7 difficulties in travel (and how to avoid them)

A trip is something we await, imagine, dream about... and then one day we experience it! From the excitement of the last days before leaving to the joy of being on the plane, the emotions that follow during the journey can be quite different. And sometimes, things don't go as planned... reality can bring its share of disillusionments, disturbances, and, in some cases, can turn into a real nightmare!

Because no, travel isn't always a dream! Here are 7 challenges that can arise on the road and how to handle them.

This subject isn't the most engaging. But there are several reasons that led me to want to write about it:

I indeed received several messages from readers: some had very specific questions and others, on the contrary, seemed to be struggling with generalized anxieties.

These messages for help touched me greatly and made me reflect. They guided me in writing this article, hoping it can address some inquiries and soothe travelers in difficulty.

The dream trip doesn't exist. Reality always catches up with imagination. Disappointments can occur on many levels:

The traveler waiting to leave creates representations concerning their future trip... Representations that can quickly turn into expectations. Because having no expectations is impossible. More or less consciously, these representations always accompany the traveler:

Behind these seemingly innocuous phrases lie representations (the imagined trip) confronted with a different reality. I am often asked what my perfect trip is, and I like to reply that it's an imperfect trip!

Here are 3 examples of areas of disillusionment and how to avoid or manage them.

Our representations of the culture of the host country and our ability to understand it are sometimes very different from reality once we are there. Therefore, disappointment sets in when not having deep exchanges with Buddhist monks, failing to be invited to stay with locals, or limiting exchanges to the bare minimum commercially...

Facing the difficulty of interacting.

Cultural disillusionment touches on our representations concerning the host culture and our ability to approach it. If the traveler's expectations aren't met, they tend to guilt-trip themselves, locking themselves into a vicious cycle of self-depreciation that leads to losing self-confidence, which causes further isolation.

In the dedicated article on cultural shock, I will discuss the different stages of this process, how to anticipate it, and how to get through it as best as possible. And for everything related to difficulties in communication while traveling, I invite you to read the article >.

In general, the traveler will learn one of the most important lessons while traveling:

He is not perfect. He has the right to be tired, not to understand, not to manage, to be irritated by these cultural differences... He is human!

Traveling together (as a couple or with friends) always involves several representations of the trip (see the section > at the end of the article). If one visualizes long walks hand in hand, and the other imagines this trip as a vacation to finally take time for themselves... Once on-site, this might lead to issues, as the accumulation of small frustrations and misunderstandings often leads to major disputes.

It's very simple to avoid this disillusionment: it's all in the preparation. Represent your expectations personally so that you can then express them to your travel companion and ask them to do the same. This small exercise allows you to project yourself into the trip (which is never unpleasant!), to lay out some differences, and to defuse conflicts.

I developed this reflection in the related articles here: Top 5 tips for preparing a trip as a couple and How to prepare a trip as a couple: from dream to reality.

Over-planning is a common trait of Westerners. While this mode of operation has already proven effective for us, it is not always transferable to the other side of the world. An overly precise organization of the trip may become a source of stress, with the constant watch on the clock to ensure adherence to the itinerary, or even lead to anxiety in case of disruption of plans.

Should everything be planned when traveling? This is a question I debated in the article >.

Here, there is a certain > that needs to be worked on, as well as the ability to trust: in life, others, and... oneself, often the hardest part.

The famous cultural shock is something we often hear about. But what reality lies behind these frightening words?

Cultural shock is not something to take lightly. To recognize it, here are the most classic symptoms, both psychological and physical.

But don't panic! Cultural shock is not a bad thing in itself; it's a process from which the traveler emerges stronger. This process unfolds in 3 phases:

For more information, I refer you to the article dedicated to cultural shock.

Can cultural shock be prevented? How do you get through it? ... Questions that will be addressed in the article about cultural shock.

Going on a trip means leaving. Leaving your country. Leaving loved ones. Leaving your job. Leaving your habits... And leaving your comfort zone.

For a traveler with little experience or someone particularly sensitive to separation situations, leaving and detaching can be difficult.

What to do in this case? I have met people with this kind of issue, and they all adopted different solutions, some working and others not.

Start by traveling not too far or for too long. Take it slow. It provides an opportunity to test yourself, to find new references, and to learn to trust yourself in your ability to separate.

Being physically separate doesn't necessarily mean a rupture of the relationship, especially nowadays with all the technological conveniences. Before leaving, think about the means of long-distance communication you will prefer: phone, Skype, email, social media... And ensure that your loved ones have your contact details. Plan specific times to communicate with your loved ones before you leave so you can easily reach each other.

The topic of couples is one I care about deeply. I have already presented the benefits of traveling as a couple... As well as the >: not everything is rosy when traveling as a couple!

Many view traveling as a couple as a test or a rejuvenating treatment:

As I have said before, traveling as a couple is a relationship accelerator: the positive and negative are amplified! Traveling in a fundamentally conflictual climate will not allow escaping the problem.

Traveling in a group or as a couple can thus carry risks, as presented in Traveling as a couple? From dream to nightmare: the 9 pitfalls and in managing couple disputes.

Here are four tips for resolving relationship issues while traveling.

Being sick while traveling is a true ordeal. Away from loved ones, in a different culture, surrounded by strangers speaking a language that one may not fully master... It's enough to lose one's footing.

Here, too, the basic principle is in anticipation. Proper preparation helps avoid contracting illnesses (among others by following basic hygiene rules) and packing what is necessary to react in case of illness.

For this second point, three things need to be prepared:

This question has been asked of me several times. I think some inexperienced travelers imagine that more experienced travelers are true adventurers who fear nothing and can handle everything! Like modern-day Indiana Jones, Bear Grylls, and MacGyver: they are true adventurers!

While adventure is a very subjective concept (to paraphrase Coluche, >), I believe that travelers are not whip masters and do not drink their urine... At least not us!

And to take it further: François, allergic to all possible insect bites, has developed a phobia of spiders and generally, of all insects. And yet, he travels in tropical areas!

Phobias, to a certain extent, are surmountable. Everyone needs to find their bearings, test their limits... and trust themselves.

I also know several people who hate flying, even have developed a true phobia of planes... and are digital nomads traveling around the world!

We don't talk about it enough, but in my eyes, it is perhaps one of the greatest difficulties of traveling: returning!

During preparations, we project ourselves onto the roads, imagining ourselves in this or that region of the world... But the return to one's own country is often the forgotten step of the travel process. It is, however, a crucial one.

Questions that need to be asked before stepping foot on the soil of your homeland: between the sadness of seeing the adventure come to an end and the difficulties tied to >... it's better to have a few plans in place for the return.

I discuss the return shock, which is a process comprising several stages, in more detail.

Going through difficult phases while traveling is nothing abnormal or alarming. The worst thing to do would be to blame oneself for not being able to enjoy this trip as one >.

Of course, there are many other potential difficulties on the road: material (poor preparation, inappropriate gear, heavy loads, loss/theft...), financial (poorly estimated budget, theft/loss of bank cards...)...

But these problems are more like bumps in the road than true obstacles. The issues presented in this article represent fears present in the minds of some travelers before departure, or drastic reassessments that occurred on the road: challenges that could jeopardize the entire travel project.

Being lenient and patient with oneself is undoubtedly one of the greatest lessons a traveler can learn on the road.