Enjoyed the article. This is all so simple and easy to see, yet so hard to do. Especailly, hard to do with all the fear out there right now, though I have always found identifying what you want to be the hardest part.
<abbr>Chad @ Sentient Money´s last blog post..The Fall of Dubai</abbr>
Hal
· 10 months ago
"a life run by consensus" - well put!
As someone who sort of fell into a life of travel (well, the "your partner insists" impetus kind of applies), I've been amazed at the variety of opportunities you can find out there if you're just willing to look.
I think this article sums up about everything I have ever heard from my non-traveling friends. I'll have to direct them to this next time I hear a "I would like to but.." excuse.
K.Rae
· 10 months ago
As one of my high school teachers always told us, you MAKE time for the things that are important to you. If you can't find the time to do something you're really interested in, then I'd say your priorities are out of order. Think about it: how much time are you wasting on things and experiences that your don't enjoy?
You can't put a price on the experiences gained through traveling.
This sums up the doubts I had when we decided to go on extended trips. It did brought up good memories. I remembered that "fear" the day before I started my journey. I breathe in and plunge, fron then I never look back.
Gillian
· 10 months ago
I agree with Chad. It's all so simple...and yet so hard. But, looking from (almost) the other side I can say it's been more simple than hard. The hard is all in my head...the logistics have been simple and have all fallen into place.
A 'should' life may be easy, but can be unfulfilling in the end. I want to live life, not have it live me. My favourite quote of all time, from The Shawshank Redemption...'Fear will hold you prisoner. Hope will set you free'.
Great article, especially the point about travel screwing up lives. In all my research I never once found a person who traveled AND regretted the trip!
Christine, this post is amazing. Exactly what has been on my mind lately. I am currently planning on traveling this year, and actually taking the leap and doing it is exciting and scary at the same time. There are so many unknowns, but there are also so many experiences that I would miss out if I let those unknowns rule my life. Thank you so much for the inspiration.
<abbr>Heather Ahrens´s last blog post..NiceServe</abbr>
Andy Hayes
· 10 months ago
Bravo - well done. An old topic but a fresh view. *applause*
Punch fear in the mouth and let yourself go. The experiences and memories of travel last forever. And its a great way to open your mind to new ideas, thoughts, and people.
Melanie
· 10 months ago
Excellent article! I love how you deal with the "shoulds" of life!
The "should" is really hard to break away from. About seven years ago there was a Credit Suisse commercial that had a timeline with all the "shoulds" of a person's life, from birth to marriage to houses to children to retirement. It really freaked me out because it felt like life was pre-programmed. There is nothing implicitly bad in the "shoulds," but it's not for everyone and people ought not to feel burdened by these expectations. Breaking away is scary - the most difficult thing is making the decision to do it and then actually committing.
Like you, I've never met a person or found anything online about someone who has regretted taking time to travel. I do worry occasionally about whether I've thrown away my career. But in reality, I wasn't happy in what I was doing before so that's actually a good thing.
There's a couple of comments above where people say they're worrying about the effect (of travel) on career, so I thought I'd throw in my 2c for perspective. We're in the process of planning an extended trip so I can't speak as a truly experienced long-term traveler, but both my husband and I have left (well-paying, professional) positions more than once in the past 10 years as we've been raising our children. Why? Well, I was never quite satisfied with someone else looking after my children whether it was a center-based childcare/school or an in-home nanny situation. So, we've alternated being the at-home parent and once both our children were in school, I've worked various p/t positions. Here's the important thing: I've never had a problem getting or keeping a position and I'm making about the same amount of money as if I had stayed working all the time. So, there you have it. Go for it. Don't let your career get in the way. There's a ton of other reasons why you might have to stop working, at least with travel you get to go somewhere fun :)
the downside to having a really popular travel blog (shameless plug) is that i get this question about 3 times a day (the other 3 time a day question is always how do you afford to travel) and i got to say, i don't like this question. A lot of people who ask this question are looking for you to answer all their problems and tell them what to do and i'm not really comfortable doing that. I lay it bare on my site about how to travel but i don't like being you should do this or that. only you can decide. I can say, like you did on the bottom, why your fears are unfounded but at the end of the day, only you can make that decision. if you really want it, you'll do it.
I'll second Matt; most people just want answers. But we all have different goals, commitments, value structures, backgrounds and experiences, there will never be a single answer to "should I travel"; thus thank you Christine for continuing to share many of your own questions and answers.
Christine
· 10 months ago
Matt- I dont mind the question, because I remember when I was at that phase too... sitting there in my job, thinking about traveling but not having a single person I could ask advice from... and just wanting someone to tell me I wasn´t crazy. I´ll take their emails any day.
Beth Partin
· 10 months ago
Thanks for the reference to Al Franken and "shouding all over yourself."
I too have been dreaming of travel for years. I too have the house etc., mostly because my partner wanted to, and I'm really ready to move on. My excuse is money, but just like everything else, it's really just an excuse.
This year I've decided I'll save up the money to afford a month of travel. I can give up new clothes and things like pedicures and sell the pearl necklace I bought twenty years ago and never wear. That will get me started.
Beth- That's funny because I thought Al Franken stole that from me! ;) Actually I hadn't heard that before, but a friend of mine in college had a hand written note over his desk that said, "Don't should on yourself." Which always stuck with me, and could very well be a quote from Mr. Franken. I only steal from the best.
Anthony
· 10 months ago
That was me before venturing off to South America: what about my job, what about this, blah blah blah... then I came back and can't wait to get out of this freaking country. All the research I did (or anyone of us do before doing this for the first time) before leaving last year for nine weeks doesn't seem to be the case for my next jump across the planet.
I'll do it because I can and worry about the details when I get there next time around. Forget the excuses. Don't be your own obstacle.
Great post! I like to read posts like this because it reinforces things in your own mind - like I DEFINITELY need to travel!
I've found that the only people who give bad reports about travelling are those who have never done it because they're too afraid!
Beth - I've used the house excuse as well...we're in the process of trying to rent our house out to make it possible to go for 18 months - anythings possible!
On the job front - work isn't the most important thing in the world and you will always be able to find something here and something there to get by. For me I've decided that happiness is more important (plus, there is a small chance you could win the lottery!). xx
Lily
· 10 months ago
So true! Great post. I took the leap in November nad am still traveling - i have NO regrets. INstead I am learning so much about myself, my skills (discovering new ones) and making new friends along the way. It's amazing to see peoples reactions when you tell them you just took time off to travel. They think you have to be rich to do it but it's so not true! I spend so much less here than I do back home. I am at month 3 of travel and was supposed to be back after week 6 but I can't seem to want to go home... who knows maybe I will travel for a full year!
Once you've given up the job and traveled, you can't imagine not having done it. I did it with a very young child and it was so rewarding that now I'm trying to figure out how to do it again with two kids in tow.
My husband and I were just talking last night about how we feel like traveling for a year changed our perspective and way of living our life. When we returned, we set things up so that we weren't simply working to support our way of life but to give us chances to travel and to spend time with our kids. This has left us in a very good position as the economy has tanked.
Opportunity costs come in two flavours. Personally, travel is all about the experience. You are not leaving your life behind just choices. Open one door and others appear...life is linear in that there is a beginning and end but that doesn't mean it has to be a straight path!
Robyn
· 10 months ago
Very very inspiring - thank you all for sharing. About 10 years ago I felt freer to travel and took 6 months off to hike the Appalachian Trail, and I could not stop and took other short term trips over the next 2-3 years. I didn't let the financial loss discourage me. But now in my 40s I think about that more, but the desire to travel has never gone away.
Christine - you mentioned that it's the savings that is the lost income - I'm just curious how you address this - do you save up enough before you travel to compensate, or just look at the loss as a trade-off of your traveling? I'd love to hear how others approach this, just to gather ideas. Thanks, Robyn
Nik
· 10 months ago
Very very inspiring Christine, thank you for this great article!
Personally, that lost income is my biggest stumbling block. And not only that, I think of what will I be doing after I come back, can I still find a decent paying job? will that lost income of a year ruin my savings for my future? etc etc.
But yeah, I'm hoping I can do what I love and get paid for it. So.. to Travel.. and get paid for it. Still working on that tho ;p
April
· 9 months ago
Great post! Maybe this is my sign. I have been thinking of the pros and cons of taking off for a year. My biggest stumbling block (besides cash and figuring out how to support the house/bills while I am gone for a year) is what will people think? Most of the people I know are cubicle dwellers and I am sure most will think I lost my damn mind. On the other hand, I can't remember much of what I do when I am home but every travel memory has been permanently seared into my mind. Thanks for the insight.
Warren Talbot
· 9 months ago
I absolutely love your post and agree wholeheartedly. Ultimately life begins when you stop making excuses and start putting your mind to the goal. I look back on my life 3 years ago and could never have believed we would be planning our own adventure around the world. I talk to so many people that express jealousy, and my response always follows your advice here...you can do it, too. I hope that your readers jump on the opportunity awaiting them.
Thank you for the sage advice and keep up the wonderful articles. They are a true inspiration to keep us focused.
All Comments
<abbr>Chad @ Sentient Money´s last blog post..The Fall of Dubai</abbr>
As someone who sort of fell into a life of travel (well, the "your partner insists" impetus kind of applies), I've been amazed at the variety of opportunities you can find out there if you're just willing to look.
<abbr>Hal´s last blog post..This Is Home</abbr>
You can't put a price on the experiences gained through traveling.
<abbr>K.Rae´s last blog post..Thank Goodness for German Mothers</abbr>
A 'should' life may be easy, but can be unfulfilling in the end. I want to live life, not have it live me. My favourite quote of all time, from The Shawshank Redemption...'Fear will hold you prisoner. Hope will set you free'.
<abbr>Gillian´s last blog post..Nostalgic Already?</abbr>
<abbr>[F]oxymoron´s last blog post..Show Us What You Love</abbr>
I had over 30 years of travelling on someone else's dollar in the military ... and was forever being asked when was I going to get a proper job!
<abbr>Keith´s last blog post..Regimental Badges</abbr>
<abbr>nicoleantoinette´s last blog post..so i’ve gained some weight. now what?</abbr>
<abbr>Heather Ahrens´s last blog post..NiceServe</abbr>
<abbr>Andy Hayes´s last blog post..Inspiration to Travel</abbr>
I love it!
<abbr>Melanie´s last blog post..Feb 16, Orlando Florida Weather</abbr>
Like you, I've never met a person or found anything online about someone who has regretted taking time to travel. I do worry occasionally about whether I've thrown away my career. But in reality, I wasn't happy in what I was doing before so that's actually a good thing.
Thanks for another great post.
<abbr>Audrey´s last blog post..The Day That Dreamhost Died</abbr>
Here's the important thing: I've never had a problem getting or keeping a position and I'm making about the same amount of money as if I had stayed working all the time.
So, there you have it. Go for it. Don't let your career get in the way. There's a ton of other reasons why you might have to stop working, at least with travel you get to go somewhere fun :)
<abbr>wandermom´s last blog post..Proposed Cornwall Trip Itinerary</abbr>
<abbr>Nomadic Matt´s last blog post..Building a Better Website</abbr>
I too have been dreaming of travel for years. I too have the house etc., mostly because my partner wanted to, and I'm really ready to move on. My excuse is money, but just like everything else, it's really just an excuse.
This year I've decided I'll save up the money to afford a month of travel. I can give up new clothes and things like pedicures and sell the pearl necklace I bought twenty years ago and never wear. That will get me started.
Thanks for the inspiration.
<abbr>Beth Partin´s last blog post..Cherry Creek Mosey</abbr>
I'll do it because I can and worry about the details when I get there next time around. Forget the excuses. Don't be your own obstacle.
<abbr>Anthony´s last blog post..Don't Call It a Comeback</abbr>
I've found that the only people who give bad reports about travelling are those who have never done it because they're too afraid!
Beth - I've used the house excuse as well...we're in the process of trying to rent our house out to make it possible to go for 18 months - anythings possible!
On the job front - work isn't the most important thing in the world and you will always be able to find something here and something there to get by. For me I've decided that happiness is more important (plus, there is a small chance you could win the lottery!). xx
<abbr>Lily´s last blog post..Donkey Racing On The Beach</abbr>
My husband and I were just talking last night about how we feel like traveling for a year changed our perspective and way of living our life. When we returned, we set things up so that we weren't simply working to support our way of life but to give us chances to travel and to spend time with our kids. This has left us in a very good position as the economy has tanked.
<abbr>Motherofalltrips´s last blog post..Counting my blessings</abbr>
One thing is always certain...if at any time you don't want to travel anymore, you can always go home.
<abbr>Sara´s last blog post..What Foolish Travelers We Once Were</abbr>
Christine - you mentioned that it's the savings that is the lost income - I'm just curious how you address this - do you save up enough before you travel to compensate, or just look at the loss as a trade-off of your traveling?
I'd love to hear how others approach this, just to gather ideas.
Thanks,
Robyn
Personally, that lost income is my biggest stumbling block. And not only that, I think of what will I be doing after I come back, can I still find a decent paying job? will that lost income of a year ruin my savings for my future? etc etc.
But yeah, I'm hoping I can do what I love and get paid for it. So.. to Travel.. and get paid for it. Still working on that tho ;p
Thank you for the sage advice and keep up the wonderful articles. They are a true inspiration to keep us focused.
Warren
<abbr>Warren Talbot´s last blog post..Give Back: The Fifth Sign of a Great Life</abbr>