Want to travel, want to pursue a career. Can't seem to compromise.
Can't seem to escape this dichotomy: To give it all up to travel the world or continue plugging away working as a freelance artist (something I'm equally passionate about).
Last year, I wanted to sell all of my possessions and buy a RTW plane ticket. I wanted to do as much traveling as I could, and take advantage of being in my early 20's -- a period of time where I think learning through experience is most important and impacting.
But, this year I've tried to have a different mentality: To continue pursuing my career goals while saving up to do some traveling here and there, when I can.
Problem: I work freelance in the entertainment industry, in LA. A.K.A I'm a starving artist. Savings won't be possible anytime soon if my predictions are right.
That's why it's hard for me not to see in "black and white," where it's all or nothing. I either save up money through my own means (living at home, whatever), and do a year of RTW travel, or else I continue plugging away on my filmmaking endeavors...and hope that one day soon I can generate enough cash get out there. But, even then, knowing this industry...success itself worries me in that sense. It's easy to get comfortable in the rat race.
You guys & gals ever feel stuck like this?
Reply to this I'm a translator by profession. I've just started a new job in a successful firm, so my career is going well, but it means being in one city for 49 weeks a year. I love travelling though and miss the fun and fulfillment that it brings. I spend a lot of my free time on TravelBlog but the feeling of reading about other people's adventures isn't the same as having them yourself. I'm in my early 20's too and can't seem to find a balance between work and play either, so I understand how you feel.
I don't know what to advise, other than to repeat the old cliché that we always regret what we haven't done with our lives, not what we have done.
J.
Reply to this It definitely sounds like you're in a similar position, Jonathan. And it's good to hear that you feel just as trapped as I do.
Sometimes I wonder if I'm just being impatient and overambitious, but maybe that's because my worry is that if I start to tone down the feelings I have, then I might get too comfortable and slowly lose touch with this spirit. It's kind of like the saying "If you don't use it, you lose it." I really think that's true for people who push those free-spirited thoughts aside.
I think your situation is almost more difficult since you seem to have a steady job and possibly more obligations. The one advantage I have is that I work freelance and can quit any "gig" whenever I want. I have all the options when it comes to time and freedom, but no money.
Eh...maybe it really is all about waiting it out until you're able to make it happen some way. I just hate knowing that time is passing me by. Time moves too fast!
Reply to this If you're after some escapism, check out some of the bloggers that I've recommended, it's who I read when there's a quiet hour or so at work and who make me feel a bit better about being stuck in the same place.
There will be time to travel in a year or two...
J.
Reply to this Cool, I'll definitely do that. Thanks for the suggestions!
Reply to this Hello Steve 😊
You guys & gals ever feel stuck like this?
Indeed we do. This is an often discussed topic here on this site.
But, this year I've tried to have a different mentality: To continue pursuing my career goals while saving up to do some traveling here and there, when I can.
Yes, it is nice if you can get some balance, so you are doing some of all the things you want.
I either save up money through my own means (living at home, whatever), and do a year of RTW travel, or else I continue plugging away on my filmmaking endeavors...and hope that one day soon I can generate enough cash get out there.
At the moment being in your early 20s, you dont have such a complicated life yet(I am presuming). Maybe now is the time to get in some major travelling. Later when you have more responsibilies such as children, house.... you can start juggling in order to fit it all in. Well, that is what I did anyway.
Mel
Reply to this Eh...maybe it really is all about waiting it out until you're able to make it happen some way.
You could always be waiting for something. Waiting until your career takes off, until you have saved for the mortgage down payment, until the kids grow up......
Reply to this Hi Mel,
You could always be waiting for something. Waiting until your career takes off, until you have saved for the mortgage down payment, until the kids grow up......
Yeah, I know, I know. And I agree.
I think part of my confusion results from not knowing where my true passion lies. I love my career, the work that I do, the goals that I have on this front. However, I also
think that I'd love to travel for the given reasons. But I don't know that I would, or rather, I don't know that I'd want to give up everything for it.
I think a balance is what I'm looking for.. just can't seem to find it.
Reply to this I don't know much about your job/profession, so I don't know if this is relevant, but if you have a look at TravelBlog's General Forum there are plenty of topics discussing careers that allow you to travel, one new one about quitting your job to travel, and other useful threads started by those of us who aren't quite as independent as Bedreddin or His Dudeness!
J.
Reply to this You'd need about $5-10,000 USD for 6-12months travel depending on your travel style and the locations you choose. Heading south from LA until you hit Patagonia is probably your cheapest option - and a huge adventure.
To save that much - you could take an evening job or weekend job - barman, waiter, escort 😉 - anything.
Or - put your career on hold - keeping your hand in at the weekends - and get a job with some more money during the week.
Then go travel - if you don't like it - at any point you choose you only need a $500-1000 one way airline ticket back to LA - complete with certainty about your chosen path and new inspiration for your work.
If you do like it - well - then you have to figure everything out again and prioritize but at least you won't be saying "if only" about it 😊
Reply to this I'll agree with Ali!
You know, if you're in film-making, perhaps the traveling will bring an added layer of depth to your work, or give you a different perspective that could help your future career.
Save up, go ahead and travel, and give it a try. Like you said, it's easy to get comfortable in the rat race. But perhaps now is the time to escape the maze, because you know it will be there when you get back. 😊
Reply to this as a film maker, it sounds like you've got a path to follow as you travel - consider filming while you go and possibly worknig in film/tv on the way.
Reply to this Hello Steve 😊
I used to do a lot of overtime at my last job, in exchange for more time off rather than money. This allowed me to travel for 1 to 3 weeks every 2 to 3 months. Before that, I had always given up jobs in order to travel, but then there came a stage when I wanted more in my life than travelling(much as I love it)....
Mel
Reply to this Hi Steve. Oh to just give it all up and travel! There are only a tiny few that actually make this their reality. The rest of us hang back cautiously and enviously. I too dream of telling the boss to get stuffed, pack up my belongings and buy a RTW ticket. But I don't. And I don't know why. Hopefully you are one of the tiny few.
Reply to this Hi ,
Yes Andrea, you live in the reality of many, nothing bad about this. What some don't tell you, it's not always a choice...you get made redundant one day...and tell all your friends that you have decided to travel....as for example today, in some industries it's basically impossible to find a good "new" job...so travelling may become THE option....as the only one...but in the process, you may put in danger your financial long term stability...and building a family....
Give it up one day is great, but you have to come back...and look at your pics for years after...what is fun is to be able to travel a little every month...and this for most of your life...well, I did it when I was a student...and still do it now...been nearly 17 years of at least 4 months on the road a year...I know, that's a dream...but what you do, is to plan your life in that direction, that's all...
No if every body could do this dream....many sites would be way too crowded to enjoy!
Peter
Reply to this I had the same thought as the crashpacker - is there a way to combine the two. Make the world your oyster by doing both.
Reply to this theres another thread to this effect - work and travel... mell or ali will know
Dont think about it, or you'll never do anything.
Reply to this ...theres another thread to this effect - work and travel...
Maybe it is one of the ones listed in msg 10.
Reply to this I don't know what you do in the entertainment biz, but you should check out Elance.com, 'Find Work', 'Design and Multimedia.' You may be able to work remotely.
Reply to this 
