Year out at 30
Discussion
monthefish said:
Troubleatmill said:
OzzyR1 said:
just do it if you have no ties, you won't regret it and you're a long time dead.
^ This. No one on their deathbed says "I wish I spent more time in the office."Work hard to earn enough money to do the things you really want to do in life.
“Man surprised me most about humanity. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
Troubleatmill said:
Attributed to the Dalia Lama...
“Man surprised me most about humanity. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
He knows a thing or two does the Dalai Lama. “Man surprised me most about humanity. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
This is why dogs are always happy - they only know about the present and live 'in it' every second of their lives.
I took a year out at 21, probably a bit easier back in those early years. I actually handed in my notice at the place I'd been working for 2 years, with no intention of returning.....In hindsight, I'd have asked for a sabbatical.
Luckily, they offered me a new role a year later when I returned, and I'm still here 16 years later.
Luckily, they offered me a new role a year later when I returned, and I'm still here 16 years later.
Quote
Every parent who over bought a pet fro their kids has ended up as the 'owner'
I have 4 cats a dog & a horse all left with dad to mind, when they got in the way of the kids lives. Never occurred to them that I'd like to move to somewhere smaller about now. Oh, & I don't really like cats.
As for yachts, there are some cheaper ones around, if you'll buy an older one, do some restoration, & modify it a bit yourself.
Here's mine as I bought it.
[/quote]
Here it is after some work, & a few thousand miles.
There are some places where they are cheap, as owners have covered many miles & just want out.
A bloke I met in the Solomon Islands had worked his way up, buying small yachts in Hawaii, when owners found sailing back to the US was against the wind, & a bit tough. He sailed them back to the US & sold them for good money. After 4 of these he had enough cash together to buy the boat he really wanted.
Every parent who over bought a pet fro their kids has ended up as the 'owner'
I have 4 cats a dog & a horse all left with dad to mind, when they got in the way of the kids lives. Never occurred to them that I'd like to move to somewhere smaller about now. Oh, & I don't really like cats.
As for yachts, there are some cheaper ones around, if you'll buy an older one, do some restoration, & modify it a bit yourself.
Here's mine as I bought it.
[/quote]
Here it is after some work, & a few thousand miles.
There are some places where they are cheap, as owners have covered many miles & just want out.
A bloke I met in the Solomon Islands had worked his way up, buying small yachts in Hawaii, when owners found sailing back to the US was against the wind, & a bit tough. He sailed them back to the US & sold them for good money. After 4 of these he had enough cash together to buy the boat he really wanted.
Happy 26th to those recently turned / turning.
To expand more on my previous post....
The missus opened my eyes a few years ago to the wonders of travel. We've been to 7 Countries in 18 months.
Everytime we've arrived back, a piece of me has died to the point where I can't go on living a "normal life" after experiencing what other people enjoy 365 days of the year.
Yes we may have more money than them (those in less economically fortunate Countries generally speaking) but they are infinitely happier.
So rather than take a gap year or extended travel, I won't come back.
By my 30th birthday I will have left the UK for good to live out the rest of my days elsewhere.
The location is undecided, financial stability uncertain but I cannot f
king wait.
The cars, watches and all the other crap can go.
A glass of red, a good book and an amazing view and I'm at peace.
To expand more on my previous post....
The missus opened my eyes a few years ago to the wonders of travel. We've been to 7 Countries in 18 months.
Everytime we've arrived back, a piece of me has died to the point where I can't go on living a "normal life" after experiencing what other people enjoy 365 days of the year.
Yes we may have more money than them (those in less economically fortunate Countries generally speaking) but they are infinitely happier.
So rather than take a gap year or extended travel, I won't come back.
By my 30th birthday I will have left the UK for good to live out the rest of my days elsewhere.
The location is undecided, financial stability uncertain but I cannot f
king wait.The cars, watches and all the other crap can go.
A glass of red, a good book and an amazing view and I'm at peace.
RammyMP said:
Me too, when the kids leave home I'm going to pack in work for a year and travel. The mrs is planning on retiring, I'll go back to working contract if we get back home! I'm 40 this year, so that will be in about 15 years!
Out of my mates, one went travelling in our late 20's, the rest of us bought houses, we've all got decent 4 bed houses, the lad who went travelling missed the boat with the housing boom and now lives in a 3 bed terrace. Don't get me wrong, we're all happy, all married, all got kids, he's got world experience, I've got a bigger house.
I think this is the issue my brother moved to australia 6 years ago age 24, got a great job travelled to New Zealand, Thailand and far off places with work, but came back home in June and decided how much he mist the uk and family, on speaking to him, he told me how he didnt even want to open his front door when he returned back to Australia. Since then he has split with his long term gf put the house on the market that he purchased less then a year ago and is planning to return to the UK to live with our mum as he will not have the deposit for a house. I feel very sorry for him as it has cost a fortune for him to stay in the country so long, he even had to pay to qet his uk qualifications recognised. I do regret not going travelling but im only 2 years older then my brother and mortgage free do I feel richer, no but I do have peace of mind. Out of my mates, one went travelling in our late 20's, the rest of us bought houses, we've all got decent 4 bed houses, the lad who went travelling missed the boat with the housing boom and now lives in a 3 bed terrace. Don't get me wrong, we're all happy, all married, all got kids, he's got world experience, I've got a bigger house.
Troubleatmill said:
monthefish said:
Troubleatmill said:
OzzyR1 said:
just do it if you have no ties, you won't regret it and you're a long time dead.
^ This. No one on their deathbed says "I wish I spent more time in the office."Work hard to earn enough money to do the things you really want to do in life.
“Man surprised me most about humanity. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
It is entirely possible to enjoy life in the present whilst also making provision for tomorrow.
There is a big difference between (a) being anxious about the future, and (b) realising that you've probably got a future and it would be sensible to make some sort of provision for it.
There is a relationship between wealth and health.
In the western world, the best quality food (and by that, I mean the purest with the least preservative and chemicals) tends to be the most expensive.
The best healthcare tends to be the most expensive.
etc
etc
It would be daft to live a life in sole pursuit of wealth at a cost of all else, however there is absolutely no need to sacrifice health to make money. That is rubbish. In fact, I've seen more than a few older gentlemen's health, both physical and mental, deteriorate sharply soon after giving up work.
And then the bit about "and then dies having never really lived." To really live, whatever that definition is to you, is probably to do the things you want to do in life, to follow your dreams, and this usually takes money.
monthefish said:
And then the bit about "and then dies having never really lived." To really live, whatever that definition is to you, is probably to do the things you want to do in life, to follow your dreams, and this usually takes money.
How about you go travelling for 12 months earning a few dollars tending bar or picking apples and then come back and tell us what you think? You've not seen the point; strip back everything modern life tells you to have, and you dont need much money at all. When all your income becomes disposable, and the what you enjoy doing is meeting people, seeing new places and doing interesting things then you'll see things differently. Of all the things Ive done, some of which were very expensive - skiing holidays, F1 races, fast bikes, nice cars etc - the one thing which stands out as 'awesome' was a deserted beach down under. Nobody else was there, or had been there in a long while. It was one of those places which was just special.... I honestly dont have the words to tell you why. Other cool stuff included a road-trip with 5 mates I met in a hostel, simply because they had nothing to do for a few days, and seeing more stars than you believed were possible in the ocean.
The point is that once you get away from consumerism, large bills just to 'live' (or exist), keeping up with the latest Iphone and the like, you'll see the things you want to do dont need to be chartering a 40ft boat in Thailand, or buying a first class plane ticket to NY. The fun is visiting places, meeting the people, and not worrying about boring things like mortgages and electric bills.
Condi said:
monthefish said:
And then the bit about "and then dies having never really lived." To really live, whatever that definition is to you, is probably to do the things you want to do in life, to follow your dreams, and this usually takes money.
How about you go travelling for 12 months earning a few dollars tending bar or picking apples and then come back and tell us what you think? You've not seen the point; strip back everything modern life tells you to have, and you dont need much money at all. When all your income becomes disposable, and the what you enjoy doing is meeting people, seeing new places and doing interesting things then you'll see things differently. Of all the things Ive done, some of which were very expensive - skiing holidays, F1 races, fast bikes, nice cars etc - the one thing which stands out as 'awesome' was a deserted beach down under. Nobody else was there, or had been there in a long while. It was one of those places which was just special.... I honestly dont have the words to tell you why. Other cool stuff included a road-trip with 5 mates I met in a hostel, simply because they had nothing to do for a few days, and seeing more stars than you believed were possible in the ocean.
The point is that once you get away from consumerism, large bills just to 'live' (or exist), keeping up with the latest Iphone and the like, you'll see the things you want to do dont need to be chartering a 40ft boat in Thailand, or buying a first class plane ticket to NY. The fun is visiting places, meeting the people, and not worrying about boring things like mortgages and electric bills.
The point in the second post does capture what I feel like I am seeking tho. Life in uk with a successful career is enjoyable but it's all consuming and although I enjoy work it's pretty much all I do. Be nice to strip life back to the bare bones. Work low paid job. Short hours, meet people, travel, try new things, have interesting stories to tell etc.
Ultimately I'd end up back where I am and I think I'd be happy to. You can't live life like that forever but be nice to do it for a year or so. Not sure i can decide what I want to do yet though.
torqueofthedevil said:
Ultimately I'd end up back where I am and I think I'd be happy to. You can't live life like that forever but be nice to do it for a year or so. Not sure i can decide what I want to do yet though.
Of course... although there are people who do live like that for much longer than you might expect! But having done so you'll be a much richer, more well rounded person and at the very least you'll have broaden your horizons beyond what monthefish's experiences are. It wont change you.... it'll make you more sure you were the person you were before you left. And hence the difference between those who do it/have done it, and those who dont. They dont come back someone different, they set off someone different. 
Preach brother.
Has anyone looked into funding this type of lifestyle? I'm not talking a year out that may cost you £10000 but a sustainable income based around property or other investments.
This probably requires a whole new thread but the goal is an income of £1000 per month which in a country such as Thailand will see you living like a King (slight exageration).
To those who have made the leap and never looked back, what did you do to cover day to day living costs?
One option is of course paid work (bar work?) which obviously has other benefits including the people you'll get to meet and share stories with.
Has anyone looked into funding this type of lifestyle? I'm not talking a year out that may cost you £10000 but a sustainable income based around property or other investments.
This probably requires a whole new thread but the goal is an income of £1000 per month which in a country such as Thailand will see you living like a King (slight exageration).
To those who have made the leap and never looked back, what did you do to cover day to day living costs?
One option is of course paid work (bar work?) which obviously has other benefits including the people you'll get to meet and share stories with.
Condi said:
monthefish said:
And then the bit about "and then dies having never really lived." To really live, whatever that definition is to you, is probably to do the things you want to do in life, to follow your dreams, and this usually takes money.
How about you go travelling for 12 months earning a few dollars tending bar or picking apples and then come back and tell us what you think? You've not seen the point; strip back everything modern life tells you to have, and you dont need much money at all. When all your income becomes disposable, and the what you enjoy doing is meeting people, seeing new places and doing interesting things then you'll see things differently. Of all the things Ive done, some of which were very expensive - skiing holidays, F1 races, fast bikes, nice cars etc - the one thing which stands out as 'awesome' was a deserted beach down under. Nobody else was there, or had been there in a long while. It was one of those places which was just special.... I honestly dont have the words to tell you why.
Did you hitch-hike to an Australian Beach from Yorkshire did you?
Condi said:
Other cool stuff included a road-trip with 5 mates I met in a hostel, simply because they had nothing to do for a few days, and seeing more stars than you believed were possible in the ocean.
....and gotta love those free road trips with petrol, vehicles and sustenance all given away free.Anyway, don't try to pigeon-hole me as some 'tied to the rat-race' wage slave. If you read my posts carefully, you'll see that's not the case and not what I'm advocating (far from it).
I've had plenty cool/life affirming experiences; some have cost some money, some have cost a lot of money, some cost a tiny bit of money, but when you boil it dowmn, there is money involved somewhere. Hell, even the two best examples you could give involved money.
I have done a bit of travelling, but the reality of it is quite different to the 'hippy-ish, go where the wind takes you and everything will be wonderful' image that some portay isn't entirely accurate. Besides, travelling isn't for everyone in any case.
There does need to be a balance and certainly the more hippy style of doing things isn't always possible or for everyone anyway.
I would counter though that everything needs money really, even my relatively free hobbies of walking and cycling on my 15-year old MTB still need money for kit/repairs and so do simple experiences when travelling, but that isn't an argument against doing them.
I do think though that the cost of living life as a traveller seeing/doing cool stuff compared to just living in a flat/house in the UK paying your way and existing is probably not that different IME.
If you're going to travel, travel to travel not travel to work in some low paid job just because it's in a different country. Sure, you could pick apples or work behind a bar in Australia or France but once you factor in the cost of living in those countries you could end up just scraping by with just enough to eat and pay the rent on a crappy apartment or hostel dorm.
If I were you I'd be heading to south east Asia or South America with a wad of cash burning a hole in my pocket and a desire to move on and see new things every few days. Having done Australia, NZ, SE Asia and am now in South America there does seem to be quite a difference in the type of backpacker you get in each place.
In SE Asia everyone is out for a good time, go to the full moon party, ride an elephant and soak up the culture.
In South America everyone wants to see Machu Picchu, San Pedro de Atacama, Salar de Uyuni and lots of outdoorsy type stuff like trekking.
In NZ it's all about driving a camper van and seeing glaciers, volcanoes and doing adrenaline sports.
In Australia, the hostels were full of antisocial types who were there to work their menial jobs by day then sit with their workmates by night and drink their day's wages with no intention of getting to know any "new people" at the hostel who might only be there for a night because they're out there seeing the world.
I'm generalising of course, and you get nice people and dheads everywhere but those were my observations when travelling so I'd say if you have the funds to do it then stick to having fun in cheap places instead of working in the expensive ones.
If I were you I'd be heading to south east Asia or South America with a wad of cash burning a hole in my pocket and a desire to move on and see new things every few days. Having done Australia, NZ, SE Asia and am now in South America there does seem to be quite a difference in the type of backpacker you get in each place.
In SE Asia everyone is out for a good time, go to the full moon party, ride an elephant and soak up the culture.
In South America everyone wants to see Machu Picchu, San Pedro de Atacama, Salar de Uyuni and lots of outdoorsy type stuff like trekking.
In NZ it's all about driving a camper van and seeing glaciers, volcanoes and doing adrenaline sports.
In Australia, the hostels were full of antisocial types who were there to work their menial jobs by day then sit with their workmates by night and drink their day's wages with no intention of getting to know any "new people" at the hostel who might only be there for a night because they're out there seeing the world.
I'm generalising of course, and you get nice people and d
heads everywhere but those were my observations when travelling so I'd say if you have the funds to do it then stick to having fun in cheap places instead of working in the expensive ones.Read all of this thread with great interest; both maybe a year or so ago, and again today.
Did anyone do it alone, and did they think it was worthwhile? I could take an absolute maximum of a 6-month career break and I'm seriously considering it.
Life is fantastic at home. Single, with everything slotted in to place. Work is good, my social calendar is busy, etc. I just wonder, as others have said above, will I regret not doing it now, when I have my health, my youth, and my freedom? (All relative, of course!)
I wonder if doing it on my own may be quite lonely. I am thinking of perhaps a couple of big trips, rather than one long trip. I could fund it by renting out a couple more rooms in my house, both before and after the trip; though of course I'd need someone to check in so I can actually let go for the time I'm away.
Would love to hear from others who have done it on their own, at a similar age to me (33, today as it happens).
Did anyone do it alone, and did they think it was worthwhile? I could take an absolute maximum of a 6-month career break and I'm seriously considering it.
Life is fantastic at home. Single, with everything slotted in to place. Work is good, my social calendar is busy, etc. I just wonder, as others have said above, will I regret not doing it now, when I have my health, my youth, and my freedom? (All relative, of course!)
I wonder if doing it on my own may be quite lonely. I am thinking of perhaps a couple of big trips, rather than one long trip. I could fund it by renting out a couple more rooms in my house, both before and after the trip; though of course I'd need someone to check in so I can actually let go for the time I'm away.
Would love to hear from others who have done it on their own, at a similar age to me (33, today as it happens).
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