Travelling through India over the last couple of weeks has given me a lot of time to think about my future travel goals, and as some as you know I’ve spoken before about my aim to start travelling long-term from mid-2012. Recently this goal has been sitting a little uncomfortably inside me – I haven’t exactly been able to put my finger on it – I mean, travel is my life, I love it and pretty much spend all of my hard earned cash on it, so naturally I would want to travel long-term right?
Having had the time to think, and perhaps a break from trying to push myself down a path I never really wanted in the first place, I’ve given myself the space to discover what it is I truly want. Location independence. I have absolutely no desire to live the backpacker life anymore and I don’t want to set off on a ‘once in a lifetime’ round the world trip – I want discovery to be my life, but I want to do it slowly, and as I please. And knowing myself, I know that constantly moving around for even a year would drive me absolutely insane. I like to feel ‘at home’ in my own space every now and then, so I think this kind of ‘travel for a bit, chill for a few months’ strategy is actually what I’ve been trying to tell myself I wanted all along, but I never really had the words to describe it until now.
What I desire is the freedom to be able to choose where I live for any amount of time. Yes, I want to travel intermittently – three months here, a month there, but I also want to discover new cities and experience what it’s like to be a local within them. I want to live in Paris, Thailand and New York. Who knows for how long, but I don’t want to even think about that now – I think it’s time for me to stop thinking and start dreaming.
I want to travel relatively well and have money to sustain this lifestyle – I think my days of cheap hostels and eating crappy food are over. I want more than that. I think I’ve been reluctant to admit this to myself for some reason, like I felt like some kind of ‘travel-imposter’ for not wanting to backpack around the world for two years partying every night and living like a student. Not that there is anything wrong with this kind of travel – hell, I’ve been there and loved every second, but it’s just not for me anymore.
Am I the only one who has ever felt like this? Probably not – I guess that’s why the whole flashpacker revolution has taken off in recent years. Is that what I am? I dont know, but I do know that the words ‘location independence’ seem to make me smile every time I repeat them in my head. So there it is – my aim for the next 12-18 months.
Will I achieve it? Hell yeah – I’m lucky enough to have a job that allows me to work anywhere in Europe, so I think my dream of moving to Paris will be realised hopefully by the beginning of 2012. That’s a good step, then I just need to figure out how to somehow transition from a 9-5 job I feel absolutely no passion for to working for myself, generating income online and having the freedom to be creative.
I’ll get there, I know it. And I know there’s so many people out there working towards the same goal, or already living it, so all that’s left now is the hard part of actually working towards it! I hope that those of us out there who strive for this kind of life can help push each other along and work towards our dreams together. I will share my decisions, planning and any obstacles I encounter along the way, including navigating the path to earning money online, and information on moving abroad and working towards your travel goals, whatever they may be.
So, enough about me – what are your travel goals for the next year? I’d love to hear about them!
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Good for you! I tried the eating crappy food bit last year in Italy and I just couldn’t take it. I was traveling with a bunch of students who wanted to scrape and save every penny, which is fine, but I love food and good food to be precise.
You are very lucky to be able to work anywhere in the world. This summer I am working in an office, however, the perk is that I get to travel more.
When I think of leaving for an extended period of time to travel I am not sure it would be for me. I would need a large amount of money, a person to travel with. Both of those I do not have.
It is best to travel periodically so I have time to save, I can think through where I am going next and have balance in my life between home, friends, family and travel, adventure, etc.
I could never think of going for one big trip in life and then be limited to either never traveling like that again or just small trips few and far between. I need to travel at least a few times a year just to be sane and be able to work at a 9-5 job. I need those moments of excitement to look forward to.
The Wanderfull Traveler
Hi Murissa, you’re right – extended travel isnt for everyone, I guess just the same as backpacking isnt for me – but it’s great you DO know what you like and that your job gives you the chance to travel. im the same as you, I constantly need a trip to look forward to, otherwise it just feels wrong!
With you on so many points here!
I love the notion of Location Independence, and since reading up on it over the last few weeks, totally feel like I have finally found what it is I want to be when I grow up! Ha!