Quitting your job to travel -- anyone do it?

jac264

I just got back from my second trip out of the country - this time I traveled alone and had a blast making new friends and experiencing new cultures. I'm a 26 year old female who has fallen in love with traveling - particularly in South and Central America, although I have never been to Europe. I am seriously considering saving for the next year and then either taking a personal leave (up to 6 months) or just quitting my job to travel for a year. I will definitely have enough saved to last me a year or two by then, and would likely try to work (on a farm, in a hostel, for a tourist place) for short periods of time to get free housing and food, but obviously its a huge decision. Just wondering if anyone has done something like this?

Any other thoughts?

CoderGal

This sounds fantastic! Goodluck!

george29223

i envy you

shbretired

I met a waitress that does this, she saves up, the quits and travels.

Seems scarey to me in these tough times to get a job.

iRebel

I have not traveled to South America yet- but I really want to! Coastal Colombia interests me the most.
Have you considered volunteering? That way food/housing is taken care of, and you do something to help others.

DrewMaxwell

Reminds me of one of my all time favorite quotes from "Into The Wild":

So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun. ~ Chris McCandless (aka: Alexander Sumpertramp)

Jessintherain

I just lived 2 years in El Salvador... and I'm looking for a way to get back down and live in Guatemala in a Lake Atitlan hostel.... Miss it too much.

Good luck with your saving and planning. Definitely worth it!

YoungDoc2B

If you quit your job, how soon would it be until you can find another? Times are tough.

Adventurehuntress

Yes! I also am in love with traveling. I recently visited Israel & I am strongly considering moving there. I say do it! You only regret the things you don't, not the things you do.

bluefox9er

I just got back from my second trip out of the country - this time I traveled alone and had a blast making new friends and experiencing new cultures. I'm a 26 year old female who has fallen in love with traveling - particularly in South and Central America, although I have never been to Europe. I am seriously considering saving for the next year and then either taking a personal leave (up to 6 months) or just quitting my job to travel for a year. I will definitely have enough saved to last me a year or two by then, and would likely try to work (on a farm, in a hostel, for a tourist place) for short periods of time to get free housing and food, but obviously its a huge decision. Just wondering if anyone has done something like this?

Any other thoughts?

Im thinking of doing that,too...you are young,at 26 there's every chance you can get a decent job when you/if you return...I think you are making a fantastic , life affirming choice that will enrich you in a way that nothing else will. I travel also, but my heart belongs to Africa :-)

sure, youre quitting your job, but jobs will come and go..life isn't a rehearsal for anything!!!

Cooriander

I became a flight attendant for about 5 years - and it was a great decision. I loved it. I went back to further my education after I felt I had traveled sufficiently (:

jac264

Yes I will definitely be volunteering during that time - likely a month to 6 weeks in Italy since I have family there and would stay with them for a bit too and then a few weeks at a time in other places in South America through this website http://www.helpx.net/. I don't want to spend too much time in Europe b/c it's expensive and I can go later in life, but I do have friends there. I also never really had a desire to travel through Southeast Asia or Africa but I heard amazing things about Thailand and Indonesia and wouldn't want to skip it - although adding in another flight during the trip would be where all the expenses come in. I would plan on spending a few weeks in Guatemala at a Spanish language school.

The plan would be to have enough money saved up for a 6 month to 1 year trip and then to come back to the U.S. with 6 months living expenses still in the bank. I am very fortunate to be living in a major city with a good job and super low living expenses/rent (I just sold my car since I walk to work). I just don't know when a "good" time would be - I'm not really in love with my job and am sure I will start looking elsewhere in the next year or two anyway. I was thinking that leaving with 4.5-5 years of work experience would be okay and that employers wouldn't think twice about the one year gap.

The other problem is that I can almost guarantee that if I lived in South/Central America I would end up meeting someone and want to stay haha!

jac264

I just got back from my second trip out of the country - this time I traveled alone and had a blast making new friends and experiencing new cultures. I'm a 26 year old female who has fallen in love with traveling - particularly in South and Central America, although I have never been to Europe. I am seriously considering saving for the next year and then either taking a personal leave (up to 6 months) or just quitting my job to travel for a year. I will definitely have enough saved to last me a year or two by then, and would likely try to work (on a farm, in a hostel, for a tourist place) for short periods of time to get free housing and food, but obviously its a huge decision. Just wondering if anyone has done something like this?

Any other thoughts?

Im thinking of doing that,too...you are young,at 26 there's every chance you can get a decent job when you/if you return...I think you are making a fantastic , life affirming choice that will enrich you in a way that nothing else will. I travel also, but my heart belongs to Africa :-)

sure, youre quitting your job, but jobs will come and go..life isn't a rehearsal for anything!!!

Thanks for the thoughts - its nice to hear from people who agree with my sentiments. My family/friends don't really get it!

jac264

I just lived 2 years in El Salvador... and I'm looking for a way to get back down and live in Guatemala in a Lake Atitlan hostel.... Miss it too much.

Good luck with your saving and planning. Definitely worth it!

Lake Atitlan hostel - I will write that down. Perhaps we will meet one day

sleepytexan

Go. Do it before you have kids and responsibility.

clarebrad

Do it, will be best time in your life, do it now while you can, as one day it just won't be possilbe, don't have regrets and think back why didn't i do it. I packed up my whole life at 25 and moved to London for 2 yrs and turned into 4. Was able to work while there but was scary and only knew 1 person when moved. Was the best thing i ever did, i miss that time and had the most amazing time seeing the UK and Europe, is amazing place and so worth it. When you come home you'll be able to pick yourself up again and find work.

gorunjogger

I took a sabbatical from work and cycled across Africa last year. Most amazing experience ever. It's definitely worth it. You can teach English part time or do some volunteer work (in exchange for food/housing). Good luck!!!

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo

I'm actually thinking about that right now. If you have lots of money then why not just become a freelance travel blogger? I heard its also a nice way to earn money while at the same time enjoying the sceneries of different places around the world. If only I have lots of money I'd definitely do it.

EDIT: I also wish to travel to Latin America especially to Mexico. I'm part-Mexican but sadly I've never been to Mexico since I was born in a different continent although I have some great friends from there.

Jessicaruby

i just started traveling and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. however i have two small children ages 5 and 6 so i cant leave alot. if it is just you, i would definetly go!!! it will enhance your life and be a very cultural experience. i would love to be able to travel freely but with a family it just isnt possible. my dream is to one day go backbacking.....i say GOOOOO!!! have a blast and if you decide to come back to work do and if not well they have jobs everywhere

jmach002

i wish i had a career that would let me do that!!!

bregalad5

Lost my job about a month before moving to Rome. Was going to quit to go anyway. My boyfriend at the time was accepted to a Master's program there, so basically I packed up my life and went there with him.

I don't have a full-time job right now (I substitute teach), and have been applying to teach English in S. Korea for the fall.

I'm a bit of a nomad... have been to Europe 5 times just for kicks and studies. I want to hit every continent before I settle down.

Oh, take a look here. Might interest you: http://wwoof.org/

Derpina7

This is a big dream of mine! Well, actually, doing photography while traveling world-wide to be specific . What scares me, as a lot have mentioned, is not being able to come back to a sustainable income. I'm hoping to do at least a 2 month trip between Australia, New Zealand, and southern Asia - to start!

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo

i wish i had a career that would let me do that!!!

me too

too bad my job requires me to be at work everyday & i'm only allowed to leave maximum for one week & that's on a case-to-case basis :sad:

HealthyHappy120

I would love to do this after college... siggghhh

busymnmom

I love to travel as well. Haven't quit my job to do it, but I did get a job at an airline so I can travel for free or just about. But right now, alot of my travel is just daytrips....I love that I can go somewhere were I never would have gone if I actually had to pay for it. Alot of people thought I was nuts when a friend and mine decided to take our kids to Amsterdam......Just for the day!! Love it!!!

melinda_great

i quit my job late 2009 and spent six months in bolivia the first half of 2010. it was one of the best things i've ever done. it was definitely worth it.

lovelee79

I love travel and adventure. A few years back when I was 27, I had no money but I took a 6 month leave of absence from my job, and took off to Australia, and backpacked around... best thing I could have ever done for myself. Saw amazing things, beautiful people, and learned so much! I don't regret getting into debt or any of it. And I'd do it again in a heart beat.

I say go for it... Life is short, we are meant to do wonderful exciting things....who knows where the road will lead...

Sk8_in_Japan

I did it!

In 2008 I quit my job to leave France for China. It was my first job, I was 21 years old.
It totally worthed it!

And actually I did not took my job back after....I became a freelancer (graphic design) so I can work as much as I want...and I'm in Japan now! It's an awesome life. Of course there are some monthes I worry a lot about money...but...as it's not my main concern in life, I'm OK, haha I just eat less, haha, good for the diet!

If you wanna travel for free and meet awesome people...I can advice couchsurfing, it was a really good experience for me and I have really good friends from the time I couchsurfed in China.

Add me if you want, and anyone in the same state of mind, I'd be happy to share progress with ya!
I wish you the best! Always stay away of your confort zone!
I'm so happy to read a message like yours on my morning, it gives me so much motivation to spend my day!

GLJezebel

Reminds me of one of my all time favorite quotes from "Into The Wild":

So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun. ~ Chris McCandless (aka: Alexander Sumpertramp)

You have no idea how much this just spoke directly to me. Thank you for posting it.

JennyZD

Yes yes yes! I did the same thing travelled to almost 30 countries. There's absolutely no richer experience than traveling.

SmartAlec03211988

I love traveling. I'm spending as much time as possible traveling the world before I settle down. In July I'm going to Germany, then next year I'm planning to go to Dubai and South Africa. After that I think I want to go to Brazil and Japan.