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IN BRIEF
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Traveling is often perceived as an unreachable dream, an escape from the monotony of daily life and the routine of work. However, behind the idyllic landscapes and fascinating cultures lie much darker realities. This narrative explores the experiences of some travelers who have encountered burn-out in the heart of the most sought-after destinations, emphasizing the importance of managing pace and anticipating the psychological impacts of prolonged travel.
The mad dog syndrome: a deceptive euphoria
“On paper, I had everything to be happy: I could do what I wanted when I wanted, I was visiting beautiful places. Yet, I could feel that something was not right,” recalls Ambroise Debret. In 2017, after years of dreaming of a life filled with travel, he takes a flight to Thailand. The initial euphoria quickly gives way to a feeling of misunderstanding. This young man, then 31 years old, realizes he has developed what he calls the “mad dog syndrome,” a state where the excitement of living a nomadic life drives him to exceed the limits of his adaptability. The novelty, instead of being pleasant, becomes overwhelming.
A “beginner’s mistake”: the return to reality
After suffering from this first episode of burn-out, Ambroise tries to make the right choices. Despite a more laid-back approach to travel, with extended stays in each destination, he eventually gives in to the temptation of an intense pace that throws him back into turmoil. “I found it increasingly hard to marvel, to socialize with the people I met,” he confides. While working and traveling around the world, he feels a fatigue that hinders his ability to enjoy discoveries. This journey leads him to endure several months of introspection before re-anchoring himself in Thailand, adopting a new lifestyle.
The quest for balance: Lucie and the nomadic life
For Lucie Aidart, the ascent to burn-out was slow and insidious. An author and shamanic practitioner, she observes how a nomadic lifestyle over several years takes a toll on her well-being. While she travels the world and documents her adventures on her blog “Travel and Wandering”, she finds herself living in Japan, on the brink of collapse. “I had no stability in my life, no anchoring,” she states, marked by a severe deterioration of her mental and physical health.
An inner struggle: strategies to recover
For three years, Lucie battles this growing malaise that engulfs her. She tries to slow down her pace of life, seeking comfort by spending time with her loved ones. However, these efforts resemble “band-aids” on deeper wounds. “The more I traveled, the less sense it made. At the end of the trip, I cried from morning till night,” she shares, lamenting a growing detachment from the experiences and people she encountered. This testimony illustrates how, even in dream destinations, it is possible to lose oneself along the way.
The dangers of fast travel: the price of exploration
The myth of perpetual freedom while traveling sometimes hides a darker reality: that of an insatiable quest that can lead to mental and emotional exhaustion. These stories testify to the need to be aware of the psychological stakes that accompany travel projects. Social pressures, the desire to see everything quickly, and the search for an authentic experience can transform into a frenzied race. Travelers, even in dream places, must learn to heed their limits to avoid sacrificing their well-being.
