Should I quit my job and travel? This is a question I struggled with for a long time, and perhaps you are too. For me, it was a battle between craving freedom and fearing I’d be making the biggest mistake of my life. Here’s how to work through this decision.
Quick overview to help with your decision
- Hear from someone who wrestled with this exact question for years
- Discover how to know when it’s time to quit your job to travel
- Find out if you’re too old to travel
- Learn if you actually need to quit your job
- Explore if you can afford to travel
My struggle with this exact question
After an eight-year relationship ended, I threw myself into my work. I climbed the ladder and was proud of my success. But somewhere along the way, I realised I was unhappy. I’d find myself crying, I wasn’t sleeping or eating properly, and the things that used to light me up now felt hollow. Something needed to change.
That’s when my old university dream came flooding back – the one about travelling around the world. Now I was free and single again, I could make it happen.
For years, I swung like a pendulum. I was torn between two equally terrifying possibilities: making this dream a reality, or staying safe in the miserable life I’d worked so hard to build. Would I regret not taking this chance? Or would I regret making an expensive mistake even more?
If you’re reading this, chances are you know what this feels like.
Why travel?
You’ve worked hard in your career and you’re proud of what you’ve achieved. But you have a sneaking suspicion that there’s more to life, more to you. You’re not alone.
In the Daily Telegraph, Sam Baker explained her decision to quit her glamorous job as a top women’s magazine editor. She had no job to go to. A year later, does she have any regrets? (Spoiler: she doesn’t – far from it).
But if you’re wondering “should I quit my job and travel?” it’s not an easy decision. In order to taste the freedom you’re craving by taking a career break to travel, you’d be giving up everything you know. This means the security blanket of your 9 to 5 routine and the monthly pay cheque. The ‘you’ that is safe and familiar.
And if it’s a long-term adventure you’re leaning towards, you’ll have to leave behind your home, your friends and family. It’s a big decision. Potentially a life-changing one.
Your mind will cling to the thought of everything you’d be giving up, and encourage you to play it safe. What would it look like on your CV to have a career break? What will people think? What will happen when you come back? So many questions raise their heads. Your fears will want to keep you in your comfort zone and not take any risks. How would you deal with potentially no longer having a regular income? Read on to find out more to help you decide.
How do I know when it’s time to quit my job?
If you’ve been thinking about quitting your job to travel for a while, then you’re probably ready. I’ve not spoken with a single person who regretted taking time off to see the world. Everyone said it was the best time of their lives. Even the person I spoke with who gave up her job, then found it hard to find work when she returned says she still didn’t regret a thing. For me, this was eye-opening.
Of course, it’s important to be practical about your current circumstances. Do you have a partner, family or other commitments that would be affected by your decision? It’s important to consider how your break might impact them and whether your loved ones will support this choice.
Finally, trust your gut. Feeling a mixture of excitement and terror? That could be a good sign you’re considering something meaningful and potentially life-changing.
Am I too old to travel?
You’ve probably convinced yourself that big travel adventures are only for gap year students or recent graduates. That somehow you’ve ‘missed the boat’ and should be focusing on serious adult things like mortgages and promotions instead.
Maybe you’re worried you’ll look foolish backpacking at 35, or that you’ll be surrounded by 22-year-olds. Here’s the truth: people of all ages go backpacking and stay in hostels.
If you’re in your twenties, you might worry that you should be building your career instead. But this could be the perfect time – you likely have fewer commitments, more flexibility and decades ahead to build that career with the wisdom travel brings.
In your thirties or beyond? You have some serious advantages. You’ve got more life experience to draw from, giving you better judgement about safety and situations, and often more financial resources. You likely have a career to fall back on when you return. You know what you want from your travels and you have the confidence to make it happen.
Would I have to quit my job?
Sometimes the answer to “should I quit my job and travel?” is: not necessarily.
Before the thought of being jobless sends you into a spin, consider whether your employer might consider offering you a sabbatical. It is increasingly common for people to agree a set period of a few months to embark on their journeys before returning to their post, giving you the safety net of guaranteed employment to return to.
If you work for an international organisation, another option you could explore is the possibility of a temporary transfer to an office in another country. This would give you the experience of living abroad without having to sacrifice your monthly salary, and you could use your weekends and holidays to travel the local area.
Can I afford to quit my job to travel?
Money worries often top the list of reasons people talk themselves out of travel. This was certainly true for me for a long time. But before you assume it’s impossible, let’s look at the real numbers and options. For how to work out the budget for your trip, check out my post on how to manage your money.
If you want to save money, then stay longer in each destination. Spending more time in one place saves money and opens you to unexpected adventures. During my month-long stays in various countries, I negotiated better accommodation rates and formed genuine connections with locals. More than once, I found myself on the back of a motorbike, exploring hidden gems and hearing stories far more authentic than anything in a travel guide.
Maybe you will have a passive income from renting out your house or flat, or perhaps you have set up an online business that you can manage from abroad. Otherwise, unless you have a lot of savings, you might want to consider taking up some contract or freelance work in your field while you’re away.
There are opportunities for year-long work visas in countries such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand, so you can gain international work experience. You might also consider schemes, such as WWOOF or Workaway, or hostel cleaning or admin work, which allow you to exchange your skills and labour for free accommodation.
Frequently asked questions about quitting your job to travel
What are the signs I should leave my job?
You’re constantly daydreaming about being elsewhere, Sunday nights fill you with dread and you’ve lost interest in things that used to excite you. If you’ve been thinking about travel for a long time, that could be the biggest sign.
How much money do I need to quit my job and travel for 6 months?
This varies hugely by destination and travel style. For how to work out the budget for your trip, check out my post on how to manage your money.
What if I hate travelling and want to come home early?
That’s completely fine – you need to trust your judgement on these things. Having a backup plan and emergency fund gives you options. And there’s no such thing as a failed trip if you’ve been brave enough to try.
Should I quit my job to travel if I’m single vs. in a relationship?
Being single certainly makes the decision simpler and solo travel is an enriching experience. But of course couples travel successfully too. If you’re lucky enough to have a partner who wants to do the same thing, then it could be worth exploring the idea.
What if my family/friends think I’m making a mistake?
Their concerns usually come from love and worry about your security. Listen to genuine practical concerns, but don’t let fear-based opinions stop you from pursuing something meaningful to you.
Should I quit my job and travel? Final thoughts
If you have been wondering whether you can afford to take this big leap to travel, the real question may be can you afford not to? Part of you knows that when you look back on your life in years to come, there will be that dream that you never pursued. This is your opportunity.
Ask yourself, what is really holding you back? If this answer is you – your fears – then grab this opportunity with both hands and don’t look back. You owe it to yourself. Like me, you won’t regret it.
Whether you decide to go travelling or not, there is a lot to think about, so it’s always best to break it down into small chunks. One thing that helps is hearing from someone who has already done what you’re about to do. Someone who can guide and inspire your unique journey. I have been in your situation, so why not read my story, explore my blog and feel free to ask me questions. This will help you take another step, whether emotionally or practically, towards living your dream for real.
And congratulations for getting this far… you’re one step closer to the travels of your dreams!
Now, discover the surprising benefits of travel and why it’s good for you.
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