15 years ago, I told you to quit your job to travel the world. Now I’m kinda taking it back

I am writing this from my new apartment in Tel Aviv โ€“ a space I kept looking at and constantly wonder how I can ever afford to live in.

I have to take this opportunity to apologize to those who have been reading this blog for years: I went into a make-believe world of โ€˜quit your job to travel the worldโ€™ but I never did it myself.

First, I never had a real job. I have always been a freelancer (at the time, in fashion) who made ends meet. I never had to walk into my superiorโ€™s office and tell his face that Iโ€™m done.

Itโ€™s time to move on. At a very young age, I have always been the person who unconsciously decided that she wanted to live life on her own terms โ€“ no bosses, no offices, no grueling commutes.

I couldโ€™ve reworded that โ€˜quit my job to travelโ€™ propaganda to โ€˜quit my life to travel.โ€™ What I really left behind was a life I couldnโ€™t bear living in a place where I felt like I lost my competitiveness and worth. Itโ€™s sad that place is somewhere I grew up and first sewed my dreams in but it happened.

I also found myself in a humbling circumstance when I was sitting on a mountain of debt. I kept dating the wrong men: the married, dickhead, full of themselves, I-promise-to-move-mountains-for-you type of men. I thought I was cursed.

But this is what happens when you are in your early 20โ€™s and is exploring the many versions of yourself. I had to leave that life. That life was โ€˜the officeโ€™ I made a hasty exit from.

Many groundbreaking decisions changed my life forever. You know it. I kept talking about it all these years like I was shitting rainbows and unicorns.

Because I really was. To get out of the society I was in was a breath of fresh air. To quit my life to travel the world turned my life around in a more intense and lively way. For the first time in my life, I truly felt alive.

I said yes to everything and jumped into many situations I wasnโ€™t sure about. I abruptly decided to travel with a boy I barely knew, booked a one-way ticket to Africa, broke my heart, used my last money to go to Brasil, landed Brasil with $30 USD, made ends meet, the list goes on.

From constantly telling myself โ€œI am braveโ€ and โ€œI can do this,โ€ I made myself believe that I was unbreakable and I can do anything.

That mindset kept me traveling, traveling, and travelingโ€ฆ There were no limits. I never went back home even if it was downright shitty hard to be out there at 22.

Wait, what? You said it was easy to quit your job to travel the world?

I know. And Iโ€™m sorry I wasnโ€™t able to reiterate its perils. I would completely understand if you feel betrayed right now and decided not to read this blog anymore.

Today, I found myself in a different position so I want to set the records straight. I live in a very nice apartment in the most expensive city in the world and I still travel constantly.

I have a dog, a boyfriend, neighbors to share meals with, and friends to drink with any time of the day. On top of that, I am running an empire and I still have a job that I love (traveling, blogging, social media, content creation, etc).

All these are new to me because I grew up on the road. I was unattached. I didnโ€™t care if I had long-time friends or a comfortable bed to go home to but now that I am 28 (29 next month!), times changed. Itโ€™s about time I respond to that change.

For those of you who still want to do it, I want to emphasize I wouldnโ€™t be here if I didnโ€™t do all the vagabonding shenanigan I did.

Our lives move forward in levels and I still believe if you are 22, young and physically fit, you have all the right to leave everything behind and travel the world; to live on your own terms. This is the only way you will learn and discover what you really want to do.

There are only 2 ways to look at this: you will succeed or *gulp* โ€“ things will go south. But no matter the results may be, you will be a better person. You will lead the best life.

I, fortunately, have got things worked out but whenever people are emailing me, I canโ€™t bear lying to their face that this system is way more difficult now because everyone is already doing it.

And so, I vowed to myself, to tell the truth about this whole make-believe world. Itโ€™s harsh. Iโ€™m on my 7th year of doing it but I still find it very difficult.

You need money

And you need a lot. I planted this idea to not think about the money (again, Iโ€™m sorry!) but what happened to me in the past, traveling without money was pure luck.

There are so many ways to stretch your financial capability while traveling but you donโ€™t want to travel eating rice and beans every day in some Latin American country.

You need to taste their food and you need money for that. In my case, I slept in bus stations and shady hostels but I always ate like a King.

I was never cheap on food because itโ€™s something that was (and is still) very memorable in all the trips Iโ€™ve done. For me, food is an experience.

Itโ€™s not a thing that will fill your stomach whenever itโ€™s mumbling. Donโ€™t look at the food that way!

Imagine youโ€™re in Tokyo and will have the chance to eat legitimate Japanese food but you are cutting your expenses short because Tokyo is expensive.

What kind of travel is that? Sure, youโ€™ve seen the famous sights and landmarks (probably the free ones) but being cheap while traveling is not an option anymore.

I still believe in staying with local families as a guaranteed meaningful experience wherever you choose to go. Itโ€™s an all-inclusive package of food, culture, and people.

Itโ€™s the best option to cut costs however, you will be tied to the host familyโ€™s schedule. You wonโ€™t have the freedom to explore things on your own (maybe a few hours a day) because you signed up for the local family experience.

You should be present every step of the way. This is ideal if you are staying in one place for 3-6 months. These days, who travels like that anymore?

I used to do it but the maximum I can go now is 1 month. And thatโ€™s it. Iโ€™ve graduated from the overdue in one city kind of thing.

I know the follow-up question for this is, โ€œhow much money do I need?โ€ The truth is, I donโ€™t know. Just a month in Morocco alone, Iโ€™ve spent around $2,000 USD (comfortable, luxurious) but it depends where you want to do your RTW trip and what type of experience you are after.

The answer is always up to you. Itโ€™s a case-to-case basis but what I can tell you to do is to be financially ready for it. Save.

Lastly, re-entering society (the life you left behind) also needs financial support. Donโ€™t go back with a drained bank account!

Whether you plan to go back home or live in another city you fell in love with, you need money to settle down. If your family will help you, then youโ€™re lucky.

However, bear in mind that you are the one who made the decision to quit your job to travel. Itโ€™s a shame if you would put that burden on your loved ones and mandatory sign them up for something theyโ€™re also not ready for.

Being alone for long periods of time is subjective and personal

Can you afford to be away from family and friends for months? Maybe years? In the Velarmino-van der Heijde household, all of us are adults and are living our own lives so my parents just got used to us not being around.

I myself have lived my formative years on the road so being alone was never a problem. What I came to realize when I was backpacking South America was the difficulty of making long-lasting friendships and relationships.

Okay, I did stay in most places for a minimum of 3 months so I was able to make meaningful friendships but what if you are moving every 2 weeks? Every week?

Are you ready for that? Meeting new people all the time is super fun but itโ€™s a temporary bliss. Even if you stay 3-6 months in a hostel, what about the others that you intend to be friends with?

Do you have the same travel schedules? Will they also stay for the period you planned?

When I was volunteering in a hostel in Peru, I developed an attachment to people I was friends with so every time they go away, I felt being left behind.

I often get this email from readers who feel the same: โ€œTrisha, what can I do? I have attachment problems. Every time people leave the hostel, I feel so miserable!โ€

Can we not put โ€˜attachmentโ€™ as a problem? Why should it be labeled a difficult situation? We are humans! We need to be touched, hugged, kissed, loved โ€“ we need physical and emotional interactions so attachment is normal.

If you donโ€™t feel, in any way attached to the people you get along with while traveling, thatโ€™s when you should start questioning yourself.

That is the problem. Traveling for long periods of time can transform you into an emotionless robot and you donโ€™t want that. Nobody wants that.

I lived with these people for almost 6 months. I consider them my life-long friends but we still find it hard to have constant communication (except for the guy with the hoodie. He lives in Tel Aviv and I see him often) | Photo taken in Paracas, Peru by Jerome Penel

In the sub-title, I wrote โ€œbeing alone is subjective and personalโ€ because I donโ€™t know most of you. Maybe youโ€™re that kind of person who can endure being alone all the time?

Thereโ€™s also nothing wrong with that. We are different people so whatever works for you, it will fit. Though you have to admit it really gets lonely sometimes. This is a fact.

I was that kind of person and when I went back home in 2015, after a long time on the road, I noticed all of my friends had moved on with their lives.

Theyโ€™re used to my non-existence. Whether I am there or not, itโ€™s all the same to them. I couldnโ€™t blame them for anything.

I was the one who modified this setting and all they had to do was to function with it. And they did. I had no right to ask them to down a bottle of wine with me every day because, like me, my friendsโ€™ circumstances also changed.

Sure, they are still there for me no matter what but after being gone for a long time, I canโ€™t make them fall in line just like that.

If I did, Iโ€™d probably get a โ€˜fuck youโ€™ in the face.

Your identity will be a mess

Declaring Iโ€™m a world citizen is super easy (verbally) but when I started living here in Tel Aviv, I faced a lot of challenges that people who didnโ€™t travel for a long time didnโ€™t have to deal with.

I was applying for a temporary resident visa in Israel when the clerk just slapped me with a long list of requirements that I donโ€™t even have on hand at the moment.

Tax ID, birth certificate, certificate of no marriage, proof of no children, police clearance, etc. Some documents even require me to go back to the Philippines as it needs a physical appearance in order to be issued.

I wanted to say I donโ€™t have all these but the clerk already guessed I didnโ€™t. I saw that look on her face โ€“ itโ€™s unimaginable that I donโ€™t have all these docs (even my sister said it) when I am almost 29 years old.

โ€œWhat kind of adult are you?!โ€ No, she didnโ€™t say that. But with the look she gave me, she might as well did.

My sister, a government employee in the Philippines told me โ€œyou donโ€™t have a tax ID?!โ€ 

โ€œWhat, donโ€™t shout at me like that. You know I have never lived anywhere so my life is scattered. I can feel your judgment, seriously.โ€

She is, very clearly, more organized than I am even if she is younger. As a matter of fact, sheโ€™s currently arranging all these documents to be sent to me asap. Itโ€™s a pain!

One of the hardships of traveling long term for a Philippine passport holder like me is obtaining a visa. Tel Aviv is super close to Europe and the flights are very cheap but I canโ€™t get a visa because Iโ€™m on a tourist status here.

Iโ€™ve been told with this standing, I have to go to my โ€˜home countryโ€™ to be eligible for application. Itโ€™s funny they kept saying โ€œhome countryโ€ when I havenโ€™t lived there for years.

On paper, my legal address is still in the Philippines so itโ€™s difficult for me to re-enter society after years of traveling because Iโ€™m not ready for it, โ€˜paperlyโ€™ speaking.

A reader also asked me if long-term travel affected my track record (aka no job for years, always freelancing) but I couldnโ€™t answer this because I never had to apply for a job.

However, in my opinion, it doesnโ€™t matter. Employers actually like someone who has traveled because they are more inspired and will bring something different to the table. This, you donโ€™t have to worry about.

Sustainability and the art of being practical

In lieu of quitting your job to travel the world, I encouraged you to start a professional blog. It is, after all, one of the major things that worked for me so that encouragement hasnโ€™t changed.

As long as Google is breathing and alive, there is a chance for you to make it as your financial means but you have to bring something different to the table.

The Internet is saturated with a lot of advertorials, travel guides and listicles. People are already sick of this. In order for you to make it, you have to think of something that will make you stand out.

Quick Exercise: Take a pen and paper right now and list down all your strengths. What are you good at? Is there a skill you can put to your advantage to build your own empire?

If you have a 9-5 job, then your situation is different. Why would you want to leave your job if you can occasionally travel? This is where the practicality comes in.

I noticed that most of the people who decided their quit their job to travel the world have really good occupations. The only problem is, even if the pay was enough, their energy depleted.

โ€˜Burn outโ€™ is one of the prominent words I read whenever I receive an email from a reader who thinks he/she is lost, torn, and confused.

We, millennials are the most confused in all the generations that have ever emerged in humankind. The by-product of putting drama in our lives was the boom of travel trends and the ability to work independently so 9-5 is old news to us.

Everyone you see on your Facebook newsfeed is working online and traveling at the same time. Of course, you want to join the bandwagon, too.

However, did it ever cross your mind that none of these people explained the hardships of having that kind of lifestyle?

Social media is a trend that has transformed into a necessity. Our attention span is so short that when we see a friend sitting down on a pristine beach in Brasil, sipping gin and juice with his/her computer, we transmit the idea that itโ€™s easy because we make it look easy.

Iโ€™m not saying this person doesnโ€™t talk about the challenges. In fact, most of us do, but in private. Itโ€™s not for the world to see.

A friend of mine who is working in Singapore tried to ask her boss for a 3-month leave: something she didnโ€™t believe will be granted but she still did it.

Thereโ€™s no harm in trying. Whatโ€™s wrong with getting a no? She didnโ€™t have anything to lose so she walked into her superiorโ€™s office and said, โ€œIโ€™m going away for 3 months but please donโ€™t fire me.โ€œ

Her boss probably looked at her in an are-you-out-of-your-fucking-mind way because she is working in a multinational company.

They canโ€™t afford to just send off employees to a long-term vacation while holding their position for them. He said he will think about it.

After two weeks of long email exchanges, debate and justification, her leave was approved. In fact, when she got back, she was offered a remote position.

Her boss probably learned sheโ€™s better off working this way because itโ€™s an environment sheโ€™s good at.

Lesson of the story: โ€œIf you donโ€™t ask, you donโ€™t get.โ€

Keep your job and find ways on how to make the travel work. Itโ€™s 2017 and itโ€™s almost 2018 in a few months (yikes!) and our world has evolved into endless possibilities.

I know most of you are scared to break it off to your boss because of the traditional dynamics of a workplace but again, itโ€™s 2017 โ€“ be that person who breaks norms and brings something different to the table.

Take your seat on the table without asking (I mean, be polite, at least) and you will see how it will take you to greater heights.

Jobs are not easy to find. In the USA, everyone I know who graduated from University owes at least $100,000 in college loans. But theyโ€™re making it work!

They are traveling while paying their debts, getting meager jobs to make ends meet. In todayโ€™s super-competitive world of millennials, itโ€™s not practical not to have a job.

People are fighting to have the job you have so keep your shit together and arrange a workable schedule that will allow you to travel if you canโ€™t stand up to your boss about having a sabbatical.

Youโ€™re smart. Make it work. Youโ€™re the only person who knows yourself better. Whatever you decide, know that Iโ€™m with you all the way.

Donโ€™t you ever forget that you have me.

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40 Comments

  1. Finally – someone who sees the other side!

    I work the traditional 9-5 but made travel happen. Without this company, I wouldn’t have been able to live in 3 different continents. Quitting your job without a backup plan is like jumpoing off a plane without a parachute – sure, you could get lucky and end up landing safely but you could also fall flat on your face.

    Most blogs out there just say quit your job, travel the world! It became a whole new bandwagon that people started following, but life changes. The people I met while backpacking in southeast Asia 5 years ago? They went home and got back to their 9-5, except for 1 who does business remotely.

    If you do end up quitting your job to travel, accept that you may need a desk job again.. And its not always rainbows and butterflies ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Same here with Ruby. Sheila and I work 8 hours on weekdays. But during weekends, we go traveling. We have non-working holidays and vacation leaves which we can use so that we can go adventuring. We strategically position our leaves and carefully plan out our itineraries. And at the end of the trip, we still go back to the jobs, families, and friends we love.

      Besides, there’s no better feeling than coming home after a grueling climb up a mountain, inside a cave for a couple of days, being in a strange land for weeks, etc.

  2. I have always admired your honesty and transparency on every post you make, Ate Trish. Thank you for this. Always a good read. Advance happy birthday! Always got your back wherever you may go ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. I am the one who quits my job and jumped into the world of freelancing, I travel often but still come back home. My longest trip so far is a month of backpacking South East Asia. Living in the Philippines with a full time job is hard not because of the job itself but because of commuting everyday not to mention the low salary and high tax. I think I’m lucky enough to earn while at home and to travel whenever I wanted (As long I have the money:)). I still want to pursue travelling long term but need to work hard and earn more. I’m hoping to get there soon. My thoughts on “quitting the job” is you need to improve yourself first, build your portfolio somehow and/or learn a new skill (Graphic Design, Photography, Writing etc) before going into freelancing because it is really hard without a full time job and that skill you developed will be your weapon to survive in this tough world one you quit on working full time in a company.

  4. This is such an interesting article, Trisha! As a fellow long-term traveller who’s paused that style of life for a while, I know how people expect it to be black and white – when in fact it’s all shades of grey! Best of luck with your new phase in Tel Aviv ๐Ÿ™‚ It looks like you’ve really found a place you love to call home for a while!

  5. I have been a follower for a while. And finally this blog shed some light on the subject.

    I was an employee of a Multi National Company as well 8-5 with saturdays. At first my mindset about this topic was definitely the same. To not quit my job just to travel, because it will be difficult to travel without the money before, during, and after.

    But then, as what others have mentioned to you through email, the work load really became overwhelming. My boss was great and is actually generous with his subordinates taking a leave. But the nature of my job was so demanding that I really had to come to work.

    It got to a point that I was really getting sick, at times, I work for 48 hours straight. Once I took a vacation and I had to take my whole first day on vacay working at the hotel.

    Needless to say, I really had to quit my job. I had to endure this for over a year.

    It’s been a little over a month, and I decided to take a breather from the corporate world.

    Now I am working on my health because from being fit and active, it really went downhill. Also, I am thinking about what career do I really want. Because as a social norm, Filipinos were told to go get a job when you graduate. Whether they would like working for a Company or not, fresh grads just go for it. At times, regretting it in the end.

    Soon, hopefully, I could use all your advice in travelling.

    Because I know my gut tells me to go for it, just that my brain knows not for now. At least not yet.

    Thank you for everything you do.

  6. I almost quit everything last year when I had my dreams broken. I was willing to travel and teach just like you in order to get away. Your blog has inspired me and i loved the energy in it! …but then I realized, I didn’t want to leave many things just to mend my broken spirit (i need people who love me to help me up, safe to say that I want quality time, care and hugss from the people I love). I travelled in Indochina and Seoul for months, and when I came back to ph, I was a determined woman. I stared anew and challenged myself to be much better.

    Like you Trish, i worked in ph as a freelance ESL trainer for 6 years. The freedom with schedule was super comfy, the pay was so good, but what people dont know was how unstable the position *sometimes* is. So now, i have joined the corporate world, having the fixed income I am satisfied with and looking forward to the future with more travels. Adulting is hard and confusing, but it is also very rewarding.

    Thank you for being honest in your blogs…sincerely you inspire many people including me. God bless you. ?

    1. One more thing, I learned that being content is subjective. I have become so ambitious that I wanted to achieve many things at an early age. But you know, we all get there in our own moments. Everyone has different clocks for success (subjectively defined), so be patient and enjoy the ride. ?

  7. It sounds like you were stuck back then when you’ve decided to leave everything behind and go. And it seems like it turned out to be one great decision for you. ๐Ÿ™‚ But, one should do it if it feels right, it’s not easy, you’ve said it yourself. So glad that you’re okay and still enjoy your journey. ๐Ÿ˜‰

  8. Goodluck with this new chapter of your life in Tel Aviv, everything will work out. You should maybe write how to fix all those papers while you are abroad.— You’ll get them sorted. Goodluck again.

  9. Well, first, best of luck with your “new” life in Israel. It seems that you really enjoy it there!

    On quitting your job to travel the world, I couldn’t agree more with you. It probably works for a while but without a plan, it’s really tough. I see a lot of travelers/bloggers moving to a home base and trying to make a business out of this. That’s how I see it working for long term travelers.

    And, I happily hold a full-time job (8am – 4pm ๐Ÿ™‚ ) which actually allows me to travel 1/3 of the year and with a good salary. Would I rather travel more? Maybe… but I don’t feel I need because of everything else I have right now.

    Cheers!

  10. Thanks for keeping it real. There are a million travel bloggers out there who are too proud of quitting their jobs and selling everything to perpetually travel, giving everyone an illusion and a false sense of security.

  11. I left my job almost 7 years ago now to go travel and do some freelance work but I’ve never really recommended anyone else to do the same. The most I’ve done is to ask anyone who’s asked for my opinion to consider it carefully as everyone is in a different circumstances. Quitting a job to travel perpetually, which sounds like an ideal life goal, is just not for everybody.

  12. I worked for a law firm for nearly 17 years and then I finally made the leap. I didn’t quit the job that made me miserable to travel. I quit it so that I could find a new way. In many ways, I’m still looking, although I do travel now, and I write (and this is now my path). It’s a hard thing to do, and that “you need money” part is no joke. It was difficult, and some days it still is. But my life is entirely different now in a way of my choosing. Love the honesty of your post!

  13. I feel your pain, girl. Just applying for visas while abroad is a pain in the neck. Or maybe this is just a #3rdworldproblem, no? Ugh. I was never an advocate of the “quit your job and travel the world.” It sounds stupid, like saying YOLO. I guess it’s a learning experience some people have to go through, though.

  14. I experienced working in different companies both Public and Private back in the Philippines for 7 years. I had limited time and budget to travel then. I decided to work overseas which opened a wider opportunity for me to continue my passion in traveling. If you can do it both, Work decently and Travel like a King..

  15. That’s okay. That’s just a realization. It’s actually good that you experienced a lot of things before coming up with another realization—and another stage in life. That is not wrong; changing perspectives and priorities is just a normal thing in life.

  16. I love how honest and genuine this blog post is! I think a lot of people have an idealized idea of travel and what it requires. I have read so many posts stating you need to save for a year or two, and then you can travel the world. Sorry, this doesn’t work in all countries. And not everyone can deal with a nomad style.

    I do however understand the idea of quitting your life to chase your dreams. Sometimes it does not happen on your terms, but it’s always for the better. I first quit my corporate drone life to start my own business, and then quit all that, moved back home, and took a break from all dating to recover after the nth time I got my heart broken.

    I think the hardest part is to know yourself. Introspection is not something a lot of people are comfortable doing. And it rarely happens when you’re super young and you think the world will bow to your will. It takes strength to be honest with yourself about what you need and how that works with what you want.

  17. I have a nice 9-5 government job. Im a Special Needs Resource Consultant with the City of Toronto helping children with special needs be in included with typical children. It’s such a rewarding job. Why would I want to leave my job when I can occasionally travel? I hate seeing those pictures of laptops on a beach. Piss off. I know it’s not that easy. Whether you choose to work from one location or from many you still need to work.

  18. I agree that with a lot of this article – especially the first half. I too have never worked in a corporate scenario. I’ve taken on extra work at bars, in food and retail to pad my savings before working, but other than that it’s been freelancing. It was my life that I quit as well. And now that I love my life and where I’m at in it emotionally, it isn’t a running from life, it’s running toward a life of adventure instead.
    I still do travel on a budget. I’ve never missed out on an experience that I wanted to do, just cut back a little on something else. I would rather travel longer and further than stay in a stunning hotel. I don’t need all the luxury if it means seeing and doing more.
    Thanks for the great, personal post on your journey as a full-time traveler.

  19. Good read. I never thought of quitting. For you to live a happy and content life, and for you to be able to reach your dreams when it comes to your own life, family, friends and career and “success”… In my opinion the secret or the trick is never give up on your goals (despite of failures), always save and invest, build a (small) business, if you don’t love your work – still work hard, make your dream work or passion your part-time job, be freelancer of your art, know and love your self, think of positive thoughts, pray, and save again. In short “diskarte” is all you need to live a life you are wishing for, and don’t forget “mas masarap pag pinaghihirapan”. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Don’t quit your job to travel, work hard and travel.

  20. P.S Anyway, good luck and congratulations Ms. Trisha. You made a lot of people realize things before they realize it on their way. God bless! Happy thoughts! And always keep safe. ๐Ÿ™‚

  21. This blog is the best thing i have ever read. Realistically speaking, this is the life of a backpackers.

    After university, i tried applying for jobs which i eneded up quitting after some months because its i always lose interest of it. I was also lost on what to do with my life. If i should work like every people are or i make something of my own.

    Even when i was in uni, i always travel. My dad was supportive enough to let me be free and discpver myself.

    So after i quit my job, i began to buy a legit backpack. I started traveling all over philippines. I was young back then and all i think about is quit your job and travel. Easy way to say. I first started asking money from my parents becayse my savings are not enough. *super embarasse about it* but i tell you the experience was amazing you can never trade it to anyone. I thank God that even when im broke on the road, there are still people who are kind hearted to help me. Guess if your kind, people will give u kind.

    People always ask me how do i kept on moving, i must be rich. I go down the road sometimes woth just enough money for fare. They dont know the struggle. But after a year of lookinh for myself, i found out my passion. Since im living in the island, im into bikinis. Months later, i found out i could make bikinis made out of crochet. I never thought i could sell them. I thought ill just make it as a hobby. But people i met all around the world love it and sd asking me if could make them one. And that started my bizness. Now i travel and sell my bikinis and get money from that to travel.

    If you quit your job to travel, someday somehow ull find what you good at and ull never think https://youtu.be/TJ6SDrZMPX0

  22. I still remember the time when you told me you didn’t have money too when you started to travel. This was when you were telling me that maybe I should give this a try and I told you I don’t have enough savings to sustain me. I wish I am just making excuses, I mean you know I really want to try a nomadic lifestyle, but the loan will not pay itself and I am sending my sister to college. I can’t just pack and leave. But that’s what I want to do, like you’ve no idea.

    And so reading this is quite a revelation to me. Sure you mentioned about the difficulties in passing before, but not in this depth. I haven’t even thought about attachments, I like people but I also don’t like them, if you know what I mean. I’ve learned long ago when to stop feeling attached with someone who is leaving. But I agree with you. It also baffles me why people make attachment a problem. People come and go in our lives, it’s normal, we outgrow things and people, we may or may not keep in touch. But it doesn’t mean it should stop us from continuing to meet people, or to care for them even in the short amount of time we’re given.

    But what I like most about this article is the underlying message; that things have a way of falling into place even when sometimes, we don’t have it all figured out.

  23. I don’t know you personally but i liked you already but just reading your blog.. you pointed out all the “must tackle topics” and yeah. I’m already 26, travelling frequently. Leaving my job already comes to my mind but i came to this realization that it’s not easy to be jobless specially when you do travel as a hobby.

    Another thing. It’s also hard to stay to another country(especially non english verbal country) for so long as you are not a citizen of that country. Things will get complicated as time goes by.
    Thanks for creating this blog! Hope to see you in realworld!

  24. Shalom trish. Wow. How i wish i could do that also. Well live the life you love and love the life you live. Enjoy your stay here.

  25. i quit my job and went freelancing as a consultant. but before i made that bold step, i have a load-sh*t of corporate credentials under my belt that former clients went to me after i rage-quit my job. i had my tax id’s, sss, and pag-ibig well sorted out by my business man bestfriend’s accountant, who i pay for a certain amount of fee every month via post-dated cheques.

    quitting your job is ok for as long as it is well-thought of and planned. i’m happy that you realised this side of that decision. ‘yolo’ is not the best way to experience life but a bullet-proof strategic life plan.

    i work from everywhere and now travel a lot. being ‘too organised’ was my best way to experience life to the fullest.

  26. I agree with you that it really is an experience when you try the local food even though it means shelling out a chunk of your travel budget. When I visit a place, I make sure that I will also try their recommended dishes as part of my bucket lists.When we were in Tokyo, we tried the top Japanese foods to try.

  27. It’s amazing to see how life have brought you to where you are now. I remember reading your blog and it’s one of the most influential in google. I think it doesn’t have to be regret because as you have said, what we have done that brought us to where we are now. Keep on writing and I love reading yours!

  28. Agree mostly with what you said here! I can’t even imagine quitting a job to travel. It’s doable but for me, it actually sounds much tougher than holding a regular corporate job (albeit sounding very cool). Being low on funds in a foreign place is completely no joke and I cant imagine that stress…

  29. I have never read your blog before but Iโ€™m so glad I have now. This is such an honest and candid post, me and my partner have just quit our jobs to go backpacking in India after saving saving saving! Weโ€™re not expecting the instagram lifestyle, but itโ€™s so so good to hear a voice thatโ€™s being truthful about the ups and downs of the digital nomad world, plus the afterlife. We donโ€™t have a plan yet, but it doesnโ€™t sound like you did in the beginning either!

  30. Itโ€™s a fact that leaving your 9-5, well for me its 2-11pm, is hard especially when youโ€™re with the company for more than 5yrs. Everything should be planned before jumping. What I did was to look for a new job that gave me the freedom to work remotely and would understand my situation. Sometimes days were hard coz not everything goes to plan but the whole liberation of working and travelling gave me a new perspective about life. Those take aways from hard experiences made me want to do more with life.

    Keep inspiring Trish!

  31. Wonderful article!! you have given us some great piece of advice and on similar note while discussing this topic with boss you should be ready for Counter Offer they will give you raise and all other things but if you donโ€™t want to work there, you should be ready with proper answer, and it will be great if you travel the world while on job because you need money to travel. i have seen many peoples doing this working and taking time off for travelling too.

  32. Such an inspiring read! This shows that being a solo traveler is not glamorous but fraught with challenges. I’m planning to be a digital nomad, but sadly I can’t leave family behind, they need me.

  33. Hi Trisha,

    This is inspirational post that you shared quit a Job and starting something different eassy. One of the best thing is you quit your job and start following your dreams as well as shared your story with your blog readers.

  34. Thank you for such an honest post.

    I have just started a new job. My plan was to quit in a few months to go travelling, but I didnโ€™t expect to love this new job as much as I do, which causes me two problems. Iโ€™m worried that: 1) If I leave, Iโ€™ll lose the opportunity to work for the best company Iโ€™ve ever worked for and 2) If I donโ€™t leave, Iโ€™ll be happy for a while, but Iโ€™ll end up resenting the fact that Iโ€™ve settled and given up on my dreams to travel.

    I know that it wonโ€™t hurt to postpone my travel plans. The rest of the world isnโ€™t going anywhere. But there are so many what ifs. I also have a habit of settling in jobs that are comfortable only to regret it one or two years down the line when I find myself bitter and dissatisfied. I donโ€™t know if this one will be any different.

    The idea of staying in this job and not following through with my travelling plans terrifies me. Iโ€™m only 26, Iโ€™ve just come out of a series of long-term relationships, and I donโ€™t know if Iโ€™m ready to settle. I feel like I still have so many things to figure out and to experience, including that big question โ€“ what do I want to do with my life?

    Iโ€™ve always flitted between jobs and travelling and I havenโ€™t ever made the effort to build a life or set up a home where I live, and this has been a huge source of unhappiness for me. I have no real connection to where I live โ€“ no close friends, no career network, no home of my own. This new job feels like a chance for me to finally plant some roots.

    In a perfect world, I would continue with my plan โ€“ work, live at home, save, go travelling โ€“ and then return to the same job in the future. But I donโ€™t know that the job will still be waiting for me when I get back and I donโ€™t know if thatโ€™s a risk I am willing to take.

    Iโ€™m so overwhelmed with fear of making the wrong decision. There are so many pros and cons to consider. What if I canโ€™t hack the travelling thing after all? What if I get homesick? What if I come home and Iโ€™m even more miserable than before I left?

  35. Haha!

    Don’t know if you still remember me but thanks for the last paragraph :
    “People are fighting to have the job you have so keep your shit together and arrange a workable schedule that will allow you to travel if you canโ€™t stand up to your boss about having a sabbatical.

    Youโ€™re smart. Make it work. Youโ€™re the only person who knows yourself better. Whatever you decide, know that Iโ€™m with you all the way. Donโ€™t you ever forget that you have me.”

    Guess what? I’m based in UAE now with a FULL TIME JOB — Honestly I don’t like and on the verge of quitting. From 3 years freelancing to now a 4 months full time employee. Everyday feels like I’m killing myself haha — OA but yes. I accepted the job because I thought I’ll be near Europe and can afford to travel in other continents, only to find out that Adulting is a trap. Thanks, I’ll just keep on holding on to this article whenever I feel like quitting. I just need to show up in the office for 8 months more to be able to travel and I need this money. T_T hahaha! Take care Always! I’ll get there soon!

  36. So what you’re saying is, everything you’ve been saying was bullshit and you’re late to the game in figuring that out. That’s very typical of any young generation coming into adulthood. History repeats itself. Young and dumb thinking they know everything, then old and wise, not being able to change anything. Welcome to this spinning rock called earth.

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