Before starting our around the world adventure I felt that I was missing something in my life. I had a void that needed to be filled, but I was unsure with what to fill it. My wife and daughter made me happy, but I was unhappy with the rest of my life. My job of 12 years was unrewarding, I had chronic migraines, the weather in Portland sucked, and the happiness I got from buying stuff was short lived. The one thing that made me happy was travel. I had hoped that traveling long-term and visiting all of the exotic places I had always dreamt of visiting would fill the void and make me happy.
After nearly 6 months of traveling around the world I admit that travel has not filled the void. In fact, the void has become more prominent. Traveling to different places and experiencing different cultures has been the experience of a lifetime, but we can’t do this forever. At some point we must resettle somewhere and find a source of income. These past 6 months have given me a chance to look deep inside to figure out who I am and what I want out of life without the distractions of our former busy lives. It has come down to that age-old question, “What do I want to be when I grow up?”
My dream has always been to own my own business, but the question is what kind of business? As we travel I have been compiling lists of what I like and don’t like in order to narrow down business options. And nowhere on my list is “sitting in front of a computer 8+ hours a day,” which is what I did at my last job. I feel that in order for a business to make me happy and to be successful it needs to be something I’m passionate about. Kerri and Sydney have been helping come up with business ideas and even some business names. So far, we all agree that opening a hip coffeehouse somewhere would be ideal, as long as we can find the perfect location.
Another option is to pursue my passion for photography. Many years ago I worked as a portrait photographer, but doing that all day long quickly became boring. Doing a little photography on the side is a great way to earn a little extra money, but not something I would want to do fulltime. Offering photography tours and workshops is still another idea, but it would depend on where we resettle.
I have also considered dabbling in the import/export business, which would enable us to travel and use some of the travel expenses as tax write-offs. But the question is, what would we import/export? With the current global market finding something to import/export that would actually make us money might be a challenge.
Besides starting a business I now know that I want to live somewhere sunny. After 3 months of living in areas with plenty of sunshine and then going to rainy Ireland, which reminds me of the Pacific Northwest, I now remember why I was so unhappy in Portland. The weather really sucks! There is something magical about waking up to a blue sky that puts me in a good mood all day long, and if we can find a place like that, we would all be happier.
The more we travel the more I learn about myself. Long-term travel is full of ups and downs and has really given me a chance to focus inward and to take the time to figure out what I want in life. We still have 18 months of travel ahead of us and I look forward to the changes and realizations that are yet to come.
Makes sense, even though I haven’t done any traveling like this. I’ve always thought of going somewhere to live for a few months and thought that it might unsettle me and make it hard to come back home and do the same thing again. It’s a worrying thought.
So, best of luck finding something to satisfy you when this is all done! You’ve still got plenty of time to figure it out and I’m sure you’ll have settled on a plan when the time comes.
Thanks Ted. Nothing like an escape of reality to put reality into perspective! How’s everything in your part of the world?
Great post Jason! Life has a way of presenting opportunities and long-term travel is giving you the chance to regroup. It’s an amazing gift you’ve given yourselves. I look forward to following your journey.
Thanks Patti. Maybe we will decide to open up a Bed and Breakfast in the end… 😉
Jason, I am really enjoying your trip. I would love to wake up somewhere sunny everyday, that’s the way to do it!!!. I think after all is said and done a bed and breakfast would be wonderful. Miss you guys.
Rena
Talk about resonating with you… Im in exactly the same position and your words are all too familiar. I left when i was 18 and moved to the other side of the world…. Now nearly 11 years on and tens of countries further im now sitting in Canada and still the void is strong, and even painful at times. What I have come to learn, is travelling and relocating around the globe will never fulfil this void. I once read that when people have personal issues with their lives they think getting up and running away to a far greener land will solve these issues, but unfortunately we forget we need to take ourselves with us and the issue drags behind like a shadow it never leaves. I have also learned that places wont make us happy, people will, I find it a waste sometimes im in the most incredible place but just something is missing.
All I can say is chase your dreams where you are, getting up and travelling the world wont be the permanent pill you need. Take a real clear look at your life, be honest and ask yourself what do you feel you are missing out on. The best way which sums up why people are not happy is because their life, right now does not reflect their expectation on how it should be in a certain aspect. What area of you life were you expecting more off? When you find this out you will then truly be able to correct it and hopefully full your void.