Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*

I can only talk from my own experiences.

I've left good jobs where If I had stayed I'd probably be on a very good salary, driving a German Saloon and be spending Sunday mornings in B&Q with a silicone Sheila..

Instead I lived a life of poverty at home and had great times abroad for extended trips...

I did that on and off throughout my twenties and early thirties. And I spent a lot longer at home being poor than tearing up foreign soil with a killer tan...

But Travelling has taught me that all that materialistic stuff doesn't matter....Mostly !


It's very easy to listen to all the crap motivational phrases like:

"You'll never be hungry with a stomach full of memories"

Or,

"Who needs somewhere to live when you have a you have a bike covered in stickers"

As much as I love travel, adventure and freedom you need to balance it with a some realism.

There are people who travel forever, live off-grid and have birds nests in their hair. It's possible. But everyone I've met like that are grumpy and miserable and destined for living out their old age in a homeless shelter.

Do you want that life ??


I think I did the right thing to travel a lot when I was younger. My only regret is that I didn't do a lot more when I could. Even now in my late 30's I find it incredibly difficult to walk away for months on end. With age comes responsibility and the realism that you can't just start again time and time again. It gets harder, people are less understanding and personally you won't have the energy and patience for it.

The question you're asking has A MILLION variables and depends on your age, your experiences, you bank balance and your responsibilities.


But I think everyone should go off for extended trips a few times in their life as it will dramatically change you for the better.