What if the life you’ve always wanted was waiting for you on the other side of fear?

Would you take the leap?

We know the feeling all too well; the constant thought that life could be so much more than overworking, not having enough time and going through the same old grind. Life can be so much more vibrant, more fulfilling, more free. It was this exact feeling that led us to trade in our secure jobs and embrace the unknown. In this blog, we’ll share how we made that leap, the ups and downs along the way, and why it's never too late to start your own adventure.

Why people dream of leaving traditional jobs

Since childhood, we’ve been guided—by teachers, parents, and grandparents—on what we’re “supposed” to do. The usual path is clear: go to school, attend college, secure a good-paying job, buy a nice house, drive a fancy car, and eventually, start a family. People can start to experience burnout and stress from school/college/work, they can sometimes experience a work-life imbalance, and a lot of people will be left feeling unfulfilled with their lifestyle.

So, what if that's not what we truly desire?

So, here's the truth: it's perfectly okay to question this. Not everyone shares the same goals and dreams - and thank goodness we don’t. Wouldn't that be boring? There really is a whole world of adventure out there - if you're brave enough to take the leap, break the cycle and step out of your comfort zone.

Our experience

After graduating from University in 2019, Nathan and I made the decision that we wanted to travel long-term. Sadly, COVID struck in 2020, and all travel was halted for around two years. However, we used this time effectively, as we used the time to work, save and plan our exit once the borders were open again. I truly believe that during the 2 years of COVID, it inspired us to embark on this journey because it made us realise that anything can happen, life is too short and that you might not have the opportunity to do it again if you don't take the risk now.

How do I take the leap?

Before you take the leap, it's a great idea to have a plan in place to help you prepare for your big adventure.

Here are somethings that we did to help prepare ourselves:

Save, save, save! - We cannot stress this enough, if you want to travel long term, then you need to be prepared to save money for flights, accommodation, food and transport. We recommend having enough money for lodging, food and transport for at least a month if you're travelling on a working holiday visa while you look for work. If you're travelling on a tourist visa, you must determine how long you will be away for and how much money you will need for travel, activities, food, lodging and transportation. You will need more of a tight budget if you do not intend to work whilst travelling. Last but not least, we strongly recommend setting money aside for an emergency fund, mainly for a return journey if things turn south. Circumstances can change rapidly when travelling, so it's always a good plan to have some safety money on hand. So, stop buying that morning coffee and start saving every penny!
Sell What You Don't Need - Since you’re going away long-term, you probably won’t need a lot of the clutter you’ve collected over the years. This is a great way to earn some cash, declutter, and sell what you don’t need! The cash that you make can either go towards new travel items you’ll need, or towards your trip.
Research Destinations Thoroughly - You’ll need to do a lot of research into which countries you’d like to visit or work in. Ensure you research visa requirements and entry rules for each country you plan on visiting. Be aware of safety concerns, weather conditions and local laws. We’d also advise researching the best months to visit certain countries, since climates are different all over the world. We booked a trip to Japan in July, and whilst it was an amazing trip, it was the hottest and most humid month of the year, making the trip very uncomfortable at times. We wished we had researched this more, and visited in the cooler months.
Search for Jobs abroad whilst you’re saving and planning - If you’re planning on working abroad, we would advise searching for jobs whilst you’re still in your home country. This will help you familiarise yourself with different locations in the country, what types of jobs they offer and the rate of pay. You can sometimes even apply for these jobs whilst you’re in your home country, if you get a job offer, that's even better as you will be able to travel to your chosen country with a job waiting for you on the other side.
Sign up to backpacker pages online - When we were planning our move to Australia, we joined backpacker websites and backpacker pages on Facebook. This is a great way to communicate with others who are already doing what you are planning to do. Backpackers can seek help and share advice with each other. It's also a great way to find jobs and accommodation, we found 2 of our jobs through these pages.
Prepare for the Mental Shift - Leaving your job, packing your belongings, saying goodbye to family and friends and embarking on a global journey is no easy task. You will need to develop the ability to embrace uncertainty. Long-term travel requires flexibility, problem-solving and patience. It’s not always golden moments you see on people’s social media, they only show the best bits, but they will forget to show you how they really got there and the ups and downs they would have had to go through to get to where they are today. Prepare for unexpected changes, and view challenges as part of the adventure. You really will learn so much on your journey.

Ensure you can stay connected with family and friends, make plans to keep in touch regularly through emails, calls and video chats. Having someone close to talk to can really make all the difference if you’re having a rough day and feeling lonely.

These are just a few things that you can do to kick-start your big adventure. The biggest bit of advice that we can give to anyone is research, plan and don’t rush into anything. Long-term travel is something that anyone can do, but shouldn't be rushed into.

You'll need to ask yourself:

Where do I want to go?
How long do I want to be there for?
What do I want to see/achieve?
Who do I want to travel with? Partner, Friend, Family, Solo?
How much money do I need?
Am I willing to let go of a stable job/income and familiar surroundings?
What am I most afraid of, and how will I address it?
What's my travel style? E.g working in one place long-term, or travelling from place to place in a short-period.
Do I have a backup plan?
Am I prepared for the realities of long-term travel?

Answer these questions by either writing them down in a journal, or typing them out on a saved document. If you don’t yet have the answers, keep coming back to them. You'll be better able to determine whether or not long-term travel is right for you the more you ask yourself these questions.

Taking the leap into long-term travel isn't just about leaving your job - it's about stepping into the unknown and into a new life filled with endless opportunities. It's an act of courage and bravery, which is fueled by a deep desire and longing for freedom, fulfillment and adventure. While it may seem daunting at first, every step forward is a step forward to a more vibrant and fulfilling existence. Remember, it's not always going to be a walk in the park, and some days you may feel alone. There will be ups and downs, moments of uncertainty and days where you question ‘what the hell am I doing?’. But in the end, it's the journey that will change you, the journey will teach you and make it all worthwhile.

If you’re feeling that familiar tug toward something greater, know that it's never too late to start planning, saving and preparing for the life you've always dreamed of. So, ask yourself the big questions, create that plan that's going to work for you, and most importantly - dare to take the leap. Because sometimes, the life you've always desired is just on the other side of fear.

Taking the Leap: Leaving Jobs Behind for a Life of Adventure