Last Updated on December 13, 2014 by Jon Algie
Everywhere I look in this virtual world are inspirational travel quotes, interviews with perpetual travellers and just straight out abuse of the 9-5 lifestyle – all designed to inspire people to leave their old life behind and travel. I’m fine with the inspirational stuff, even though it’s not really my thing (you’ll never catch me repeating any travel quotes), but what I really can’t stand is someone denigrating another person’s lifestyle choice because it doesn’t align with their own. I have seen a lot of call to action slogans like “Quit your shit, soul sucking 9-5 job” and to me these are just completely insulting to the millions of people who choose, and probably enjoy, this lifestyle. It has almost become like a religion, where people can’t be content to just believe what they believe in, they feel the need to force it on other people. I’ve chosen this lifestyle but I’m well aware it’s not for everyone. Here are some reasons not to believe the hype, some reasons you shouldn’t quit your job and travel.
You don’t really want to
A lot of people say they’d like to drop everything and travel the world or work abroad, but when it comes down to it they just really don’t want to. Many travel bloggers say it is fear that is holding them back but I’d say in most cases they are wrong. To completely leave a life behind, to abandon relationships, careers and friendships isn’t a desirable thing to do. It seems most people would prefer to keep that life and travel in short bursts. Who is anyone to say that is wrong?
Travel won’t necessarily make you awesome
I read a post recently called “Why travel makes you awesome”, by Nomadic Matt (the following isn’t a dig at Matt; he actually runs one of the few blogs I consistently follow and was a big inspiration for me in starting this blog). My conclusion is that it doesn’t, but it does make some people think they are more awesome than they really are, which can’t be a good thing. If you have some kind of personality defect travelling won’t fix it; it will more likely amplify it. Just because you have interesting experiences doesn’t automatically make you an interesting person, so don’t travel just because you think it’ll make you awesome!
You like having things
One of my goals in life has always been to have the biggest TV I can afford, somewhere in the region of 60 inches. On a recent trip home I visited a friend, who had a huge TV, and I probably felt more jealousy right then than he has of anything I’ve done in the last few years. In truth though, since I sold or ditched pretty much everything I owned three and a half years ago to move to Taiwan, I haven’t missed any of it. For me, letting go of everything was the first step towards a lifestyle I truly wanted. Is it for everyone? Definitely not. A lot of people would much rather have a house than a passport or a huge TV instead of a backpack, and that shouldn’t be seen as a bad thing.
You want to have normal friendships and relationships
I started seeing someone that I really liked just before I moved to Taiwan, and after a month or so of teaching I was ready to pack it in and return home. I had absolutely no money so I had no option but to stick it out, but I’m glad I did. It looks like I’m going to be in the same situation when my contract finishes in Singapore, and these are the kind of sacrifices you need to make when you don’t want to settle in one place. Friends also come and go; whether you are living as an expat or travelling, you are always saying goodbye to someone.
Returning home can be worse than leaving
I returned to New Zealand after teaching in Taiwan for a year and travelling around Southeast Asia for 6 months. I thought about getting a job and maybe saving for another trip, or possibly getting my teaching qualification and becoming a real teacher. After a couple of weeks back home I knew I couldn’t stay. It was like the lights had dimmed and the sound got turned down. All the colour, craziness and unpredictability of Asia had morphed back into everything I’d ever known, and I had to get out. I have no idea when or if I’ll move back to New Zealand, but it’s pretty much the last place I want to live at the moment!
It’s not all bad though….
If you have read this far I really hope I haven’t put you off travelling, I just feel some balance is needed in this lifestyle debate. Living abroad and travelling is such a great thing to do and I can’t imagine my life without it, so if you really want to do it then you should definitely just go for it. There are too many reasons why I love it, I guess I will have to write a post on it one day, but I know it isn’t for everyone, and if people have different goals, hopes and dreams to me there is no reason to abuse them for it!
So, are these good reasons not to quit your job and travel? I think it all depends on what kind of person you are and what things are truly important to you. I’d like to think I can inspire some people to take the plunge, but I’d rather take a more subtle approach than I’ve been seeing on social media and blogs lately.
Leave me some comments!
Jon Algie
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You have so many good points in this post.
I like having a house, playing in a band, having a pet, going to the same gym, eating at my cool local places.
And extra points for this: “… it does make some people think they are more awesome than they really are …”
By the way, I love New Zealand. But I get what you mean about the fun madness that is Asia.
Cheers Justin! I miss New Zealand/ my old life in some ways, but there are so many places to see.
Excellent post! This is really refreshing after reading so many blogs criticising (explicitly or not) people who choose a ‘normal’, 9-5 life over travelling. I think some, though of course not all, of those bloggers are mostly just worried about their lack of savings, instability and what the hell they’re going to do if they come home, and are trying to justify their own choices. I’ve lived in 4 foreign countries so far and plan on quitting my current job, which I actually love, because I want to go and teach in Japan next year – I know it’s what I want but it’s been a really difficult choice to make, much harder than any photo of a sunset with an inspirational quote in Curlz MT could sum up. Anyway, great post!
Cheers!Haha, those photo/quotes never go into the downsides of making these decisions. Good luck in Japan, let me know how the teaching is, I’m pretty keen to work there one day.
Hi Jon!
Good post.
You are right in one thing, to travel or not to travel is one’s decision, and of course we can influence and inspire, but with respect.
With respect to the other’s lifestyle and choice.
Many people want to travel like we do, or they think that they want, also many people will never be able to travel like we do.
But we think it is still important to show them the world through our eyes (blogs), to share the excitement.
This is really why you are writing this blog, no?
Definitely, but there is a difference between inspiring people to travel and follow their dreams, and insulting people’s lifestyle choices and telling them how they should be living. I think it’s great to inspire but some people are a little heavy handed, even though they probably mean well.
Thanks for the comment!
Thanks for saying what lots of people don’t. Also? Traveling like this is EXHAUSTING. Everyone thinks it’s a cakewalk but there are some days I miss the routine of the 9-5… We love our journey but we can’t do this forever.
Thanks Jen! It’s a great thing to be doing, but you’re right, it’s not easy. I have plans/almost the funds to travel for at least 3 years, but who knows if I’ll make that long.
Great post. I have a hard time leaving my life and a regular pay check. I love traveling but try to make the most of my vacation days. I completely agree it is a lifestyle decision that people have to make on their own. It is your life, live it the way you want and makes you happy.
Cheers! Exactly, there is no right way to travel, or live, as long as you’re doing what you want.
Hey Jon, I really liked this post. I don’t think you’ve put people off the idea of traveling at all, you’ve just been realistic. It might be nice to read all these quotes and we can all dream about leaving jobs to go off and see the world, but in reality it’s not that easy. I’m bursting with energy to see loads of countries but that’s definitely not the path I’m going to take to get to them!
Anyway good job, loving your website!
Cheers Lucy, I think it really only suits a small percentage of people, and there are plenty of other ways to see the world!
Hi Jon, I can totally relate to the things you’re saying in this post! Love my friends, my home, my job… At the same time I’m totally obsessed with traveling. Traveling to me is all about new experiences, meeting people and living your life to the fullest. But: I try to find all of these things when I’m at home as well. I don’t really know how to say it in English (my mother-tongue is Dutch, still having a bit trouble to write correct English), but to me traveling is a state of mind: keeping an open mind, get out of your comfort zone, try new things and appreciate that beautiful sunset, even if your looking at it while driving home from a busy day at work. Ow boy, I hope all of this this makes some sense… 🙂
Thanks Nina, I wouldn’t have guessed you’re mother tongue wasn’t English if you didn’t say! It’s a good point about travel being a state of mind, and if you can’t go overseas there is plenty of places in your own city/country that you can go to.
It is so true! As much as I like travelling, I realize that most of my friends are different! They don´t enjoy the things I do, and wouldn´t be happy if they travel like I do. And they can be perfectly happy without spending more than 20h on buses, sharing a room with 8 other snoring backpackers or eating street food with never known posterior effect on your stomach!So let everyone be happy in their own way!
Exactly! If people just did what they wanted (assuming that wasn’t just murdering people etc) the world would be a better place.
Hey Jon! You really have some good points here :)! Every coin has two sides ;)!
Thanks! I’m not trying to put people off travelling just trying to give both sides.
Very good points, Jon. After studying/working/traveling abroad for 2 years I came back to my home country, Mexico and I knew I had to start freelancing in order to keep on the move, instead of getting a 9-5 job. I don’t regret it at all! 😀
Cheers Raphael – I was the same, I went back to NZ and considered getting a job but it just wasn’t going to happen, I needed to go somewhere new!
What a refreshing post! I love travelling as much as the next person but I’m sick of these memes and quotes saying that travelling is the be all and end all. Travelling is a wonderful thing to do but so is settling down, forming relationships and having a family and life. I teach and I love my job and the breaks mean I can travel without giving up the people I love. I love my job and I love travelling and I think your post sums up how I feel!
Thanks Megan! There is definitely more than 1 way to travel.
Everything’s relative, you know? I’d almost kill to live in NZ for a few months and you’re happy to give it up. The same is true for the US – I’ve got lots of friends that worked incredibly hard to get here, but I come back for a week or two or three and then I’m ready to leave.
For me, the hardest part is leaving friends behind (those at home and those I make in new places) and, of course, leaving my sister behind. (we’re twins.) Not having pets is difficult, too. Whenever I feel homesick, I always feel like something that would help is a little cat to make things feel normal 🙂
Yeah, people tell me all the time about how much they love New Zealand, I guess I’ll appreciate it more once I have seen more of the world. I guess you end up having to sacrifice something no matter what lifestyle you choose.
Best quote ever – “it does make some people think they are more awesome than they really are”. So, so true – the amount of what I call ‘traveller douchebags’ I’ve met on my trip so far is unreal, people who think they know everything, who give stupid advice like “don’t bother with Uruguay, it’s boring” (how can you right off a whole country?!) or talk for hours about how life-affirming their ten day meditation retreat was.
Travelling on it’s own doesn’t make you awesome, but travelling is awesome and if you let it, it will improve you a little bit!
Haha, traveller douchebags is a good way to put it. If I heard someone completely write off a country like that it’d probably make me want to go there even more!
Great article! It drives me nuts seeing the same tag line on every blog “we quit our jobs and sold everything to travel the world.” Traveling is amazing but not as glamorous as everything thinks. We longterm travelers sacrifice a lot (stability, friendships, etc) to travel! Definitely not for everyone. (still worth it though!)
Cheers Christine. You’re right, there are a lot of downsides to travelling, but I can’t think of anything else I’d rather blow my money on!
Great post Jon! We both work full-time and travel whenever feasible for us, generally we get to take frequent weekend and long weekend trips and maybe 3 to 4 longer trips each year. We love the balance we have right now and honestly are not particularly envious of those that travel 24/7 because I think it would get old after a while.
Sounds good Chris, there is definitely more than one way to do it!
I absolutely love this post! I love your honesty. I applaud those that can quick their jobs and travel but I love mine(as crazy as it can be) I also like the feeling of coming back home after every break and telling my friends and family about it. Like you said, people shouldnt denigrating another person’s lifestyle choice. If you are happy to leave your job and travel thats good and if you are happy to keep your job and still travel then thats great too. To each their own…
Cheers Bianca, it’s the arrogance that comes along with travel for a lot of people that annoys me!
Great post! I love traveling too but I’m not sure after 20 years of international business study I’ll be able to live out of teaching (plus I’m not a native speaker)…I somehow still have professional ambitions which stop me from being a total nomad. I try to include travelling and interaction with different nationalities during my daily job and try to get expat assignments. However I somehow think that having children is the only thing that will really hold you back in this…a balance cant really be found there.
Cheers Silvia. Sounds like you’re living a life of travel without giving up a normal life! Kids could definitely hold you back, although I have seen plenty of people travelling long term with kids.
Great post and I’ve been thinking for a while of writing something along a similar vein. I think you summed it up in the first couple of lines – all the inspirational hoopla about leaving your job to finally be happy…Yes, I agree that it can be denigrating to the 9-5 lifestyle BUT my bigger point is that its actually irresponsible to recommend this lifestyle to everyone. I think travel is great, but to tell a 20-something year old that their best option is to give it all up and follow their travel dreams? Unfortunately not everyone can be Nomadic Matt. I worked the 9-5 life for many years and now I’m happy that I have savings and can travel without counting each penny. I can only imagine how stressful it could be for a young traveler trying to stretch a living out of their blog or teaching English. I don’t want to be a party-pooper, I just worry that the inspirational quotes and stories may actually delude some young people with dreams of making it big as travel bloggers.
Good post!
Frank (bbqboy)
Definitely! I think it’s good to encourage people to travel but so many people seem to think that long term slow travel is the only way to do it.
Very interesting article and some good points. Everyone is different and has different values, and its important to understand that. As for myself? I love travelling, and if I have to choose between seeing the world and having amazing experiences, or owning material possessions, I would without a doubt choose to travel. I could never see myself caring more about having a huge TV instead of seeing the world! But again everyone is different. One statement in the article I will comment on is the following:
“Many travel bloggers say it is fear that is holding them back but I’d say in most cases they are wrong. To completely leave a life behind, to abandon relationships, careers and friendships isn’t a desirable thing to do. It seems most people would prefer to keep that life and travel in short bursts. Who is anyone to say that is wrong?”
But is this not fear? The fear of losing relationships, friends, careers, etc. Of course it is. There are many people who would love to drop everything but they are simply afraid of losing what they have. What will they do when they get back? How will the support themselves? What about there family/friends? If this is not fear, what else is it?
I do agree, though, the travel lifestyle is not for everyone, so its important not to judge. There are people who love a settled, stable life, who love own things such as a nice home, fancy car, etc. and that is totally cool. At the end of the day, it all boils down to what makes a person happy.
Hey, thanks for the comment! I think you’re wrong about fear, I don’t think it can be considered fear if what you’ll leave behind is more important to you. Someone who is really into snowboarding might think it’s fear holding me back from doing it, but there are just things that I’d rather be doing. I’m sure some people would love to drop everything and travel but some people would also like to buy a house, play sports, or do any number of hobbies. I think at the end of the day most people decide that there are things that are more important to them than long term travel, in my opinion that isn’t fear.
woah this is a fresh perspective, yes it’s irritating and absolutely annoying when someone tries to impose their so called “right” lifestyle onto you. that being said, whether you decide to travel full-time or not, it’s ultimately a personal choice. and what works for you might not work for another one. so yeah, it’s always nice to strike out a balance and find out for yourself what is the lifestyle for you! 🙂
Thanks Sara. I can see why people want to inspire others to travel, I just get annoyed by how it’s done sometimes.
I’m so glad for this post! I think there’s mounting pressure to travel, and be a “world traveler”, but you’re right, it really doesn’t make you more “awesome” and you do need balance. I think one of the many reasons to travel is to gain more perspective and life experiences that will give one a more global understanding and appreciation. But hey, if getting away from it all is necessary, by all means then. Ultimately, it’s to each their own, right?
With global understanding and appreciation also comes arrogance a lot of the time!
I love this post! For this post alone I just subscribed to your blog. I like the fact that it places emphasis on individuality and what people like rather than insisting that people are missing out on something if they’re not constant travelers! I know it might sound strange coming from another travel blogger but I found this post so refreshing.
Thanks for the comment! Everybody misses out on something whatever they choose to do, you can’t have it all. Missing out on travel in order to have a job and family etc shouldn’t be looked down on!
Jon.. You really have some good points here 🙂 and well written
Cheers Wesley!
Hi Jon,
You make some really strong points, ones that I agree with strongly.
I travel a lot but I have a place to call home and I love returning to it, to my loved ones, friends and family. So many travellers talk about how empowering it is to ditch all that and go travel the world. Maybe it is for them and a lot of people. While I am not attached to my material possessions, I do feel blessed to have my friends and family around, people who love me, miss me when I am gone and are genuinely fun to be around.
I cannot imagine leaving them behind to find myself,lets say I don’t feel lost in my life. Travel is something I love like nothing and no one else but I like to keep the balance between it and all the other blessings I have in my life.
Well said Natasha – travel doesn’t have to be the only thing in peoples’ lives!
Thank you so much for this post. I can relate to all of your points though I love to travel and did a world trip by myself for 6 months some years ago.
I often get pissed by these quit your 9 – 5 job thing, coz how many of us are even in the position to quit something like that. People older than 30 mostly have responsibilities whitin their families, not everyone is well educated or has got different language skills. some are even trying to change the world to a better place while engaging in politics and stuff. you cant do that properly when you are hoping around all the time.
And above all for all those online businesses – it takes people to buy that stuff. so if know one is staying home and every one selling everything, how should all those online businesses grow? where’s the consumer?
and above all I have to say, that the only thing why it’s super cheap and nice for “us” to travel in south east asia or latin america to travel, is that other countries than the western ones (and I count australia and nz as western) are poorer for a good reason. people who are just saying how everyone should travel and bla bla, forget about the people they are taking pictures of. they are never on the same page. this hierarchy is often overseen.
Great points Katja, glad I’m not the only one who feels that way (even though I did quit my job to travel!).
I really loved this post and I’m glad that you felt the need to share it. I’ve never understood the kind of blanket hate that having a 9-5 job seems to get. What on Earth is wrong with working sociable hours, having weekends and evenings all to yourself. What’s wrong with enjoying life in whatever village, town or city you’re in? What’s wrong with saving up and doing short city breaks, or long holidays to see new places?
Why must we all want to drop everything that we’ve worked all our lives towards to travel across the world?
I’m quite lucky in that I can do my job from anywhere in the world and I can do it at whatever hours I please (I’m a writer and editor) and do you know what? I work 9-5! I continue to live in the country I moved to 5 years ago. I’m happy here and I don’t think there is anything wrong with that.
Of course it’s incredible when people drop it all and see the world, good for them! But I love having my nice flat in Malta, my friends all around, family can easily visit whenever they want. I enjoy my job and I can take holiday whenever I want to see those countries I want to see, from the comfort of hotels, with my savings behind me!
Malta sounds like an awesome place to live, we are going to visit there in a month or 2! I think a lot of travel bloggers feel a strange need to encourage other people to do what they do and be all inspirational, it annoys me!
I’ve always hated the idea of moving around from country to country and place to place. It just sounds… uncomfortable, or at least uncomfortable if I were doing it on the sort of budget I could afford.
I liked living abroad though. The advantages of a nice bit of culture shock to get the blood flowing and sharpen the senses without all the logistical problems.
I also enjoy reading about others’ travels. So, y’know, keep it up, so I can live vicariously!
Haha yeah, unless you’re rich travelling the world can be pretty uncomfortable at times – it’s worth it though!
Thanks so much for this post Jon. It’s enormously timely! I have actually done my travelling stint after university. I’m originally from Manchester and over the years I’ve lived in London, Asia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Right now, I live in Berlin as an expat.
It annoys me that bloggers scream “leave your job” otherwise, you’re worthless and stupid. That is so wrong and as you say, disrespectful of people’s’ way of living. Some people want to travel long term and some people don’t and surely, it doesn’t matter how you travel as long as there’s some element of travel. If you’re even that well inclined LOL!
A few months ago, somebody said I’m not “a full time” blogger! I take exception to that ‘cos I’m married, have a child, a full time job that I love and which pays for my travel and although the year isn’t over, I’ve been to England, other parts of Germany, Poland, Thailand, Indonesia, Qatar, Korea, France! If that’s not “full time,” I’d like to know what is LOL!
Great post mate. 🙂
Some great advice and additional comments here as well.
I have traveled since a very young age, but I do agree with others, that there is nothing like home! It’s wonderful to get out and experience the world and what it has to offer and when I return home, it makes me feel how fortunate I am.
As they say … “Don’t Think About What They Say … Go See!”
Even though I have no regrets about quitting my job to travel, I must admit it is not for everyone. For those who are still thinking if you should take a career break to travel, I will have two posts on the pros and cons of leaving your career to travel.
Cheers Paul, I have no regrets either!
I can very much relate to this as I pretty much travel most of my time and haven’t had a stable job for about 3+ years now (since I left England).
It’s definitely challenging to make everything work and with making the effort to see friends and family etc.
You grow a lot from it but I definitely think people need to have a really good think if it’s the life they want before they do it.
Cheers Mike, it’s a great lifestyle but it’s definitely not for everyone!
“RETURNING HOME CAN BE WORSE THAN LEAVING”
You wrote this article 3 years and 3 months ago, yet it is still important.
True: Choices we all do make, but in the end our choices make us.
How is it that you find yourself back in New Zealand when you found it impossible to go back in 2014?
Just a question. I seek answers to guide my own life.
Alex
Coming back wasn’t my first choice, it was more for the sake of my partner’s career. I’m actually really enjoying it though, I’m travelling around New Zealand heaps and working away at the blogs / a couple of other little things that will hopefully pay off down the line. I also have a few overseas trips planned so it doesn’t really feel like I’ve stopped travelling in a lot of ways. It is nice to have a home though and not be constantly moving. It almost seems to be the natural progression for long term travellers — eventually you need a balance.
I completely agree with your post. I love my 8 to 6 job and I also love travel. I personally find it easy to combine both. I actually prefer doing both because I like to divide my hobbies from my work so that my hobbies live fun 🙂
That’s definitely the downside to being a travel blogger — there is always an element of work involved when you travel!