Quitting your job to travel -- anyone do it?

bjs06

I have done it twice, like you, to go to Central America. I also ditched university to go to Guatemala and work in an orphanage. I keep pretty laid back jobs like waitressing and child care and I know that they can replace me quite easily. In that sense, I don't think it's such a huge deal that I quit my job and take off like some do. Some give up their careers that they have worked super hard for their whole lives. I could be one of those people though. Travel is brilliant and almost always worth the sacrifices you make for it.

secretgirl4611

Ive traveled without a penny to my name I never travel alone tho, usually my boyfriend goes with me.. So FAR we have been to Alaska, Las vegas, Seattle Wa, Oregon We havent gone out to far yet.. But We are planning to go to Honolulu Hawaii soon.. Pretty much the only money we start out with is the money for our bus, plane or ferry ticket then after that we are broke and fend for our selves.. I love traveling too def. planning on doing it alot this summer

Lleldiranne

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!

It sounds like you've really got this planned well. A one year gap won't be a huge deal, and in some fields the experience from volunteering may actually be beneficial in getting a good job after.

Don't forget, though, to start thinking about the future, even retirement. We weren't careful in our younger years, and now we have 4 kids that we want to put through college and no funds for it, plus nothing saved for retirement yet. The good news is that we can still work another 30 years (...is that good news? :laugh: ) but I wish we'd started preparing sooner.

Still, since you're not going into massive debt for it, and plan to have some saved for when you get back, I think you're better off than we are. Have fun!

lovelee79

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)

Edited because I just remembered I saw this movie in a theatre in Sydney, while I was away adventuring in Australia!!!!! Perfect movie for a perfect time in my life.

ahhhhhhhhh.. love this movie so much !!! and Eddie's soundtrack is just gorgeous !

Mctree20

I packed up my life into a suitcase, sold everything else and left the UK to travel and see the world. That was 12 years ago, and I'm still at it. I have lived in Bahrain, Dubai, Canada, Australia, and have currently been in the U.S for the last 2 years.

Looking back, I remember a cold and rainy day in England, looking out the window and thinking "I don't want to look back and think "What if?""

I've enjoyed it, had a lot of fun, met a lot of people, have some awesome memories, and am still going...

jcriscuolo

This is a picture of my daughter on top of a volcano in Guatemala. She quit her job, sold her car and went to Mexico and Central America for 10 weeks with her boyfriend. She had a blast. When she returned to Portland, she got her job back. It was an incredible experience based on all of her stories. Do it. Life is short.

Jenerferzzz

If this is a serious passion of yours, you should do it. As others have said you will probably regret not doing it later on in life if you don't. I don't see you regretting going. I wish I had more courage to do things like this.

jcriscuolo

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)

Excellent quote! Thanks for taking the time to post.

waterwing

If you have the option of doing it.. do it. You don't want to wake up one day and only have stories that start with: "I could have..."

I left Canada almost 8 years ago and have lived in Indonesia and Germany and now Japan. I'm a teacher and have worked at international schools which is great because I can still earn a salary while exploring different parts of the world on my holidays. Plus you really don't get to know a place until you live there.

Go for it! Explore the big world!

porcelain_doll

Question for those who have done something like this - what do you do with all your stuff? Do you store it, or do you get rid of everything? Car, clothes, pots/pans, computer, etc.??

lovelee79

I packed up my life into a suitcase, sold everything else and left the UK to travel and see the world. That was 12 years ago, and I'm still at it. I have lived in Bahrain, Dubai, Canada, Australia, and have currently been in the U.S for the last 2 years.

Looking back, I remember a cold and rainy day in England, looking out the window and thinking "I don't want to look back and think "What if?""

I've enjoyed it, had a lot of fun, met a lot of people, have some awesome memories, and am still going...

Love it ! hats off to you mate !
so awesome

jac264

Thank you everyone so far for their responses. Truly inspiring and its so amazing to hear from people who have done it.

I look forward to embarking on my journey - I'm thinking one year from now and judging by the fact that it's already May, that year will go fast!

juliecat1

I quit college for a year to travel.
I'd say if you love it - keep going! It sounds like an absolute blast. Have you ever considered peace corps or an association like that?

Mctree20

Question for those who have done something like this - what do you do with all your stuff? Do you store it, or do you get rid of everything? Car, clothes, pots/pans, computer, etc.??

I sold everything, I literally had one suitcase and a backpack. Right now I could still get my entire life into 3 boxes. In fact most of it is still in 2 boxes as I never got round to unpacking!

Drastiic

I quit my traveling job to not travel. For 5 years, I worked away from home 300+ days a year and was only home for 5 days at a time every couple months. Worked in almost every state, every small town, every big town. Stayed in sooo many hotels from super nice to horrific. Logged lots of driving through rain, snow, dust storms, and sun. I had enough and still dislike traveling.

bregalad5

Question for those who have done something like this - what do you do with all your stuff? Do you store it, or do you get rid of everything? Car, clothes, pots/pans, computer, etc.??

Craigslist is a wonderful thing :P

bregalad5

I sold everything, I literally had one suitcase and a backpack. Right now I could still get my entire life into 3 boxes. In fact most of it is still in 2 boxes as I never got round to unpacking!

In a way it's a liberating feeling, isn't it?

porcelain_doll

I've also thought about embarking on a life like this, but I have so many belongings that have sentimental value and no good place to store them, and I just bought a new car that I adore. Too bad because I despise my job and I am single with no responsibilities other than myself. Must not be the right time for me (or lifestyle?). I flew to Taiwan alone in 2010 (I knew someone there, just went on the plane alone) and after a 15-hr. flight to get there, I was ready to stab someone in the eye. LOL

jac264

I've also thought about embarking on a life like this, but I have so many belongings that have sentimental value and no good place to store them, and I just bought a new car that I adore. Too bad because I despise my job and I am single with no responsibilities other than myself. Must not be the right time for me (or lifestyle?). I flew to Taiwan alone in 2010 (I knew someone there, just went on the plane alone) and after a 15-hr. flight to get there, I was ready to stab someone in the eye. LOL

Haha I just sold my car. And I think I could sell all my furniture and just put a few boxes in storage if I left. I have too much stuff, trying to get rid of it! It helps that I've already moved across the country once!

Danielle_2013

Go! Just do it while you can and while you are young enough to enjoy it and not have to worry about responsibilities you might have in future...
Right after university I taught English in South Korea for nearly 6 years and travelled all over Asia. While it is still hard to adjust to life here now sometimes (taxes and mortgage payments suck), I don't regret a second of being there.
I LOVED not being burdened with possessions and being able to live out of a backpack when I needed to.

If I didn't have a boyfriend and a dog, I'd probably be gone again!

laurcampbell

You need to do this for you - it sounds like this is what you really want and that if you don't just go for it you will regret it. I did a fair bit of traveling when I was in college down under in Australia / New Zealand and Fiji - if it weren't for the fact that I played lacrosse for my University I probably would never have gone back in the first place - I promised myself that I would get back there and it has been 8 years now and now I am married and have two puppies (dont get me wrong I adore my husband and puppies and am sooo grateful for them and our life together) but there is a huge part of me that regrets not staying or not going back right after graduation, I am now left with "what ifs" - dont do that to yourself - go for it report back so I can live through you!!! Best to you on your journey!

Off_The_Wall

Do it. After this summer I'll have ticked off 31 countries, and I hadn't even got on a plane until 5 years ago. I've quit my job twice to do it and would again. For the next 4 summers at least, I want to travel big style. No more standard beach holidays (except Ibiza clubbing) I want to do the USA, Asia and the remainder of Europe I've missed. Best thing I ever did, go travelling! I wouldn't spend too much time in one place tho, there's a whole world to see. YOU LIVE ONCE. YOU'RE ONLY CHILDLESS, ONCE. Quit!

jac264

Do it. After this summer I'll have ticked off 31 countries, and I hadn't even got on a plane until 5 years ago. I've quit my job twice to do it and would again. For the next 4 summers at least, I want to travel big style. No more standard beach holidays (except Ibiza clubbing) I want to do the USA, Asia and the remainder of Europe I've missed. Best thing I ever did, go travelling! I wouldn't spend too much time in one place tho, there's a whole world to see. YOU LIVE ONCE. YOU'RE ONLY CHILDLESS, ONCE. Quit!

Ahhhh thanks! That's so amazing that you've been to so many countries You are welcome to crash at my place in San Francisco if you make it over here! I have never taken a standard beach holiday although I wouldn't mind going to the beach around Bocas del Toro Panama at some point!

Off_The_Wall

San Fran, my bro went there while travelling across USA and that was his favourite place! If u come to England you can crash at mine in Manchester (England's 3rd city). Beach holidays are the norm for the UK, cos we've got Spain, Canary Islands, Greek Islands, Malta, Morocco, Sardinia... the list is endless.. pretty much on our "doorstep". They're relaxing but not exciting, and a waste of time for someone who's got hooked on the travel bug. I make sure we visit the beach at least once while travelling, but until I'm older with kids I won't spend a week in the same resort again. Too much to see, so little time! You'll lose major weightage while travelling, espesh with a backpack on all day. Not to mention the food is healthier over here. Everyone I know that's been to USA longer than a month came back at least a stone heavier.

TheTallMan

I'm 23 and have already been to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Canada, and Mexico. Traveling is AWESOME and if you have the funds, do it. You can work later, get out and meet people and enjoy everything that you can.

christine24t

I wouldn't quit my job in this economy but I would take leave if that is possible so that you could get your job back afterwards. Sounds like fun but I wouldn't risk my job for it. Just my two cents!

afalls11

I used to work in the travel industry. I would travel to different locations and countries so I would be able to come back and sell them to clients.

I sold many around the world tickets. They were good for 15 stops along the way over 6 months. What an opportunity that would be. Once I win the lottery, that is what I'm going to do that and then go explore the world. It has so much to offer.

directorj

I lost my job and saved up money doing part-time jobs. Eventually I left the country (see profile pic) for 6 weeks to go to the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and Taiwan. It was the greatest experience of my life! I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I lived in exactly 3-4 days worth of clothing for 2 weeks because I sent a box full of clothing (packed a ton!!) and came late. I learned that all you need is enough to get by.

But also when you're stripped of convenience and things (you don't "really" need) life gets so simple and less stress. I'd have to say I was "needy/materialistic" for about 2 weeks. Then I adapted to new cultures and learned that I don't need much to be very happy.

I was even more stressed when I came back :grumble:

jac264

San Fran, my bro went there while travelling across USA and that was his favourite place! If u come to England you can crash at mine in Manchester (England's 3rd city). Beach holidays are the norm for the UK, cos we've got Spain, Canary Islands, Greek Islands, Malta, Morocco, Sardinia... the list is endless.. pretty much on our "doorstep". They're relaxing but not exciting, and a waste of time for someone who's got hooked on the travel bug. I make sure we visit the beach at least once while travelling, but until I'm older with kids I won't spend a week in the same resort again. Too much to see, so little time! You'll lose major weightage while travelling, espesh with a backpack on all day. Not to mention the food is healthier over here. Everyone I know that's been to USA longer than a month came back at least a stone heavier.

Wooo yes I also have a friend going to London Business School next year AND I'm a big English soccer fan so I would love to go to the UK and then do some hiking in Spain! I would love to be around healthier food too! Soon soon...

kurenaikumo

I've never done it, but I completely envy you. I am hoping to do something similar across Asia when my daughter graduates High School. While you are childless and unmarried, I encourage you to live your life to the fullest and learn from every culture you encounter. This is the way peace is made- understanding other people across the world. Learn every language you can, learn all the history you can. If you happen upon a job opportunity in another country, take it! Good luck to you!