The Envy of Travel: A Retired Flight Attendant’s Perspective
Having spent decades traveling the world for work and pleasure, I’ve come to recognize the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) travel envy that often follows me, even now in retirement.
As an international flight attendant, my job took me to countless destinations—Paris, London, Buenos Aires, Bermuda, Madrid, and more—all within the same month. It was an incredible experience, but I balanced life as a mother and wife while crossing time zones. I quickly learned that it was best to downplay my job when I was trying to connect with people in my community. Mentioning the places I would travel to often led to that familiar glimmer of envy. I’d get responses like, “Oh, how nice,” or “That’s wonderful,” but there was often an underlying tone of, “I wish I could do that.” To avoid making others uncomfortable, I’d say, “I’m a flight attendant,” and quickly change the subject.
Questions like, “What about your kids?” or “How does that work with your husband and kids?” were common. I’d explain that it was just a job, no different from any other, but inevitably, the response would be, “It must be nice!”—a phrase I understood as code for travel envy. So, in conversations, I learned to say, “I’m going to work,” or “I’m off on a work trip,” carefully sidestepping any mention of the exotic locations I was flying to. Having had the opportunity to live as an expat in Europe and Asia provided even more travel opportunities. Still, my experiences as a flight attendant had already taught me to be cautious about sharing too much. I was all too familiar with the refrain, “It must be nice,” and the envy it often masked.
Now that I’m retired, I can reflect on my career as a flight attendant. I feel privileged to have seen so many unique places, but it’s important to remember that travel, for me, was a career. Even after all these years of traveling the world, I still encounter travel envy—not just directed at me but reflected in how people view others’ adventures. It’s a natural reaction I’ve seen countless times during my career as a flight attendant and now in retirement. But over the years, I’ve learned to look at travel from a more realistic perspective—one that appreciates the opportunities without falling into envy.
By its very nature, travel can evoke a sense of longing in those who see others jetting off to exotic destinations. I’ve experienced it firsthand when talking about my trips and witnessed it in how people react to others’ travels. Comments like “It must be nice” or “I wish I could do that” often carry an undercurrent of envy, a sense that those experiences are somehow out of reach. But here’s the truth: Travel is not reserved for the few. It’s an opportunity open to everyone, provided they plan carefully and seize the opportunities that come their way. In my years of flying to countless destinations, I’ve realized that the key to travel is not wealth or privilege but intentionality. It’s about setting priorities, making plans, and sometimes being willing to trade luxury for adventure.
I’ve also learned to appreciate the journeys of others without feeling envious. It’s important to remember that every trip and destination comes with its own challenges and realities. The glossy photos on social media don’t show the delayed flights, lost luggage, or exhaustion that often accompanies long-haul travel. Understanding this helps me view others’ travels with admiration and curiosity rather than envy.
At its core, travel is about exploration and discovery—whether visiting a neighboring town or crossing an ocean. It’s about the experiences we gain, the people we meet, and the memories we make. And those opportunities are available to us if we plan, look for deals, and are willing to leap. So, the next time you find yourself feeling a twinge of travel envy, take a moment to reflect on what’s truly within your reach. Maybe it’s a weekend getaway you’ve been putting off or a dream trip that requires some saving and planning. Whatever it is, remember that travel is possible for everyone. It’s not about envying others’ journeys but creating your own, one step at a time.
Have you ever felt the envy of travel? How do you deal with it? Does my story resonate with you? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
