BootsnAll Travel Community

So I recently returned from an 8 month travel jaunt to Central America, Europe, and Africa a couple weeks ago and find myself facing the prospect of re-entering the workforce. Unfortunately, I'm not exactly excited; in fact I'm downright depressed about it.

When I got home I threw my resume up on monster and within a couple days had all these interviews lined up for jobs that pay really well doing exactly what I did before I left (programming). I told myself before I left I didn't want to do the same thing when I left, but now I'm home and faced with bills and new wants and everything that comes with living and now a part of me thinks that not trying for these positions would be a mistake.

Part of me wants to call and cancel my interviews for this week. My parents of course think I'm looney for even considering it (as do most friends), especially considering that I don't really have a clue what I "really want to do."

I don't really know what I'm looking for with this thread, but I basically just feel a need to put out my thoughts because it seems everyone I talk to around here doesn't seem to "get" what I'm talking about.

Maybe it's just time to suck it up and go back to work...

dude... tough rap. i just read over your site. Funny, we are in completely opposite points. i have like 4 days left of work and then i am taking 11 months off or so.

And i didnt take off work just to travel. it was also to challenge myself about what i could do career wise. Like you i have it pretty decent and i just wonder - is there more?

So i guess, my sense is, take that same level of passion you had which sent you off traveling and apply that into work. Do something amazing with your skills. change the world. If you code, you can probably always find a good paying job. But can you find something that fires you up, makese the world better and pays well? i bet you can if you look...

um, anyway... thats my inspirational $0.02. And also, i'd love to hear about your travel experience.

BTW, if you *really* can code, and like doing it, and want to consider working for a large software company in redmond (guess), lemme know...

Dan, I've been following your blog as well. Amazing stuff.

It's very sad to see you after such a great journey to be back at where you are at before you left. I don't mean that you're the same person as before, but that you have to face the same things that bothered you before you left.

Where is your mind? Money, mortgage, power, stature?

Your trip and a lot of others fuels my passion for travelling. Now, I'm worried that I'll be facing the same choices as you are now when I return. (I'm not leaving until next year) Will I just join another accounting firm?

I hope that you find what you want to do and that you find it fulfilling. I look forward to reading about your future travels.

Hey Dan,

Same as DaveC (who I think by now must either think that I'm stalking him on these boards, or that we're long-lost relatives... both mate, both ), I've followed your site quite a bit over the last few months and I too think it's amazing stuff - mainly the fact that you're mad enough to take an expensive laptop with you to Mt Kilimanjaro & back..! Nah, seriously though, I made what I now refer to as 'the decision' to go travelling for definite back in May, and since then I've been on this site god knows how many times as well as ones like yours, and it's all very inspirational stuff indeed.

To me, I think the 'bug' we all have is more like a fire that burns deep inside you - once you've got it going, you have to keep stoking at it often or else there's the chance it might go out. Maybe you should go to the interviews, get a job doing something you don't mind doing for the short term and begin planning another trip? Then you'll have a focus again, like you did when you planned your first trip, and that way you'll keep the fire burning and you won't be tempted by the materialistic wants & needs of the 'real' world. Hell, watch your own pixies-flash-whereismymind? website intro to remind you what it was all about in the first place, and it might help to put things in perspective.

Works for me mate. I hate my job but I know its a temporary pipe of shit I have to get though before I'm able to breath fresh air again.

God I'm good with the metaphorical analogies tonight aren't I?

Welcome home Dan. I just returned home 4 days ago from my five months of travel. (Shame we never crossed paths!)
And I wish I had answers for you but I only have empathy because I am in the same boat. The company that I quit before leaving in May has emailed me and wants me to come in and interview as soon as possible. So I am faced, as well, with the opportunities of moving back into the same apartment with my old roommate and going back to work for the same company. And I am often inclined to follow the path of least resistance.

I am struggling with the comforts of home and a good steady paycheck versus keeping myself uncommitted so that I can go travel again in the spring. Urgh.

Do you think you could get contracting work doing programming rather than committing yourself to a full time job at a company? That is what I am toying with myself. My fear is that I will be burning bridges in an industry that I may want to work in sometime in the future if I sign on and then resign 5 months later. Know what I mean?

Ok, I need to go catch up on your blog now...I haven't looked in ages.

Thanks for the suggestions and words of advice. Amy, glad to hear you made it back safely. Your words ring true for sure. I am living in the same place, with the same people, interviewing for the same positions, etc... I'm not so sure that is a bad thing, but it's definitely not what I expected. As for contracting, that's the current plan. I have an interview tomorrow for a 6 month to perm contract doing some simulation work that pays way too much. I was concerned about the whole, work 6 months and quit again too and agree contracting seems to be the way to go.

Oh and AG, unfortunately (heh) I can *really* code, but I don't think I could handle the weather and lack of surf up there but thanks for the offer.

It's funny how when you act like you really don't 'need' the job, they seem to want you more. I interview with EA Sports here and they asked me to do a programming test. I told them that I was too busy with other interviews, but I appreciated their time. A day later I had an email inviting me back for a second interview and that I didn't need to worry about the test, that they would nix it for me. Heh. Nice. I guess next I should ask for a retainer ala Good Will Hunting.

The second round of interviews is this week so I should know some more finalities by the weekend. Thanks again gang.

if you get hooked up with EA Sports you GOTS to hook me up with some games. hehehehe

But back to you now, bro I say right now you need to take whatever job you can. As long as you can get that income coming in. usually that is when we need the money the most, right after we get back. I would tell you to get a job, wether you like it or not.

When the money is coming in, then you can think about what you want to do without panic. Worse comes to worst, you find whatever it is you want to do and you quit your temp job to go there.

It's only a win win situation

I passed on the EA job... unfortunately since they are a "high profile" company they can offer lower salaries and crazy schedules and people will jump at the chance - not me though. I ended up taking a 6 month contract job making more money than I've ever made so I can't complain too much. Work starts monday... going to be interesting to see how I handle it all. Thanks for the advice.

I think you will be fine...the first 6 months after a trip you want to work a little and use some of the Grey matter again. Its like the honeymoon period in a relationship..everything is new and fresh. Its been 8 months since I joined my firm and I have to say slowly but surely am back on the "thinking" path again.

Keep us updated!

SurfingDan. I love your Good Will quote. I'm glad to hear that you found a job to pay the bills and appears it will also line your pockets....maybe for another ADVENTURE. How do ya like them apples!!!

Just my $00.02, but it sounds like you've made the wise choice, takin g the "high" road, so to speak. Six months from now, you'll be noticing how fast the "past" six months "has" gone by.

You'll get to hang out in person with people that mean a to you where you are, while keeping in touch with the newfound friendships you've gotten from your trip--def. a win/win situaiton.