Things to Consider Before Quitting Your Job to Travel

I can't tell you how many times I've heard people say, “Should I quit my job and travel the world?” »

Woah, my horse, that’s a bold statement! Of course, many people did. There will be a lot more people doing this in the future.

This doesn't mean everyone should do it.

Of course, anyone who's followed this blog for a while will tell you that we're not ones to shy away from adventure.

We quit our jobs to travel the world several times, but that doesn't mean we would do it again and again.

There are many considerations to make before making the bold decision to abandon your career and take the road into the unknown.

While we don't want to be killjoys, we want to be pragmatic and share the pros and cons of quitting your job to travel the world so you can decide if it's really what you want to do.

Things to Consider Before Quitting Your Job to Travel

1. Do you have a job to return to?

You don't have to quit your job to travel long-term. This is a misconception that many people have.

I can't tell you how many people we've met on the road who tell us they left their job to travel the world and don't know what to do when they return, only to find out they never asked their employer s 'They can come back – assuming the answer is no.

I firmly believe that employers are much more open and accepting of people's desire to travel these days compared to before.

Our global culture places much more emphasis on work-life balance and ensuring that people live happy lives.

Happy minds = happy workers, right?

If you ask your employer to take a leave of absence for a few months, or even a year, they will probably tell you that they will welcome you back when you return.

If not, are you prepared to look for a job when you return? Do you have a friend or family member you can live with while you look for work? Do you have funds to support this phase of your life? Will it be easy?

These are questions you want to consider Before you quit. If you're thinking about quitting your job to travel the world, you can't be dreamy-eyed enough to not also think about the end of your journey. This is where the problems arise.

2. Do you have children? How will this affect them?

We have traveled with our children since they were born and we wouldn't have it any other way.

We homeschooled themwe moved them into campers on road trips and took them on adventures that most kids their age wouldn't have the luxury of.

But now they are older and starting to think about college. They have a home base with friends they don't want to leave.

It's not just about their education, but also about their well-being and what's important to them.

Before you quit your job to take your kids on a long-term travel adventure, talk to them first and see if they're happy with the decision.

You can still do this once they've left the nest!

3. What will you give up to travel?

You also need to think about what you are giving up and leaving behind. Do you have an apartment or house that you rent or mortgage? Who will take care of it or will you just have to move?

And your stuff? Are they going to be stored or in boxes in a friend's garage?

You'll need to downsize for a life of travel, which means giving up some material possessions.

Maybe a cleanse will be good for you, or maybe throwing away sentimental items might make you resent the trip. It's up to you, ultimately. Just something to think about…

Here are six sacrifices of a life of travel (with tips for managing them!)

4. Are you ready for reverse culture shock?

Many people don't know reverse culture shock until they feel it themselves. This is what happened to us!

If you've never heard of this term before, it basically means the feeling of “no longer fitting in” in your home country.

When you take time off, especially for long periods of time, you come home and find that it's different from when you left it.

It's not just the old playground that has been transformed into a parking lot, it's also the people who are changing.

You will find that you have changed too.

Your values ​​change when you travel. You become wiser, more informed about world issues, you adapt better to challenges, you overcome your fears – you are no longer the same person you were when you left.

It can be difficult to return to your home country and feel like you belong after a long absence. It gets easier and you eventually find your rhythm, but just know that this isn't just a case of the “travel blues” and for some it can be a very difficult feeling to deal with.

5. Do you have enough funds?

Money doesn't grow on trees, as they say! While you I don't need a lot of money to travelyou need to set aside a small fund to cover yourself.

You can work along the way, volunteer, or stay in cheap hostels to save money, but it's always a good idea to have extras in case of an emergency.

Don't forget to save for your return. You may have to book an expensive flight home, and you may have to support yourself when you need to find work again.

6. Are you ready for adventure?

Traveling full time seems like a luxury, but it can also be exhausting after a while.

One of the things we love about traveling is that there are no rules; you can wake up when you want, do what you want, eat where you want, sleep when you want.

It also requires a lot of mental effort to plan, find places to sleep, look for a place to eat that won't give you food poisoning, figure out which attractions you can visit within your budget.

There's still a lot of planning to do on the road, and it can get tiring.

7. What are your travel goals?

Finally, what are your goals? Are you traveling because you want to explore the world while you're young, or are you trying to fill a hole in your life?

Ask yourself if you are running towards or away from something.

Contrary to what you read in books, traveling will not heal a broken heart. Traveling won't fix a hole in your heart, just put a bandage on it.

Don't go if your heart and mind aren't ready for adventure. It's best to sort out your problems before you leave.

Ask yourself if your travel goals can be achieved by taking a short vacation or taking a sabbatical rather than quitting altogether.

If you can see everything you want to see in 3 months, you may want to talk with your employer about whether you can take time off and come back in a few months.

Final Thoughts

Some people are unhappy with those who preach “leave your cabin and travel » lifestyle, and some people don't want to quit their jobs to travel and feel offended by those who do.

Here's the problem; people who write about quitting your job to travel the world write to people who to want quit their job and travel the world.

Their target audience is people who hate their job, feel lost, and are looking for deeper meaning. They haven't found him a job yet.

This is absolutely not the truth for everyone.

We seek out tribes of like-minded people in all aspects of our lives. This is how we feel safe and understood and perhaps a little more courageous to pursue the life we ​​aspire to, based on our ideals and values.

I quit my teaching job because I woke up every morning to an alarm and said, “Oh shit.”

It was torturous and soul-destroying, and it affected everyone around me, including the children I taught. If I'm not living a life of travel, I feel like I'm slowly dying – there's nothing else, including a job (apart from this blog) that fulfills me.

When I talk about this point of view on this blog, I'm speaking to people who feel the same way, so that they know that someone is suffering and that they too can find a way out.

I don't talk to people who love their job. I'm not saying that loving a job is bad and that the only worthwhile life is the one where you leave everything behind.

I say that a life worth living is one where we follow a path that makes us happy.

A person who quit their job and created a successful and happy life by traveling the world is not irresponsible in encouraging and teaching others how to do it.

If they have created something that others desire, there is nothing wrong with helping light the way for other members of the tribe.

Those considering quitting their jobs to pursue travel should also hit the pause button.

Don't jump blindly. Know how deep the water is.

Break. Reflect. Research. Due diligence. Responsible choice. Possess.

Want to quit your job to travel the world? Go for it. Do you want to help people leave the cubicle because you think it's the best thing ever? Go for it. There are a lot of people who want you to help them.

Want to find a way to fit travel into the life and work you love? Go for it. I love that you have a job you love. I think that's everyone's ultimate goal because work is something we all have to do and we spend a lot of hours doing it, why not love it?

Why not take advantage of its security and benefits and use them to create travel experiences you love? The truth is that you probably have more opportunities to travel with a stable salary than most people who quit their jobs.

Let's be real: jobs keep society up and running and there's a lot of good happening in the world because of them.

Love what you do and do what you love.