At the time of writing this post (March 2024), it’s been 18 months since I quit my job to solo travel full time. 18 months since I walked away from a career I spent ten years building. 18 months since I slept in the same bed for more than a few days. 18 months since I made a purchase without worrying about money. 18 months since I had any form of stability or stable income.
So, how have I found it? Honestly, it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. The last 18 months have been a life-changing experience. I’ve backpacked Southeast Asia, spent two months overlanding Africa, worked as a tour guide in New Zealand, hiked in the Himalayas, travelled around Japan solo, lived my dream in Patagonia and went on an expedition to Antarctica.
I know it’s cliché to say “travel changes you”, but it can. You have a completely blank page to be whoever you want to be and do whatever you want to do. It might not change you in the way you think it will. You might not change as a person as such. But your whole perspective on life and the world can change.
I can’t lie though, there have been challenges. Social media will make it seem like it’s the easiest thing ever. Just quit the 9-5, book a flight, and start making money online, it’s as simple as that, right? Nope. It’s really not. Full-time travel isn’t as glamorous or as easy as some social media influencers make it out to be.
I started this blog to share my travels from around the world and to share advice for those who want to do something similar. With this in mind, I think it’s important to share the challenges of quitting your job to travel.
In this post, I’ve shared ten realities of quitting your job to travel. This isn’t to put anyone off doing so. The pros of quitting your job to travel massively outweigh the cons for me. But, I think it’s important not to glamourise something that isn’t always that glamorous.
With each point, I’ve also shared some possible ways to overcome the problem to help those going through something similar.
Disclaimer: I’m incredibly grateful for everything I’ve got to experience and for being able to take this risk. I know even having the opportunity to quit your job to travel is a HUGE privilege, one that not many people have. This post is simply to show the challenges for anyone considering it.
So, here are 10 realities of quitting your job to travel full-time.
Finding work and making money is not as easy as it looks
First things first… remote work. If you’re hoping to work on the road, it’s not as easy as some people make it out to be.
I can’t open Instagram or TikTok these days without someone trying to sell me a product or course about making money online and telling me how easy it is. Unfortunately, it’s really not that simple.
Becoming a digital nomad and working on the road can also be challenging. I see countless blog posts telling people it’s so easy to make money online. Just become a virtual assistant, start affiliate marketing, teach English online, become a software developer… but the reality is, it’s not that easy, at least not anymore.
Working remotely has become very popular. Many companies now want remote workers with extensive skills in that industry before hiring them. Even teaching English online which was once an accessible job is now competitive and hard to get into.
Of course, if you have skills in the industry then it might be easier for you. However, as someone with a PR background working for one of the biggest media organisations, I have struggled to find a genuine job that allows me to work anywhere in the world.
How to overcome this?
Finding remote work isn’t easy. There are so many factors involved.
Before quitting your job, try and save as much money as possible to give you some buffer time to find a remote job. Plan for it to take a few months.
There are a few good websites out there which list the latest jobs. Sign up for job alerts or check them daily. Here are some of my favourite websites:
- Truly Remote (my favourite)
- We Work Remotely
- Flexa Careers
There’s also a great list of companies which have no geographical restrictions for their employees here.
It can be lonely
Travelling full-time and long-term can be a lonely experience, especially for solo travellers.
Sure, you’re constantly meeting new people and making new friends, but even that can feel isolating and lonely at times. You’ll meet new people, get close and create connections, only to say goodbye and start again. It can be a mentally exhausting cycle.
You’ll also be away from your family and friends. I’m lucky as I don’t feel homesickness as such, but I do sometimes feel a bit isolated.
How to overcome this?
I think this is something where you’ll learn what works for you. Consider staying in a hostel where it’s easier to meet people. Joining local Whatsapp and Nomad groups to meet people. Calling home regularly. Making an effort to stay connected with your friends.
Related read: travelling alone? How to overcome your fears
There is no stability
One of the hardest things about quitting your job to travel is the lack of stability. You’re rarely in the same place for more than a few days, it can be hard to find a stable income and it’s difficult to have a routine. Even spending money on a coffee can be a daunting thought.
It’s worth saying this is also one of the amazing things about travel. You’re constantly discovering new environments and meeting new people. But after a while, the lack of stability can take its toll a little (especially when it comes to money). Even little things like my diet and lack of exercise routine get to me at times.
How to overcome this?
When I’m feeling this way, I try and find somewhere I can stay for a week or even longer. This offers some stability and gives me the chance to have a routine. I also look for places where I can buy and cook my own food.
You might feel self-doubt
Self-doubt has been my biggest enemy since quitting my job to travel. What am I doing? Will I be able to find a job when I return to the UK? What if I can never buy a house? What do people think of me back home? These are all questions that constantly go through my mind.
Quitting your job to travel isn’t exactly the most secure way to live your life. We spend our entire lives being told to get a degree, have a successful career, find a partner, get married, have a family, buy a house, and save for retirement. Quitting your job to travel is the exact opposite of that, even if you just do it for a year.
It’s almost impossible to save money while you’re travelling. Your career takes a backseat unless you’re lucky enough to find a relevant remote job. Buying or maintaining a house also isn’t practical.
The reality is that full-time travel goes against everything we’ve been taught about how we should be living our lives. This will no doubt lead to self-doubt about whether you’re doing the right thing.
How to overcome this?
Ask yourself, ‘Does any of this matter right now’? Whenever I’m doubting myself and my decisions, I remind myself that the path mentioned above is not the path I wanted to take. At least not right now in my life.
Sure, in the future I’d like to have a house and be able to retire, but… does that matter right now? No, it doesn’t. Society has been designed to make us believe the traditional route is the only way of living your life. We work all our lives until retirement. So if you can take a different route, why shouldn’t you?
I don’t want to be one of those people on social media who makes out quitting your job to travel is the best thing to do and we should all be doing this.
Firstly, not everyone can do it. To be in a position where you have no ties to home and can save enough money is not a common occurrence. Secondly, travel isn’t for everyone. I know people who want a career, family, house. That’s okay.
The point I’m making is that if you want to travel and can travel, then just do it. At the end of the day, the future isn’t promised. You may never get this opportunity again.
No financial security
Unless you’re lucky enough to have a permanent full-time job that lets you work anywhere in the world, you’ll likely be faced with a lack of financial security.
Suddenly, spending even a tiny bit of money becomes a big thing. Over time, this can be stressful.
I’ve been lucky enough to make some money while I travel, but not nearly enough to sustain my travels. A lot of people ask me ‘How do you afford it?’. Honestly, dorm beds and instant noodles will become your lifeline.
In some countries, it’s practical to live off $10 a day. This may mean staying in a cheap hostel, living off instant noodles and street food, but it’s doable.
How to overcome this
Money issues are a common part of travel. You need to accept that you can’t do everything. You may have to skip a night out, say no to a beer, or stay in a below-standard dorm room. But this is what travel is all about…. Right?!
Tip: Never compromise your safety to save money, especially as a solo traveller. Your safety is more important than saving a few dollars.
Travel won’t solve your problems and you can’t escape them
The biggest learning curve for me has been that travel won’t solve your problems. I wasn’t necessarily trying to escape or solve any problems, but I think I was naively expecting everything to figure itself out and all my questions to be answered.
The truth is, you can’t escape your problems through travel. Your problems are still going to be there. Whether it’s mental health problems, family problems, or career problems… they’re likely not going away.
How to overcome this?
“Travel doesn’t solve your problems, but it helps you to see what really matters.”
Travel might not solve all your issues, but it gives you perspective. After only a few months of travel, I was able to look at my whole life in a different way.
A big problem for me has been not knowing what career path to take. I loved my old job, but I knew it wasn’t the right direction for me long term. However, I had no idea what was. Travel didn’t solve this for me, but it made me see where my passions lie. I’m now hoping to take my career in a new direction and follow these passions.
You might be judged
Reality time – not everyone is going to support your decision to quit your job and travel.
I’m lucky to have supportive friends and a mum and dad who think what I’m doing is amazing. But there are a couple of people in my life who don’t support me and think I should have stuck to my career, built up a pension, bought a house etc.
This is often a topic of conservation that comes up with other travellers. I’ve met people who have very supportive families, but also people who aren’t as lucky.
How to overcome this?
I think part of growing up is accepting that you can’t please everyone. There are going to be people who don’t approve of what you do. Whether that’s because of jealousy or other reasons will likely be unanswered.
I have people in my life who don’t fully approve of what I’ve done. I’ve let it get to me at times, but I’m learning to let them be. I can’t change the way they think or how they are.
Your happiness is the most important thing. You’re going on the most incredible adventure. You’ll gain more life experience than you ever had before. You’re going to see this beautiful world! You’ll learn what’s important and what isn’t.
The people who tear others down are often the people the most unhappy with their own lives. Remember, you’re doing this for you and no one else. Go, live your life the way you want to!
The constant decision-making
I think people underestimate how mentally exhausting full-time travel can be.
Side note: I don’t want to sound ungrateful here as I know how lucky I am. I worked in the London corporate world for ten years, I’m very grateful to be doing what I’m doing now.
But, as someone who has spent 18 months travelling full-time, it can be exhausting. Only you are responsible for you. There is no one to fall back on. You don’t have a home to go to where you can mindlessly cook dinner and watch TV.
Each day, you’ll be faced with questions such as: where can I get safe drinking water? Where shall I sleep tonight? Is it safe to walk alone? Is it safe to eat here? Will the locals understand English? Can I make friends here?
Long-term travel is amazing, but it can take its toll.
How to overcome this?
Slow down! When you’re feeling tired, stop. Try and find somewhere to stay for longer than usual. Spend time in a city and get to know it rather than rushing from one place to the next.
When I first started travelling, I felt like I needed to constantly be on the move. This is okay for a few weeks, but it’s hard to sustain.
Take your time and embrace the places you’re in. You can’t see everything in every single country. I now try to spend more quality time in a handful of places, rather than seeing as many places as I can.
Your priorities in life will change
After quitting your job to travel, it’s likely your priorities in life will change. This isn’t necessarily a downside, but you might find yourself making some difficult changes.
As I said above, travel won’t solve your problems, but it will help you to see what’s important. A common trend I’ve seen amongst my full-time traveller friends is outgrowing their life back home. That includes friends, career, or just life in general. This can be a challenging thing, especially if you need to return home.
How to overcome this?
Try to embrace the change. A big thing travel has done for me is allow me to see what’s important in my life. Travel gives you an *almost* clean slate to take your life in a new direction.
Travel is a powerful tool. Embrace the experience and be prepared to make changes in your life.
Going back home
Want to know the absolute hardest thing about full-time travel? Going back home. Whether it’s for a week or permanently, going home is hard.
I’ve quit my job to travel full-time, but I know I can’t keep it up forever. In reality, I don’t want to keep it up forever. I miss home. I miss routine. I miss stability.
Not many people manage to sustain full-time travel for more than a few years (even if social media makes you believe otherwise). Even if you can sustain it, there will likely come a point when it’s time to go home. Perhaps something changes back home or perhaps your priorities change.
Even if you decide to go home, it’s still going to be mentally challenging.
Travelling the world opens your eyes to so many things. You’ll be going home with a wealth of experiences that you could have only ever dreamed of. You’ll have met amazing people who to put it lightly, changed your life. The things you’ve seen, the things you’ve done… but at home, it’s all still the same.
How to overcome this?
Many travellers talk about a feeling of emptiness when they go back home. And honestly, I don’t think there’s a way to overcome this as such.
I like to think (and hope) that when I go home permanently, it’s because I’ll be ready. But I have no doubts in my mind that it’ll still be difficult.
Everything will still be the same, but I’m different. The way I see the world is different.
My main advice is to try and flip it on its head. Be grateful for the experiences and for what you’ve learnt, and try to apply that to your daily life.
Summary: final thoughts on quitting your job to travel
I wasn’t sure whether to write this post. The last thing I want to do is sound ungrateful or negative. However, I do think it’s important to share the realities of quitting your job to travel the world. It’s not all beaches, sunsets, and cocktails.
This post was very much of a ramble of my thoughts (and to celebrate my 100th post on this website). But I hope it’s helped you to see that while quitting your job to travel has its challenges, it’s still an incredible thing to do.
While there have been ups and downs over the last 18 months, I don’t regret my decision for a second.
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