The days of working for forty years for the same company that pays less than you are worth, are over. Some people work hard and dedicate half of their life to their job, only to retire with a handful of memories of two week beach vacations.
More of us are wising up! There has been a shift in the way we think. People are realising that we need to live now, while we are fully able, rather than later when we are not fit or resilient enough to enjoy it.
Do not waste away in that office cubicle or on that shop floor and live now. Here are five reasons to quit your job and travel.
1. No such thing as a secure job.
Many do not want to leave a “secure” job. However, since 2008 we have come to the realisation that there is no such thing as a secure job! You could be sacrificing your life for a job that may end up with the words “you’re fired” anyway. It is true that finding a new job may take longer than in the past. So for this reason it is essential to save enough money for when you return from your travels. It’s good to have enough money for six months living expenses whilst you are looking for a new job. Create your own economy and security.
Monday is a poor way to spend 1/7 of your life.
2. If you keep postponing your travels, you may never end up leaving.
It’s all so easy to become addicted to the stability of the comfortable home and the so called “secure” job. Making the decision to travel, and taking the first steps are the hardest. Once you have made the commitment to travel it becomes very easy. You will find the feeling of pure freedom exhilarating.
I think the person who takes a job in order to live; that is for the money, has turned himself into a slave.
3. Lack of job satisfaction.
You arrive at work at 9am to a desk full of messages written on post-it notes. You try and decide whether to attend to those first, or clear that paper jam in the photocopier. You do not have time to do that though, as you have to answer the e-mail messages from your co-workers who are sitting only in the next office. That is the office environment; however, people complain about a lack of job satisfaction in all lines of work. Why waste the most valuable years of your life when you could be living your life.
Be not afraid of going slowly; be afraid only of standing still, Chinese Proverb
4. Fear.
Many people fear that if they leave their job, that due to the high unemployment rate they may never end up working again, or at least not in the near future. This is only partly true; only if you do not prepare well. I’m not suggesting walking into your boss’s office and just handing in your two week notice.
What you want to do is leave your job on good terms so that you will get a good reference, or maybe even a job offer on return from your travels. Leaving on good terms with your employer means giving an ample notice period, training new staff on your duties and making your departure less stressful on your co-workers and boss. Also, prepare your resume/CV for when you return from your travels. This means that you can start sending out your resume immediately on your return.
I always arrive late at the office, but I make up for it by leaving early.
5. You do not need to be rich to travel.
Yes it’s true! I have traveled the world for less than $1000 a month. By staying in hostels or cheap guest houses, cooking for yourself or splitting costs with other travelers, you can travel for even less than this.
“Nobody ever laid on their deathbed wishing they had spent more time at work”
I am certainly not saying quit your job without a safety net. I am saying don’t make excuses as it’s possible to live a life of travel. Don’t be owned by your job and create your own life of freedom, adventure and purpose.
October 27, 2012 at 10:24 pm
I read your blog and it is a confirmation to what I posted in my blog.
http://marquettemarty.blogspot.com – that I must reevaluate our chosen life style and go travel. Your Words are very true.
October 28, 2012 at 8:40 am
Thanks Marty!
October 29, 2012 at 6:43 am
That is an inspiring list.
http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in
R Niranjan recently posted..The Geyser Bath…!!
October 29, 2012 at 4:41 pm
Thanks Niranjan!
October 29, 2012 at 6:49 am
One can learn many new skills when traveling to improve their resume such as languages, risk mitigation, and cross cultural competency to name a few. Gaining new experiences abroad can only increase ones value upon returning to work.
Curious Nomad recently posted..8 Lessons From The Playa
October 29, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Curious Nomad – Great point! You can not only prepare for your return before your travels, but also during. Even if it were to volunteer whilst aboard, that can be an excellent addition to your resume. Or like you said, learning languages can also be valuable to alot of employers.
October 29, 2012 at 10:06 am
I stumbled upon your blog while I was looking for solo female travelers and I was glad that there are really a lot of ladies out there that have the courage to step out into the world and explore it. I have also done some solo travels which I chronicled in my blog, cheontheroad.blogspot.com and those solo travels were some of the most enriching experiences that I have. This post has inspired me more to think about being location independent and go with my passion for travel. Thank you for sharing this wonderful post. Cheers!
Che on the road recently posted..Sample Itinerary for Hongkong – Macau
October 29, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Hello Che, I am happy that the post inspired you to go with your passion to travel. It is true what you say in that solo travel is an incredibly enriching experience.Once you have experienced it , its hard to stop! Good luck with your travels Che!
October 29, 2012 at 2:54 pm
I just spoke at Meet Plan Go in Toronto about my career break and the number one thing holding people back was fear. I was once afraid too but I am so glad I did it.
Ayngelina recently posted..Getting lost in Montana
October 29, 2012 at 4:02 pm
Hi Ayngelina, its sad that fear holds some people back on going for their dreams. Just like what happened with you, people will be afraid to take that first step, but once they do, there will be no regrets. At least there wasn’t for me. Good for you for going for it!
October 30, 2012 at 12:39 am
Thanks for the post Elle! I think that the quote after number 3 is very true. Staying still, in the proverbial sense, scares me. I long for the day that I can travel full time. I appreciate the inspiration, keep it up!
October 30, 2012 at 5:57 am
Andy, thanks for your comments. Yes, that quote has to be my favorite too. Being still, or being committed to staying still is not a pleasant feeling; I live to move! I hope the day that you travel full time comes very soon!
November 4, 2012 at 12:34 pm
I think you have covered all the points why one should quite their job and travel. There will never be a good time to quie. Life is short and you have too see the world before you die. What is the point of working for someone else. Time to see the world.
Shalu Sharma recently posted..Complete guide to Mysore city
November 4, 2012 at 4:55 pm
Hi Shalu, Most certainly true! Some people put their dreams on hold, waiting for the right time to go for them. There may never be a right time apart from now!
February 22, 2013 at 4:20 pm
I admire this post. Although I cannot fully follow it. I am one of the few people who LOVE my job. It allows me to travel for work and I have an amazing boss who gives me up to 2 months a year for international travel if I like. I also really enjoy owning a home and growing my own food out of my former lawn. I could never do that if I traveled full time. Although, I would still like to take a year off and do a RTW trip.
I know not everyone can have such a great job, but I highly encourage people to become field biologists if they want to hike and travel for a living then have an off-season to travel the rest of the world.
February 22, 2013 at 7:33 pm
Very nice to get a different view on this. I believe that you are in an ideal situation, good job, ample time to travel – so there really is no need to leave your job. Two months travel a year is ample time to travel, so lucky you!
However alot of us are not in that situation. For instance, most americans only get two weeks vacations a year which is hardly enough time for a longhaul trip. So for some its all or nothing in regards to working.
Your job really does sound amazing, not only for the vacation time but also the nature of it (excuse the pun)
Thanks for your comment