I spent most of my twenties and early thirties footloose and fancy free.

Working just for saving to travel. Quitting jobs and throwing away potential careers for the freedom of long motorcycle, canoe or backpacking trips.

It was a total blast. No commitments, no kids, no mortgage , no worries !!! And no regrets.

I was endlessly telling people to "Just do it" or "if I can do it, you can"

And where I feel that if you REALLY REALLY want it, you can just pack up and leave. But now Ican really sympathise with what it's like to be shackled down.

Sometimes it just isn't that easy. And the sacrifices to travel are actually very serious when you have direct debits and commitments.

Maybe getting older has something to do with it (Ignorance is bliss), but I find it's much harder to just drop whatever I'm doing and disappear on an adventure for a few months.

I've recently started my own business, I have a long term girlfriend and an ageing, dependent parent. My frivolous past also means I have no house, savings etc.

I've had a long bike trip planned through central Asia, the Stans and Russia and it's just dawned on me that I've been trying and failing to get away on this trip for three years !! It was ten years ago that I left South America promising new friends that I'd be back in 12 months.


Now I'm thinking "IS THIS IT"... Am I trapped ? Am I turning into one of those people who just talk about the trip rather than actually ever doing it. What happened !!!

So yeah... I get it. Apologies for all those years of 'Not' getting it.

Ted

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.