Quiting work to travel.

I am curious to know if any of you have quit your job to travel?

15 years ago, February 7th 2009 No: 21 Msg: #62460 Delete Edit

B Posts: 15

I was a tenured, established teacher in the statesa- fed up with the politics of the profession, yadda yadda yadda. My traveling evolved, as it still does, from taking a year sabbatical from the job to all out quitting to extend the travel. I am currently teaching english in Korea, getting out whenever possible, which is a relatively 'secure' choice financially, and gives you a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture. That way, I return home to uncertain times, with all this wonderful life experience, something to add to the ol' resume, and since there were constant pay checks- my wallet is happy as well. No for that problem of finding a job when I get home... Reply to this

15 years ago, February 7th 2009 No: 22 Msg: #62477 Delete Edit

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

B Posts: 10.9K

Yes, yes, yes, we quit and it was the most amazing time of our life!! My husband and I at ages 51 and 49 left the well paid reality that we knew. We quit our jobs, sold our house, placed everything in storage and left our wonderful dog with my sister.
We spent 2 months visiting our friends across the US, 3 months in Asia, 1 month in New Zealand, 2 months in Australia, on to Dubai, London and Amsterdam on our return.

You must go. You must do it. Zero regrets.

Mark Twain said, "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you
didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away
from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore.
Dream. Discover."

Who are we to argue with Mark Twain?

Going back to work is an interesting mix of knowing that you aren't at a point where you can quit forever and so thankful that you had the break and wondering when you can take the next sabbatical. On those busy and tough days at work we take a minute to read one of our blogs are remind ourselves how fortunate we have been.

The people we met and the things that we saw changed us forever. We are happy.
This kind of trip never leaves you and it is a good feeling realizing that you are different from the masses and yet similiar to so many wandering the world to find a different way and see the world. Reply to this

15 years ago, February 8th 2009 No: 23 Msg: #62526 Delete Edit

Claire and Tel
Claire and Terry Hewitt

B Posts: 12

We quit our jobs in June 2006 to travel, selling our house and pretty much everything we owned. We did five car boot sales and at the end of the last one ended up selling everything that was left, and the table, for a fiver, then drove off in our car and sold that! Although it was difficult to start letting things go, eventually it was almost addictive.

Its only when we started sorting through our stuff that we realised how much shit we'd accumulated through the years and how completely unimportant most of it was. Especially since we've been travelling we've met so many people, for example in Ghana and India who own pretty much nothing and who would be amazed at the sentimental value many people attach to possessions. Getting rid of almost everything has been the most liberating (if thats not too flaky) thing we've ever done.

It is a bit of a funny feeling not being home owners anymore, almost like a step back in life, but then we've managed to travel for nearly three years on the proceeds and have enjoyed nearly every moment of it. Other people are losing their homes and possessions for other reasons like the credit crunch or the fires in Australia for completely negative reasons, so to take the decision to sell everything end enjoy spending the money has even in hindsight been the best thing we've ever done.

Lots of people have said to us that they couldn't do the same thing. But why? It took Claire to break her neck in a car accident and realise that she could very nearly have been permanently disabled, to put our lives in perspective and decide to travel, but it shouldn't have taken such a drastic experience to do so. Again, its been the best thing we've ever done.

One downside of long term travelling is that one day its got to come to an end. Or has it? We're now in the process of trying to emigrate to Australia to live in Alice Springs. So although we're going to have to settle down for a bit to earn some money at least it will be somewhere pretty different to the UK and it will still (at least to start with) be a pretty exciting experience. Having had these three years away, I really can't see us ever settling down to our old home-owning existence.

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15 years ago, February 8th 2009 No: 24 Msg: #62560 Delete Edit

whereiskatynow
whereiskatynow

B Posts: 1

My partner and I quit our London jobs in November 08 and haven't looked back since. In a strange way, it's so nice to see all the above comments from people who are sharing similar experiences. We are still in the early stages of out travels and we're both really excited about our future travel plans. We didn't realise at the time we made our decision (early 08) that the economy would make such a nose dive at the time but we now know that it was the perfect timing for us to leave.

We had mixed reactions from family and friends, some excited for us and wishing us well and others doubting if we were making the right decision but we were firm that this way our decision and what we knew would make us happy. Once they start seeing that it all works out they soon start to support you again... at least that's what we've found! I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you feel this is the right decision then definately go for it! What everyone has said above about it being a liberating experience is absolutely true! We have nothing to tie us down apart from a couple of boxes which are in storage and we know that we'll know when it's the right time to settle down 😊 Until then, the world is ours to explore and the experience you take away with you is worth far more than sitting at a desk job that you don't enjoy...

Plan it well, but don't plan too much as some things are best left to be spontaneous! We found we had the most fun when we didn't put something in our daily plan and explored a little. Hope this helps. Reply to this

15 years ago, February 9th 2009 No: 25 Msg: #62576 Delete Edit

Crazy Canucks
Matt

N Posts: 10

Absolutely - we quit our jobs to travel the world and experience what "reality and the real world is all about" There is nothing that 70 work weeks and $350K annual salary a year can teach year or expose you to what a year travelling the world will do. Those with MBA's Blah Blah Blah..........no doubt have never experienced the struggles of survival that the majority of humanity experience every day. Can't wait for the next big trip - this time will definitely make it longer than a year. How do we do this.........work offshore in a tax free jurisidication and remind yourself every day how lucky we are to have been brought up in the Western World where medicine is free and the possibilities of earning a good living is endless as long as you work hard. Reply to this

15 years ago, February 11th 2009 No: 26 Msg: #62840 Delete Edit

Going Global
Marc

B Posts: 102

Canucks - Let me know when you leave your next $350k/yr job so I can apply for that vacancy. 😊 Reply to this

15 years ago, February 12th 2009 No: 27 Msg: #62905 Delete Edit

alwaysoutdoors
Denni

N Posts: 3

Hi folks,

some great advice there. I am at the stage of quitting/contemplating quitting my job at the moment.

I am due to leave it in June this year but have been offered promotion and an extension for a couple of years but bugger it! Boring routine, the odd bout of cancer, just turning 40 and the old "life is too short" adage has made the decision for me to sell everything up, stick what money I have in the bank and head off travelling.

I am doing my TEFL course in the next couple of months. Does any one recommend any other courses to do, maybe CELTA? So I plan to work somewhere and immerse myself into the culture and enjoy life. If anyone has any sage advice with regards to jobs, locations etc, all would be appreciated.

I suppose the things I will miss will be my friends but they will still be friends even if I'm miles away. Not fussed about the security of having a house to come back to, couple of boxes in storage of prized posessions will do. Truthfully, I do like company, so that will be something that I'll have to get used to, though I'm a people person so I'm sure I'll make mates alomng the way!

Don't want to regret anything in years to come so time to make the most of it. Worse decision to make is no decision isn't it?

Denni Reply to this

15 years ago, February 13th 2009 No: 28 Msg: #63005 Delete Edit

ninjitsumeiyo
Derek

B Posts: 3

I served 6 years in the U.S. Air Force as a pararescueman. Though it wasn't an office job, I did manage to find myself in some pretty peculiar situations traveling about, but it wasn't exactly on my accord. Saved every dime I made (which is not hard to do when you're living in a tent 10 months out of the year). This is how I spent my early youth.

25 years young and now I'm doing the "happy" traveling & lovin' every minute of it.

I don't regret a thing, and I've never spoken to someone who regretted traveling: even chaps' who have had a miserable time in some instances, like me, will say they'd do it all over again.

Enjoy yourself!

Quote from the Arabian Nights:
"Travel! And thou shalt find new friends for old ones left behind.
Toil! For the sweets of human life by toil and moil are found.
The stay-at-home no honor wins, nor aught attains but want,
So leave thy place of birth and wander all the world around!
I've seen, and very oft I've seen, how standing water stinks,
And only flowing sweetens it and trotting makes it sound.
And were the moon forever full and ne'er to wax or wane,
Man would not strain his watchful eyes to see its gladsome round.
Except the lion leave his lair, he ne'er would fell his game,
Except the arrow leave the bow, ne'er had it reached its bound.
Gold dust is dust the while it lies untraveled in the mine,
And aloes wood mere fuel is upon its native ground.
And gold shall win his highest worth when from his goal ungoaled,
And aloes sent to foreign parts grows costlier than gold."
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15 years ago, February 16th 2009 No: 29 Msg: #63182 Delete Edit

Spain07
Ryan Bader

B Posts: 83

quiting my job and doing my masters overseas!! that kind of counts i guess Reply to this

15 years ago, February 18th 2009 No: 30 Msg: #63421 Delete Edit

fifi amour
fifi amour

B Posts: 9

I'm quitting my job, in fact I'm at work now just wasting time cos my last day is on Friday!! yes I'm very anxious about returning to the UK in the 'current climate' but I wouldn't ever let it stop me from living my life the way I want to. There's always some sort of job going (I've done plenty of waitressing in my time!) and luckily for me there is always my mum or someone to live with for cheap when I come back.

Hopefully I can get a job involved with travel when I do get back which will make all my 'funtimes abroad' seem logical! xxx Reply to this

15 years ago, February 21st 2009 No: 31 Msg: #63675 Delete Edit

Legend Kung
Legend Kung

B Posts: 8

I'm acutally not that crazy however I usually ask couple of days off to get my body hidden somewhere even I myself didn't expected before I leave. Like a small village or a brand new town where I wonna experience something brand new to me.

But I totally agree with #1, once you decided to enjoy your life in your own way even if it's nuts just enjoy it. Being concerned endlessly helps nothing for there always be so much to be concerned in life time. Reply to this

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Quiting work to travel.