Words by Marny Mac
Travelling is supposed to be fun and life-enriching. And I know, I know, complaining about it is ridiculous. While I know I am lucky, I’ve chosen the travel life over everything else. I do everything on a shoestring when I’m country hopping and back home I live with my parents, pay minimal rent, and scrimp like a squirrel storing nuts, all so I can afford these trips. And even though I’ve sacrificed for this lifestyle, I still know I am incredibly lucky, but recently, a few years into hopping from one city to the next, I started feeling… burnt out (tiny violin anyone?). Travelling is supposed to elevate your soul, not make you want to hide under your hotel bed with a takeaway pizza and binge-watch reality TV.
I remember one trip to Italy, standing in line for what was allegedly the world’s most delicious gelato. After thirty minutes baking in the sun, I realised I didn’t even like gelato that much. That was the exact moment I knew I’d officially hit travel burnout.
The good news is that I fixed my burnout (phew, I wasn’t ready to go on a soul searching quest seeing as my whole personality is travel and I’d have to reasses). You just need a practical plan to keep the magic alive so your adventures don’t start feeling like a series of exhausting checklists. Here is what I did to keep enjoying my travel.
I made slow travel my thing
Instead of rushing from one site to the next, I try to really settle into a new place and explore it at my own pace. No cramming everything into three days. I let a trip stretch over a couple of weeks or more.
Slow travel has been a game-changer for me. It means less packing and unpacking, and I don’t spend half my trip stuck on buses, trains, or planes. Just staying put for a while makes the whole experience feel lighter, calmer, and actually enjoyable.
Stay somewhere set up for long stays
I’ve learned that staying somewhere set up for long stays is a tactic a lot of pro travelers swear by. Instead of hopping from one hotel to the next, I try to find a place that feels a bit like home.
Many people use lodging near the Riverwalk for travelers. The idea is that it provides all the facilities you’d have at home, just in a new location. That way, I can carry on my life as normally as possible, cooking, working, lounging, without feeling like I’m constantly in transit.
Prioritise self-care
The era when holidays were all about eating rich, luxurious food and staying up all night? That’s not my reality anymore. Honestly, I’ve learned that that kind of travel can actually lead to burnout. It messes with you on a biological level. These days, I try to eat properly, move my body a little, and actually prioritise sleep. Balanced meals have become non-negotiable. And if I’m flying a lot? I try to find ways to lie down (there’s nothing like an empty seat next to you!) because my body—and my sanity—thank me for it.
Say no to invitations
I’ve also found it helps to say no to certain invitations or activities while I’m travelling. There’s this constant pressure to do everything, see everything, tick every box but that just leaves me exhausted and heading straight for burnout.
I’ve had to remind myself that resting in my accommodation isn’t wasting time. It’s just me recharging my batteries and getting ready for the next phase of the trip.
Take intentional breaks
Finally, if I notice that travel is really taking a toll on me, I’ve learned to take intentional breaks. Sometimes that means resting longer in one spot, or even splurging on a nicer hotel than usual just to recharge. I don’t have to constantly be on the move, chasing the next thrill. Instead, I like to have a few “base” spots around the world that I return to, and only explore when I actually have the energy for it.
