The idea of quitting your job to travel the world is nothing new. People from all walks of life have done it, from famous movie stars to young backpackers who want to see the world.
However, it's not a decision that you should rush into or make lightly. The truth is that travelling through multiple countries and continents can be exhausting, expensive, and risky (as well as impressive).
Think About Why You Want to Travel
Now that you know where you want to go, it's time to find out why. The answer to this question will determine a lot about your trip—how long it will last, what kind of travel experience you're looking for, and how much money you'll need.
The most important thing is, to be honest about why you want to quit your job and travel the world. Are you hoping for a break from work-related stress? Do you want to see more of the world before settling down? Or are you tired of working in an office every day and yearning for something more adventurous?
If your reason for wanting to travel is purely selfish—you want an opportunity to do something new and exciting—then, by all means, go ahead! But if your reason is more than that—if you think the world would be better off if everyone had the opportunity to travel—then maybe consider working toward making that happen instead of quitting your job right now.
What Are the Practicalities?
It's one thing to want to travel the world and quit your job, but it's another thing entirely to figure out what you'll do with your house and car or how you'll deal with health insurance, pets, and social life while away.
Many practicalities need addressing before throwing caution to the wind and taking off on an adventure worldwide.
What Are the Pros
Travelling the world is a great experience. You will meet many people, learn a lot about yourself and have fun.
Travel teaches you resilience. When something goes wrong in your travels (or life), you have to be able to adapt and make the best of the situation.
You'll figure out how to live on almost no money in some countries, speak with other cultures that aren't like yours, and deal with moving on from failed relationships or friendships back home.
It allows you to see things from new perspectives and appreciate new ways of living, giving you more options when it comes time for career decisions or raising kids!
What Are the Cons
The main drawbacks of quitting your job to travel the world are that you'll be in a very different situation than most people you know, and it's not always easy to explain why you're doing what you're doing.
You could also get into trouble if you don't have enough money saved up before taking off on an extended trip.
Quitting your job to travel can make you feel like an outsider. You'll be in a situation where many (if not most) of the people around you are either in school or have stable jobs with a steady income. They may also have families who depend on them for financial support.
You won't be able to relate to their experiences as much as they will be able to relate to yours—meaning that there will probably be some awkward moments when it comes time for conversation.
You could also get into trouble if you don't have enough money saved up before taking off on an extended trip. Quitting your job means making sacrifices—sometimes those sacrifices come at a high cost emotionally, financially, and logistically.
Can You Find a Balance?
It's important to realise that there are many different approaches to working and travelling. Some people have a short-term goal of saving up enough money for a particular trip, and afterwards, they return home after their trip. Other people take longer trips with no fixed end date in sight. Still, others go on indefinite trips and never return to their original careers.
You first need to decide what kind of traveller you want to be and then find other people doing the same thing. Once you've figured out where your skills and interests lie, it will help narrow your options significantly!
