Not Fearless: Being Tempted Off Your Path

Ok I have a confession to make.

I wasn’t sure if I was going to write about this. I posted something on Saturday and lost my nerve and pulled it. I wrote a very vague replacement here. I almost wanted to pull it again.

If you’re new to the site, here is the deal. I am quitting my corporate job to become a full time traveler/writer. My husband will continue to work, but basically I am supporting myself off of savings and eventually through my writing. I have enough money to live this way pretty much indefinitely.

Since then, I’ve been waxing philosophical about how great it feels to quit my job (in 3 weeks) and start a new career and give up my earthly possessions in exchange for my life long dream of traveling the world long term. Our flight leaves on June 28th.

The Call

On Friday, I got a call from an old employer of mine. She leaves a message. “Christine, Call me”.
I figure it’s some lame employment opportunity. I think to myself, there is no way I would take it.

“This should be good.” I think as I dial her number.

She was nervous. She laughed at my jokes too hard. She asked me if I liked my new job. (I said, “Yes”).

Then she explained how they are desperate. They have been through 2 consultants and another person quit. Would I ever consider working for them again?

Then she told me how much. I won’t say the amount; it’s ridiculous. It’s over 2X my current salary. It’s a lot. I mouthed the hourly rate to my husband and he thought I meant per year. It is truly an obscene amount. (I am mentioning this, only because it will help you understand my dilemma).

The Aftermath

So here I am, travel writer to be, tickets to Spain, apartment rented. And I’ve been tempted.

2-year contract. 100% remote. Crap-load of money (technical term my accountant likes to use).

But I would be working in an industry I’ve been trying to flee. To me, it is soul crushing work, and I’ve been saving and scheming for the past year to get out of it.

I didn’t want to write about this, because it doesn’t make me look very good. That’s the truth. It makes me sound like someone who has amazing good fortune and then spits in its face. It makes me sound ungrateful.

But I wanted to be honest, because frankly, I’m tired of blogs and websites that only talk about how great it is to do XYZ and never get into the ugly details. I won’t lie–I am conflicted. I don’t know the right answer.

My husband and I fought about this all weekend. He really doesn’t want me to do it. My working class background is disgusted with the idea of leaving so much money on the table.

Tell me

So I ask you guys… What would you do?