I think the reason people struggle with this question is due to a flawed view of the world. People delude themselves into thinking that traveling around the world will come with a sense of satisfaction and their life will have meaning or it won't be wasted. Viewing the human experience this way will only lead to continuous yearning for more. Sure, one might feel satisfied in the act of doing the thing, but once the experience is over the same thought process starts over.

The only way something (money, time) won't be wasted is if it helps other people. Work and family are a part of this. Most people need to work to earn money so they can help their family survive/thrive. That is how they help people. If you make enough money to not need to work in this way, use it in a way that will help other people. That doesn't mean don't travel, it means travel with a purpose.

As I sit here typing thinking back on my life, the times I am absolutely most certain were not a waste are times I was helping others. Tutoring kids from neighborhoods with terrible schools, facilitating new experiences for my nieces and nephews, taking my brother to a concert he would otherwise not have been able to go to, and etc.

With everything else you will wonder whether it was worth it. Was there something else that could have filled the time more optimally?