Wherever We Land

There’s one question that instantly rubs me the wrong way—“Why do you want to do that?”

Now, don’t get me wrong. I understand curiosity. I appreciate conversation. But when I hear that question, it feels less like curiosity and more like doubt, as if I need to justify my interest or decisions. The truth is, if I want to do something, it’s because I have an interest in it. Plain and simple. 

Lately, I’ve noticed this question comes up a lot when Snatcher and I talk about camping or converting our van, GLO, into a camper. People ask, “Why do you want to camp in a tent instead of just getting an RV?” or “Why put so much work into a van when you could just buy one already set up?” To me, the answer is obvious: because we want to. We enjoy the process, the adventure, and the challenge. We love being in nature, disconnecting from the noise of everyday life, and creating something with our own hands. We don’t feel the need to explain that, but somehow, the question still comes. 

I think part of the reason this question bothers me is that it can come across as dismissive or even discouraging. It’s as if the person asking assumes my idea isn’t valid unless I can present a compelling case for it. And honestly, I don’t feel the need to prove myself to anyone. My interests are mine. My decisions are mine. That should be enough. 

With that being said, this feeling has made me reflect on how I approach others. Do I ask this same question without realizing it? Do I make someone else feel like they need to justify their excitement or curiosity? If so, I want to be more mindful. Instead of asking, “Why do you want to do that?” I could ask, “What excites you about that?” or “Tell me more about it.” That way, I’m showing interest rather than unintentionally casting doubt. 

At the end of the day, people don’t owe explanations for their passions, and I certainly don’t owe one for mine. If something sparks my curiosity, inspires me, or simply makes me happy, that’s reason enough.