We noticed a change as we approached the end of the first six months. Fatigue from moving from city to city was weighing on us, and little frustrations started to boil over. The boys bickered and desired more individual space and freedom, especially our eldest. I realized we had hit a funk when we arrived in Italy, one of my bucket list countries, and I lacked the desire to get out and sightsee. What was happening? We soon realized we were transitioning from the Discovery Phase to what we called the Waning Desire Phase.
Throughout our travels, we met others who expressed similar sentiments. At some point along the way, they faced the same challenges. Here are some of the triggers to be mindful of when travelling.
•Planning Fatigue: Planning on the road can be draining, especially if you’re moving fast between cities and countries. You are researching and booking the next place as soon as you arrive. Making countless decisions, often in a time crunch, sometimes took the fun out of building itineraries.
•Living in Close Quarters: On the road, you are likely going to be staying in small places, with your kids sharing a room. You are together 24/7 and have limited privacy. For the most part, we enjoyed the time we spent together, but after two months of sharing tents and two weeks in a sailboat, we were ready for a little personal space.
•Decreased Independence for Kids: Our boys had plenty of freedom at home, riding their bikes to friends’ houses in the neighbourhood and down to the park or local convenience store. After two months camping in wildlife parks in Africa, where they couldn’t leave the campsites without an adult, the lack of autonomy weighed on them.
•Lack of Interest in Sightseeing: After a busy six months, we found ourselves wanting to have some “veg” time, spending days at home reading, watching movies, or playing board games. But at the same time, we felt guilty that we were not out exploring.
•Boredom: We met others who commented on feelings of boredom. Explaining that they had seen so many beaches, for example, that they weren’t interested in visiting another, despite being somewhere like Bali with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
After years of planning and excitement, it’s hard to imagine that anyone could feel this way, but don’t worry. If this happens to you, don’t feel guilty. You’re not alone; there are ways to spark joy and get you back to the Discovery Phase of travelling again.
Overcoming the Waning Desire Phase
Break up the Sightseeing
Sometimes your kids (and you) may need a break from visiting every historical landmark and tourist attraction in the area. Take a day and go for a bike ride or a hike, spend the day at the beach, or visit a playground. Depending on where you are, you may be able to find a waterpark or an amusement park for a day of fun.
Keep Family Traditions Alive
What were some of your family traditions back home? Did you have pizza every Friday night or watch family movies on Sunday morning? Bring back some of the familiarity amongst the novelty. For us, a big tradition was our Family Fun Week (usually the first week of summer), where everyone could plan a day of fun for the rest of the family. Birthdays are another big one for us. We always take off work and school for birthdays to do something fun as a family. While we were away, it was no different.
Slow Things Down
Travelling from place to place, not to mention the planning and logistics required, can be exhausting. Take a break from it. Find a place you love and spend a few weeks or months there.
After seeing the beauty of Croatia in the summer, we decided to return in the fall for two months. We enrolled the boys in water polo and tennis lessons, caught up on schoolwork, and enjoyed the city of Split. Apart from a few day trips, we lived a regular life. Being settled in one place helped our boys immensely. We rented a larger condo, allowing everyone to have their own space, and since Split is such a walkable city, the boys could venture off on their own, giving them the freedom they desired.
Meet up with Family and Friends
You may be surprised by the number of people in your life eager to meet up with you for a week or two during your travels. We were lucky enough to have family and friends visit us during this time, which built up the excitement and got us back into the Discovery Phase.
Help with Homesickness
For some, homesickness can also lead to waning desire and the longing to return home. Thanks to technology, staying connected to loved ones back home is easier.
Here are some ideas that worked for us.
• Organize phone calls with friends back home: Pour a glass of wine and catch up with friends over a virtual drink.
• Plan online playdates for kids: Set up a time when your child can call a friend and play a game. Pokémon card games, Yahtzee, and other board games are fun, as are electronic games like online chess and some Nintendo Switch games that allow players to play together online.
• Set up a video chat with their school class: Help your child create a photo presentation of the places they’ve visited and have them share their experiences with their classmates.
• Send postcards home: Allow your child to pick out postcards wherever you visit and write home to friends and family. Bonus – they won’t even notice that they are working on their writing skills while doing it.
Final Thoughts
The Waning Desire Phase was an unexpected but important part of our long-term travel experience. It reminded us that even the most extraordinary adventures need moments of pause. What mattered most wasn’t powering through every destination—it was finding ways to reconnect as a family, to honour our needs for space, routine, and comfort amidst the unfamiliar.
By slowing down, staying longer in one place, reconnecting with friends and family, and holding onto the traditions that grounded us, we found our way back to the joy of discovery. We realized that the journey isn’t just about checking places off a list—it’s about sustaining the spirit that drew us to travel in the first place.
Refreshed and reenergized, we were ready for the next chapter. As we headed to Asia, the spark was back—and some of our most memorable adventures were still ahead.
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Check out these related posts to help plan your World Trip:
• Building a World Trip Itinerary
• How much does a World Trip cost?
• This or That? Saving to Make it Happen
