8 Reasons Why Holidays Are a Waste of Time ...

By Alison

Nowadays, we take it for granted that we should go on holiday once, if not twice a year. It’s our right, we need a break, we need to get away … However, while there are a lot of places I’d like to visit, sometimes I think that holidays are a waste of precious time and money! Here’s why …

1. Short-Lived

Short-Lived Photo Credit: Shermeee

The moment that you get back, it’s like you’ve never been away. As soon as you arrive at the airport for the return journey – maybe even sooner – the benefits of the time away seem to just evaporate, and you end up in a gloom that you have to return to the daily grind …

2. Cost

Cost Photo Credit: IronRodArt - Royce Bair

Holidays are definitely expensive. Hundreds of dollars, if not thousands, and it’s all gone in a week (two if you’re lucky). What’s more, if for whatever reason you don’t have a good time, then all that money has been spent with no benefit whatsoever!

3. Stress

Stress Photo Credit: colorblindPICASO

With delays, security etc, travelling can leave you exhausted and stressed. And then you’ve got to do the whole thing again to get home. At which point you barely have time to breathe before you’re back at work again. As they say – you need a holiday to get over your holiday!

4. Priorities

Priorities Photo Credit: Colton Witt Photography

With the current economic climate, many of us don’t have much spare cash. Sometimes we have to decide what’s most important. Once my bills are taken care of, my priority is my cats. I’d rather keep my money in case they need veterinary treatment, than blow it on a holiday.

5. Tiring

Tiring Photo Credit: Twiggy Tu

All that sightseeing is exhausting. And why do hotels insist on getting you up early for breakfast and then out so they can clean the room, when all you want is to sleep late? I would prefer to rent an apartment, so that I can come and go as I please – except that as a single traveller, it works out more expensive than staying in a hotel.

6. Other Tourists

Other Tourists Photo Credit: ty law

Now, I like to think of myself as a traveller, rather than a tourist (the difference being that a traveller speaks the language and has a genuine interest in the culture). Whether I am right or not in this distinction, for me the problem is that wherever you go, there are tourists spoiling it for you! It’s obviously impossible to have a place to yourself.

7. Different Tastes

Different Tastes Photo Credit: janine1968

Have you ever been on one of those family holidays where everyone wants to do different things? Or worse still, a holiday with friends where one person wants to dominate everything and make all the decisions? It’s hard to find a holiday that will please everyone in a group …

8. Pressure

Pressure Photo Credit: ƅethan

Not everyone wants to travel. Some people would quite happily stay at home and never visit anywhere in their lives, or stick close to home. Yet it is only in recent decades that the holiday has come to be seen as an essential, almost as something that you are expected to do.

So, what do you think of holidays? Do you find them a waste of money, or do you love travelling? Do you have a long list of destinations that you are slowly ticking off? Or are you a homebody who likes to stay in familiar surroundings?

Top Photo Credit: Beatriz AG

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do some people think holidays are a waste of time?
Well, for some, holidays can feel like a lot of effort for just a few days of fun. Planning, packing, and traveling can be exhausting, and not everyone enjoys the hustle and bustle.
Are holidays really a waste of money?
It depends on how you look at it. Some see holidays as an investment in experiences and memories, while others might feel the money could be better spent on something more tangible or long-lasting.
Can travelling actually feel like a waste of time?
Sure, if you’re stuck in airports, miss connections, or spend half the time dealing with travel-related stress. Not everyone finds the journey as rewarding as the destination.
How can holidays be less of a waste?
Planning carefully can help! Picking the right destination, budgeting wisely, and balancing relaxation with activities can make holidays feel more fulfilling.
Is it possible to enjoy holidays without feeling they are a waste?
Absolutely! Keeping expectations realistic and focusing on enjoying the moment rather than stressing about every detail can turn a holiday into a wonderful experience rather than a waste.
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