Travel For Work: Is Traveling for Work Fun?

The short answer, most of the time, is “No” but let me elaborate.  The ironic thing is that everyone who doesn’t travel for work, wants to.  And everyone who does, wishes they could just stay home.  It’s definitely one of those “grass is always greener” situations.

I remember having the “normal” 9 to 5 job where I drove the same commute, sat in the same office, and spoke with the same people…every day.  Each day was exactly like the one before it.  I just wished that I could find a job that had me travel.  Wouldn’t that be so exciting?!

Now I have that job.  Every Monday I fly to another city, work for the week and then fly back home on Thursday evening.  Most people who are not in my industry look at my life style and think how amazing it must be.

The truth is that it is not as amazing as it sounds, although I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I were still in my 20’s.  These days travel has become more of a headache than anything else.  Despite the free food and drinks, the loyalty points and the free “Alternative Travel” to any destination I choose, after a while it really wears you down.  So much so that even when I have the option of flying anywhere I want for free, I still choose to come home…almost every time.

I am writing this now because it is my last day with my firm and despite a slight feeling that I am giving something up, I feel an overwhelming sense of freedom.  It comes in the form of little things, the normal things.  I’m now using my own cell phone and laptop.  I can buy groceries and they won’t spoil before I can eat them.  I can sleep in my own bed and go for a run down my street (not in a hotel gym).  But most importantly, the prospect of traveling is starting to sound like fun again rather than an obligation.

To sum it up, traveling for work was a great experience and if you ever get the chance to do it, you should probably take it.  At the same time, if you continue to do it for years on end, you’ll be giving up some of the most important aspects of life and it will no longer be worth the costs.

This is only my opinion of course and I’m sure there are many who would disagree with me.  It is true that some people continue in this lifestyle for entire careers but I have to wonder if other aspects of their lives don’t suffer as a result.