Hello! Here is a post from a blog friend of mine. I always love reading posts about how to travel the world, so I knew I had to say yes to her post idea. Enjoy!
The quick answer to title of this post is: YES! At least that is what some people would say.
But just think about it for a second: If you had the opportunity to travel the world for a longer period of time, wouldn’t you go for it as well?
Every day when I go on Facebook, I see people talking about how their careers are really talking off, they graduated with this and that degree, they just got a mortgage for their house, what they had for dinner and so on.
And the feeling I get whenever I read all of the above, is the feeling of being unable to breathe. Well, sort of at least.
Why do I get that feeling? Because it is so far from what I want with my life and from who I am as a person.
Now is there anything wrong with a house, a car, three kids and a dog? No, not at all. It’s just not what is written in my cards. At least not at the moment.
I have the word “wanderlust” stuck in my brain. And it doesn’t seem to go away. And when I decided that I could no longer ignore it, I took the first step and I bought a flight ticket so that I could travel the world.
Before that, I had bought a map of the world which I put on my wall. It encouraged me to save and save and save all I could.
But by doing all of this, I am going to have to say goodbye to a pretty good life in England. What am I actually going to give up?
A great job.
I always read about how other people were sick of their 9-5 jobs in a cubicle, so they handed in their notice but stormed out of there early anyway because they just couldn’t take it any more.
It’s not like that for me at all. I’m actually really sad about leaving my job.
I have worked as a nanny for the past two years, looking after some (most of the time) amazing kids).
My income has increased significantly over the past year due to being offered more work and I got a pay rise not long ago.
I am finally in a good place financially, but I am waving goodbye to that for a life of travel.
Stability and routine.
That is something that has been very important to me for a long time, but I am slowly starting to break away from it.
I have lived in my flat for over two years and as much as I love it, I can’t wait to stop paying sky high rent. Of course it can be slightly difficult to say goodbye to a place you have spent so much time in and where you have created so many memories.
A stable income is another thing I’m giving up, which is actually kind of scary. I will probably miss that the most.
I have always been really bad with money. Like terribly bad! I never had two pennies to rub together as I wasted my money on things I didn’t need and nights out that were’t even that great.
It’s only in the past year that I have started to gain control of my finances and it is something I’m extremely proud of.
I’m hitting the road with a good amount of savings. I have eaten a lot of spaghetti in the past year and had a lot of nights in instead of going out, to be able to save enough money. However, I know it will all be worth it in the end when I travel the world.
Related article: Pursuing What I Love or What Brings in the (Stable) Money
My belongings.
I once had a friend who said he couldn’t possibly travel the world because he had just bought a new, expensive sofa…
Lucky for me, my sofa is sort of rubbish and broken so that won’t be a problem for me!
I began to sell all of my belongings in at the beginning of 2015. And to be truthful, the first couple of sales were hard even though the things I sold weren’t particular important to me or had any sentimental value.
It was just the whole idea of letting go of all the things I had been “collecting” over the years. However, after that first couple of sales it became much easier. If you want to learn how to travel the world, you will have to be more minimalist when it comes to your belongings.
I’m now actually enjoying selling my things. It gives me a great feeling when I put that money in my travel fund. And I really doubt I’m going to miss all of these things when I’m on a paradise beach in Thailand…
A psychology degree.
Now I am in no way encouraging people to drop out of college or university. Stay in school, kids!
I have done my first year and a half of University. And it was great! I loved it. I have wanted to study psychology for as long as I can remember, and when I got accepted onto the course I was ecstatic.
I do want to finish my degree eventually, but right now it’s the road that is calling me and life is too short.
Love.
Shortly after I began to plan my trip around the world over year ago, I met a man. It was one of those kind of loves where you forget about the reality you are surrounded by, because you are so in love. The idea of traveling was pushed in the background, because it was no longer as important to me. It was no longer my priority.
I did eventually have a bit of a wake-up call. You know, one of those moments where you just stop and think: “What are you doing? You are giving up on everything you have worked so hard for and dreamed of for so long, just because of a man.”
I had to face reality. I wasn’t about to give up on what I wanted the most in the world.
It was hard in the beginning after having realized this, but it was the best decision I could have made.
Dating other people after that hasn’t been easy and I have completely given up on it now. The minute I mention “full time nomad” to a man, they run away.
But at the end of the day that’s for the best. I don’t even blame them.
So yeah, I may be crazy according to some people for giving up on all of those things. I am in a better place than I have been for a very long time, but my personal belief is that when you get too comfortable in one place, it’s time to get up and move on. And as I once heard: “When you’re stuck in a place for too long, it’s best to throw a grenade where you stand and jump.”
Author bio: Zascha is the blogger behind accordingtozascha.com where she writes about her expat life in England and her love for Denmark, while she is preparing for a trip as a budget backpacker around the world which will start soon.
What would you do so that you could travel more? Are you interested in learning how to travel the world? What’s the next trip you have planned?
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Debbie says
Great post! All my good energy and luck for your friend’s amazing decision! She is very brave not only leaving a good job in England but turning her back to love in order to live her dream! She truly is the realization of “live your dreams”! Thanks for sharing!
Zascha says
Thank you so much for your kind words, Debbie 🙂
Saving Sanely says
I’m so inspired by this story! But I’m really glad it’s a guest post and Michelle’s not giving us up! It’s wonderful that you’ve found the one thing you know you want to pursue in life and that you are willing to do anything to make it happen! People always think it’s strange when you don’t follow society’s rules or expectations but it will also be an adventure that most could not figure out how to take! I’m on a mission to pay off my debts so I can retire early and travel as well. I have a bucket list and a wall sized map with far too few pins in it as well! Good luck!
Zascha says
Good luck with everything! You’ll get there 🙂
Kirsten says
I had to laugh about the sofa comment. How weird.
I actually describe myself in my blog bio using the term “wanderlust”. I am not a world traveller, but I don’t like to be in any one place too long. And I think if I had been exposed to stories, shows, movies, whatever of people traveling the world for their life, my own life would look very different right now.
As for university? So many programs can be mostly done online these days. Not even that HAS to tie someone down.
Zascha says
You’re right about online studying. I’ve done one year of college that way 🙂
Amy @ DebtGal says
I had to chuckle when I read this post, since I’m kind of the opposite. I love stability and routine! Yes, I know that sounds very stodgy, but it’s who I am. However, I admire your willingness to take a risk and follow your dream. Have a wonderful trip!
Zascha says
Hey Amy, thanks for your comment. It’s great that we’re all different. And you should definitely do what makes you happy and comfortable 🙂
Holly@ClubThrifty says
I don’t think it’s crazy. You’re smart to spend time traveling before you have kids. It’s a lot harder once you start a family – trust me!
Zascha says
Holly, I believe you! 🙂
Allison @ Frugal on the Prairie says
The part about the guy not being able to travel because of his expensive sofa just made me laugh! I guess extended travel just wasn’t for him but his reason is so hilarious.
We have a 13 month old so we’re not comfortable selling everything and traveling around the world. But we still travel SO much! This year alone we’ve spent more nights in a hotel than I can count. So we may not be traveling abroad but we still believe you can have a family and see the world too, even if it’s just a state here or there! Great post, Zascha! 🙂
Zascha says
Allison, that counts as travelling in my books! 🙂
Thank you for your kind words.
Shan Walker says
I’ve always been more of a home-body who just happened to have traveling opportunities fall in my lap growing up: I was blessed to have visited Europe and 25 of the 50 states so far. I live vicariously through my 21-year-old who travels the world every chance he gets. Although the hubs and I stay around the U.S. now, I’m always planning the next trip before my suitcase is even unpacked.
Zascha, I think you are incredibly brave and I pray God blesses you in your endeavors.
blessings,
Shan Walker
The How-to Guru
Zascha says
Thank you for your kind words 🙂
Kayla @ My Kind of Yellow says
Great post. I think everyone is made differently, and that’s what makes us all so unique! My husband and I want to travel the world, but we love our hometown too much and we’d miss the routine too much to make traveling a “full time thing”, but that’s awesome for you!! I hope you experience so many amazing things!
Zascha says
You’re so right, and I’m glad we’re all different! 🙂 happy travels.
Will @ Phroogal says
Dating a digital nomad would be awesome! So much more exciting than the office drones I typically meet. 🙂
Zascha says
Office drones can be exciting too … right..?? 🙂
Stockbeard says
I think what helps with traveling is to understand that nothing is a “one way door”. You can reasonably easily come back to where you came from, and build a life again.
Having lived in 3 countries now, I feel there are ways to travel without “giving everything up”. You can still keep your friends and family (even though it’s going to be harder to stay in touch when you see less of them), you can (should!) keep your accumulated wealth one way or another (I mean your wealth, not your current income): living abroad a lot means that social security is going to be a mess no matter what for you, so you have to plan a lot much more than average.
But on the other side of the coin, as you mentioned, I’ve learned to live with less, not accumulating “things”. Memories, wealth, friends are things you can accumulate when you travel. A house, a new sofa, a car… ? Nope, don’t need those.
One thing, you said: “The minute I mention full time nomad to a man, they run away.”
I find that hard to believe. A girl who would tell men “I want to date, but no strings attached” is something that most men in their 20’s/30’s would actually appreciate (for better or for worse). It’s usually girls who are scared by the non-committal side of things.
Zascha says
Where do I find those men?? 🙂
Jhonatan Alvarez says
If only I can find a beautiful lady like yourself to travel that lifestyle with..
Tiffany Melvin says
Love this post. I too have the wonderlust gene! I can’t wait to begin our life of travel. We recently sold all our stuff and moved into a small RV and we plan to move on our sailboat and travel the world! We can’t wait to begin. You have great courage and I admire people who aren’t scared to go down a different path. Congratulations!
Zascha says
Good luck with your travels! It’ll be the time of your lives! 🙂
Jeanne Melanson @pets, @animals says
Interesting read! My brother just came back from 8 weeks in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. He rented, then bought, a motorbike to get around and had a blast. He’s a traveler and been to a lot of places. He wants to do more. It’s in his blood. Now he’s in the process of figuring out how to make money while traveling. He just started a new blog where he will write about his travels, tips and things.
Your writer doesn’t say where she plans to travel, or for how long? I’d be curious.
All the best! Stay safe.
Zascha says
I want to go EVERYWHERE for as long as possible! 🙂
Goos luck to your brother. Has he considered teaching English abroad?
Jeanne Melanson @pets, @animals says
Yes, he has. He’s thinking Vietnam. He loves the south. Good luck to you too! 🙂
JcCee says
You are right! Life is too short. I think it is amazing and I admire you! We travel some now but I can’t wait until my kids get grown so my husband and I can travel more.
Zascha says
Good luck with your travels 🙂
Daryl says
I can totally relate to your friend’s post. I am glad she has decided to take time off and see the world. Like her I don’t want to be tied down to STUFF. I am interested in experiences more than things. As soon as I can let go of some work commitments I too will be traveling the world. “To travel is to live.” Hans Christian Anderson
Zascha says
Go do it – it’ll be the time of your life. Happy travels 🙂
caroline says
i would love to travel the world my partner and i are going to mexico this year with a company called
bc huts cant wait
Zascha says
Have a blast in Mexico! 🙂
Kayla @ Femme Frugality says
Wow! That is exciting. I sometimes want to do this too, but I don’t know that I could ever actually do it. Best of luck on your trip.
Kasia says
Good on you for following your dream! If only we were all brave enough to do just that.
I wanted to travel but fell in love and didn’t. Now we have a beautiful son and hope to travel as a family in the future.
Jayson @ Monster Piggy Bank says
I would totally grab the chance to travel the world while I am still single, because I don’t have a family, The possibility of doing it becomes lower. I might as well do this while chances are high.
Jesse Gernigin says
Enjoy what we in the travel world call ‘Dirt Bagging’. There is a whole world for you to see and if you catch on with some climbers and outdoorsman you can really extend your stay anywhere and see what it is that makes a place have a sense of identity!
Mathe says
I wish I have that same determinaton and lust for adventure. I love reading great stories about travel. This post is very inspiring as it tells of that drive that makes travel possible for a lot of people. I wish you well!
Sara Taylor says
Me and my husband have spoke of being work Kampers after our 12 yr old graduates from homeschool. We are planning on investing our money in a few of the ways mentioned on the blog here. We have really high hopes and since I have MS and cannot work outside of the home much I really need to get our money to work for us and not vice versa…I love this blog!
Bryan @ Just One More Year says
I am can completely relate to your friend’s desire to travel. It especially comes to mind on days of back-to-back mindless meetings at work. Why don’t I just quit and travel for a year or two?
I think that will happen for us very soon. 🙂 Safe travels!
Charlie says
Two years on and I’m reading this… in the same position about to leave home and give everything up to travel the world. Am I excited…? Yes! Am I petrified…? absolutely! But reading this has given me more comfort that I’m not the only person who wonders whether I’m crazy for doing this. 2018 is a big year and I hope the travelling went well for your friend. Thanks for the inspiration!