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Ask HN: Thinking about a year off from work to travel. Am I making a mistake?

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Re: Ask HN: Thinking about a year off from work to travel. Am I making a mistake?

#22

Post by msencenb »

I spent a year traveling from September 2013 to September 2014. It was the best year of my life. The trip itself was fun, but more importantly I gave myself permission to simply sit, think, and have idle time. Traveling gives you a sense of perspective you can't get from sitting at home.

If you are a decent software engineer I wouldn't worry about employment. Mid way through my year of travel I received a job offer, and negotiated that my start date would not be for another six months.

Also, this does not have to be an all or nothing decision. Why not sublease your place for two to three months, spend that time traveling, and then re evaluate at that point?

Re: Ask HN: Thinking about a year off from work to travel. Am I making a mistake?

#23

Post by lemonsqueeze »

botswana99 wrote: post #13

I did a 6 month round the world trip with my wife in my early thirties. It was great. We blew our house down payment. But eventually saved again and have two kids. Never hurt my career. In fact helped it when I went from writing code to managing teams of engineers. Dude, life is a long. Work will always be there

Glad you mentioned spending house payment.

Another way to do this is to buy the house first, and rent it out while you are away on travels.

Re: Ask HN: Thinking about a year off from work to travel. Am I making a mistake?

#24

Post by mars4rp »

lemonsqueeze wrote: post #23
botswana99 wrote: post #13

I did a 6 month round the world trip with my wife in my early thirties. It was great. We blew our house down payment. But eventually saved again and have two kids. Never hurt my career. In fact helped it when I went from writing code to managing teams of engineers. Dude, life is a long. Work will always be there

Glad you mentioned spending house payment. Another way to do this is to buy the house first, and rent it out while you are away on travels.

and spending what?

Re: Ask HN: Thinking about a year off from work to travel. Am I making a mistake?

#25

Post by tomcam »

You gave us the answer already!

> 1. part of me feels like I am pushing myself to travel not because I am truly excited about it..

> 2. I also have plenty of side projects I've been itching to work on.

> 3. I rent a very affordable place that I really like in a very high COL city

You aren't crazy about travel. You're burned out on your job, but NOT on your side projects. You have a nice place in a nice city.

To me it's very clear. Quit. Stay home. Veg out until you feel ready to play at your side projects. Play with your side projects when you feel like it. You have all the makings of an awesome "staycation", if people are still using that word. Like you, I enjoy working on my own stuff and I've made a great living at it. Even if you don't, you're looking at some low bandwidth time off. Feel free to contact me to chat. I've been in your place.

Re: Ask HN: Thinking about a year off from work to travel. Am I making a mistake?

#26

Post by saberswag »

I'm currently 3 months into my year "off". I waited till my lease ended, sold everything I owned besides one large box of things I put in my parent's garage. I quit my job on good terms, they offered to have me work remotely but I refused because I wanted to have an open path. For me, travel was a priority to check off my list before I turned 30 in two years. I always made excuses or life gave me things I could not say no to so it was constantly pushed off.

Moved to Australia, not only because I've always wanted to visit, but also use it as a hub to Asia Pacific. I have one side project I am working on. Also by random came across a cool part time job for a start up in Melbourne. It wasn't part of my plan to be employed but again I have an open plan. The new gig is adding to my professional and personal growth. Also, have plenty of time to live, work on my side project, and also work on my personal goals. I'm not worried about my career. As others have said, if you have the skill set you'll be fine. but your new road may lead you to something better.

If your gut is telling you travel is something you need to do right now, don't have your mind talk you out of it. Do it and if it doesn't work out you can always go back home.

Re: Ask HN: Thinking about a year off from work to travel. Am I making a mistake?

#27

Post by ankurdhama »

If your year off is a red flag to an employer than this red flag is a red flag for you about the employer. If an employer tell you that they can't take you coz of your year off, ask them "Oh you must have some reason that was validated using some scientific study, would you mind sharing that study with me"?
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