People say those who cannot settle down are “running away.” Since we have not selected a career to aimlessly chase and pass the time for the next 45 years, we’re lazy, unmotivated and wasting time.
Okay, fine. I will not exactly deny the running away bit. But wanderers, vagabonds, nomads or whatever you prefer to label us, see things differently. The common life-goals of family, success or money may be similar, but we will not find it in a one-size-fits-all box.
Up until very recently, I considered prominent, respectable careers such as practicing medicine, finance or entrepreneurship. I thought about politics in my future. The primary driving force behind all of these options was wealth that might someday provide the freedom to explore the world and do what I really want. At one point, I even planned on attending law school. I don’t think I ever really wanted to be a lawyer, but I convinced myself it was the right move. I studied for months, took the test, and turned down a scholarship to attend law school, opting instead to spend Autumn backpacking through Europe.
I never settled on a typical career for the right reason; and I shied away from traveling long-term or full-time out of fear. Not fear of failure, but fear of lagging behind my peers in life, as if it is some kind of race. I shied away from making traveling my career, because it was instilled in me, in all of us, that travel is not a conventional, realistic or respectable way to make a life… nevermind that it is a trillion dollar industry!
Throughout my days of indecision, there was a significant reason I could not settle: I wanted to travel.
For years, I have felt strongly that, even if I spent 10-15 years piling up money, I would never be able to travel the way I can now. That is, to travel cheap, wandering wherever I want, owing to no one but myself.
What if..?
Solo travel and budget backpacking presents the world very differently than is seen in fancy hotels and tour groups. And what if, after all that time, I did not want to leave the success and money behind? What if I had family obligations? What if I just could not go?
The “what if?” question leads to one answer – REGRET… The regret would be never-ending.
In a constantly changing world where life is dictated by politics and war, the harsh reality is that we never know when passing up on an opportunity to go somewhere could be the only time that opportunity ever comes around.
I had a civics teacher long ago who constantly said, “History hangs by a thin thread, and a small breeze can make big things happen.” The point being, (at least according to news and media, for whatever that is worth) the relative peace in the world could shift to chaos at a moment’s notice. Whether they are right or wrong, I won’t let the doomsday attitude and fear-mongering scare me away.
The Impact of Travel
Another fear regarding travel – that it does more harm than good to the world – that increased worldwide tourism is leading to a 21st century-style colonialism with poorer nations catering to the needs of wealthy visitors. Governments, travelers, and even tree-huggers are crying about how globalization and tourism destroy unique cultures around the world.
There is no doubt this is true to an extent, but without getting into something far too serious for my stomach, I’ll just say this: it is important to be culturally-conscious when traveling, but this is actually another reason to visit the lesser-traveled places before they, too, are spoiled.
Be a smart, considerate and ethical traveler. But whatever you do, just go.
Life is Short
“Life is short” is one of the most cliché, albeit accurate, phrases thrown around to warrant spontaneity.
John Lennon and Ferris Bueller may have been onto something. It goes hand in hand with something like, “you never know if today could be your last.”
Assuming this mentality has merit, why not go now? If becoming a CEO is what you want most, why waste your time waiting tables, making excuses? Far too often, we become complacent when things are just okay, myself included, putting off the highest of goals and deepest desires until they magically fall into place before our eyes. Life doesn’t work that way, and through my extensive, painstaking research (i.e. REALITY), I am able to confirm you will never reach your goals by waiting around, twiddling your thumbs in anxious misery.
My take is that if I want to wander aimlessly, with whatever goal in mind, I ought to get a move on before the parade passes by. I will “run away” and leave the haters in my rearview mirror before I ever succumb to an unfulfilling, mundane existence.
Going Somewhere New
The conventional life path has no appeal to me. I’m from a relatively uninspiring place – don’t take my word for it, ask the thousands who flee my home state every year for better (and safer) opportunities.
At times, with limited opportunities there, it feels as though you have only a handful of paths from which to choose, and if you choose something different, it’s considered abandonment. But how can you blame someone for “abandoning” a run-down, crime-ridden, economically-stagnant place?
Don’t get me wrong, I still have a deep-rooted love for my home. It is host to so many wonderful people, friends and family, an easygoing pace of life and some of the best food on Earth. But just because something is comfortable does not mean it is the best option, much less the only option. Someday, I may decide to return permanently. But in my eyes, there is still far too much to see, and too many dreams to chase, before settling in to Easyville.
In the meantime, I have relocated a couple thousand miles away to Oregon (practically a different country). When not splashing through the puddles of Portland, traveling as long, often and far as possible is the goal.
Not Rushing Life
To quote Pam Beesly from The Office, “With work and two kids, nothing interesting is going to happen to us for a long, long time.”
Not to say that people with children cannot travel, because they do it every day. However, when I bought a one-way ticket to Vietnam in August 2017, with no plans other than where I will be landing the following January, I had no one to consider but myself.
I uprooted my life in Louisiana and moved to Oregon on a whim. Two years later, I am pursuing another dream, to travel around the world and write about it. Again, on a whim. With the freedom and independence from not rushing into the prescribed pattern of Western life, time is on my side. Time is on my side to explore and wander, and, for the moment, freedom is on my side to pursue the dream of a career in the world of travel.
Understandably, spontaneity in regards to major life decisions doesn’t appeal to everyone. The uncertainty and unknown causes a lot of stress and anxiety. Conversely, being tied down to a person or place without the freedom to heed the calls of spontaneity is fearful in itself for many of us.
Traveling with a family, or another person, is not impossible. It’s not even uncommon. I look forward to adventuring like this someday (far, far, FAR!) off in the future, but there is no denying the limitations. Until then, I choose to “run away” alone for an experience that only exists in the here and now.
Ignore the Haters
There is constant chatter on how it is impossible to run away and make it in the travel world as a writer, analyst or explorer. This simply is NOT TRUE (again, multi-trillion dollar industry!). Occasionally, it feels like a lie conjured up by some in the industry to deter potential competition. More accurately, it is the envy of the ‘real world’ attempting to discourage others from doing what they forbade themselves the chance to experience.
Teachers and PSAs tell kids they can do anything and to set their sights high. If they work hard enough, they can be an astronaut (this one baffles me, it’s not 1965 anymore) or President of the United States. But if a child mentions being an artist or a musician, there is far less encouragement. In reality there will be many more successful artists out there than astronauts.
People discouragingly say, “we just want you to be successful, independent and happy.” But what that means is closer to, “you know you can’t do this, right?” Encouragement to pursue dreams only lasts a few years, after which it becomes more about “my” happiness and success. As for the naysayers, let them whisper; let them try to discourage you, but tell them to piss off. Otherwise, ignore the chatter. It is simply jealousy.
The thinking on long-term wandering, the outright criticism, comes from a place of envy. The same people who express regret for not traveling more are the same ones who spout off snide remarks about running away.
Quite frankly, a 9 to 5 job sounds awful to me. A regular career, with holidays off and two weeks paid vacation a year (if you’re lucky in the US), would surely hold me in misery. I would tear down those entrapping cubicle walls, spinning in my desk chair, waiting. For what? I don’t know. Anything to save me from the torture.
Find Your Passion
Many people find great joy and happiness in their stable jobs and regular routine. In many cases, it is out of selflessness, for which I am eternally grateful and humbled. Lord knows I wouldn’t be able to rant and chase my dreams if not for those before me. I want to wish my most sincere congratulations and thanks to you all. You have found a passion, a driving force in your life, and you’re doing it. That is wonderful. Thankfully, I have finally found mine, too!
Travel is more than just palm trees and piña coladas. That sounds spectacular, but travel is also a chance to learn. And by learning about people and places around the world, I will develop a better understanding of not only the entire world, but also my position – and my home’s position – in it. As I “run away” from the ordinary and follow my passions, I can use this newfound enlightenment to educate others so we may all have a better understanding of the world around us. I hope my experiences will encourage others not only to explore their own path, but to learn about places on other continents, across the country or just down the street.
Perspective is everything when it comes to understanding. Without a fresh perspective on the rest of the world, we will never understand what it takes to move forward.
So if you want to say I am running away, go right ahead. Just know that it’s a little more involved than simply getting on a plane and bidding adieu… Also, know that I cannot hear you thousands of miles away because, in the end, I do not care.
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