Traveling with your partner can be a bonding experience but I can’t stand going away with my boyfriend. In fact, it’s gotten to the point where I’d rather not go anywhere at all. I love him to pieces but here’s why going on vacation with him is such a nightmare.
- We can never decide on a location. I’m more of a backpacking in the wilderness type of girl while he’d much rather hole himself up at a tropical resort. Because our vacation styles are so different, it’s always difficult for us to decide on a location. One of us always has to compromise and that person is usually me. I feel bad for resenting him over something as trivial as traveling but I can’t help it.
- We have different definitions of “downtime.” After dropping a ton of cash on a vacation, the last thing I want to do is spend the afternoon napping in my hotel room. My boyfriend, on the other hand, is a major fan of getting some Zzzs at all hours of the day. Of course, then I feel terrible for leaving him behind while he’s catching up on sleep so I always feel obligated to remain by his side when he’s trying to recharge. It’s not fun at all. It totally ruins my vacation and turns me off from traveling with him in the future.
- Our budgets don’t match. Student loans are kicking him in the butt, so it’s not as if he has a ton of disposable income to use for our adventures. Because our budgets don’t quite match up, it means we’re pretty restricted on where we can go and for how long. Trying to plan a trip that won’t burn a hole in his bank account is nearly impossible and I’m getting fed up!
- He hates going off the beaten path. Sometimes I just want to throw on a pair of sneakers, throw some comfy clothes in a backpack, and head out into the unknown. It would be awesome if my boyfriend felt the same way but sadly, he doesn’t. I always feel as if I’m not making the most of my time when we’re on vacation together because I never get to do the things I really want to do!
- He’s not a foodie. Who the heck goes on vacation and doesn’t explore the cuisine the location is known for? My boyfriend, that’s who. Attempting to get him to step outside the box and indulge in some food he’s never tried before makes me want to bang my head against a wall! I want to be able to sample every single dish my heart desires, try new restaurants, and eat with the locals. My boyfriend is totally against all of this, hence the reason I hate traveling with him so much. Why does he have to be so dang difficult?
- Sometimes I just need a break. I wouldn’t mind taking a short trip with him from time to time. However, every now and then, I feel the urge to take a mini break from our relationship. No, I don’t want to date other people—I’m still completely in love with my boyfriend, but a little bit of space never hurt anyone! While he stays at home, it would be awesome if I could just hop on a plane for a few days, clear my mind, and return to our relationship feeling energized and more ready for love than ever.
- We argue so much more. For some reason, we hardly argue when we’re at home. However, the second we head out on a trip, we start bickering about the stupidest things. I don’t know what it is about traveling that makes our stress levels rise. Maybe it has something to do with being stuck in a cramped hotel room for days on end, who knows? One thing is clear: I’m tired of spending our vacations getting into dumb arguments. I’d much rather head off on a solo, drama-free vacay at this point.
- He kills my vibe. I can’t be the only one who feels like they have to be on their best behavior whenever they travel with their boyfriend, right? There’s just something about being with him in a foreign land that makes me tense up. I always feel like I have to dress a certain way or act a certain way so I don’t ruffle his feathers. He likes for us to be completely low-key, flying under the radar and blending in with the tourists wherever we go; I’d much rather whip out my insanely huge camera, start snapping photos like a tourist and talk to the locals to get a better idea about their culture. Basically, my boyfriend and I are completely different people. I love him but he’s harshing my vacation buzz big time.
- A girls trip is more my style. When I think of planning an amazing vacation, I think of being in a tropical location with a few of my best friends. To me, this is my definition of a relaxing and pleasurable experience. When I’m with my besties, we hardly fight and they love to do the same things as me. I’d much rather explore the globe with them since I can’t stand traveling with my boyfriend at this point.
- I’d rather miss him. Not every couple has to travel together to prove their love is for real and I’ve finally come to terms with this. Since I hate traveling with him anyway, he might as well stay at home so I can miss him a bit. I think it could actually do our relationship some good to go without seeing each other for a few days. I can fuel my need for wanderlust while he stays at home napping the day away and being boring. Just kidding… or am I?
