The Beautiful Chaos of Travel: Why Being Unhinged Feels So Right

During my trip to Ireland, I came across a travel influencer who posted this quote on Instagram.

“Nobody really talks about how completely unhinged travel is…

You overspend, but ignore it.

You run on coffee, pastries, and gelato. You are living out of a bag. You are exhausted, but walk 20k a day. Your sleep schedule is gone. By day 4, you’ve lost track of time.

And somehow  it’s the most “yourself” you’ve felt all year.”

When I saw this, I laughed, and then I said, “Challenge accepted! I’ll write about this!

Let’s go on an adventure where being unhinged feels so right, shall we?”

I almost canceled my trip to Ireland because it felt like the worst time to go. I felt completely drained from work, life, and a family member being in the hospital.

All I wanted was to sleep without my cats waking me up at 5 am. I just wanted to rest. Getting on a plane at 10 pm for a seven-hour flight, knowing I wouldn’t get much sleep, spending about three days in another country, and then returning to my life didn't seem appealing for once.

But as I debated canceling, I was packing my suitcase and getting myself all worked up, questioning my sanity. Despite getting very little sleep during the week and on the plane, once I stepped off, I had a burst of energy I hadn't felt in a long time. And no, it wasn’t the coffee I had on the plane! It was the realization that I was pulled away from my routine, and there was my twin (I’ve discussed her here).

I felt alive. I felt free. I didn’t have to drive and get stuck in traffic. I didn’t have to put on a face for work or pretend everything was okay when, really, the world is burning down.

There’s a reason travel’s chaos feels so good: it strips away your habits and expectations. Outside your comfort zone, you’re forced to adapt, embrace uncertainty, and engage fully with every moment. The exhaustion, the clutter, the overspending—they all remind you that you’re alive and present. The act of just being. Something that has been on my mind a lot.

While wandering the streets of Dublin, listening to Snow Patrol and fueled by coffee and Guinness, I felt like I had made the right choice, even if my body might not agree. My mental health and spirit finally got a chance to reset and find balance. My mind wasn’t dwelling on home, except when people asked about my thoughts on Trump.

Instead, I was focused on the present moment, deciding whether to turn right or left down the street, or go back to Temple Bar for the third time. Talking to the most random people on this trip made my heart fill with joy. It truly filled my emotional cup that had truly been lacking, like my sleep!

I intended for this trip to serve as a break from the chaos in the United States, but it became a journey of self-discovery, helping me reconnect with my true self and my future goals that had been slipping away due to my daily life. Only travel's unpredictable rhythm can inspire such transformation.

What about you? After an exhausting and/or challenging trip, did you feel more alive than ever? If yes, share your story in the comments below!