Time off work... feel the need for exploration
Discussion
I'm quitting my job because I have another one lined up but it won't start for a few months.
I've no commitments except my girlfriend who is all for this (yay).
I've about £5k saved up, and could get more.
Therefore... what do I go do?
I only go to work because I think it's what I'm supposed to do. I literally have no career to be pleased with and cannot fathom staying at this work as it's so hateful. Well it's not that bad but I get worked up sometimes
Anyway, I never took time off between school and University, then after some dithering have gone straight into IT work. I'm fine at IT work, but do not get excitement from it. I can cope but don't want to do it. If I earned good money I'd be happier but probably just focus on work too much and not gain life experience. Therefore I think I owe myself a gap year (well some gap months).
Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions? Living in the jungle in Africa (do they even have a jungle?) looking after ill people or getting diptheria would be a step too much out of the comfort zone for me, but then 3 months bumming at hostels and beaches in sunny Australia, toasting cash, would be too much in the comfort zone. I would work in a surf shop or something happily - I'd feel better and like the self sufficient thought a little better. I've never needed a job just for cash due to being looked after by my parents, so get the tinge of jealousy when I see someone working a till at Tesco. I suspect this will fade once I've done it but as yet I've never had to. Odd isn't it?
At the moment I am thinking of volunteering somewhere abroad. I like animals, and friends have looked after monkeys and endangered birds in foreign countries which seemed pretty cool.
I'm also wanting to try physical stuff. Never did any sport with any motivation but am relatively athletic and could get into it. From watching the Olympics and trying Kung Fu recently I'm quite inspired.
Jobwise I'm probably not the right guy for desk jobs in big organisations, so anything to help me explore this facet will help too.
Open ears really.
I've no commitments except my girlfriend who is all for this (yay).
I've about £5k saved up, and could get more.
Therefore... what do I go do?
I only go to work because I think it's what I'm supposed to do. I literally have no career to be pleased with and cannot fathom staying at this work as it's so hateful. Well it's not that bad but I get worked up sometimes
Anyway, I never took time off between school and University, then after some dithering have gone straight into IT work. I'm fine at IT work, but do not get excitement from it. I can cope but don't want to do it. If I earned good money I'd be happier but probably just focus on work too much and not gain life experience. Therefore I think I owe myself a gap year (well some gap months).
Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions? Living in the jungle in Africa (do they even have a jungle?) looking after ill people or getting diptheria would be a step too much out of the comfort zone for me, but then 3 months bumming at hostels and beaches in sunny Australia, toasting cash, would be too much in the comfort zone. I would work in a surf shop or something happily - I'd feel better and like the self sufficient thought a little better. I've never needed a job just for cash due to being looked after by my parents, so get the tinge of jealousy when I see someone working a till at Tesco. I suspect this will fade once I've done it but as yet I've never had to. Odd isn't it?
At the moment I am thinking of volunteering somewhere abroad. I like animals, and friends have looked after monkeys and endangered birds in foreign countries which seemed pretty cool.
I'm also wanting to try physical stuff. Never did any sport with any motivation but am relatively athletic and could get into it. From watching the Olympics and trying Kung Fu recently I'm quite inspired.
Jobwise I'm probably not the right guy for desk jobs in big organisations, so anything to help me explore this facet will help too.
Open ears really.
I would absolutely, wholeheartedly recommend Vietnam. An absolutely fascinating country, obviously with lots of relatively recent history & Lovely people (Gary Glitter excluded!). From there, you can get to Laos, Cambodia etc very easily & your £5k will go a long, long way aver there.
schmalex said:
I would absolutely, wholeheartedly recommend Vietnam. An absolutely fascinating country, obviously with lots of relatively recent history & Lovely people (Gary Glitter excluded!). From there, you can get to Laos, Cambodia etc very easily & your £5k will go a long, long way aver there.
ME LOVE YOU LON' TIME. TEN DOLLA
This was me many years ago.
I took "Time off" (leave w/o pay) a couple of times for travelling and once to play squash.
At that time money meant nothing, Oh how things have changed
When I did all my travelling the world was a happier safer place, so yes travel but do think about your future, I think you need to start a business while you still live at home, it's the easiest time. IT consultancy agency perhaps. That is sensible, at your age I was thinking of buying fifty deckchairs and sunshades and spending the rest of my life on a beach. Didn't do it, parents didn't send the money
Did manage 10 years close to a tropical beach though.
SE Asia is a good option, or even South America, remember the capitol cities are almost European prices now.
I took "Time off" (leave w/o pay) a couple of times for travelling and once to play squash.
At that time money meant nothing, Oh how things have changed
When I did all my travelling the world was a happier safer place, so yes travel but do think about your future, I think you need to start a business while you still live at home, it's the easiest time. IT consultancy agency perhaps. That is sensible, at your age I was thinking of buying fifty deckchairs and sunshades and spending the rest of my life on a beach. Didn't do it, parents didn't send the money
Did manage 10 years close to a tropical beach though.SE Asia is a good option, or even South America, remember the capitol cities are almost European prices now.
I went to China in June which sparked this - never brave enough to travel before then. Still a bit concerned but I supposed you pick it up...
I'll look into tsunami relief type work.
Oh the jokes about bumming were good, they're why I hang around PH (not for bumming)
I'm thinking the RAF would be fun presently... not much experience though so it's a long term suggestion to think about rather than short term. I've not looked at the jobs you can do yet, but I think something a bit more managerial/technical would suit me - don't know if there's a lot of boot polishing and drill time in doing that - rather than the frontline gun holding brown pants variety, which still appeals to me but in reality I'd wander what I was thinking. Good call
I'll look into tsunami relief type work.
Oh the jokes about bumming were good, they're why I hang around PH (not for bumming)
cardigankid said:
Have you considered joining the Army? Better I would suggest than bumming round Thailand. Select the branch required based on your nerve, ambition and desire for (real) adventure.
Actually I looked at the TA but then saw you had to do 12 years.Edited by cardigankid on Wednesday 20th August 13:28
I'm thinking the RAF would be fun presently... not much experience though so it's a long term suggestion to think about rather than short term. I've not looked at the jobs you can do yet, but I think something a bit more managerial/technical would suit me - don't know if there's a lot of boot polishing and drill time in doing that - rather than the frontline gun holding brown pants variety, which still appeals to me but in reality I'd wander what I was thinking. Good call
Edited by Pentoman on Wednesday 20th August 16:11
Volunteering in the Galapogas Islands?
http://www.gvi.co.uk/projects/south-america/ecuado...
It's also mainly women who go on those volunteer things so it's like shooting fish in a barrel (just dont mention that to the girlfriend! ) even if they are usually annoying lefty types.
http://www.gvi.co.uk/projects/south-america/ecuado...
It's also mainly women who go on those volunteer things so it's like shooting fish in a barrel (just dont mention that to the girlfriend!
) even if they are usually annoying lefty types.shirt said:
much as doing charity work is rewarding, if you are near to finishing your current position then i doubt you have much time to get anything sorted.
Yep - try these guys http://www.vso.org.uk/
As the TA is voluntary you don't have to sign on for any specific length of time, you can pack it pretty much when you like. At your age however if you try the TA and get into it I would place a bet you will go regular.
IMHO better than getting ripped off by the locals in Thailand for drugs and sex or patronising the Third World.
IMHO better than getting ripped off by the locals in Thailand for drugs and sex or patronising the Third World.
Well.. to update.
Not much happened yet. Bricking it about quitting work frankly - not that it won't be fun to quit, but then I'll need some thing to do and some form of income (preferably) during a bit of October, and November, December, bit of January. Don't fancy starting a business from home, sorry.
Not averse to working but would prefer something interesting that'll expand my pallate not just bore me stupid. Am thinking of interesting temporary work in London? Does that happen? Always enjoyed being there and I've friends who'll give me a room for a month. I even entertained being a taxi driver there for a month! If car is supplied. Probably still too mundane however. Please give me interesting, fleeting job descriptions I could look at!
And otherwise then need to plan the actual travelling and going away element which'll be November - December likely. If I find something to do....
Not much happened yet. Bricking it about quitting work frankly - not that it won't be fun to quit, but then I'll need some thing to do and some form of income (preferably) during a bit of October, and November, December, bit of January. Don't fancy starting a business from home, sorry.
Not averse to working but would prefer something interesting that'll expand my pallate not just bore me stupid. Am thinking of interesting temporary work in London? Does that happen? Always enjoyed being there and I've friends who'll give me a room for a month. I even entertained being a taxi driver there for a month! If car is supplied. Probably still too mundane however. Please give me interesting, fleeting job descriptions I could look at!
And otherwise then need to plan the actual travelling and going away element which'll be November - December likely. If I find something to do....
Pentoman said:
I went to China in June which sparked this - never brave enough to travel before then. Still a bit concerned but I supposed you pick it up...
I'll look into tsunami relief type work...
You've had some experience with Asian culture then, which makes life easier if you do go that way for a few months. Remember, they don't like criticism of any type, and the easiest way to get in trouble is to get annoyed or sarcastic at 'em. Bunch of childish sulkers that they are. I'll look into tsunami relief type work...
Forget about Tsunami relief, apart from money the locals can do twice as much reconstruction or building work as you can, in half the time.
Personally I'd head for India, maybe across to Sri Lanka, have a look at the other side of life. You may well never get the chance again, so make the most of it while you can. Take loads of pictures.
Get on Thorntree, the Lonely Planet web forum. Google for it, loads of info in there.
Bing o said:
OK.
I'd try South East Asia - Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, or South America - your 5k will go a lot further than somewhere like Australia.
Agree entirely.I'd try South East Asia - Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, or South America - your 5k will go a lot further than somewhere like Australia.
My thoughts - check the weather - SE Asia has bad monsoon seasons, but bear in mind that 100mm of rainfall will SEEM a lot less than the equivalent in the UK, because it's all "short sharp showers" where the rain comes down in stair-rods for an hour or two, then it clears up.
S. America a great idea - we're heading into their spring. Also it's a perfect stepping-off point for Easter Island and the Galapagos (which WOULD stretch the budget a little, admittedly...
), which are two places very high on my 'must see' list.But SE Asia is fantastic - the people are very welcoming, the food is great (but be careful where you buy prepared food from, IYSWIM), and the scenery / the places are stunning!
I think that there comes a point in your life where you have to say, "f
k it" and just do it.
Temping in London is hardly pushing the boundaries.
Buy a ticket to Asia or S America, and just do it. Yes, its a culture shock, but life is far far too short. Best thing I ever did, and I have seen nothing really, but I have got out of my comfort zone, and done things I'd never have done before I came here.
Take 6 months out, travel, and then reevaluate what you really want to do with life, and what makes you happy.
k it" and just do it. Temping in London is hardly pushing the boundaries.
Buy a ticket to Asia or S America, and just do it. Yes, its a culture shock, but life is far far too short. Best thing I ever did, and I have seen nothing really, but I have got out of my comfort zone, and done things I'd never have done before I came here.
Take 6 months out, travel, and then reevaluate what you really want to do with life, and what makes you happy.
I've got a holiday to Cyprus booked at the end of October, so need something to do for 3 weeks between finishing job and going on that holiday, hence the London thing. Was looking at vounteer work there but haven't found a lot that would fill much time apart from visiting ill people in hospital.
Was quite keen on the sound of this for 4 weeks http://www.orangutanproject.com/
or maybe something more mariney, I like the sea.
Was quite keen on the sound of this for 4 weeks http://www.orangutanproject.com/
or maybe something more mariney, I like the sea.
I hate you. Here's what I'd do if I had 6 months FREE.
Month 1: build the car of my dreams in the garage
Month 2: Drive it to the alps and go walking (not climbing) - live in said car
month 3: Sign up for a winter job in Chamonix as a chalet maid.
month 5: Drive home, fly to morocco. hitch hike to norway then hitch hike to denmark, come home on cheap boat.
month 6: mow grass and collate my photos
Month 1: build the car of my dreams in the garage
Month 2: Drive it to the alps and go walking (not climbing) - live in said car
month 3: Sign up for a winter job in Chamonix as a chalet maid.
month 5: Drive home, fly to morocco. hitch hike to norway then hitch hike to denmark, come home on cheap boat.
month 6: mow grass and collate my photos
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