting with a visit to Coco to see you!

By: Lauren

Lauren — Tue, 11 May 2010 11:31:43 +0000

Wow, awesome post! It is a lot to think about.
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy =-.

By: Steph

Steph — Thu, 06 May 2010 13:36:40 +0000

That’s always my mom’s biggest fear as well- that i will fall in love and never come home. I honestly could see myself living abroad semi-permantly, except for the part about breaking my parent’s hearts…

By: Joya

Joya — Thu, 06 May 2010 04:41:23 +0000

I love this post. I've felt that I need to move somewhere new and never just felt a short visit would do. I feel this way because I don't think I have much going for me at home right now. But then I second guess my self and think that even if I move somewhere new and then come back home again I'll just feel the same empty feeling again. Can I really keep moving to new places? I'm waiting too for signs or just giving myself time to figure things out. .-= Joya´s last blog ..One Reason I Want to Go to New Orleans =-.

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 06 May 2010 02:43:36 +0000

“The old me wasn’t exactly a dumbass.” — nope, and I feel your conflict! Despite the excitement of traveling and now trying to build a business out of blogging, in the back of my mind I can’t help but all the money I haven’t been putting in my 401k.

My Dad’s biggest fear about my past (and likely future) stints as an expat in Colombia is that I’ll fall in love, get married, have kids, and not be able to easily return to the USA (and not necessarily in that order!). It’s not something I’d want, but if I could afford Paris, I might not mind the possibility of events unfolding in that manner.

This post reminds me of my friend Charlie, who has now been living in China for 6 years. He’s happy as a clam, and all along, has expressed no desire to return to the States in the near future. Of course he grew away from his friends at home, but that can happen even when you stay in the same place.
.-= Dave´s last blog ..SteriPEN: Ulatraviolet Water Purification =-.

By: Cornelius Aesop

Cornelius Aesop — Wed, 05 May 2010 13:50:03 +0000

I think it is that you just haven't found the right place yet, or maybe just not in the right time of life for you. I've read a few blogs from some well traveled people and after their extensive travels they have a place they call home, I'm sure you'll get there and hopefully the change in scenery will reinvigorate your travel inspiration. .-= Cornelius Aesop´s last blog ..New Brew Tuesday: The Battle of the Modelos =-.

By: Andi

Andi — Tue, 04 May 2010 04:07:04 +0000

Awesome post darling!!! I think it’s important that you give this a lot of thought and it’s always good to write your thoughts down first. I think you’ll just know when it’s time. You see the signs! Just keep yourself aware (I know easier said than done). Wishing you an amazing time in NYC!!!!!!!!!!!!
.-= Andi´s last blog ..imgp2629 =-.

By: Shiny Travel Objects: May 2, 2010 | SoloFriendly.com

Shiny Travel Objects: May 2, 2010 | SoloFriendly.com — Sun, 02 May 2010 14:28:34 +0000

[...] Twenty-Something Travel features a great piece by guest poster Abby Tegnelia about a question facing long-term travelers: How do you know when it’s time to go home? Is it when you realize you don’t know your friends all that well any more, as your lives have gone on separately? Is it when you decide you want to settle down? Is it when you run out of money? Check it out, it’s called Time to Go? [...]

By: When is it time to go home?

When is it time to go home? — Sat, 01 May 2010 19:31:53 +0000

[...] my story here! This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. Post a comment or leave a [...]

By: Abby

Abby — Sat, 01 May 2010 19:13:18 +0000

Candice, I know what you mean about missing out!! I used to be like that. Wait, I’m still like that… Hello, TBEX…
Josh, that’s funny. I am jealous sometimes of people who don’t have the travel itch. But since we do, off we go!
Kristin, thank you!! So glad you understand — those are my exact questions!
.-= Abby´s last blog ..Home again, home again =-.

By: What I’m reading: April 30, 2010 | The Wander Project

What I’m reading: April 30, 2010 | The Wander Project — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:08:57 +0000

[...] on, Moving Back Abby Tegnelia’s guest essay at Twenty Something Travel is a poignant look at what we give up to travel- especially when “traveler” leads to [...]

By: Kristin

Kristin — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:19:20 +0000

WOW! Stunning, stunning post! Made me think A LOT! I wonder this all the time! When will I know its time to go home? Will it still feel like home? Do I really want to be "the one who left"? It's definitely a side of travel that is difficult! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. .-= Kristin´s last blog ..New Directions for the Colombian Government =-.

By: Josh | The Wander Project

Josh | The Wander Project — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:08:41 +0000

Excellent post, and strangely relevant to my own situation. Like Abby, I'll also be uprooting myself from the NYC magazine industry to travel. And life is GOOD. Why do I feel so compelled to ditch it? I keep coming back to the idea that I'm merely putting it on hold, and I think that's fair: You can ALWAYS come back, and I prefer that philosophy to "wishing that I had traveled." .-= Josh | The Wander Project´s last blog ..TWP Guide: The World’s Iconic Beers =-.

By: Candice

Candice — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 12:41:49 +0000

Lol, it’s funny, because even if I’m away short-term, I get frustrated when I miss out on events…whenever my roommates bring up the story about their epic lobster boil up while I was away in France, I get furious. They’re like, “Dude, you were in FRANCE.”
.-= Candice´s last blog ..Finally, the Passion Board Unveiled =-.

By: Steph

Steph — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 23:15:06 +0000

I agree. I can totally identify with the pain of missing out on big events and life changes though. It’s a compromise and one worht re-evaluating once in awhile.

By: Steph

Steph — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 23:14:02 +0000

100% agree with that Alex. It can make things exhilarating but also lead to a lot of unhappiness in the end.

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 23:00:58 +0000

Great piece. Love the honesty. Dating abroad is a strange thing. At least for me, it’s hard to break out of the feeling of “okay, this is fun, but if I’m not going to live here forever and if I don’t want to get married now, does that mean we’re dating on a clock?”