Year out at 30

[torqueofthedevil]

Anyone ever just packed up, left your job and gone doing your own thing for a year at 30?

I'm tempted but it just seems a shame after working through school, uni and a career for 10 years to leave now. Especially as I feel I'm on the cusp of moving up a step in my career.

I'm worried after a year, it'll take me ages to get back into being able to do my job.

I'm thinking of renting my house out. Selling my cars. Leaving my job and going to live and work in France. Basic job, no bills, no commitments to expensive belongings etc. learn French and just have a healthier standard of living.

Anyone done it?

[torqueofthedevil]

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.

Thanks for all the replies. I actually totally agree with the sentiment of both posts above. The Dali Lama quote is very powerful and thought provoking, but it's true that its not really realistic.

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.