Convincing yourself

I just wanted to hear your guys' stories, I guess I'm looking for inspiration.

Although I haven't yet done a true independent backpacker travel, I've decided that now is the time to do it. I'll be finishing up my first degree while working and trying to save up so I can spend it all in the next year doing some traveling (Hopefully to leave around March 2010). I've been in university for 5 years, and with a clear carrier plan in mind, it didnt end up working out as I had imagined. So I decided to persue my other goal in life- NOW- before I find myself sitting at a day job I hate, and regretting the chance I had. I'll still persue my carreer goal, in time... but it seems like all signs are currently pointing to traveling.

I've only told a few people of my somewhat 'out of the blue' decision to travel for an extended period. But I haven't told my parents or my sister, because I know they will disapprove and try and convince me that I should be in school until I find a 'real' job where I can support myself. I do have a clear plan in life of where I want to be "when I grow up"...but right now, I want to take time for myself, time to learn, grow, meet some amazing people, surf and dive.

I can't tell them my plan- not now. Has anyone else been in a similar situation, what did you do, or what do you do to remind yourself this is your time, and your adventure?

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Hello Maria 😊

Seems to me that you are in the situation I was in a couple of times, as regards school and career stuff not working out as hoped and expected. It may end up being the best thing that could happen to you, though it does not seem like it while is is happening. It may seem strange to hear, but failure shaped my life. It forced me to look at more off the beaten life paths. Travel was just one of those life decisions. Just because education and career was not working out at one stage, it did not mean it never would. If you make a decision now to be fluid and flexible, your life may turn out better than you initially dreamed it would.

But I haven't told my parents or my sister, because I know they will disapprove and try and convince me that I should be in school until I find a 'real' job where I can support myself.

That is a common scenario for travellers. There are several threads here on this site about family, friends and parents disapproving. I suppose they want to hear about solid plans and dont like phrases like ''I have a feeling that it will all work itself out''. Try to put your significant others aside until you have made a decision one way or another. You seem to procrastinating more than enough without them adding to it.

I do have a clear plan in life of where I want to be "when I grow up"...but right now, I want to take time for myself, time to learn, grow, meet some amazing people, surf and dive.

I think you will get more out of travelling than you think. A new outlook on life and the world and people, an ability to deal with adversity, excellent money managing skills(travellers tend to develop those so they can save the money it takes to travel and to make it last while travelling) and maybe you will have more to add to this list when you get back.

remind yourself this is your time, and your adventure?

Yes, remember that you are living your life and not theirs. To put it in some prespective, consider what you will want your memories of your life to be in 60 years time and start making those memories now.

Mel

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I would definitely recommend doing it before you start climbing the career ladder. Travelling was something I always dreamed of doing, but never got round to. Now I'm 35 and firmly on the career ladder. The higher I climb and the more I earn, the happier I think it should make me. Not the case at all. So I recently made my mind up to go travelling for a year (starting in 2010). Even making the decision has been a weight lifted from my shoulders and I'm so so so excited! Yes it will set my career back a few years, but I really don't care. Life's too short. Go for it. Reply to this

Haha - yes. I'll be the old guy with the sunburn :P Reply to this