Travel Shaming

I recently read an article on Tripzilla Philippines pertaining to travel shaming (link here: https://www.tripzilla.com/stop-travel-shaming/81014). It says that people shame those who had traveled for various reasons.

For the record, I was criticized a year before my trip to Japan. While heading to the airport to see my father off, we discussed my upcoming travel. He asked how much I had spent on airfare. I mentioned that I had purchased a multi-city ticket for an amount I prefer not to disclose, but it was indeed expensive.

He then lectured me about how I should have allocated that money to house repairs. My uncle agreed with him. I told him that I had saved for this trip and then went silent. Later, my cousin advised me not to speak further as it seemed like I was bragging. I was just being honest.

For the record, this trip was carefully planned and took me three years to organize. It was a significant achievement—I was unemployed and working as a freelancer (an online Upwork contractor who eventually became an HR Consultant and full-time practitioner) when my friends and I decided on it while showering after swimming.

I was criticized for prioritizing this over something else. For the record, I worked hard to save up and didn't ask anyone to fund it.

Interestingly, I haven't bothered or asked this person for money in a very long time. My grandmother taught me not to concern myself with others' finances and to be content with what I have.

The previous year, I contributed to minor house renovations even though I wasn't fully employed. I never shirked my responsibilities and made sure to contribute my share during that time.

All I'm asking for is the chance to travel occasionally. I want to visit countries you've been to or at least a quarter of them. Should I wait until retirement, when my body might not handle long distances, just to see the places I long to visit?

This isn't about YOLO (You Only Live Once); it's about a passion for traveling and seeing the countries I've always wanted to visit. I'm at a point in life where I deserve this because I've worked hard to achieve it. This isn't boasting, but a desire to pursue travel when possible.

To that person: as long as I'm not asking you for money and never question how you spend yours, you have no right to dictate what I do with mine. Just once, be happy for me.