I Could Travel. But Here's Why I Don't Want To

I was dreading having to get up at 4 a.m. to catch a 7 a.m. flight when I realized we were heading into daylight savings time on the morning I was due to fly out. That meant I’d be waking up at 3 a.m., and likely not feeling all that well to boot considering the drastic change to my usual schedule. And despite the fact that I purchased my air travel many months in advance, the airline booked me into a middle seat for one leg of the journey. My inner voice screamed, “Hell no!” and I decided to listen.

I didn’t regret my decision.

“We frequently hear that aging should be a time of ‘endless exploration,’” says Dr. Louis Marino Jr., a geriatric psychiatrist at Sheppard Pratt Health System in Baltimore. “But for many, the psychological weight of travel begins to outweigh its rewards. Modern travel is more taxing than it was 20 years ago.."

I asked him if my lack of interest in travel is a sign of depression. “In your case, you may be experiencing travel burnout or a shift in your priorities as you enter a new stage of life,” he reassured me.

I think he’s right. I feel a sense of ennui about traveling, especially to cities. It’s like, I’ve been there, done that.

Instead, I‘m enjoying the routine and stability of being home and having my dog with me, sleeping in my own bed. Not being forced to go out if I don’t want to. Part of the joy of my second-career period is that I get to do what I want, when I want to. I’m still healthy enough and energetic enough to do lots of things.

I’m embracing wellness activities like visiting spas and volunteering. I’m focusing on making art and even teaching art classes. I’m signing up for local lectures and continuing learning courses. I’m playing pickleball. I’m pivoting to a new way of thinking about what I will do with the next few years of my life.

“Your desire not to travel may just be a stage,” says Adriane Berg, host of The Ageless Traveler podcast. “You’re only 66 years old, which means you’re in the ‘honeymoon phase’ of aging.” I do believe in the rumblings that our 60s are now considered part of middle age rather than the final act.

I suspect that perhaps when global chaos calms down I may regain my desire to venture out again. Until then, I’m looking at new ways to satisfy the travel itch. I still enjoy road trips because I can control my travel days. I live in Connecticut, so much of the Eastern Seaboard is within driving range.

If there’s too much traffic, I can get off the highway at the next exit. If the weather is bad, I can delay for hours or even a day or more. I can bring my dog along, and I can pack my car to the gills with stuff I might need.

I’d like to explore long-distance train travel, too. I do love the idea of cozying up in a sleeper cabin and crossing the United States via train. You don’t have to go through the same hurdles, like canceled flights and TSA security. And you get to relax into the groove of slow travel.

Finally, I’m looking into virtual travel experiences. I often find that my mental picture of traveling is better than the physical effort it takes to be there. When I went to Iceland to see the Northern Lights, I spent more time napping on the warm bus than outdoors. I let the others in my group freeze while waiting for the lights to appear.

On a trip to the Galapagos, I let my sister hike to an island summit while I sunned on the boat. That’s why the idea of virtual travel has me buzzed. While my desire to physically travel has waned, my curiosity about different destinations is still strong. I now connect with virtual travel companies that offer live, interactive tours to dozens of destinations. This is perfect for the older, armchair traveler like me who can enjoy guided worldwide tours without leaving the comforts of home — or your dog.

I’m about to “go” to Antarctica!