BootsnAll Travel Community

I'm back from my 9 month RTW trip that included Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Ireland. Strange combination I do realize, but it happened naturally and I loved every bit of it.

I've been back for one and a half months now, and I think it gets harder every day. When I first got back, I knew what I had to do and did it. I was applying for jobs and getting my life here back together. (Of course with the thought of saving more money so I could travel more.) But now that I'm finally going on interviews and trying to find a place in the states to live, everything seems so wrong! It was a huge adjustment when I first arrived back, but now I'm feeling like I'm never going to adjust.

It's so incredibly hard and frustrating, and I know that I'm not the only one experiencing this. How did you adjust and get through the rocky period after returning to your country from travelling?

Just like getting married, getting promoted, getting fired, or losing a loved one, strong emotions will eventually fade over time. Keep yourself motivated with future plans to travel.

Well, unfortunately I can't give you any advise right now, but I can really sympathize. I got back six months ago. The first few months were good -- relaxing, visiting family & friends, getting a job, finding a place to live...

And now that I'm a little "settled" I find that I'm getting a little depressed and wanting to leave again. Which lots of people told me would happen. Hopefully I'll be feeling a little more adjusted soon, but you are right -- it doesn't feel like I ever will be even though I doubt that is true.

A year later I still don't have a job, although I had an interview two days ago.... So it is a way too soft landing back to reality.

It was quite odd to me that many thought a RTW trip is a giant strike against the traveller, prospective employers look at you and think that you are not reliable, etc. I would have thought that it just makes one a more interesting candidate to interview, but I guess they were right.

Potential employers think we're just going to pile up money and run away again. I guess they're right... I was in a job interview yesterday, and they spent a bit of time on that. I wish I didn't feel so damn guilty about taking a job when I know I won't be sticking around for more than a few years. (Could I last a few years? In the US? In an air conditioned office? In a company that reminded me of the Stepford Wives?)

So, if anybody wants to offer any advice on this more specific question, I would gladly listen. I have 2 job opportunities: 1-low paying, great small coastal town (Manzanita), possible foot in the door to parks in recreation, only seasonal or 2-good paying, in Portland, career move (do I want a career?). Do I go for the lower paying job that will put me in an area that I want to be in or the high paying job because I can pile up money? Is piling up money worth it? I know that this is a pretty personal decision, but again I know a lot of you guys out there have had to make similar decisions...

Did you try going back to your old employer? (assuming you would want to . . . ) Both my wife and I were able to go back to our old companies, after being away for a year, and both of us have pretty typical jobs in pretty typical companies. If you left on good terms, and were good at your job, it's worth a shot. Most managers I know HATE hiring, and would prefer taking somebody back they know, then have to deal with the unknown.

Well, that is another aspect. My old job was in Greater Boston, which I loved at the time, but don't want to live there now. So I am starting fresh in the Pacific Northwest, which I love, love, love.

I personally have a lower paying job with less intense responsibilities. Seems weird, but works for me. My schedule is flexible, hours limited, and the job is easy to shake off when I walk out the door. My bills are paid from my paycheck, and I am rebuilding my savings slower than I could if I had more money. But to me, more money = more stress. Stress kills.

Only you can decide. But is your day to day life more important than the $$$$ and stress of the other job?

Good luck!

Maybe this is really horrible, but unless the job is teribble I will always take the extra money. To me money is travel, and I am willing to go to great lengths to finance my dream trip. Therefore I left one well paying but not so much fun corporate job for a slightly better paying and perhaps more interesting cublical slave job. I also have a partime job, this keeps me pretty busy and keeps my savings account growing quickly and steadily. Whenever I get frustrated, and I often do, I think about sitting on the beach in Thailand, drinking beer in Germany, endless days of not having to work, then it is all ok.

I got back from a Round the World Trip just before christmas 2005. For the first few months I felt seriously depressed as I started life in the 'real world'. I started career life at the end of January, (I found most employers I went for where happy that I had been travelling because it would mean that I have got the urge out of my system and will settle down nicely), and still could not shake the feeling that somehow I can not feel at home in England. So a few months ago I thought to myself 'what does it all mean?'. Am I doomed for a stressful life working in HR? The answer is HELL NO! I would sooner live life the way I want than settle for a life that is expected of me. So, I may not end up with a big house and a flash car but who actually gives a toss? As long as I can look back on my life without regret and everything on my to do list has a big tick next to it, I will be very happy.

Anyway, in light of the moment of clarity that I experienced I have been planning my return to Australia with the intention of staying for good. Australia was the only place where I truely feel at home so going over on a working holiday visa is stage one of the master plan. Dec 27th here we come...

Hey Samanthia! I can sympathise, i was in your position this time in 2000, just back from a year living/working in Oz and abit of time in Indonesia before that. I had alot of other shit to deal with when i came back, pregnant girlfriend + an abortion, not a good situation, so feel i escaped (if thats the right term?) the settling back in blues because of the other stuff that was going on. But after that was all over i found myself pine-ing to get away again, nothing too extreme as i'd taken a big leap and moved to Manchester so was pre-occupied with that. You say you're moving to somewhere you love, i think that should take the sting out of it a little??? The best you can do is put your head and know that 'you will' go away again, no matter what!!!! This worked for me as i knew *KNEW* that at some point i would go away again, it's taken me nearly 6 years but this year i'm off to SEA and NZ for at least a few years so it's all come good in the end, plus i wouldn't change the last 6 years for anything!
Chin up girl, it'll all work out in the end! Peace and love, Danny J