I quit school, ended up married and working as a travel agent on the other side of the world. Plus now I don't put up with bullsh*t and things that don't make me happy.

Hey Disaster
Don't worry - same here! I mean I go to work each day and get paid but its such a crappy job! I really wish that there was something I was so totally passionate about that I could really focus on, but so far it hasnt presented itself.
I used to think that I would just figure it out one day, but I am going on 30 and its getting even less clearer what I should do!
Sorry I have no good advice, but even though lots of people seem happy on the outside with successful careers, there are a whole lot of people who feel the same way as you.
Just keep plugging away I guess!
Good luck!

Thanx Ginger, that's what I'm saying. I envy people who are passionate about their jobs. If I only knew which career would make me happy I could only go out there and get it. I never went to college because I decided to move to another country. Some would say it shouldn't stop me from studying but the thing is I didn't have a clue what to do with myself when I was 19 and I still don't.

Hey, disaster, gingerspech.

I'm a fair amount older than you two and have what most would consider a good career - interesting work, a good paycheck, a fair amount of work sponsored travel and eight weeks of paid time off (which is bogglingly good for the U.S.!)

The thing is, I didn't wake up one day and decide what I wanted to do with my life. I just...did the next thing. What has worked for me is to work the way I travel. Be inquisitive and openminded, try to do right by those around me and be ready to move on when the right opportunity presents.

If I were you, I wouldn't necessarily split my skull trying to figure out some amazing grand plan, just work out what you'd like to do for the next year or so. Try to leverage things you've done in the past that you liked, or that interest you a lot, and look for an opportunity that supports that. What happened to me is that after I'd done that a time or two, the work I'd done started showing a trend in my interests. After that, the "what to do next' got easier.

Good luck,
La

I think my family and good friends recognize customer service for a health insurance company is not my destiny. I'm quite satisfied, and find value and benefits from my work, however a passion it is not. So my RTW planning has the people who know me best telling me it's a way to change direction. I'm a little scared at the thought....first I'm trying to focus on making the trip happen, and then keep myself open to opportunities that occur or result.

I sometimes wonder if all my traveling has changed me or rather that I have just come to know myself better because of it. I think that latter is true for me. And as cheesy as it may sound, getting to know the 'real you' is pretty damn valuable in this life I think.

Yes, I'd say travel has influenced my life's direction.
First seven years of my working life was spent travelling the world as a seaman, a cocooned sort of travel, as you always had a bit of your world (the ship) to return to, but I think it sowed the seeds of unrest.
Then many years later, after reading a book, decided to take leave of absence from the long standing job I had and walk from Mexico to Canada along the Pacific Crest Trail - now that caused a change in life direction as it introduced me to a realisation of what is really needed to appreciate life (for me!) and eventually encouraged me to take early retirement while still young and fit enough to enjoy what I found I liked doing.
So I may not be as wealthy as I could have been, but I've got a fair bit of loot in the memory bank and still adding to it!

I always wanted to be everywhere but in my own native country, I spent my whole childhood studying maps and reading travel guides. Ironically, Ireland was one of the countries that interested me most. Two years ago then, I moved to... Ireland. I wanted to do so long beforehand but health problems seemed to have ruined my travelling dreams, until suddenly I decided to still chase my dream despite the health issues. Life has funny ways sometimes ; just at the moment it seemed it'd never happen, I did move out of Belgium and even went to one of the countries that I always found interesting! The only downside is that, by leaving later than I hoped for, I had a bit of a life built up already, so sometimes I've got nostalgic moods (which is something I'd never thought I'd have). But anyway, my big dream in life has always been Scandinavia, so I hope fate also allows me to realise that dream.

quote:

getting to know the 'real you' is pretty damn valuable

Dan - You are correct --it's really valuable! And your comment reminds me of an awesome quote, "When you trust yourself, you will know how to live." Goethe

When I was in my 20's or 30's, I wouldn't have understood even how to trust myself or what it really means.In mid-40's now, and having chosen to live a life of breadth and depth..and travel..I DO trust myself now, and my choices. Never been happier or more confident.

Here's another good one about traveling and learning of yourself:

"A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it."
George Moore

Good question: "Has travel changed my life's direction?"

I'm sitting here the day after TDay thinking about it, and the answer for me is a huge yes.

The biggest thing that I learned while travelling was that my way, is not the only way. I grew up in Chicago and folks do things in certain ways there. After going around the world a few times, I reckon there are many different "right" ways todo things and to live.

For me it was awesome, and I have met loads of people through BnA and thru travelling that would say it has had a huge impact on life's direction.

SurfingDan - yeah - I also learned a lot about myself as well as others from travelling. Throw yourself into lotsa situations outside your comfort zone when travelling and Bam - it's pretty easy to see some things I might be good/bad at.

quote:

Originally posted by TheAdventuress:
Here's another good one about traveling and learning of yourself:

"A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it."
George Moore

hehe, that's whatever I sometimes think during depressed moods, but then somehow I always find something that reminds me of why I prefer being on the road, something making it worth to go on. It's not the easiest life for sure, but life would be boring if it were easy (even though sometimes it can come in quite handy!) and those who take the long way home eventually will have had the richest life. Usually, depending of course what you spend your time on while you're on the road.

I don't think travel has changed my life direction so much as it has given me courage to live my life in a way that is more meaningful and fulfilling to me.

as larosser said, the definition of "enough" has changed. i enjoy a much simpler existence and have a higher ability to resist material things.

i'm also madly in love with the people of the world. i want to go.be.do, but mostly i just want to know what the heck everyone else is up to.

finally, i'm more convinced than ever that there is no one way to live, learn or worship. that we are made a diverse people to learn as much as possible from the most valuable resource we'll ever have: each other.

absolutely. In High School we had the opportunity to go to Italy with the military and I was scared to leave the U.S., family, friends, etc for a few years.

Now I wish I had told my Dad to take the plunge. I studied abroad in Greece, after realizing that maybe it wasn't as scary as I thought.

It was scary, but only for about 2 hours. After that I was hooked. Now I can't wait to see America and get out and see other parts of the world. Without my experiences in Greece I wouldnt be understaking my current adventure. I'm scared to death and totally excited.

Traveling has also made me realize a lot about myself. I'm braver than I ever thought I could be. Or maybe just more reckless.

quote:

Originally posted by FUNCHILDE:
finally, i'm more convinced than ever that there is no one way to live, learn or worship. that we are made a diverse people to learn as much as possible from the most valuable resource we'll ever have: each other.

Nicely put!