How do I feel? Everything! I literally feel everything. Every emotion imaginable. A week ago I made a decision, a huge turning point in my life. A final decision that will lead me on a journey I will never forget. I could have all the plans in the world. All the money saved up. And all the Airbnb bookings and plane tickets in my email set. But I can walk away in a heartbeat and continue on with my 9-5 routine. Not anymore! Last Monday I sat down with my boss, laid down my plans of world travel this year, my resignation date, and my place of relocation; New Zealand.
I love travel and I love life. There is just too much to do and see, so many friends to make, and so much to learn out there.
The week prior was nothing but anxiety and restlessness. How I will be treated for the next few weeks. Is it too early to resign? Is this a mistake? Do I need more time to work? In my mind, I find these all to be normal questions. Realistically, I’ve been waiting for this decision for 6 years. From the moment I walked across the stage for my college degree until now and all the struggles in between. I sometimes forget, it’s better now than late to resign. Mistake? This will be the best decision of my life. You have worked hard enough for 5 years, two of those working 7 days a week with two jobs. I love travel and I love life. There is just too much to do and see, so many friends to make, and so much to learn out there.
I work a desk job, a 9-5er, sitting in front of a computer screen for 9 hours answering the phone every .98 seconds. People don’t realize that desk jobs in its own way can be really exhausting alike manual labor. Three years of being in front of a computer screen has been really exhausting. Every routine job can be exhausting. That is why people deserve breaks. In my country, Murica’ that is, it’s highly uncommon to take breaks such as I will be doing. A Year away from work to travel. ?What?!!!!” “I wish I could do that!” “OMG! You are soooo lucky!”. The problem is, people here don’t believe and realize that they can do it and wait too long until it is too late. Any body can be “lucky” as long as you want it bad enough.
The thought of waking up each day on my own time, doing and seeing whatever I want is the best liberating feeling in existence.
As far as how the conversation went, my boss was for a split second shocked but eventually happy for me. The whole office is, at least I think. It’s no surprise to anyone that I love to travel. Hell I talk about it always, and I have planned all 8 of my international trips accordingly along with whatever PTO (paid time off) I’ve accrued. It’s relieving and great to know that I have support at a soon to be former work place, it means everything. I may be leaving but that doesn’t mean that’s it. Not only a good rapport is important, but it’s psychologically important as well. It feels good to know that despite the seemingly long and slow moving work days I’ve encountered at the work desk, and all the patience I have used up, I can now travel the world and know that I left an employer on outstanding terms. Hey, references matter and who knows, “eligible for rehire” can go a long way also.
Going back to ethics, people here generally worry about money, money, money. Travel isn’t as expensive as people make it to be. Once you figure that out, extensive travel is possible and cheap. But getting out of the work mindset is certainly a really difficult concept to grasp here. Vacations are the “ultimate getaway” here. That’s not a getaway, that’s a tease. Because once you spend that week on the beach in Jamaica, in no time, you are back to a job you probably don’t like. Once you realize travel is a beautiful thing, you want more time. You need more time and at some point you realize this shameful two weeks a year you get, “rewarded”, isn’t enough to really experience anything other than relaxation or shall I say …vacation. That’s why the thought of waking up each day on my own time, doing and seeing whatever I want is the best liberating feeling in existence. Jobs will come and go. Money can be made and as long as you spend wisely, money isn’t always as valuable. Time is! And a life well lived and invested in sits right alongside it.
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough
I may be spending two months of my time back in the states during my gap year, One month in New Jersey with my dad and one here in South Carolina with my Mom. I have spent the past 3 years working a routine lifestyle, missing some great moments with my family, especially my dad in New Jersey. This isn’t 4 weekends of time with family and the rest to an employer. These are two months of MY TIME, time that I will cherish beyond imagination. In regards to feeling multiple emotions, I am excited to see all the places I will see. Sad to leave behind my loved ones. Anxious to get going now. Afraid that I may screw up. And confident that I will succeed in every angle of this dream turned reality.
There is no other time in my life where I have felt so much in one moment of time. This is not just a trip, it’s a lifestyle; a life on the road. Going with the flow, with just a bag on my back, keeping my wits about me, and balancing my book + street smarts when applicable. My finances carefully spent on beautiful memories. My wardrobe rotating strategically in and out of my backpack. My hopeful career in travel investing in itself as each day progresses in a new place. My social life in unlimited mode. Country hopping, experimenting with new cuisines and different beers to chase them down. Moving around by plane, train, automobile and my very own feet. Resting my head on a couchsurfing host’s spare couch, a hostel bed, and if necessary, a “luxurious” 3 star hotel bed.
Unless human resurrection is a real thing, you only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. People always say “Do it while you’re young” and I hear it even more so working in a doctor’s office where most of the patients that come in are older. They know better and have lived a life where they can share “real shit”. That’s why I am doing this now and why I couldn’t stress how beautiful life itself is. Embrace it and live it to the fullest. And if the globe is your curiosity, do your research, do what you can to save, prepare for that well deserved break, and go travel! 🙂
See you on the road!
Cheers,
Anthony G. Perez
Gap Year 2016 Possible Travel Path
As always I’m just speechless! “You only live once but if you live right, once is enough.” I’ve heard that phrase before and it make a lot of sense. Wish youth best of luck. I know all is going to be well because it’s you and it’s what you do.