So here I am! I'm 36 years old, taking a career break gap year and travelling around the world. Eating weird foods, sleeping in dorms with snorers and getting used to not having a fixed address.
So why did I take a career break at 36? I had a good job in Sydney, and moved my way up in 5 years from being an Executive Assistant to a HR co-oordinator to a HR Specialist, effectively running HR initiatives in a small business where it mainly was driven by human capital (even using the words Human Resources and Human Capital always made me cringe). I was just about to put down a mortgage deposit, with the help of family members of course, when I woke up one day and thought – what is 80 year old me going to remember more? A year travelling the world, or buying a house I probably couldn’t afford? And so began the year long period of planning a gap year to go to places I’ve never been before, slow travel across countries, volunteer abroad and do something COMPLETELY out of my comfort zone. When I shared the idea with one of my closest friends in Sydney, she said my face completely lit up when I told her about my travel plans, as opposed to my buy an apartment plan, and so I decided there was no backing out of it now.
Being an EA/Office Manager, I organised the planning like it was a project at work. I read endless blogs on female solo travelling, volunteering, budgeting and round the world travel. I made spreadsheets and downloaded action plans from websites designed just for my situation. I sold stuff on eBay, I worked extra jobs, I put my stuff in storage and I left.
My main worry when I left was that no-one would like me and I wouldn’t meet people a) my age and b) that I could share a laugh with (I like to laugh A LOT). Sounds stupid now, but before I left, I was very comfortable in my environment and in my job and didn’t need to really get out and make new friends that much. Anyway. Both of those fears were completely stupid but I have found out the best way. By meeting awesome people of all ages from all countries from both the countries I’ve been in and from others.
My parents, albeit lovely people, were not that supportive and worried about everything, including ending up in jail, being kidnapped or shot by gangsters. There is still time as I have 5 months left of travel, but the best email I received from them said “well done, you’re living the dream”.
Yeah. I really I am living my dream.
Stay tuned for more ramblings !
