BootsnAll Travel Community

hey all, i need some help here.

i'm thinking very seriously about making a huge life change right now, and could use some experienced feedback. has anyone had to deal with a situation similar to this in their life?

i'm male,53, my kids are grown and somewhat independent, i've been out of a bad long-term relationship for about a year, and in another fresh one (6 months) with someone who is presently in brazil. i've wanted to travel extensively for many years, but family responsibilities, of course, have kept me from doing that. i'm a self-taught artist, with a good reputation in my city here in canada. to support my art and family over the years i have built up a small business (unrelated to my art); it doesn't make much money, and i certainly don't love it, but it has paid the bills and allowed me lots of flexibility in order to do my sculpture.

i spent 6 wks with my new gal in brazil this summer, had a wonderful time, and just got the bug to go back so bad i can hardly stand it. so i'm thinking about organizing my life here at home, selling the business (i'd have to sell it to do this), and going on a great big trip. the idea excites me incredibly. i know that going just because of the relationship is silly, but relationship or not, i need to travel extensively, more than the usual 3 wk. vacation stuff i've only been able to do over the years. i need to experience some other cultures.

however, the question i'm facing is whether or not to sell the business and just go, or plan my face off about what to do upon return to canada. i don't have any university education, and have had my business for 25 years, so i'm not really all that experienced in other fields, hence not sure of the job prospects once i return, especially due to my age. i'm looking at options for supporting myself when i return, such as really putting energy into marketing my artwork, etc, but haven't come up with any incredible ideas otherwise. i'm pondering that question of... 'do i just jump and trust that when i return i can make something work out', or plan like crazy to have something in place before i go, so i'm not making some kind of disastrous mistake. travel is something i need to do in my life, and i feel that age and healthwise, now is my window of opportunity for it.

anybody dealt with this situation? if you have, or have any experience or thoughts in this regard, i'd appreciate them.

thanks

Gerry,
Sounds like you're starting to plan a big one! Congratulations. Information on how to set yourself up for your return and/or to continue travelling is what you need and you should get plenty of it here.

Owning a business may be key. Is it possible to have some one else run it while you are gone? You would probable have to let then have most or all of the profits while you are gone, but it would be there when you returned. If you sell it, can you put aside enough to restart it or start a new business when you return?

If you wish to find new work when you return, what is the market like where you work? Anyone who has 25 years running their own business is a valuable asset, reguardless of their age.

Another option would be to retire early and live in another country. You can find many that are less expensive than Canada and have all the comforts you need.

I know I asked a lot of questions, but as people get more information from you, they will be able to give you more help.

Gerry,

Well, that bloke who needs to find a dentist has similar thoughts to my own as to the business.

Similar things happened to me a few years younger than yourself, and whereas without a business, I was able to do a deal of travelling/visiting by taking lwol pay and half pay LSL etc. have a job to return to, be it for a very limited time, but survivalk has been another story.

Back to yours, obviously the business has been of limited benefit for you, and perhaps it is timely to address what the future potential is for it, and whether it could be to your advantage as in developing/expanding if able to be done with minimal outlay.
ie., if there is potential for development, would you be able to attain an increased cash flow/profit to pay for a junior if taken on to achieve same. If so, then perhaps the junior could then do some managing with a few to the next step of expansion, and that plan being made known to the junior would do wonders for their motivation.

Meanwhile, it would allow you to do your wandering lusting stuff and still have something in reserve as for whatever experience you may have, whilst I agree with the dentist's patient that experience is a great asset, once you get to 50, no matter what the theory is, no employer really wants to know you - my limited time job that I went back to had a use by date attached and as an experienced engineer of 47, that was the end of a career some nine years ago.

So for now, I would certainly be hanging on to something you have that will keep the dollars flowing, and plan around that - let me know if you need an ex engineer to manage something in Canada for a while!