Anyone stayed too long?

Help!
I've been promoted.
I was ready to get a one-way ticket to Delhi in mid-March. Now I find myself with "Director" attached to my title and a pretty nice raise to go with it.
(By the way, anyone who wants a promotion/raise and knows s/he is valued by employer, say you're thinking of taking off to travel. That may just inspire said employer to promote!)
Anyway, my heart is already in Asia. It's been there for a few months now. I know that what I want most is to embark on an open-ended journey of at least three years duration (with stops for work abroad).
Now I am considering waiting until next fall to leave.
I know that an extra 6 months or so really isn't that long, and that it'll give me time to save up more, etc. etc.
But what if I don't leave in March, and I end up staying FOREVER? What if I meet the next love of my life and settle into a condo and a baby and (gasp) a career?! I wouldn't mind all that, but I HAVE TO DO THIS TRIP FIRST. It's a part of my calling, my path, my dharma, whatever...it's me.
I guess I'm just tripping because I'll be 28 when I leave, almost 29 if I wait until next fall. I do want to have a baby sometime, and perhaps even go to graduate school. There's a part of me that is afraid I won't get around to doing these things if I wait too long to start my traveling.
Am I crazy to be freaked out by the fact that I'm almost 30 and I'm fantasizing about my three-year (or more, or less, who knows?) global adventure?
Am I even crazier for even considering postponing my departure when I know it's what I want most?
Or am I insane to leave a promotion behind after a mere two months (I'll be doing the same job, so it's not like I'll waste their training time or anything)???
Has anyone ever postponed a world journey and then ended up not going? Stayed too long? Got attached?
What to do, what to do?

you won't regret the things you've done--but those you did not do. pack your bags and head off, what if the girl, condo, and baby await you when you get off the plane....

Congrats on your dilemma Phoenix!

You got your promotion because you rock. Just imagine how much (more) you'll rock after your trip!

Or you could just stay.....push the stone up the hill....do that thing.....

All seriousness, good luck with your decision. But there IS a reason they want you to stay. Because you ROCK. They'll probably want you when/if you come back.

Congrats! It's a dilemma I wish I had!

With the extra money rolling in, why not work another six months, get some experience as "director" under your belt, then leave in the fall? As long as you don't hate your job, that is.

You'll get the best of all worlds - an impressive title to put on your resume, some extra cash in the bank, and a wonderful RTW trip to enjoy and cherish.

What's another six months? You're still very young!

GO. AS PLANNED.

If you delay, there will always be a reason to put your trip off. You won't regret it.

It sounds like you are already prepared as it is, and really having a "director" title for a little bit longer isn't going to change the direction you want to take in your life. So ignore this small (though fortunate) hiccup and go as planned.

PC

P.S. since you're interested in having kids one day let me just elaborate and say that I feel our trip was an incredible training tool for parenting. We learned how to be more tolerant and patient and controlled in our actions and emotions as well as epathetic and grateful. Not to mention getting by on minimal sleep and with several physical uncomfortablities.

In addition to just passing along the love of travel to your own kids, the skills you'll learn on the road are invaluable tools for parenting.

Thanks everyone for your encouragement!
I'm feeling patient today, so perhaps I'll wait.
Plus if I wait I'll get to go to Burning Man for the 5th time (always worth it!).
Yesterday my eye doctor, who's in his 50s, told me that 40 is young. I guess it's all relative.
As for the baby thing, I guess I can wait 'til I'm about 40. It'll probably take me that long to find a man I can trust!
tee hee.

Phoenix firelight. I think you are in a wonderful position. It’s great that you have been honored with a pay raise and a promotion. I think you should wait six months, save up more/extra money, and then head off in May/June. I would even buy your ticket now so that you have a definitive leaving date. I know that the extra money will help you out. I can’t leave for my trip till I finish paying of my debts from my Europe trip last summer. With regards to wondering if your insane about embarking on a 3 year trip……I think It’s awesome. I know how you feel. I am 28, have a job, and a girlfriend. I still have a desire to go travel the world, but my girlfriend has a good steady job and just signed a lease on a house. I know she’s not really into backpacking around for a year. So, I’m not sure what I’ll do. I know you fear missing out on a husband, but if you don’t all ready have a boyfriend….stick to your plan of leaving. So, my advice would be to wait for another six months but buy your ticket now. Good Luck!!!

I'm 28, and I quit my job 2 months ago to travel through the UK for a month. I loved it over there! I just got back yesterday, and I'm already planning on going back , this time to Amsterdam and eastern europe, with the intention of finding a place to stay and live there for a 3-6 months, or more.

I too had a job where I recently got the pay raise, and that made me stay there for 4 months longer than I would have, again, because I wanted to start saving. As long as you are commited to your plan of leaving, it's fine, but if there's any doubt in your mind that this is just one reason to procrastinate or forever delay your trip, then you should really look into your decision.

This trip is definitely the next thing for me. No doubt. Only question is whether to go in March or in the fall, after Burning Man.
If I don't go in March I'll miss the chance to meet up with two killer friends on the way. It won't happen with them next fall. Then again, I'd probably meet up with other people...

Hey Phoenix. When is the Burning Man? I've read that you've been to it a few times. I've heard that it's a blast, but I don't know to much about it.

Burning Man is the best party you can find. It's always the week leading up to Labor Day weekend. This will be my 5th year going. Go, you will not regret it! Tickets go on sale Jan 5th and I recommend buying yours then because the cost goes up the longer you wait.

Phoenix,

Great name, great city, even if it's clear what you really meant.

I went to Burning Man August of 2003, shortly after a killer Portland trip.

Incredbile. Blew my mind. The hot ass 35-year old female who gifted me with a breakfast of melons does no justice. Nor does the shark-vehicle that was

neon green at night and bent in the middle as it drove at 5 MPH, resembling so well a real swimming shark, offering a full service bar, all free, to any

willing to jump in. I could go on and on.

For your reference, I was to the right, if you look to the center of camp circle, of the "Famous Tits" party ( I think that's what it was called), the thing

where 1000 or so girls ride bikes around the entire circle topless. I actually wasn't impressed, but I'm weird about that. Sluttiness doesn't do it for me.

It's called the "Critical Tits Bike Ride" and it was not fun! I was riding around and came upon it by accident, so I took off my top and joined in for about half a mile. But the sides of the road were lined with spectators, some of them with cameras, all of them lusty, none of them cute. Yes, there is way more to Burning Man and I won't even get started or I'll never get out of the office today!!!