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Home » Planning

5 Reasons To Quit Your Job and Go Traveling

Submitted by TravMonkey on August 3, 2009 – 9:30 pm22 Comments

To many people quiting a job and heading of round the globe can seem like a very scary thing.
It’s is well worth traveling to experience such mind blowing sights.

For many people quiting a job and heading of round the globe can seem like a very scary thing.

It needn’t be a scary experience, but stepping out of the comfort zone and out of the familiar routine can often seem impossible to some. The cycle of paying bills and spending what you get paid keeps people trapped from ever realising their dream of traveling.

It’s often self inflicted.

From the age of 18 I always wanted to go traveling, or did I? I think I’ve realised now that I liked the idea of going traveling at the time but in reality I really didn’t want it enough.

I probably could have saved money if I really wanted it but I think the fear of unknown places and possible dangers prevented me leaving until I was 26 years old.

For me the realisation that my life for the next 30 plus years could be spent working for someone else staring at a computer screen made me take action.


I wanted to go see things and explore while I was young and open minded, for me retirement comes at the wrong end of life.

Here are 5 reasons to quit your work and go traveling:

1. If I don’t do it now will I ever?

A lot of people say they are going to do something but never do, they put it off for so long it never actually happens.

It often comes down to people’s comfort zones, they step out to a degree but then fall back in. The key is to take action and make it happen, one such way for example is booking your flights.

2.I don’t actually enjoy my job

Many people just go through the motions of life, they work in a job just for the steady income and rarely look elsewhere. Do you actually enjoy getting up in the morning and heading to your job, if the answer if “yes” then you maybe one of the lucky ones.

Going traveling can give you a whole new perspective on life and work, you may decide to come home for a career change. Traveling won’t solve your problems but will be an amazing experience.

3. It’s only fear holding me back

For some the thought of long term world travel is scary. Places far away sound dangerous usually there’s little evidence to back up the irrationally fear.

I remember hearing from people who had been traveling that Cambodia’s capital was dangerous after dark. I spent many evenings out in the city socialising and never saw any trouble at all. It was probably a lot safer than my home town.

Don’t let the fear of the unknown put you off, once you arrive you’ll usually realise it’s not scary or dangerous at all. Just like at home, common sense is the key.

4. There is more to life than this

Do you often think that there must be more to life than getting up and working for someone else? There’s a whole world out there to explore.

Don’t let the world pass you by whilst you stare out of the office window thinking what could have been, do something about it.

5. What am I being paid for?

Life is there to be enjoyed, save that pay packet and get out into the world! Don’t fall into the trap of paying for products and services that you don’t really need because you’ll end up working your life away working for them.

Cut out the wastage and save like a mad man and your travel dreams will come true quicker than you could ever imagine.

See my article Secret Of Successful Saving For Your Trip.


Also see:

TravMonkey

Paul Dow is an English, optimistic, late sleeper, green tea drinker, writer, web developer, soccer fan and editor of TravMonkey. Currently recovering in London after traveling solo for 22 months through Asia, Australia, New Zealand and South America.


22 Comments »

  • Justin says:

    Good post. I had to link to it.

  • TravMonkey says:

    Thanks Justin,

    I’ve been checking out your blog, I’ll have a really good read of the corporate whore very soon.

    Keep up the good work.

    Thanks.

  • CaliforniaKat says:

    Another reason is it gets harder to leave as more responsibilities stack up — mortgages, kids, etc.

    I’m glad I finally did it even though I’d delayed since I was 17. You know what it’s like, isn’t your life so much richer and better? I get a kick out of people much younger than us saying stuff like “oh, it’s too late for me.” What the!?!

    Sometimes I even jumpstart them by booking flights with my miles, then going on the first trip with them. After that, they seem to keep traveling and traveling…

  • TravMonkey says:

    Yeah spot on Californiakat, I do think it is much more difficult once you’ve really put down roots so to speak.

  • NATCHA says:

    thanks a lot !
    you know i’ve got so many ideas of going traveling from your blog

    very good post, really !

  • Leah says:

    Thanks for your articles. I am entertaining a year in world and appreciate the information and encouragement. I have a fairly established career here, can you suggest any appropriate ways to explain a travel gap in employment history?

  • TravMonkey says:

    Hi Leah,

    I think today is much more widespread (taking a gap year) and a lot of employers will actually look at it in a good light. After all it can help you to obtain a “worldly” perspective and to see the bigger picture in many situations.

    You may also be able to talk about many positive experiences such as volunteering, leading groups, working with others etc. It shows a willingness to try new things.

    There are many positive things you can apply.

    These are just a few.

    Hope this helps a little.
    Thanks,

    Paul @
    TravMonkey.com

  • [...] This post was Twitted by mchasche [...]

  • Will says:

    It seems like there are a lot more reasons to quit your job than there are to stay!

    Myself, I’ve discovered the wonderful world of contract work in Antarctica. I work for 6 months then have 6 months off and enough money to thoroughly enjoy the time off and travel, though I am considering making another serious run at alternative income streams so that I can take even more time off…That’s a bit tough though too because I actually enjoy my job and especially the people who I work with…I guess I get to have my cake and eat it!

    Anyhow, I enjoyed the post…and to the commenters who are considering bailing from their jobs – go for it!

  • TravMonkey says:

    Hi Will,

    Thanks for the comment, I think sometimes you have to throw caution to the wind and enjoy life!

    Antarctica? Wow that is a bit different! What are you working as?

    Thanks,

    Paul @
    TravMonkey.com

  • Will says:

    Hey Paul,

    I’m a diesel mechanic specializing in electric power production with a repertoire of other mechanical skills. There are lots of other jobs available here though – pretty much anything you would need to run any small town (with the exception of police and lawyers). Sometimes the work seems pretty arduous, but the privilege of being here is a HUGE payoff!

    Sorry, I guess I’ve taken this a bit off topic….so I’ll close with an on-topic quote:

    “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off your bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

  • TravMonkey says:

    Thanks Will interesting opportunity you’ve taken!

    Nice quote too!

    Thanks,
    Paul @
    TravMonkey

  • kevin says:

    cool post, life is too short to spend it all stuck in a job everyday waiting for the weekends

  • Elle says:

    I’d planned to go travelling since graduating, but never really ‘got around to it’.

    Then I was made redundant from my job, so just packed my bags and 3 weeks later went off for a few months around the world on my own, it was without a doubt the best thing i’ve ever done!!

    If you are even thinking about going, just do it! You’ll never regret going.

  • TravMonkey says:

    Hi Elle,

    I can only echo those thoughts myself! Very true, there is more to life than most people realise… and the most precious thing we have is time.

    Most people and myself included (on many occasions) do not always make the most of the time!

    Thanks,

    Paul @
    TravMonkey.com

  • Chris says:

    Paul,

    Cheers for the article. Put a few things into perspective for me.

    I’m currently working in some graduate job which I was catapulted into. And whilst I feel lucky to be earning money with the way things are, I am burning out with it already.

    I think deep down, I am one of those types that constantly states “Next March I’m off around the world!” But deep down, the prospect is pretty scary for whilst there are tons of people I could ask to come with, I know that it’d just involve compromising on experiences that should entirely be my own. I don’t mean that to sound selfish, but I’m sure you know what I mean.

    Besides the ‘Get off your ass and do it’ tip, any other pointers for someone looking to go solo?

  • TravMonkey says:

    Hi Chris,

    Thanks for the comment. I think you kind of state a situation where a lot of people find themselves in, myself included.

    Tips for going solo? Hmm I think you just really have to go for it, sometimes people will let you down. If you really want to do it it is worth doing alone. Best thing you can do is to set a date… a reasonable date where you will have saved enough cash by. Then book the flights, then there is no turning back!

    Here is an article on going it alone Travel Alone.

    I remember a friend of mine who said he was going to go. He bought a lonely planet for each country he was going to, he never left. Has a bookshelf full of brand new guide books… don’t be that guy!

    Paul @
    TravMonkey.com

  • Daniel says:

    Four more than I need! :)

  • [...] just fear that stops your from actually making that giant step out of your comfort zone. See -  5 Reasons To Quit Your Job and Go Traveling and 5 Steps To Make Your Travel Dream A [...]

  • Tom says:

    Hi Paul, nice article,
    I’m doing the save like crazy bit and plan on going travelling in march, this piece re-affirmed my wanting to go see the world whilst young and that I’m only working the 9-5 for this trip.
    I’m planning on going by myself to do the South East Asia routes and then down to Aus, I was just wondering if you had any advice on how much one should save for such a trip? I’m planning on about 3-4k after I’ve booked a flight. Any advice would be greatly welcomed.

    Take it Easy

    Tom

  • Tom says:

    Oh, and I want to be gone for about a year.

  • TravMonkey says:

    Hi Tom,

    It very much depends on where you travel and what kind of traveler you are, ie how much you spend.

    I’d say for South East Asia 400-500 pounds a month should be more than enough. Australia will sap your funds in comparison, so you may want to look at using you working holiday visa over there or spend more time in Asia.

    The 400-500 pound figure is rough and if you really budget and don’t spend too much you could probably do it cheaper.

    Thanks,

    Paul @
    TravMonkey.com

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