Life after travelling
 

Just looking for some info on your own experiences.

Im contemplating going travelling for a year on a bike but im hesitant because i dont know what to do after it. This is the only thing thats worrying me at the minute.

I wont be able to jump into a job that pays as well as the one ive got now, therefore it would be hard to get back on housing market etc etc.

Its easy enough to think id give up my flat and job etc but its what to do when i get back and starting all over again. How do you guys get round this.

The simple answer is: You don't. Unless you are very lucky.

Right now I'm doing an unskilled job in an office. It's rubbish, but I know it's not forever. Before I went away I was a freelance news photographer, which was also rubbish but rather better money than my current wage.

BUT: (And this is the impotant bit!) I do NOT regret going. Sure, I'm poor now, and bored. And my trip didn't even go all the way (got as far as Iran on the way to Nepal) but hell, if I hadn't gone I'd have regretted it all my life. I saw things and did things most of mates can only dream about.

You have two choices:

Live safe and comfy and bored and ordinary.

Take risks and live life. Sometimes it all goes to shit but you can't expect to do the really good stuff without some sacrifices.

One way is no better than the other, they are just for different people. Decide which type of person you are and go with it.

Matt :)

Travel
 

It is extremely rare that anyone regrets going on a big trip. Pre-trip jitters is common, you are giving up something known (crappy job, hum drum existence) for the unknown promise of adventure. If it was without risk, then everyone would do it. You just have to live with the doubts, grit your teeth and then once your bike hits the open road, you will be telling yourself and everyone that you can't believe that you waited this long...

Cheers guys. Its making that decision to go is the hardest. Maybe once ive started planning properly etc it will be easier. Sometimes im 100% positive then other times its 50/50. I do want to do this and sitting here watching life go by rather boringly is annoying. Ive been doing it for the past few years paying off debt and i dont want to be doing the same 3 years from now having nothing spectacular to look back on.

im reading the adventurer handbook just now to get some ideas on where to go and when etc. (Preferably as soon as possible). I defo want at least 9 months + of a trip if im going to give everything up for it. Thinking about a trip to Oz then possibly staying there for a while. (I have family there although i havent met them yet.)

Choices
 

ah, there's this thing about choises.

A choise is between equally valuable alternatives, in which case it doesn't matter what you choose (cause the're valued equally), so your choise doesn't matter, OR, you don't value the alternatives equally, in which case it's a matter of decision, not choise.

Up to you to flip a coin (and don't look back) or put the pro and cons on a balance and do what's worth more to you.

Rob

After schmarfter!
 

Now what, I hear myself say, is the point of worrying about what happens AFTER you get back from travelling??
And also, why worry??!!
You are putting a lot of energy into making assumptions about a life that you can't even imagine yet.

Travelling is an awesome thing!! If you are lucky, you will return a different person. So, you might even approach things differently.

But, back to my first arguement really... after schmarfter. Whether you are travelling or not, you are worrying about something completely out of your control at the moment. You can possibly put things in place to make the transition a bit easier (like not coming back completely broke!), but apart from very few things, you just have to wait, see and enjoy the ride.
(oh and find lots of mates in the same position so you can jointly drown your sorrows :) )

You will get around it, you will have a wealth of experience:thumbup1:


Be positive, nothing is cast in stone, look forward to a change and a challenge :mchappy:


All the best

Trophymick

I wouldn't worry about it. After I left Uni (I was around 21) I went to Oz on a working holiday. I made a friend there who got me into travelling and I remember talking to him about it when we were saving up for a trip. I was argueing how I wanted that trip to be the mother of all trips because I would never be able to save up enough money to do something like that again. I had hardly any bills because I managed to be living at my folk's. 10 Years later and married, I still can't help myself and now drag the Mrs around the world. We relocated almost every year between Europe and Oz, and do trips in between. Actually, we've made a record this time around working in the same job for just over a year. We're about to give our notice in 5 weeks.

I suppose it depends on what you do for a living and your age, but I've never found my CV suffering. Usually they like the life experience you've gained and the "exotic" places you've worked in (read London experience in Australia). Interviews usually end up talking about the trips. It shows initiative and all the other spin you usually thrown into it to do trips like this.
Is still haven't been able to make my money last more than 9 months, and probably never will now.

We rent places, and still haven't ventured on the housing market, but it's too overpriced now anyway. We're only now starting to invest a bit for the ol' age, but I reckon I'll be working till 70+ anyway (depending on health off course). My pay rate goes up the same as my peers who don't have massive gaps in their CV's, and this year is the first year I've ever had a permanent job. I've always worked contract.

One thing though. It's addictive to move around. We can't see ourselves live anywhere for more than a year without getting very itchy feet and so far giving into it.

Cheers for the feedback everyone. Some interesting responses there.:thumbup1:

As I said maybe after planning the trip ill be more positive about making that decision. Im 99% Yes now but i dont know whats holding me back that 1%. Maybe just fear of stepping out the 'comfort zone'.

Many other posters have offered some pretty damn goods things to reason...but remember this...
The first step off the ledge is ALWAYS the toughest part, the free fall is a bit easier...

The Beginning Is Only The Beginning
 

Don't think of the trip as THE TRIP. Don't think of the return as THE RETURN. The return is a waystation between one journey and the next. I am 74. Last year I rode from Mexico to Tierra del Fuego . This year I will ride back north from Ushuaia to Duchess County, NY. Next year I plan riding across China. I try to travel within a UK pension. I ride a small bike to keep the cost down (160 Ks to the US gallon) - and also because I couldn't lift a big bike. (Blog at www.simongandolfi.com). My best advice is not to look too closely before you leap - otherwise you may waste your life sitting on the parapet! Good luck, go for it and have fun...

VERY good point! :)

Leaping
 

I'm in the same place as the original poster: looking long and hard before I leap. I've got a good paying job, a house, and all that. But I definitely need a life change. I could cash out house and small retirement savings and have plenty of funds to travel and still have some in reserve to transition back to normal life. My line of work is very niche, so I worry about getting a job on the return.

I think what I and the original poster are seeking are real life examples of those who have returned "successfully". Money is always an issue and the perspective for those of us without the gaurantee of ongoing financial resources is of course different. Can I really not care what my financial situation is when I return?

So keep the feedback coming.

That feeling in your stumach never really goes. It's only natural. It's getting less with me, and is starting to feel more like a relief and a return to what I'm used to. The un-complicated life of only having to think about the basics like where to get a feed and where to put your head down.

I'm now getting more worried that it's going to disappear all together at some stage. I can tell the difference between me and my wife who has done less of these moves.

As for work. That'll always be something that noone can help with as we all work in different industries. We both work in Engineering, which allows for more flexibility. Other industries like hospitality, commerce and health case allow for it as well (I presume), but if you really think you're in such a niche industry that you think you might stuggle, it comes down to a leap of faith. I still think that giving it a go once and see what damage it does and work hard to catch up would be worth the risk. If it turns out you're wrong and it also turned out beneficial to your carreer you'd be laughing. If not, you know that you have a blast and the will work hard to catch up again.
Sometimes a step back is required to make three forward.

As for a house. Most of my friends just rent it out while they're away. But you could also sell and invest the money. The problem is that most people have a hard time thinking outside the square (not meant condescending) because everybody they know don't. My family and people I knew before I travelled still think I'm nuts, but most of my mates who lived the same life think it's normal.

Simon, how do you manage to travel on a UK pension?

The Dalai Lama once said that the meaning of life is to Experience and Enjoy.

Are you doing that at home?

go for it bud,
you wont regret it if you try, you will if you don't

In order to take on a trip/adventure like this, you will have to pay a cost... And when you are riding the ride, you won't regret it, BUT I won't lie to you and tell you that you won't think about life after your trip....its only natural.

I rented out my house, gave my girlfriend/family/close friends the heads up and rolled...tying up some lose ends as I need their support to make this trip happen.

So while I'm more than halfway done with my trip, I planned ahead with a couple months of "Readjustment Allowance" cash and time; and will sort out this re-adjustment when I get back...To EVEN attempt to sort it out before/during the trip would be a waste of time and could be better spent on the trip.

This "trip" is just like that proverbial gal you've exchanged numerous glances with at the bar/pub...will you go over and figure out what keeps grabbing your attention, or go home and smack the salami...

No need to plan what happens on the latter, but the former is fates way of telling you:

Opportunities will present themselves in ways you will never imagine, so have faith in it(fate) and roll the die...

With Difficulty
 

Tmotten, with great difficulty and by being away a long time to spread the airfare over a bunch of months - then along comes a book contract (last Friday) and I think, Wow! Great!
Then I think: THREE books! Oh no, please God...
And it is back to reality and back to work.
Looking back, I know when everything went bad. People kept at me, saying, Hey, you can't stay a snow bumb all winter and a beach bumb all summer. You'll get bored.
I was never bored. And I knew how to get by.
Yet, somewhere back in my forties, I fell for the lecture and got a career. It seems to be a career without any retirement date more obvious than the grave. Fortuntely my family own a small graveyard round a church my great-grandfather built. My wife insists I carry a Montecristo cigar box on my travels so a funeral parlour wherever has something in which to ship my ashes home.

More On Pension
 

Tmottem, I ride a Honda 125 Cargo bought new at around £1200 in Veracruz, Mexico - 160 Ks to the US gallon: three punctures in the rear tyre, no other problems - plus lots of Honda agents gave me a free service. I stay in small hotels off the tourist beat, room with bath. I eat one good meal in the evening, plus snacks or fruit. Nost of the costs are listed on my blog at home
Take care and good luck...

Good on ya. I've met a few guys (and gals) like you in the last few years, and it's an inspirational meeting every time.

I take it you buy and sell a bike and make the most of the preparing/ luggage situation.

If you know what you will be doing on Tuesday two weeks from now.....
That will either give you a secure feeling or piss you off.

I was fortunate in that I was able to come back to the same job. Problem was it was the job that made me leave in the first place. I lasted 2 days back at work before I had started setting up my own company - something I would not have had the energy or motivation to do if I hadn't gone away.......

I think it is impossible to predict how things are going to span out, so just stay positive, stay psyched, do what you WANT to do and doors will naturally open for you!

Preparation Is All
 

If only...on the last trip I got the money together with a few days to spare for a cheap flight on Aerlingus. I bought a used Clancy Brothers jumper and a green cord shirt at a thrift shop in the hope of an upgrade. I didn't get the upgrade and had to dump the jumper in Veracruz as it took up too much room. This trip I am trying to be prepared: seat, rainwear and undergarments...

If you have a talented work (doctor, lawyer, etc) you can get it back when you're back. If you do a job any person can do, you find again. Why you worry about. If you think you can't earn like before, oh yeah you must pay an invoice for that experience. If you are ready to pay do it, othervise, just ride around.

You can rent your home to take it back.

Anyhow I know millions of people can't live a think what you are thinking about (they don't even have an opportunity).

I had it all figured out.
 

When I left for a RTW I had it all figured out. :cool4:
My house was rented out through a reliable agency.
I had tax-exemption.
If I returned within a year I could have my old job and salary back.
My financial 'stuff' would be dealt with by my ex who is very accurate
in these things.

So, with no worries and many safety-nets I went off.:Beach:

After three years the situation was as follows:

My house was a total mess. As a result it had not been rented out for over
a year.:(

My ex had misunderstood the importance of a letter that my bank had send
her and I lost 40% of my (invested) savings.:confused1:

When the tax-office had send a income-tax-form my ex thought is wise to
give it to an accountant who filled it out, send it in and billed me. Sending in a
tax-form automatically canceles your tax-exemption, so now the accountant
had a steady job on my account.:mad2:

Several companies who's subscription I had canceled still send in bills. My ex
paid all of them.:cursing:

Many more annoyances occurred. Some during the trip, some after I returned.
If I would have sold my house instead of renting it out, the interest alone
would have been just as much as the rent, bit without the hassle.:crying:

My point:

Burning your bridges behind you is a hell of a lot easier than trying to maintain them from the road.:yawn:

In the end I sold my house and left the country for good.:boat:

Maarten:mchappy:

That sounds like an example of what a bad case would be. We usually do something similar but without a house, where we cancel everything and let my sister in law open our post which gets send to her address. She askes us what to do though. So if we still get billed, we know about it.

It's getting so much easier with some banks giving you the option of not getting any paper send out anymore, or they can send it overseas. We've got 6 banks acounts and 3 credit cards in 5 different countries, and have so far not had any trouble. BT mobile in the UK has ignored my cancellation of my account once, but I knew about it through online banking. And when you don't live in a place, it's very easy of keeping up to date with your finances online now.

Not sure about tax yet, as only now we'll have income from an investment after we leave. So far we've declared ourselves non-tax resident without any problems.

I've been pondering this Q for a while myself. Basically, I see it this way: whatever I did prior to the trip to enabled me to have this opportunity, I can do again. It only took me 5 years out of University to rack up debt, get a mortgage, new car, etc, then sell it all for "the trip". I'm pretty sure that I can do the same when I get back if I so desire.

With the right motivation I can do anything I want. Start a coffee shop, go back to my old job, work minimum wage and do freelance photography and journalism, whatever. The point is that for now, I don't know and don't care. I understand that I have lots of options and in 2 years from now I'll sort it out. Or I won't. It's all good. Will I maintain the same "standard" of living? I guess it all depends on what makes a quality of life for you. I won't have the same debts and I won't be making the same money right off the bat. Or maybe I will.

Like many other posters, I'm gonna say don't worry about it too much.

Cheers, and go for a ride and think about what really matters to you.

Mitch

Didn't I read....
 

I'm sure I read something a few weeks ago (looking but can't find it at the mo) about people who travel having a key chemical in their brain that is missing in those people who don't like to venture out of their door.

My theory is that I must have this chemical, and if it's a chemical imbalance in my head I may as well just give in and do it, then when I get back 'home' I can let the chemicals build up again before I'm forced to fly:clap:

On a more serious note :innocent: I have a permanent job that pays well and that I really enjoy - I couldn't imagine leaving it behind but at the same time I have this pull to travel - so, thank goodness I have an understanding boss who let's me take all my leave each year at the same time allowing me to do the world bit by bit, it doesn't have to be done all the time and by getting away for a month every year it seems to keep those pesky chemicals at bay.

Thanks for all the info and advice guys. Makes some interesting reading.:thumbup1:

Coming back...
 

I'm a bit late to this thread but I thought I would add my $0.02.

Things never work out how you expect...

I spent over a year travelling through Africa in a Land Rover. I left a well-paid but hateful job to travel. I thought I might never work again.

I spent three months trying to get a job when I got back, applied for dozens of jobs and didn't get a single interview. But then, I got an interview for a great job, I walked into the interview and the first thing the boss asked me was about my Defender - turns out he was a Land Rover nut and thought the trip was a great thing.

Got the job, it's a 50% pay rise on what I was doing before I left, it's a nice company and good prospects, only problem is I wish I was still travelling...!

Go for it, life has a way of sorting itself out when you get back...

Fascinating and informative responses to this post.

My small contribution is that I dont especially want (at the moment) to do RTW on my bike, but I am very interested in doing longish (2-4 months ish) trips to places like Mali, Tashkent etc.The time for these is easier to find, and this may be a solution for the guy who posed the question.

Has he done any longish trips?.....or is the attractive dream of RTW looming too large in his mind? Why not get a couple of months off somehow and try for somewhere like West Africa? After that, he'd know for sure if the RTW bug had really bitten, and then he could just jack it all in and go RTW, in confidence that this was what he REALLY wanted to do.