This may be one of the oldest travel quotes I’ve ever highlighted in this feature!

No Matter Where You Go, There You Are

This phrase has been used time and time again in movies, music lyrics, and more. I think that’s because it speaks so strongly to an instinct within all of us. An instinct to solve our problems and change our circumstances by changing our locations. I’ve been guilty of this many, many times in the past. Relationship not working? Time to book a vacation! Feeling unfulfilled? I’ll move to a different country!

For the most part I think Confucius had the right idea. You’re relationship will still by dysfunctional if you’re in New York or Hawaii, and if your nature is to feel restless you’re going to feel that whether you’re in London or in Bangkok. But on the other hand, I think sometimes a change of scenery — in the form of a short trip or a big move — can be just the boost someone needs to make real change in themselves. I don’t think travel can change you, but I think it can inspire you to change yourself.

What do you think? What does this quote mean to you?

Update: Travel Blog Success was merged with Superstar Blogging by Nomadic Matt. It’s an equally impressive course that I plan to take and review eventually — click here to take it yourself! 

Exiting news! This week there is a huge 35% off sale on Travel Blog Success, the online course that helped me make Alex in Wanderland what it is today! This program changed the way I looked at travel blogging and helped me move it from a hobby to a business. The member’s group gives me daily inspiration, feedback, and assistance. I couldn’t ask for a better community! Click here and enter coupon code “tbs35” to get a lifetime membership at this special rate. Offer ends on Sunday.

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Pssst! I did an interview with loyal reader and blogger Vicky at A Couple Travelers. Go leave us some love! Also, I’ve been nominated for an Avis Travel Blogger Award. [Update: contest is now closed! ]

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17 Comments...
  • Kathryn
    September 18 2012

    Alex, what will you win in the Avis contest?

    • Alex
      September 18 2012

      Worldwide fame! Just kidding. Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be any prize other than the satisfaction of winning.

  • Morgan Barsi
    September 18 2012

    I agree that you cannot run from your problems, but I definitely think that sometimes you do need a change in scenery. I was stuck in a pretty bad rut before I decided to spend the summer backpacking through SE Asia. I genuinely felt happier while doing it, and I don’t think it was just because I was on vacation from all of the stress and problems in my world back home. I think it caused me to refocus and figure out what was really important to me, what I wanted to do with my life, and how material things are nice but really not that important in the grand scheme of things. I found it also allows you to get away from people who may be very toxic to you, yet you don’t realize it. My mother is an incredibly toxic person who lives to start conflict with me. Had I not had the summer to escape and see how happy my life could be without than influence, I would have continued to play her games. So, I’m for escaping at points when you need to figure out things in your life, but I also agree that you’re never going to outrun your problems.

    • Alex
      September 18 2012

      You make a lot of good points Morgan! Travel has had a lot of similar affects on me — helping me discover my priorities, fight my materialism, etc. However I definitely think sometimes we can be blindsided by the fact that traveling can be a temporary band-aid on life’s stresses!

  • With a small rewrite, this even applies to me: No matter where you go, there you are: confused.

  • Alexa Hart
    September 18 2012

    Great quote! I just pinned the photo on Pinterest. To me, the quote means to live in the moment and notice what’s around you. You’re right, a lot of people feel restless and don’t enjoy being in the present moment, but when you realize to live fully and presently, you don’t feel the urge to take off as much. When I have traveled, I have really enjoyed it because I was really in the moment and didn’t think about being anywhere else.

    • Alex
      September 18 2012

      Thanks Alexa, I always think of these as very pin-able posts 🙂 Glad you agree, and great analysis!

  • Gaelyn
    September 18 2012

    Whatever your problem is, it goes with you. But going is so much fun.

    You’ve got my vote.

    • Alex
      September 20 2012

      So true 🙂 A little change of scenery is often the kick start people need to fix those problems, maybe!

  • Tierra
    September 20 2012

    I think it means we are the same no matter where we are

    • Alex
      September 20 2012

      I agree! Thanks for commenting!

  • Henry
    October 5 2012

    To me it means that the journey is more important than the destination. Which reminds me of one of my favourite travel quotes:

    “Journeys, like artists, are born and not made. A thousand differing circumstances contribute to them, few of them willed or determined by the will–whatever we may think.”

    • Alex
      October 5 2012

      That’s a beautiful quote — thanks for sharing Henry!

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