At 33 years old and with 15years of work behind me, would i be risking everything by going travelling?

Question

At 33 years old and with 15years of work behind me, would i be risking everything by going travelling for 3-6months, it would be with my girlfriend, i have no ties other than a good job and a home! Many thanks!

Answer 1

The answer to this depends on a number of variables.  Are you currently in a job that you would be happy not to come back to?  If you would like to come back to this job, is your employer willing to let you take an extended leave of absence?  Do you have a fairly stable job history prior to this, so that future employers will trust that you aren't going to run off to do it again in another year or two?  If you have a fairly stable job history prior to this, it probably would not be looked down on by future employers if you take time off now.

Do you have the money for the traveling?  And have you planned for some kind of health insurance while you're travelling, in case of illness or accident while you're away?

Answer 2

Maybe you'd be risking more by not travelling.

Answer 3

You only live once!

Answer 4

Go for it!! Take time off to live your life and have grand adventures. Just tell your work your taking a sabbatical. It's best to go now why you can. You don't want to spend your life just working. Life should be lived not just dreamed of.

Answer 5

No, but once you set off you might not want to come back. I went abroad for 'a year' in my mid - twenties, to live in Cyprus. Ten years later,  I have since lived in Japan, Hong Kong, South of France,Czech Republic, Slovakia.

Answer 6

Why pass up the opportunity to LIVE?

You can always get another job and find a place to live.

Answer 7

You'll never regret the things you do, only the things you didn't do.  You should travel while you are young.

Answer 8

Go for it. The chance may never come again. You will regret it if you don't. Have a good time!!!

Answer 9

You may lose your job, but that's not the end of the world.

If you have enough money to travel PLUS job hunt for about 6 months then definetly, 100%, absolutely, without-a-doubt do it.

Answer 10

Yes, of course there's  risks. Weigh them up and together  see how you can minimise them. Can you rent your house through an agent on 6 months fixed contract? Can you talk with your employer and come to an arrangement as you will come back with so much more maturity to give.Then weigh up the benefits. Life is for living. You will both gain enormously from the experience and learn a lot more about each other. You must both go into the adventure with your eyes open and in agreement ,though. What an oportunity! Now or never!

Answer 11

h**l no.  go.  risking everything? you don't know what everything is until you travel!

Answer 12

no - i went travelling for 6 months when i was 24 and then for 9 months when i was 30.  I loved every minute and on CV's it has never been a problem - in fact i use the experience to show how well rounded and self sufficient i am!  It has never even come up in an interview unless i mention it and i have always progressed up the career ladder.

You can hire out your home to earn money whilst you are away and you will never regret it - best times of my life and made great friends and memories.

some employers will give you an extended unpaid leave of absence  - I know some councils do this so you can hang onto your pension etc

Have a great time - however long you go for it will not be enough - 3 months is definitely too short though!!!

Answer 13

If you don't you will regret it.  Do it.  Your employer may even support you if you suggest a 3 month sabbatical.

Alternatively you could line up a new job to start in 3 or 4 months time and then travel with a new job to look forward to.  Believe me its easier to get work while you are in work.

Good luck

Answer 14

Go for it buddy! I think it's one of the best things anyone can do for themselves.

Answer 15

15 years of work at the same place? Or 15 years of experiance? big difference. If you have 15 years of experiance then go for it, your industry specialty will still be here when you get back. If you have been at on company for 15 years then yeah you might be risking it all. But you know if you got travel on the mind then obviously your stuck in a rut anyway and need to get away from what you are doing. I would ask for a leave of abscence or something so the door is still open if you changed your mind.

Answer 16

If it is only for 3 to 6 months you might ask your employer for a long term unpaid leave break. This will give you the opportunity to travel but at the same time know that you have a job for you when you get home.

Alternatively you can just leave and when you come back stress that the career break was a positive thing and that it has reinvigorated you and your career objectives. Your 15 years of experience if not going to act against.

We all need distance sometimes and spending time travelling can really get you to focus on the things that are important in life.

Answer 17

I don't think you would really be risking too much. As long as you know you have enough money to do the traveling and pay any bills (house pymt) you may have while you're away. As far as your job is concerned-talk to someone and ask if you would be able to have your job back after the time away. There's no harm in asking and if you're a great employee and they really value you there's a good chance they'll say yes. They could hire a temp to do your work while you're away. If there's no guartee that they'll allow you have your job back when you come back, this is a personal decision you would have to make and no one can tell you what's right for you. If I was in this position I would just go. I would love to travel and I would go regardless if I had the money. Also if your girlfriend is going to go whether you go or not, you have to think about that as well. Would you rather go 3-6 months without seeing her or have the time of your life with her and maybe have to look for a new job when you get back? Also make sure if you're not guarteed your job when you get back that you have enough money to live off of for a few months after you get back so you can look for a new job.