In 2008, I quit my corporate job, sold off everything I owned and moved overseas with my husband Drew. Since then we've traveled around the world, started our careers over as creative types and nurtured our love of sleeping in late. Oh and we had a baby. Cole, our almost 2 year old has been traveling since he was four months old and probably knows more Thai than me (not that he brags).
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?
I must say, I think you answered your own question with the statement, “soul crushing work.”
You did not choose to call it something else…e.g. a job I dislike or even hate! Man, you used *SOUL CRUSHING* for goodness sakes.
If they want you that badly now they will REALLY want you two years from now…Go on the TRIP!
Hi Christine!
I’m with Mark. As a Canadian living in Barcelona, I say “Hit the road, sister.” It will totally change your life… and lugging around the baggage of this potential work you don’t love (or even like) will only slow you down.
Christine, I feel sick for you! Of course I’m going to say that you have come this far…that you are on the edge of living your dream…that you don’t want to regret not having done it…but it’s not me looking at a bucket of money and facing the unknown future.
My guiding principle is to live so that I don’t have to look back and regret anything I do (or don’t do). I hope that I would have the strength to say no, but I can’t be sure.
Good luck, and keep us in the loop.
G.
I’m with everyone else above… but while we’re talking about you, could you throw us a job tip about this open position so we can get our CVs ready? A monthly wage that is easily confused with a yearly salary is something I’d seriously entertain.
Just kidding.
If you have the means to be able to live comfortably and travel, do it. You will never regret the traveling. Never.
Julies last blog post..Travel for Life
@Mark: That’s a good point. You know I must have dissociative disorder though because I say things like that, then I think, ah well, how bad could it be really.
@Teachergirl: First, I love your blog, so thanks for visiting! And that’s a great way of thinking of it… “lugging around the baggage of this potential work you don’t love (or even like) will only slow you down”. It would be very much like a burden I would carry with me from country to country.
@Gillian: Thank you for the support. Ah yes, the life without regrets. That sounded like me last week… how quickly things change. But I hope these tests will make me stronger, and no matter what happens, I’m still going to Spain… it just might be a different type of trip.
@Julie: LOL I know right! Well I boil it all down to dumb luck and specializing in a field that has suddenly boomed with not enough human resources to support it.
Hey, Just to chime in. The job will only tie you down. No matter how much they want to give you. Look at it this way – if you’re truly living the life you want and are genuinely happy, success on many levels will automatically attract itself to you.
@Lola: Good point.
That’s true… it is pretty one dimensional to only measure financial success…
Hmmm you guys have got me thinking….
Now or never. Spain or high paying job? I’d take Spain ANYDAY. Beautiful country.
Anthony Connors last blog post..Departure and The Route
I’m with your hubby….go to spain…maybe you can work part time via a laptop? But, to plan something for a year and then ditch it, would to me but soul crushing…i’d be letting down myself and no money is worth that!!
ps- enough money to live indefinitly? what! that’s no working class background!
@Anthony: True.
@Matt: You’re killing me!
I’m no trustafarian, let me assure you….
Go. Leave the job behind. Pretend it was never an option. I know a bit how you feel. Not that I was offered a ton of money, but we’re finally getting really good projects at work. After spending months editing nothing more than wall text and brochures and invitations, we have book after book coming in later this year and up through the next two years. I really enjoy working on books…but then if I really think about it, I remember that even when I have books, I’m still not jumping out of bed each day thrilled to go to work. It’s still work…and I’d rather be out seeing the world.
Theresas last blog post..Dinero, dinero, dinero
When you say ’100% remote’, does that mean that working from a laptop in Spain is a possibility? I know I’m going to sound completely contrary but I can imagine that if I were in your position, I’d probably take the job. At least, if I could move to Barcelona and still do it.
Toms last blog post..Scientology is a cult
@Tom: Well, yes that is exactly it… I would be working remotely on my laptop from spain. While I appreciate everyone’s encouraging words, to not do it… I think you can see why this would have been a temptation for me. At first blush it seems like the best of both worlds. Of course it keeps my tethered to a career I don’t want, so it’s becoming more and more unlikely that I will pursue it.
don´t let them crush your soul. hugs klaus
Four months ago I was living in California, I’m from New Jersey, working as a reporter for a local paper. I had a good job, lived in a beautiful place and left to come live in Spain with out a plan, only wanting to live a better quality of life and work on my fiction writing.
I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with your decision, at least i know I’m not.
Good luck with everything, and if you need some tips, feel free to send me an email.
That’s a really tough call. I consistently take on more work than I should because I fear the uncertainty of the future (and I’m a workaholic). I believe that the most important lesson I need to learn is that one shouldn’t make choices based off of fear though.
Just this weekend, I was proposing to my wife that we sever all rat race ties and travel the world with our family. I’ll work remotely and she’ll homeschool the kids. I even proposed she blog about it as possible secondary income.
I don’t know what I would do in your situation but I wish you the best in making your decision. No matter your choice. Good luck!
gog: Thanks, I’m working on uncrushing it immediately
JA: Wow that’s great to hear, another expat in Spain!
Jonathon: Thanks! And let us know how it goes!
I’m glad you are definately going. I’ve traveled a lot, but I still think of taking off for a yr or more with just a backpack and washing dishes in restaurants for my dinner. And, I’m 76 yrs old. Life is short at any age. Make yourself happy. I’ll bet that job will be there anytime you want it.
I think you are definitely making the right decision. If after a year or two of traveling you decide you want to go back to the corporate world, there will be jobs waiting for you (maybe even the same consulting position making a crapload of money).
I think you know what’s really important though. It’s not the money. You have enough money to live somewhat comfortably on, now you should go and do what you enjoy. Write and travel and spend time with your family and friends. Who could ask for anything more?
Tonys last blog post..Pull Ups For Stronger Lats And A Wider Back
I hope you’ve taken up the offer Christine – you’ll have to let this thread know how you’ve got on. Regards, Steve
catalonia blog´s last blog post..Huntelaar cumple su sueño y ficha por el Real Madrid
@catalonia blog:
I didn’t take it! Best decision ever.
Hey Christine.. scrolling down.. i was almost trying to figure out how to convince you to take up the trip..! Then i stumbled on the last post.. kudos..!! way to go girl.. I’m glad you didn’t take up the job..
P.S. Most of us don’t have the courage.. i am glad u did..!