Quit job, travelled for 5 months, came home...now what?

[tamzdance]

Okay, so this is my latest reality...and I could use a few words of encouragement/wisdom from the wisest forum posters I know.

Back in September of last year, I quit my good-paying job in the corporate world and drove to central Mexico. I didn't have a lot of money saved up for this trip, but I took whatever I had and stayed there for 5 months travelling around central and southern Mexico with my fiance and his family. That trip (and quitting my dull job) was something I have been wanting for the past 4 or 5 years, and if felt good to actually do it! But then......

...once the money started running low, I panicked a bit and made a decision to come back to the US. Now I am back in the US, jobless, and feeling a little nervous about my life, future, lack of money, etc. I have been back for two weeks and am already wishing I had stayed there. I have a terrible, sinking feeling in my gut that I came back for fear of not having what I had here. The insanity of it all is this---I don't have it here anymore now either!

WHAT HAVE I DONE???? In a way, I believe the universe gave/or is giving me exactly what I wished for and envisioned for myself (quitting job, travelling) and it is also offering me a valuable life lesson: More stuff doesn't equate to being happier. Has anyone ever given up their former life for a new one, but then chicken out midstream and run right back to the old unfulfilling one? Is this fear of change? I am disappointed in myself. Goll, I thought I could handle this better, but I am struggling. Any wise words would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all.

Tamzdance

[danthony]

It would be fruitful to meditate on what you learned and saw on your travels. May just inspire you to do something else.

[spacecadetglow]

Money was low, so you came home. What would you have done in Mexico with no money? I'm jealous, btw, that you got to travel there. I was actually entertaining the thought this summer of doing just that.

I think you are afraid of change. You just had this crazy adventure and now you're back home and that's becoming a reality. I'd say things are changing, wouldn't you?

Be realistic here. Do you have the money to go back? Do you have a plan for when you're there? It can be a pretty sucky experience, I'd imagine, being broke in a foreign country. Yeah it sort of sounds romantic but get real. Lots of sh1tty things could happen.

Anyway, I dunno. It seems like you are regretting the decision to come back, but trust that you made a decision for the right reasons, and those reasons will become apparent over time. Maybe you're starting a new chapter in your life and will be traveling somewhere new. Maybe you'll find a really kickass job. Who knows, but life is rich and full of great experiences wherever you are. So enjoy it for what it is.

[ChrisGinsburg]

Nothing lasts forever. You gotta just roll with what's happening. I don't think anyone wants to be a foreigner broke in Mexico.

[NewSimon]

Hi there, I'm the least wisest poster, but anyway...

Something I've known for a while is that where-ever you go, you always take yourself with you. If you're not happy in one situation you won't be happy in another if the fundemental problems you have, are with yourself. I'm curious about what you were hoping to find by quitting your job and travelling. Was it simply a way of escaping a dull job that made you unhappy. Or were you looking for something and you felt that you might realise it by travelling?

I don't think you made a big mistake. If your job was getting you down, then leaving it wasn't all that bad, was it? Do you have a clear sense of what you want from life and where you want it to go? Also what part does your fiance play in all this?

From my own experience of quitting a job, it was to escape from a situation that was depressing me. But it was a situation of my own making that was largely due to not knowing where my life was going or what I really wanted from it. I must say, I'm still in this situation, but I do know that it exists.

[tamzdance]

Thanks for the thoughtful responses. I think I will meditate on this some more.

NewSimon: Your comments really hit home with me. Thanks.

[Angelique]

Congratulations!! That takes a lot of guts.

Did you learn anything new from your experience? Do you still want to travel more? If you can do that, I think you could go at it again if you wanted to.

I could be wrong but I think this is less about logistics than it is about finding meaning in what you're doing. Working from the outside-in works to a certain extent but I like to mix the two, outside-in and inside-out. You know what I mean? With all the distractions removed, I can see how that could it could be way more daunting to answer all the big life questions. (If that's what this is..)

[Lynn 007]

Congratulations on taking the trip; you have done something people only dream about.

You had some wonderful experiences during that trip and hopefully proved to yourself.........you are not your job or what material things you posses.

Was this your first trip away?

Years ago my husband and I both quit our corporate well paying jobs, cashed in our investments, put everything in storage and traveled around the world for a year. We loved every minute of it, met fascinating people, had great experiences and didn't work for the year (except one day in Sydney, Australia).

Coming home was a huge adjustment as we ran out of money, had credit card bills but the thought of going back to the corporate world and a schedule didn't appeal to either of us (even though we were offered our jobs back and desperately needed the money).

We ended up getting crappy paying jobs, stayed with friends for a few months until we could get back on our feet. I think we suffered from reverse culture shock as we were used to doing our own thing and everyone around us was a slave to an alarm clock.

Life is all about change and we all have our ups and downs. It will get better. Who knows if you stayed in your job, you would still have it? Pat yourself on the back for having the courage to go through with trip in the first place - it was your dream.

I would just put a bit more money away for your next trip (perhaps get a second job soley for travel) and when it's time to come home from whenver your next adventure takes you; you'll have a choice to stay or return home.

Lynn

[tamzdance]

Hello Lynn,

Oh my goodness, you really get this! Thanks so much for responding.

Was this your first trip away?

This is the 2nd time I have quit a job, sold everything, and left to go do something else elsewhere. But never outside of the U.S. Big difference. Last time was over 25 years ago (before my son was born).

Years ago my husband and I both quit our corporate well paying jobs, cashed in our investments, put everything in storage and traveled around the world for a year. We loved every minute of it, met fascinating people, had great experiences and didn't work for the year (except one day in Sydney, Australia).

I know what you mean, Lynn. Immersing yourself in another culture and language were fascinating, but challenging at times. But I didn't even mind the challenging aspects. I've always heard that travel is the best education, and I really believe that is true.

Coming home was a huge adjustment as we ran out of money, had credit card bills but the thought of going back to the corporate world and a schedule didn't appeal to either of us (even though we were offered our jobs back and desperately needed the money). 

We ended up getting crappy paying jobs, stayed with friends for a few months until we could get back on our feet. I think we suffered from reverse culture shock as we were used to doing our own thing and everyone around us was a slave to an alarm clock.

I have only been home two weeks and still trying to adjust. I am, of all things, staying with my ex-husband (we're still friends) until I can get back on my feet. Reverse culture shock is an excellent way to describe what I am feeling. I dread going back to a regular job (corporate or otherwise) and waking to an alarm clock. I am exploring other ways to make money that do not involve working for someone else.

Life is all about change and we all have our ups and downs. It will get better. Who knows if you stayed in your job, you would still have it? Pat yourself on the back for having the courage to go through with trip in the first place - it was your dream. 

I would just put a bit more money away for your next trip (perhaps get a second job soley for travel) and when it's time to come home from whenver your next adventure takes you; you'll have a choice to stay or return home.

Luckily, I am a naturally happy person, so while there is understandably some anxiety about my situation right now, I am optimistic that my recent experience and how it changed me will push me along the right path. Many of my friends and family told me I was nuts to quit my long-term, well-paying job....and said I was also nuts for wanting to travel in Mexico. I do not regret either whatsoever. In fact, my aim is to go back there and see what I can do next. You're right about saving more money for the next trip...already thinking along those lines.

I thank you for your response, and I appreciate you sharing your similar story. Peace.

Tamzdance

[Lynn 007]

Hello Tamdance

Oh my goodness, you really get this

Yes, we went through the same thing. Although it was a number of years ago; the first few weeks back I had a knot in my stomach at the thought of getting back into an alarm clock and schedule. I think I actually shed a few tears at the thought or working:-). Eventually I told myself the sooner I work; the quicker I'll be able to travel again so I focused on getting a job and thought of the new and interesting people I could meet in my own city.

But never outside of the U.S. Big difference

.
Yes, it's a huge difference outside of the U.S. and Canada (I'm in Toronto) but the richness of the experience is wonderful in two ways. One is leaving your home comforts and experience something new and secondly coming home and being grateful for living where you do. I think I kissed the ground returning to Canada.

I do not regret either whatsoever. In fact, my aim is to go back there and see what I can do next.

That is all you need to remember; enjoy the feeling and welcome to the world of "itchy feet" - where your mind and spirit and telling you it's time to go and get moving to explore somewhere new but the reality is you need to wait for a bit.

Lynn

[paul1057]

You have done something that so many people would love to do (including me) but never had the guts to do. You should be proud of it not see it as giving up when money ran low. This will be one of those things that you look back on in the future and be able to say 'I did that'

As for the future, one thing I've learned in life that has served me really well is to set new goals before you accomplish the ones you're striving for now. I don't mean give up on the old ones. You should ALWAYS have something in your life to work towards.

Yours was to go travelling, now that has come to an end you've got an empty feeling inside because you don't have a compelling future. There must be more things you want to do in life. Discover what they are and start taking steps to accomplish them.

[Grandiouse]

tamzdance, you've already shown a lot of courage by quitting your job and going to Mexico for a whole 5 months! You have what it takes to act and make things happen, and I am very inspired by that. I'm sure whatever comes next, it'll be great.

[AngelPsychic444]

While you're trying to figure out what to do. Get a blank notebook and begin to write in it everyday, "I now intend to have a perfect dream job come to me quickly and easily." Write this sentence over and over, like at least 20 times a day, minimum.

You might as well use the LOA to begin to get the wheels in motion to attracting a new job.

If you keep this up day after day after day....something will be dropped right in your lap.

I got this idea from a book called "Write it down, make it happen".

[tamzdance]

Thanks, everyone, for the great replies and words of encouragement. I have been offline for a few days, but did catch up with replies today. I really value the thoughts and inputs. I will try the 'write it down, make it happen' exercise. Thanks again, all.