Costly Distractions: Bane of the Traveller
What is it that distracts you?
I’ve been a bit distracted lately by a desire to buy a car I’m in love with, the [tag]Nissan[/tag] [tag]300zx[/tag]. after actually pursuing it a couple of times now I think I have finally convinced myself to forget about for now. I was planning on selling my current car which is a relaible and economical little thing for this sexy potential pain in the backside fuel guzzler. Buying one would set me back at least 6 months on my travel plans in exchange for driving a real car for once.
[thumb:60:l]I’ve been battling with this for a while and asking myself “what will I get more out of?” of course I think travel. I imagine buying this car would give me a lot of satisfaction but if I died soon after would I be happy with how I lived my life? No. Quite simply owning any car no matter how impressive doesn’t count in my eyes to as an indication of how well I have lived. I imagine although I would probably be satisfied with the car I would be driving it knowing it has delayed at least the one thing I wish to do that will truely satisfy me inside. On the other hand if I put travel first I will echieve at least part of something I have been dreaming about for a lot longer than this car. I know I will feel more fulfilment than any car can ever give me, oddly enough one of the biggest things that has convinced me to keep travel a priority can from where I was looking for the car, quite a few people are selling their pride and joy to travel, which really confirms that the value in travel is much more than the value I’d get out of the car, I may even find that after some travel I have absolutely no desire for these types of things, I think it can wait until after. So thankfully this distraction has subsided not half because OS travel is now potentially so close for me.
So the car can remain in my dreams for now and maybe taking the odd one for a spin when available will keep my wanting for performance in check. So until I’m commited to a flight I’ll just have to keep reminding myself that compared to what travel will give, there is no comparision.
Popularity: 11% [?]
Your words are an inspiration…I often think of the rich experiences and wealth gained from focussing on travel rather than the need for possessions - it is a difficult battle to overcome though…
fight it! just tell yourself a car is just a hunk of metal, plastic, and rubber. travel on the other hand, is priceless…
Resist! When I totalled by VW 2 years ago, I was quite excited to test drive Audi’s. In the back of my mind though, I think it was always a superficial indulgence to check them out, as I couldn’t reconcile the damage it would’ve done to my goals for world travel. In the end, I bought a nicer VW, though used, than I had previously. I’m much happier for it, as is my bank account!
I’ve completely put it out of my mind now, reading a few books which I’ll soon review has made me even more steadfast in my resolve not to spend money on things I don’t need.