Goodbye Office, Hello World!
Mar

This is a guest post from Jill at JackandJillTravel.com
I just gave my 3-week notice to my employer and I managed not to skip and sing my way out of my soon-to-be ex-employer’s office.
Let’s just get this out of the way: I don’t hate my job. I don’t have any reasons to.
As a web developer for a small company I have a relatively low-stress job: it’s strictly 9-5, I don’t have to go to many pointless meetings, I don’ t have people breathing down my neck or people trying to micro manage what I do.
I haven’t worked there long enough to be embittered about my situation and haven’t forgotten that the job I’m leaving has directly enabled what I’m about to do.
So Why Am I Leaving?
Each time I walk down the hallway to my cubicle I have a vision of myself years from now going down the exact same hallway. I have a vision of myself talking to the same people, doing the same thing, and having the same mundane office conversations: “Wednesdays are the worst”, “Thank God it’s Friday”, “Gosh I need coffee”, ”Monday’s here again. How was your weekend?”
The hallway starts to feel like a trap closing in on me and I break into a cold sweat.
I can’t speak for everyone else but I know I’m not meant to do this. I don’ t know what I’m meant to do, but it’s definitely not this 9-5 cubicle-bound desk job.
That’s Why I’m Leaving My Job To Travel Around The World
But that’s not the only reason. Traveling around the world has always been my dream for as long as I remember. It has also become my husband’s dream and we’re doing this together.
Some people say that travel is a form of escapism and in a way I agree. We are both escaping from the thing we know we are not meant to do. At the same time, we’re running towards fulfilling our dream.
How Did We Get Here?
Often I say that we’re lucky to be in a position to do this, but luck has nothing to do with it. We worked hard and saved hard and it took us 4 years to get to where we are.
No buying a house for us. No having pets. No kids. We’re commitment and debt free. At any given moment we could pack our stuff and go wherever we want to go.
Of course in practice it was more complicated than that. The unknowns can be scary and choosing homelessness and unemployment over the soothing comfort of steady paychecks is the epitome of the unknowns.
But life is definitely more exciting with some unknowns thrown in into the mix.
What are we going to do after we get back? Would we even come back? Are we crazy?
What Are We Looking For?
The way we see it, we’re trading safety and routine with excitement and uncertainties. What do we want out of life? I don’t have an answer for that. But we are willing to take a risk to find out.
But I do know that my husband and I will be homeless and unemployed in one month and I have never felt more excited about what the future will bring than I do now. I have never felt more optimistic.
I have never felt more alive.
That can only mean a good thing, right?
Jill and her husband have always amazed themselves by surviving one misadventure after another. But their around the world trip starting in April 2011 (first stop: Colombia) might be the beginning of their biggest misadventure yet.
Follow their journey around the world on their blog: Jack and Jill Travel The World. You can also visit them on Twitter @jacknjilltravel or find them on Facebook.

Kathy
Jill – I’m excited for you, and so impressed that you had the courage and discipline to follow your dream. (I have to believe to put yourselves in the position to do this kind of travelling took planning and discipline!).
I walked away from a job years ago also just managing not to skip. I liked my job too, but it wasn’t my passion. (I’m writing now, that is my passion).
So good for you! Happy travels and happy trails. And BTW, during my old career I both travelled and lived abroad, and I think Colombia (particularly Medillen and the coastal areas) are among the most beautiful locales on the planet. Enjoy!
jill- Jack and Jill Travel The World
Hi Kathy,
Thanks for the kind words and encouragement. Glad to hear that you’ve finally found your passion… I’m still looking for mine but hopefully I’ll find it soon 🙂
Adrienne
Congratulations Jill, what an accomplishment! I walked away from my job 3 years ago but I disliked mine. I’m also much older and have been in the same boring work force for way too long. Always listening to others complain and doing the same thing over and over again, day after day. I just couldn’t see myself doing that for the rest of my life. There had to be more.
I would take barely getting by to the top income I once had any day. I am so much happier and life just keeps getting better.
Can’t wait to read about your adventures and again, congratulations to both you and your husband. It’s time to start living!
Adrienne
jill- Jack and Jill Travel The World
Thank you, Adrienne… we’re very exciting to see what the future brings. Because like you, I believe that there must be something more.
Glad to hear you’re much happier now and life is getting better. You must be doing something right!
Eric
what is your route? are you winging it? hostels and backpacks? you will have an amazing time. feel free to email me if you want some pointers for south america
eric@thinkmarketact.com
jill- Jack and Jill Travel The World
Hi Eric,
I will take you on your offer… the route is so far Colombia and overlanding it to Argentina. After that, we’re not really sure.
I’ll ping you for tips and advices. Thanks for the offer 🙂
Liv
Hi Jill – I just handed in my notice to go overseas – feels good doesn’t it, to do something different! Have a great time. Liv.
jill- Jack and Jill Travel The World
It felt amazing, nerve-wrecking, and about a thousand other emotions. Thanks for the comment, Liv!
Nicole - Woman Seeks World
Congratulations!
I found this very inspirational as I hope to do the same thing within the next year.
I look forward to following your journey – best of luck!
jill- Jack and Jill Travel The World
Oh, thanks so much, Nicole! Hope you find whatever it is you’re looking for next year 🙂
Electric Guitar Builder
Congratulations on your new adventure! Hopefully you will keep us posted on your adventure, or mis-adventure (: