Thinking about going on an adventure

[Jonathan Browne]

I've been thinking lately about adventure. I live a somewhat boring life. I 23, I don't have a job, I live with my parents. I've tried various schemes and jobs, none of which satisfied me, none of which gave me real motivation.

My primary goal and dream so far in life is to become a great hip hop artist. I take some of my greatest pleasure in life from making what I consider to be great hip hop music. I've grown restless though. My predicament is that I seem stuck in the same situation in life. I'm not inspired. I'm not in the flow of life.

So i've been struck with an idea. I'm going to start an adventure. I'm going to throw caution to the wind. I'm going to set out armed only with a flip camera and attempt to cross the country to San Francisco with nothing but my wits, some gear, a flip camera, and a paypal card. I'm going to build a website around my adventures, keeping a video and text log of my travels, my thoughts, the people I meet, etc. I'm going to ask for donations to help me along during my journey.

I will setup places to stay along the way, and for my arrival in San Francisco. To do this, I will use couchsurfing.com and other resources. Perhaps there are some good people on stevepavlina.com who would also be interested in allowing me to crash for a few days, it would be an interesting opportunity to show the faces and personalitys behind familiar screennames that contribute on this forum. In San Francisco, I will make a living from a combination of online donations, street performing, and perhaps cd sales.

I will share more as the plan develops in my mind. For now, what do you think? Any suggestions or advice, even "your crazy, get a job" type postings are welcome, although you won't change my mind. I can't stand to watch life pass me by any further without being an active participant in it. I'm not going to rush out without preparing though, with the popular saying in mind, "If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail".

[rose A]

do it now, when you don't have anything like a job holding you down. You will be amazed at what you learn and see out there. Keep us posted on your travels.

[RT Wolf]

Cool. Do it. Good luck and have lots of fun!

There's a number of people who've done that sort of thing. Someone named "runningfool" did somin similar here:

runningfool : a man across america...duh

Might wanna get in touch with him or check out what he did in case there's any things to watch out for. Also, if you're considering hitchhiking and depending on whether you care, be sure to check the local laws.

[iqthaliusimus]

How are you going to get from place to place?

Do you have any income coming in on that paypal card, or are you hoping for donations via your website?

Have you considered sponsorship?

Where are you starting from?

[SimonaRich]

What a great idea! You will remember this adventure for the rest of your life!

[Jonathan Browne]

Well, my plan is to make the rest of my life an adventure.

As for local laws, from what i've ascertained it's really not much of an issue. The very worst that could happen is a night in a cell.

As for income, i'll have the site setup before I go anywhere and little bit of money saved up in case of emergency.

I really feel optimistic about this plan. There's so much I want to experience and report to the world about.

I'm writing my first song in the spirit of this adventure: The chorus goes like this:

Sometimes its hard to be alive
When your living a lie
and you just want to fly
but your running out of time

I'll post a link to the song when it's complete. This journey is going to be a musical journey also. I want to figure out how I can do more than just make a travelogue and really have some value in sharing the experience I have with the world.

[RT Wolf]

Awesome! Looking forward to your adventures!

There was another dude that walked across the world, or maybe just Asia. He wrote a book about it. You might be interesteed in reading it. Lemme know if you can't find it easily, I'll track down the title/author.

[jaydeschizo]

Do it!

[Jonathan Browne]

Thank you for the encouragement everyone.

How would you like to see me approach the website? I'm going to make it possible to keep updated on where i'm at through gps at all times, i'll also be making my phone number public. I want to help give exposure to other creative and expressive individuals through this.

Basically, I want some more ideas if anybody has any.

[magi13]

I'd rethink exposing your personal number if I were you, but instead have another number for this specific purpose. ^^,

I like your idea. I hope it goes well and please update here as you always do. It's a nice read.

[dwixi]

Great idea.
Think of all the great people you will meet.
You could make a most to meet up with people from the forums in each state you visit.

[ns123]

From your own words, I get the feeling that you are kind of just drifting through life, avoiding responsiblity - figuratively speaking. You haven't quite figured out what you want to do, or how you can add value to the world. You're just kind of getting by and drifting, relying on others (your parents).

So, you want to change this by... really physically drifting and really being even more listless, except now, you are just not doing it while living in your parent's house. You'd still be relying on others (stranger's couches).

It doesn't seem like the bold adventure you are making it to sound, but more like a fancied up "bold adventure" way of saying you just want to continue to avoid responsibility.

If you got a job, or doing something that adds value, or improves the life of others, even if it's paid very little, you can still explore and discover what it is you are meant to do. And while you are discovering who you are, you really would be also adding value to the world.

It's not an all or nothing: live my purpose or be homeless. You can still take baby steps toward discovering who you are and still have a 9-5 job that adds value to the world.

[Jonathan Browne]

What value? I already know what value I would like to contribute to the world. Music and ideas.

Why should I be interested in doing something else? Why should I back down from seeking a new way forward and do something everyone else is doing? Because you think i'm avoiding responsibility? What responsibility? The responsibility to be a "productive member" of a society based on self interest? I don't believe the majority of jobs create a lot of value. I simply refuse to timidly work my life away making someone else rich instead of taking some bold action into the flow of life. So you think I should do the conservative thing and just work paycheck to paycheck and make some life I feel no connection to?

Is that really the responsible thing to do? So if I listen to you and I miss the opportunity to go out and really change the world, i'm being responsible? Tell me, how can I explore while having a 9-5? Two weeks a year doesn't seem like a lot of time to travel.

I think your wrong: It IS all or nothing. Every indicator in life seems to show me that. The more you delay pursuing your dreams the more they become simply an old fantasy. Before you know it, your 40 years old, bitterly advising young people to do "Something practical" with their life.

I want to become enlightened and feel joy for life. I want to discover the kindness and decency of strangers. I want to spotlight interesting people all over the world. I want to be inspired to write great songs. How can I feel these things while working in the money power control matrix of society? How can I really contribute real value by supporting an ever increasing drive to consume and destroy the earth?

The majority of the wealth on this earth right now is controlled by people who do not actually do anything of real value. Many institutions which have great wealth, actually suck out value.

So your suggesting I should join this great rat race and contribute to the destruction of our planet in the pursuit of aimless growth and consumption? Should I aim to be the next Jack Kerouac or "Manager #3438" at a retail store?

[JaredR]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Browne

Should I aim to be the next Jack Kerouac or "Manager #3438" at a retail store?

It sounds like it would be a great experience, but what happens when you're done? Eventually you have to go back to normal existence. What then?

[ns123]

Wow, that is a very strong reaction indeed. I would suggest you examine that closer.

It sounds as if you believe that if you work a 9-5, that will prevent you from discovering kindness in others, experiencing life to it's fullest, and to make a difference in the world. On the flip side, it sounds like you believe that if you do work a "regular" job, you are contributing to vile evilness and everything that is wrong with the world.

If I adopted your belief system, I myself would never ever take a 9-5 job either, never work as a teacher, a nurse, a doctor, or a police officer. In doing so, I'd be contributing to vile evil!

I am not saying that your belief system is wrong, but I am saying is I do not subscribe to this belief system. I do feel it is possible, to work for "the man" and still discover kindness in others, experience great joys, and make a difference in other people's lives. I do it every day. Granted, you may not agree that I do, and that's ok.

It is not your job to convince me what you are doing is right for you.

What I am asking you to do, is to reflect on your plan and ask yourself, is this plan really a liberating discover the world plan? Or is it really just a cover up to avoid making a decision cloaked in experiencing the world? Even if it is the latter, there is nothing wrong with that.

Another note: usually, the words that ruffle our feathers the most, are the ones that are most true, but we just don't want to see them as such. I find this statement sums up how I react to things myself.

[Jonathan Browne]

I tend to react strongly to things. That's just a tendency in my personality. Don't mistake the passion of my words for aggression. I'm just stating my ideas in the most straightforward way I can.

I do value your response and concern. Surely I don't mean to say your vile because you work a 9-5.

I just don't think it's for me, for any long amount of time. I believe there is a better way for humanity to live. Steve Pavlinas newest article about living paycheck to paycheck really hits the nail on the head for what I mean. I want to produce something of value that actually comes from me, not be a part of the system that creates wealth for someone else.

There's nothing wrong with the concept of working for someone in a job. The problem is that the entire system is poisoned by the concept of self interest as the "invisible hand" of our economy. There is this notion that if everyone is as greedy as possible somehow things will work out for the betterment of everyone. So we have the vast majority of the large companies and financial institutions in America providing for "the betterment of everyone" by providing jobs and meager pay, in exchange for building things that in many ways may actually detract from the world as a whole.

I'm just not interested in spending my life making that system stronger and being a gear in a self destructive concept. I've always wanted to live a different life than the norm. I'm not trying to say that everyone should do that, but that's what I feel I must do. And why not? In the end, this life is only an illusion. It will end despite whatever efforts you may make to feel safe and secure and ready for the future.

I'd rather make a radical attempt to break new ground and make an impact than to take baby steps toward that goal. A baby taking their first step is actually a somewhat radical thing for it anyway.

I think the problem with our society is that they train our willingness to take risks out of us. The world is presented as scary and unforgiving, and your only chance to "make it" is by relying on corporate and government paychecks.

As for what I will do after the adventure is over? On The Road 2.0 sounds like a good book pitch to me

[Eric Roosevelt]

It sounds like you're motivated, so go for it! Just remember that pretty much every person who's embarked on an adventure has met obstacles on the way. Don't overprepare for them, but don't be surprised when they come along, either. Try to learn from everything that goes wrong. A large chunk of personal growth is, after all, about learning from mistakes.

[aphorist]

Originally Posted by ns123

If I adopted your belief system, I myself would never ever take a 9-5 job either, never work as a teacher, a nurse, a doctor, or a police officer. In doing so, I'd be contributing to vile evil!

Responsibility is a very funny word. It's built up around control and entitlement. Thinking that you should live out of responsibility is an extremely limiting belief. And any teacher or doctor who is working out of a sense of responsibility will be poor at their job compared to someone doing it out of abundance and joy.

Wanting give value to other people is totally different than feeling like you have to give value to other people. This is what most of our youth have a problem with. It's that when you grow up, people think they "invest" in you, and then if you don't "repay" them in the way they want they get hurt/angry because they think you owe them something. It's scarcity thinking and it's bad logic.


Jon, do it. Log your travels for yourself especially, they'll come in handy if/when you want to recount them for others.

[Ontowhere]

I'd so do it. I did my own share, of traveling in my life. I used to stay in youth hostels, though and i always found them fun. I still enjoy them a so much better, than standard hotels.
There you can find a wide variety of people, with similar interests. interesting stories. A lot of backpackers travel on a low budget. Some have money saved, some just know how to get by. If you don't have to many posetions you really don't need so much money to do it.
I think street performance alone could generate enough in the right place. Or you can just find temporary jobs. You could work festivals or events, etc..
Check the local laws though. Some cities may not allow street performance.
Use logic and stay away from trouble, you really don't need that.
Times can get a little tough, sometimes, too. Make sure you log on to Steve Pavlina, for support.

[guydon]

Best of luck bro, when I got the itch I joined the Army, um...don't do that! Secondly, I know you know what you want to do and all but your writting is very reporter-esque for lack of a better word. I don't mean fluf peice reporters, I mean the real journalist type. If you get bored with music (i never did, but some times it can be hard to make a living at), maybe give world journalism a thought (lot of adventure to be had). Any way I can't wait to see how your trip turns out, I crossed country from Sacramento, CA to Greenville NC when I was 16 and it was a blast!

[Plays With Life]

Wanderlust FTW, if you know what I mean

[Jonathan Browne]

Thank you for your kind encouragement.

Journalism is really going to be at the core of the experience. In my grandiose vision of the uncertain future, I see a hazy outline of the kind of man I would like to become. A sort of modern Hunter S Thompson. Exploring the American dream and the idea of freedom. Only now it seems the American dream is turning into the world dream, and freedom has a whole new meaning in a digitally connected world. I have a lot of interest in figuring out the world, understanding politics, understanding the emerging establishment, understanding the psychology of people. I will document these sorts of things. My hip hop music I think can be another media dimension to do journalism in.

So far, things are looking good for this journeys beginning. I just scored a job that lasts 8 weeks with the us census for $16 an hour. I'll save the money I earn there, buy the equipment I need, setup my website, and start traveling. I'm also going to buy an amplifier and an mp3 player to hook up to it and fill it with beats so I can busk popular songs. I'm a good r&b singer and rapper, I figure I could make money on the streets singing more modern songs. All you see is people out their performing old classics, I think it would be a breath fresh of air. I should be able to keep some money in my pocket like that.

I feel a tremendous sense of possibility and hope about this. I think a lot of people will enjoy the website that I will build. It will be very interesting to see what happens, how much media attention I can get from my undertaking, what peoples reactions will be to my music, who I will meet on my travels etc...

[timothydrake]

Just do it.

-Swoosh

[Zerox]

Jonathan, do you really have the courage to do this alone?
Despite the cold and rainy days, despite being poor.. Well maybe not poor, since you have a job you probably will have some money at first.
But at some time you will be completely poor. What then?
Where will you sleep when someone doesn't have a couch for you?

I ask because I think exactly like you do, word for word. And it's only a part of it.
congrats on scoring that job, at least you'll have some starting out cash.

I also ask, because I've been thinking about doing this myself, only in europe.
Where would you put your bag btw? without the risk of theft Walking around with a huge backpackers bag is quite annoying after a while, I speak from experience.
Everything in my life is pointing downwards anyway, I feel I have almost nothing to lose, So why not risk everything to have an amazing experience such as this?

If I had a travel buddy, I'd be out the door yesterday.

[Plays With Life]

I've done it alone, and without cash. None of those things you mentioned were ever a problem for me.

[Zerox]

Originally Posted by Plays With Life

I've done it alone, and without cash. None of those things you mentioned were ever a problem for me.

So how does one get money? Money = food.
And sometimes even shelter.

I mean if you have friends then I bet they would help you with both. But let's say you don't.

Begging is never a good thing. So you must present something of value. In some countries you can recycle for money.
Jonathan here is going to rap on the street, which I think could attract a lot of people.

What do you pack? I wrote a list for preparation and I ended up not being able to put everything in one Hiking backpack.. Heavy.

[FutureTimeTraveler]

Check out LetMeStayForADay.com - The Official Website for inspiration. This guy traveled the world without a Paypal card. Thanks to his website and media attention people offered him places to stay and rides.

[Zerox]

Originally Posted by FutureTimeTraveler

Check out LetMeStayForADay.com - The Official Website for inspiration. This guy traveled the world without a Paypal card. Thanks to his website and media attention people offered him places to stay and rides.

I do not acknowledge this guy though.
I've read his site and he just had it all set for him right from the start.
I mean he started out with friends, he had lots of good friends and connections, which is pretty rare. He then got SPONSORED by a hand full of radio stations. And the whole beginning of his trip was pretty much just going with the flow, everything just came to him.
It wasn't until later that he got to stay with new people through his website. Still being sponsored by the stations. It's like a paid vacation.

[Jonathan Browne]

If you are clear, and have courage about your intentions, I think you will automatically attract friends and interest. I fully expect that once I get this website online I can get media attention. If you have ever read Joe Vitales stuff about the media you'd realize that the media starves for good stories, and they have a short memory. Sure there might have been a couple people who've gotten some minor media attention with something similar, but they wont remember. Also, they will make a new story out of something that's just slightly tweaked.

I think people having the courage to break out of the mold is something people are really attracted to. Most either don't have the courage or have too much of a life that they are attached to where they already call home, to do something like what i'm contemplating.

I mean your lack of friends, is really an opportunity. It's exactly why you should travel!

You should check out a website called Road Junky World Travel Guides Online which I find very interesting. The author Tom has traveled the world with pretty much no money. After he setup the website he did start getting some money in from adsense and donations though and he sells a book he wrote and some author things now. There's lots of cool stories about travel though, so just take a look.

[Talkofthatown919]

amazing truly i hope everything goes well for you

keep us updated