BootsnAll Travel Community

A few weeks ago, I quit my job. I phoned my boss and informed him I would be moving on. It wasn't easy. For one thing, anxiety kicked in as I dialed the number, my latent fears of making the wrong decision boiling over as they often do. Pacing the room and gripping the phone tightly, I broke the news.

"I'm leaving the company," I said.

"Oh. Really."

We spoke for a while. He took it well and even seemed happy. He wished me luck in the future. I mentioned my upcoming trip and he said it was a great idea. I hung up and felt groggy, like I'd just awoken from a long sleep. I took a walk down to the waterfront and tried to absorb it all. All I could do was stare at the cars wooshing past me, wondering where they were going and wondering where I was going.

Arriving at the decision to leave took many months. I wasn't happy there, but it was unclear how much of my unhappiness came from my job and how much was simply due to wanting more excitement in my life. From whatever vantage point I chose to examine my malaise—work is boring, I'm underpaid, I'm not learning new skills, I'm not following my heart, etc—I had to acknowledge that things could be worse. I did not hate my job. It was stable, not stressful, and paid okay. The work was uninteresting, but the people were friendly, and had no pretensions. They worked just as I did, without enthusiasm, but diligently and with the spirit of cooperation. We liked our environment and wanted to help each other even if we had nothing vested in the cause. Office politics had a negligible presence, as did naked ambition. It was a good place to work.

But things had changed for me in recent months. A round of layoffs purged the office of a few likable characters and altered the mood drastically. Teams were split up, some of them well-established. I was moved to a more prominent team within the corporation, a team with a great reputation, where I knew no one. They were on the other side of the the continent. I would be telecommuting, spending my days in an office in Montreal while doing California's work. They spun it as a chance to prove myself anew, and my job became harder, the hours longer, the expectations higher. They threw me onto a difficult and stressful project right away, and having already thought for many months about doing some travel, those feelings came into sharper focus. The months dragged on, as did the project. I worked in short bursts, and between them I stared at the wall and lost myself in thought. I wanted to go somewhere else, and eventually I worked up the courage to admit it to myself.

So I made plans. In August I would leave for Eastern Europe, India, Southeast Asia, wherever I felt like going. I set some financial goals and weathered the storm. When my savings account filled to the right amount, I would quit, even if my plans were to leave several months after. My reason was to prepare myself for having free time. I'd been working for years without any vacation longer than three weeks (with a friend backpacking in Scandinavia, a wonderful time) and was uncertain how a large chunk of free time would look to my structured, regimented mind. Do not underestimate this dilemma. How did you spend your last four weekends? Could you spend every day of the week that way?

It's summertime and I am still figuring out how to pull myself away from the computer and use some of this free time. But the circumstances couldn't be better. I leave for Eastern Europe in just over a month, and I've been reading, writing, bargain-hunting, gear-shopping, and preparing myself mentally for what is sure to be the time of my life. I've yet to touch down, but I already know this was the right decision.

First of all congratulations! Having the nerve to quit your job is great and you will no doubt have an amazing time on your trip?

How long are you going for or havent you decided?

Any ideas regarding the orders of countries you are going to visit?

I'd love to take an extended trip! Most I have managed is a month at a time.

Thanks HooleyHoop!

I've posted a preliminary itinerary here:
http://boards.bootsnall.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/209091657/m/74600032416

My feeling is that I'm underbudgeting for this trip, but I might lengthen my stay in India and shorten that of Eastern Europe if things get out of hand. Everything's always about money, n'est-ce pas ...

Congrats HappyRock on your decision! Looks like a great trip - you'll have an amazing time! As for the budget and whatnot, I can't give any real advice except to just keep an eye on your money and put spending in check when/if necessary. Good luck!

Congrats Happyrock! Please keep us posted on your plans...

Thanks for the tale. I like the walk to the waterfront part. We really undervalue those moments of free time and contemplation...It shows confidence, and really trusting in yourself and your judgement. That is real life-work.

Though I can't quit yet, I'm inspired and will take a walk and do some good "wondering".

Have an excellent trip!!

Your story comes across as someone who is dis-satisfied with his current life and a yearning to get out of the rat race. I think you have shown great courage in your determination, and as you prepare for the great beyond you will start to feel the excitement building.

You sound like your plans are all ready and you will have a wonderful time I'm sure. Have fun and adventure in your travels and never lose that sense of wonder.

Have a nice day, Whistler.


Travel broadens the mind and flattens the wallet. SMC.

Great story Happyrock. It's reassuring to see others handling similar plights and the "(f)light at the end of the tunnel"...I can feel myself inching closer to that day where I say it's my turn to go but for now, I'll just keep plugging away reminding myself that its possible.

Thank you all... I leave in three weeks!

Congrats again Happyrock

You've made the right decision and WONT regret it

Hey there,

Your idea of quitting so long before your trip is an interesting one. I've never thought about doing that... I always seem to work right up until the day before and sometimes the same day as I leave. Would be good to have a bit of down time to relax, get things done and prepare.

Your itinerary looks great and I think buying tickets as you go and keeping your plans open in the way to go.

Have fun!
Kirsty

quote:

Your idea of quitting so long before your trip is an interesting one. I've never thought about doing that... I always seem to work right up until the day before and sometimes the same day as I leave. Would be good to have a bit of down time to relax, get things done and prepare.

It does seem a little strange not to work right to the end, but there were a few complications. For one, I'm signed to an apartment lease until August. It's an extremely cheap and wonderful apartment, so it's not going to hurt me financially to hang out here for the summer, and since I'm paying for it, I might as well enjoy it. The summertime in Montreal is a lot of fun!

Also, I was really disliking my job! And I haven't a vacation longer than couple weeks since I got summers off in high school, so I decided I was due for a month or two of lazing about. It has been fun, though not terribly productive. I've tended to use the days for cycling around town and for reading books on downtown terrasses. A sharp contrast from my cubicle-rat lifestyle at least.

In retrospect, two months of "unstructured time" was a bit much, but I don't regret it either. Now I'm growing ever more anxious about leaving... I wish I were getting on that plane tomorrow.

I think what you did was awesome. I am sure you must have been really anxious about your decision though. That's to be expected. Your story reminded me of something I read in More magazine about taking a leap of faith in all areas of our lives, not just professionally. If only we were all as brave as you

that's a great story and things like that are very nervewracking. I had something similar happen a month or so ago when things were crazy at work. I had decided to quit but tossed and turned forever on that decision. One early morning i went surfing and i was floating along w/ my board while the sun was rising and believe it or not some dolphins started jumping. I felt so at peace in the moment and decided that i was ready to take the plunge and quit. Strangely when i went to quit (was hoping really to get laid off) they turned the tables and gave me a work at home opportunity which was perfect since i am still months from my trip. Now i hardly have to deal w/ them and still get to feel like i am working for myself. sometimes life is funny like that but I'll never forget the feeling in the ocean of knowing no matter what it was all going to work out.