UPDATED MAR 2020. Sure, the world is scary. But is it too scary to travel? Should we keep traveling with all sorts of scary attacks on the rise and the world seemingly becoming more and more unsafe? Today my news feeds are filled with stories to remind people of how scary the world is. I’m speaking of Las Vegas of course, but it seems redundant to mention the city because it feels like a case of another day, another terrorist attack and another pray for the city hashtag. In some ways, I think that the frequency of these attacks makes us numb to them which, to me, is almost scarier.
With All The Craziness Going On, Is It Too Scary To Travel The World?
Is it too scary to travel?
Every time these stories come to air before the victim’s bodies have even gone cold.
Confronting images of the attacks captured on smartphones with shaky hands are plastered all over the news and Internet.
These graphic images of people in pain end up lodged deep in our memory bank with all of those other traumatizing things you’ve seen that you just can’t erase – like the time you accidentally walked in on your brother in the shower.
Understandably it causes many people to fear, to stress, and to hide.
It’s just too risky and far too scary to travel.
So how can we possibly continue to travel when it seems as though nowhere is safe?
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Defying the scary parts of traveling
When it comes to traveling, I’m on team ‘f**k terrorism – I’m traveling anyway’.
Sure, that’s a team I just made up but you know what I mean.
Maybe, I’m a stubborn bitch but I refuse to be told what I will and won’t do.
I refuse to subscribe to a mindset that means fear wins.
A mindset that means terrorism, domestic or otherwise, wins.
I didn’t let having a chronic (and very painful) disease stop me from traveling, I didn’t let being alone stop me from traveling. And I won’t let these fear tactics stop me.
Still, even though I refuse to let it stop me, of course, I too get scared sometimes.
When I leave home to travel I wonder if I am rolling the dice. I wonder if one day I will be one of the people who simply end up in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Will my photo be plastered on the news one day?
Is travel really more scary than being at home?
At the same time, I also think to myself that perhaps I could be in that situation if I stayed at home. Many of these attacks happen at fairly ‘normal’ places after all – concerts, churches, movie theaters, schools, trains, marathons or at random in a city.
If it can happen anywhere, is staying at home really any safer?
We might as well roll that dice and live our life to the fullest, right?
I say we remember all the memorable moments we have experienced during our travels like visiting iconic monuments, trying new food or being completely blown away by the beauty of a place you were seeing for the first time.
Remember those moments which sparked a little light inside you and let them fuel you when your fears creep in.
A lot of overcoming fears and anxiety is training your mind.
Remember all those challenging times on the road that taught you something or helped you grow as a person. The times you have conversations with someone who doesn’t speak your language or the times you were completely lost in a new city and had to use all your problem-solving skills to find your way out.
Use the strength these experiences gave you to overcome your hesitation and chase new lessons.
Remember all of the travel dreams you still have – your very own bucket list. Let these dreams motivate you when it seems hopeless.
You still have so much to see and so much to experience and you deserve to live out your travel dreams.
And of course remember that here at The Katie Show Blog I share extraordinary travel experiences for ordinary people (like me) so keep on reading for new travel inspiration, ideas, and tips.
We all deserve to enjoy extraordinary travel experiences and we are in this together. Traveling boldly in the face of our fears!
Other travel reflections you might enjoy
How To Get The Courage To Travel Alone When Everyone Says You’ll Die
What To Do When Family And Friends Don’t Support Your Travels
More Scary Than Solo Travel – Things That Give Me The Heebie-Jeebies
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Well said Katie. Not going anywhere is what they want anyway.
Thank you! You’re so right & we can’t let them get what they want.
I’m right there with you! We’re living in crazy times and it’s scary and it’s easy to give into that fear. ANYTHING can happen at any given moment, but I won’t let that stop me from exploring and adventuring. I’ll admit I’ll more alert than ever, but it won’t stop us!
Me too, definitely more aware and think about things more but can never let it stop me. Here’s to many more adventures!
Great post! I’m pinning it to send to everyone who tells me to come home. I feel much the same way. The world is a scary place – of course some places are riskier than others and I weigh the risks depending on the place. But frankly, terrorism can happen anywhere, so why let it stop you from going where you want to?
Thanks so much Katherine! Exactly – I feel like it’s everywhere now and since it can happen anywhere we might as well go and explore as much as possible right?
That’s such a great question! With everything happening in the US (and our terrible President), sometimes I’m reluctant to invite friends to the country but then I realize there’s still so many places that are amazing and so many great people!
Yes, so true! I have to say even I am guilty of sometimes thinking ‘oh it’s too messy over there’ but you’ve reminded me to remember all of the great places and wonderful experiences I’ve had there. Thank you!
I couldn’t agree more, Katie! Obviously we need to make smart and informed travel decisions, but fear is such a deterrent when it shouldn’t always be. There are so many factors (at home and abroad) that we don’t have any control over, and I for one don’t want to let the fear of the unknown stop me from living my life!
That’s such a good way to think and good on you for getting out there and making the most of life!