BootsnAll Travel Community

Got your attention, didn't I?

So I had some kind of personal revelation this week as I took it off from work, celebrating "Independence Day". I have traveled quite a bit in the past year after going through a separation and subsequent divorce. I have worked myself to the bone to acquire all those possessions to impress people with low self esteems and high mortgage payments. I get this crazy thought that I am going to "Close up shop", so to speak, and quit my job of 8 years, sell my toys and trinkets, cash in my retirement and take off for six months, or it could be longer.

Has anyone here done just that? I'm 38 years old, have no children at home, am a very accomplished photographer..hoping to use photos from trip to supplement my income on the return. And my compass seems to be pointing in a different direction than my current life. Not that I am trying to run away from anything, but think there is more to experience than the corporate world and mis-managed management ideas.

I have been to Tokyo, too many people, Morocco, loved it...Spain...Hawaii, all in the past year and feel the urge to see so much more after getting bitten by the bug.

What I would like to hear from you is if have you done this, was it worth given up so much to gain so much more? I feel it really is the right thing to do and am giving myself one year to prepare for the trip, to learn from everyone else out there.

Would love to hear your thoughts...I'm in good physical shape so backpacking will be my primary focus.

Thanks,

Terry
divyak@oz.net

Hi Terry,

I'm 38 too and have spent a large prt of my life 'taking off'. No regrets and I look forward to getting my backpack on again.

As long a you have a good set up and have some confidence in finding work later no worries.

Don't forget to tell us how you get.

-nick-

Yeah Terry,

I know what you mean by being sick of it all. The rat race get old and meaningless in a quick way. Yes, we need money, but sometimes it is a big pain in the butt.

I definately encourage to get the hell outta here for a while. Definately go travelling for a year or so and see what happens when you get back. If you are open to it, your perspective will change one way or the other.

Check out Richard Larssens article on this: I love it:
Travel Epiphanys

Cheers and let us know what you end up doing either way

I am almost 48 and having similar feelings to you Terry. My youngest child has recently left home and I feel that I need to do something different with my life, now that the urgency to earn a decent living has gone. An additional factor is that my job is not looking too secure right now....

BUT I think too much and one of my worries is what happens if I have to return (to the UK) and have to start looking for work? I am in IT which is notoriously a "young man's" field, and things change rapidly in this industry.

I did want to migrate to Australia but they changed the rules when I had enough points to get in, from max age 49 to max age 45 - yeh, you guessed - I was 46. But do I go anyway, take a chance, see if I can get work there?

Or do I get a TESOL qualification first and then go travelling, so if I do need some cash I can earn it?

See what I mean about thinking too much! Maybe I should just sell the house and go. Life does have a way of sorting things out.

Any advice, anyone?

Hello like-minded Terry! I completely understand what is going through your mind about dropping the job and seeing what life will come your way. I am also mid-30's, and am going through the same dilema.
My question: Is travel "real life" or just escapism? If it is escapism to satisfy an urge and hit the road for long periods of time, whose ideals are we "escaping" from? I think we Westerners (Americans in particular) get rather anxious/worried/uptight... whatever, about being "on-track" and our future security. Not without reason, of course, but I believe a balance can be reached between truly LIVING and enriching the life we do have while we have it, vs. doing what is patterned and expected and safe and having a more melba-toast existence.
I wish I could give you the advice or answers you are pondering, but instead I'm in the same position (move over and hand me an oar!). Anyone else have any insight as to what it is like to go away for long times, and then try to "re-enter"? I don't just mean find work again, I mean will one ever be satisfied after such experiences? Is it an itch that has been scratched, or the first taste of the delicious? Anyone?

I wonder how many people would say that the 9-5 corporate life is actually the escapism, that prevents one from truly being immersed in life, but that was just a thought that occurred to me while reading...

But if life is changing, hey, go with it! This sounds more like an opportunity than anything. As with most things in life, it's what you do with it that matters most. I'd get out there, see what happens... you never know: you might not ever turn back!

Terry you got my attention! Sick of it all well so am I and I'm going for it! At the end of the day, what’s going to make your soul smile?

I’m 30 and about to do the same. Iv had (& getting rid of) the possessions, property and the million dollar mortgage & all the shit that goes with it - they were all in the hope it was going to make me millions .. so I can see the world.. yeah right … it will kill me first, with out seeing the world!

I have worked 24/7 with-out a life for the past 15 years. I know and You know you are going to enjoy the lack of stress. Terry, you have got thus far - you will end up a winner through the experience.

Your a photographer for gods sake, what would you rather take shots of? Family portraits and Weddings? or the WORLD! (No disrespect to the photographers that do family portraits and wedding shots)

Anyone who tells you your mad is simply Jealous of your courage to take the risk. Something they can only dream. Make it your reality.

"Dare to make your Dream a Reality"

Good Luck.
Rick

[EMAIL]realitydream@bootsnall.net [/EMAIL]

Just taking off for foreign lands is not for everyone. You may come back broke but no-one can take your experiences away from you. Most people will envy your travels and tell you that they would like to do likewise but... and find some excuse not to. I know the feeling only too well when 'the road calls'. It's in the blood. Either you have it or you don't. You have made the first step so, if it is really what you want - don't talk about. Just do it !

I am reminded of some dialog in the movie 'The Man Who Would Be King' which is something like:

'I haven't got a great deal to show for my life and no-one will miss me when I'm gone - but not too many men can say that they have seen what I've seen and been where I've been'.