BootsnAll Travel Community

Today I turn 35 year old and I still feel like I'm waiting for life to begin.

Does anyone else feel that way? Like...when will it start?

I've been working to kick start it (first solo trip last year to Scotland and England, second trip planned for this April to the Canadian west) But I'm still waiting!



It's very difficult to explain.

Libby ----------happy birthday. Cheer up. We all go thru ups and downs, being older - I know.

I get it on some level. I'm 32 and I feel like I've been putting my life off since I was 27 when i graduated from grad school. Massive school debt and sick, bankrupt father meant I had to take a job I never wanted in order to pay off debt and support dad. Been there for five years now. Five years... That's half a decade. Way too long to put off my dreams.

So I decided a few weeks ago to go on my first solo trip around the world. I feel like, come 2007, I'm going to start living life for me. Plan to work at my dream job when I return (hopefully they'll take me!)

So what's your story then?

Happy Birthday, Libby!!

Happy birthday Libby! I turned 35 a month ago and in the months leading up to the big day I felt the same way. Now I've embraced (on most days) the saying that life is what happens while you're busy making plans. Your trip to the West sound pretty awesome - that's something to look forward to and in the meantime, try to enjoy being where you are now. Easier said than done, though, I know.

But I'm still wondering when I'll feel like a grown-up.

Firstly, happy birthday. 35. I imagine you´re not happy about that - it´s only a number isn´t it.

Why is your age important to when you life begins? Life can begin all over again tomorrow if you want in whatever small way. I hear more and more of people putting things off til later: marriage, travel, happiness. I met a couple who are travelling now in their 60´s coz when they were mid-twenties for example, the facility wasn´t there for them. Instead they got married and had kids as that´s what society dictated to them I suppose. The kids are grown up so they´re doing the travel thing now. Good for them. I´m 36 and sold everything I have to travel. Don´t ask me what I´m going to do when it´s over - ask me what a good time I´m having living life now.

Embrace your trip west. Sprint towards it if you must and with real gusto as this is what you want and if it comes from inside, be sure it´s the right decision for you

elv

I'd like to take 1 year off & travel the world. It takes courage to make the first step. I have begun planning my escape. I've saved up some $ & am shopping around for bargain air fares, etc. I've sold off some stuff to make more $, but don't really like the idea of travelling alone. I hope to find a travel buddy. Then, we can go together & share the fun. IC

I'm surprised nobody has given the obvious answer. Either that or I missed the real intent of the question... If you're waiting for life to begin, be prepared to wait a very long time. Like all things in life: your job - your groceries - new friends - life will not come to you. If you don't make it happen, nobody will make it happen for you.

The mountain did not come to Mohammed, Mohammed had to go to the mountain...

Respectfully submitted, of course.

Eric

www.ericlian.com

quote:

Originally posted by Eric63:
The mountain did not come to Mohammed, Mohammed had to go to the mountain...

I like snowboarding too.

I read this post a few days ago and it's stayed with me I think mainly because I spent so long feeling the same way. It's taken a long time, and a lot of work, but I don't feel that way any more. The best way I can express it is the way I initially felt when I read the post, but I wanted to preface it to make sure the OP understood that this is a well-meant, heartfelt and encouraging, and not in any way glib, response. I know it's not easy, trust me.

You can't wait for life to begin - it already has begun. You can only wait for it to end.

So stop waiting.

i've heard it attributed to john lennon : life is whats happening when you're making other plans

I totally get it! That is one of the reasons I've decided to be bold and take off for a while. I don't know if it is the right thing for everybody, but I'm sure that for now its the only thing for me in terms of MAKING something happen! I have what I call my "Mack Truck Test" every now and then wether things are great or not, I ask myself if I was hit by a Mack Truck today, would I be alright with the state of my life right now? And the answer for about a year had been NO! So I decided to change some things. I'm sending you good vibes that you will rest in your spirit and then find out what to do NEXT, not for the next 50 years, just figure out what you want to do NEXT!

Fun

I'm glad to hear other people know where I'm coming from.

Finally,
Like yourself I had family oblications that meant putting my life on hold for a few years. My mom got sick with Breast Cancer and there is just the two of us. I was lucky to be able to move home and be here for her. But now she's ok and I want to get on with my life. But I don't know in what direction to go.

Taking a year off to travel would be great, but I just don't have the money. I also don't have the temperment to do it. Travel is great, but financial security is necessary for my peace of mind. I just couldn't pack up and take off for that long. *sigh*

quote:

Originally posted by RalphTheWonderLlama:
I read this post a few days ago and it's stayed with me I think mainly because I spent so long feeling the same way. It's taken a long time, and a lot of work, but I don't feel that way any more. The best way I can express it is the way I initially felt when I read the post, but I wanted to preface it to make sure the OP understood that this is a well-meant, heartfelt and encouraging, and not in any way glib, response. I know it's not easy, trust me.

You can't wait for life to begin - it already has begun. You can only wait for it to end.

So stop waiting.

Ya...that's about the only attitude to have isn't it?

BTW, I loved Edinburgh. That's a city I could happily settle down in.

I miss the Baked Potato

Happy 35th+1 week Libby.
[

quote:

Ya...that's about the only attitude to have isn't it?

Replace the last two words and the question mark with at least a few !!!! and your on your way.
Relisten to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon and embrace the concept that the constant pressure and work and striving for $$ leads to insanity, darkness and death. Then avoid it like the plague. The line from the song Breath that I remind myself of often is "and then one day you find, 10 years have got behind you, no one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun."
Your life=your choices. Sounds like you have heard the gun go off and are choosing life. Good for you!
Howard

BTW The Lennon quote Zopa referred to is from the song Beautiful Boy.

Hi Libby! havent we met before somewhere?

I had my first child at age 35, so the years from then were not good years for backpacking, but I've gradually built it up again since. Not sure about when life begins, but we all go through several stages of life; for some, backpacking is concentrated in the 18-24 period, for you it's later, for me -- well we didnt call it backpacking when I was younger, but in my teens I hiked between hostels in areas like the Lake District, and I've continued to use hostels since (except during late 30s and 40s). I'm still very happy in hostels, although I do try to get a lower bunk now! My wife and I had a very enjoyable trip to Ireland last year, which I would call luxury, because we stayed in hostels but mainly in double rooms so had all the advantages of privacy together with the social atmosphere, and we used a car (our own -- no side-of-road problems!).

Hello UKTrail! We meet again!

I too am now a refugee from the "other board" It's a shame as I liked it there and it was a good compliment to here. But I had posts deleted for reasons like calling the Mayor of London "Red Ken Livingston". I haven't been back since the London tube bombings.

I hope you are well!

Hey Libby. Edinburgh is a lovely place, it's true. I've been here 4-5 years now (almost a record for me), though whether I ever actually end up finally settling down anywhere is beyond me! I used to think it was here, but then I also used to think it was somewhere else - then again, I used to think that was a problem, but now I don't. In the meantime it's a good place.

I felt similarly about Montreal, by the way, when I was there last June. Fabulous place, and a really nice vibe, and somewhere I will doubtless visit again since some very good friends moved there :-)

Happy belated birthday.


I feel like I have lived a lot already but I understand your point. There's still so much I want to do and see.

Happy Belated Bithday.

I too have been waiting- mostly due to large student loan debt. But I have resolved to making the most of the time I have before I start my trip again (2 1/2years-so long)I plan to explore my backyard and make an effort to experience everything with a fresh perspective. So that when I am ready to go I will not have felt like a wasted my time. Life starts now