Why Do Some Friends Become Jealous When You Travel?

This is more of a vent post. I hate even posing the question, but it’s become something that I’ve had to deal with in the past few years. I can’t seem to understand why people you consider friends are so weird and jealous when it comes to traveling!

Like, are my only friends going to be strangers I relate to online in Facebook travel groups?

Is the quick and simple answer that I honestly do not have any real friends? Or real supportive family members at that? I refuse to believe that is true.

So, earlier today, I told a friend I was thinking of going to the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival this summer. I mentioned that some of his favorite artists are performing. He immediately replied, aren’t you already attending a big concert this year? How many are you gonna go to? Mind you, I am only going to one concert in April. This totally caught me off guard because I’ve been friends with him for over 13 years! Not only that, but the festival is local (90 minutes away) and affordable. He is also off on the weekends, when the festival takes place, and has a boyfriend to go with! Do you know how lonesome it is to go to music festivals alone? I’m okay with traveling solo, but I would be lying if I said that I didn’t wish I had someone to attend music festivals with.

I didn’t bother to reply, and I’m unsure if he even noticed. I was more hurt than anything. Although, I am aware that there are people in my life who feel some type of way about my frequent travels. I just never thought he was like that.

Maybe it’s more of a combination of all the disappointment I’ve faced with loved ones regarding my travels over the years. Even when I launched this travel blog and my YouTube channel. I only shared it with a couple of family members, and I have a large family. It hurts that I can’t even share it with my favorite cousins and aunts, but deep down, I know how they feel.

When I first began traveling, I would send a postcard to my granny on every trip. As time passed, I really enjoyed hunting down postcards I thought she’d like and buying cool-looking foreign stamps. She told me that some family members would glare at the cards for minutes but never would say anything. I really had to process that other than my granny, only one aunt and two uncles by marriage ever said they were proud of me for getting out of Alabama and seeing the world. Life is a little tougher now that my grandmother has passed.

It’s frustrating because I have worked hard for everything in life. From my first car to working two jobs and over 100 hours per week to pay my way through college. People who are close to me have been a witness to my struggle.

It’s crazy because I’m not even one of those braggadocious people who go on and on about traveling and where I’ve been. I often downplay my trips and sometimes even lie and say I’m home when I am traveling. My personal social media is nonexistent, and I only have it now for the sake of this website. If you’ve clicked on my Instagram or TikTok, both are a mess and need serious help. I simply don’t care because all those memories are tucked inside my big head and cracked iPhone (I do plan to work on them both though lol).

Now that I’ve typed this all out, I actually feel better!

And you know, maybe there’s something God’s trying to tell me. I believe he’s always speaking to us; you just have to be quiet to hear him. This year, I should improve my social circle and find supportive, real friends who accept me for me. I’m one of those people who is happy for everyone who is accomplishing their dreams in this tough world. I understand that we all have different paths, opportunities, and blessings. It sucks that I even have to downplay my life to people I care about.

That ends today.

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Have you ever experienced weird vibes from friends and family regarding traveling? What are your thoughts and opinions? Is it just me? Let’s talk it out..