Six months ago, I gave up my career to travel the world; it was the best decision I’ve ever made. So, if you’re thinking of jumping off the ladder to embark on a new adventure, this is why I think it’s worth it.
Taking a leap of faith off the career ladder was probably the scariest thing I’ve ever done. But almost six months later, it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
Right now, I’m sitting in a modern surf cafe on the south coast of Sri Lanka, sipping on flat white made with fresh coconut milk and relaxing after an early morning surf session.
I can feel a gentle breeze on my skin coming off the Indian Ocean, offering some respite from the hot Sri Lankan sun that beats down at a daily average of 32 C (90 F).
Six months ago, this was the life I could have only dreamed of. Gazing out the window of my office at the grey Irish weather, I wished I was somewhere warmer and more relaxed while giving myself the chance to discover something new.
Well, I gave up my career to travel the world. And from experience, I’m here to share why I think it’s worth it.
Unimaginable personal growth – facing new challenges every day
It’s never easy to step outside your comfort zone to try something new. From the fear of the unknown to doubting your abilities, making a change from what you’re used to can be pretty daunting.
But growth never happens when we remain stuck in our comfort zone. We have to step outside of the patterns and routines we’re used to to give ourselves a chance to evolve.
Travelling solo means I’ve been forced to face these challenges and changes head-on. Over the past half a year, I’ve been confronted with numerous new and uncomfortable scenarios that would have previously caused me to recoil and retreat to where I felt safe.
But when you’re out on the road alone, you don’t always have that choice, and you have to trust your intuition and make decisions to guide you through to the next step. Thanks to this, I feel like I’ve had the chance to rapidly grow and expand my worldview within an incredibly short time.
I gave up my career to travel the world six months ago, and in that time, I feel like I’ve gained years worth of new experiences compared to the life I lived before.
I’ve learned so much about myself and gained so much self-confidence as I’ve seen what I can achieve.
I’ve learned so much – getting a new perspective on the world
When I gave up my career to travel the world, I didn’t have much of a plan for what I was going to do. I had a flight booked to India with a plan to do my yoga teacher training, but after that, I wasn’t so sure.
Since then, I’ve travelled through India and Sri Lanka and seen and experienced so much of what these incredible cultures have to offer.
From learning about historic South Asian culture to seeing how people out here live today, it’s given me a whole new perspective on the world.
One of the most valuable things I’ve gained from travelling is seeing that the social conditioning and way of life I’d been used to back in Ireland isn’t the only way of living. I’ve learned that so many other possibilities and ways of existing have opened both my mind and heart.
Of course, I could have read about these cultures and places from a book. However, it’s completely different to experience and feel it for yourself, seeing firsthand how it works in action.
Seeing the world in this fresh new way has shifted my perspective, brought me closer to myself and others, and refreshed my feelings of creativity. From feeling stuck and uninspired, I now wake up daily feeling inspired and excited about what the day will bring.
Meeting new people from all walks of life – the importance of connection
To me, the most important thing in life is connection. We all exist in this world together, and taking the time to meet and learn about others has been perhaps the most life-changing thing I’ve ever had the pleasure to do.
Ireland, sadly, isn’t the most culturally diverse place in the world. Things are improving, but for the most part, in my time living there, I was only exposed to one way of existing and being, which can make it hard to imagine life being any other way.
By leaving my job, routine, and home, I’ve had the chance to meet incredible people worldwide. I’ve made new friends and connections and learned many things about how people live elsewhere.
From learning about Asian cultures to seeing the social and cultural conditioning in other places, I’ve gained a greater sense of understanding and empathy for people who have led vastly different lives from what I’m used to.
Often, I’ve felt a huge sense of gratitude for having been born in a place where we have access to so much. Compared to many around the world, I can see that we have it pretty easy. Even having the chance to travel has been such a privilege.
At the heart of it all, though, one of the most important things I’ve learned from my travels is that we’re all pretty much the same at our core. We all just want to feel like we’re part of something and to feel loved and accepted.
I’ve felt so close and connected to people who have lived completely different lives from me, opening my heart to our innate humanity. Meeting these incredible people teaches me something new every day and gives me the chance to grow in ways I could only imagine.
The best part? – my world has changed forever
I gave up my career to travel the world six months ago, and right now, I have no plans to return. I’m continuing to learn, grow, and experience new things daily, and I’m excited about the future.
It hasn’t always been easy, but every challenge and hurdle has been worth it. Maybe someday I’ll come home and return to the office, but even if I do, I know my world will never be the same.
Our world exists primarily in our minds, and our so-called ‘reality’ is all coloured by our own perception. Our conditioning and life experiences shape this perception, so the wider we can expand this perception, the more open we can be to the world around us.
So, even if I do return home someday, I know the home I return to will be completely different from the home I left. Even if outwardly it remains the same, my internal reality has shifted so much from travelling that I’ll never see it through the same eyes.
