Leaving for the first time is hard, but soon you will notice that it was a good decision. If, for some reason you do not like traveling, you can always go back.

It is so easy to keep in contact via Skype etc, so your loved ones are only few clicks away.

Go for it if you have a chance :)

If you don't go while you have this opportunity...
 

I'm going to come home from my trip, call up all my friends in England until I have a place to stay for a week, then I'm going to come find you, and bitch slap you. And I mean it.

I say this, because I know exactly the position you are in, as I did nearly the same thing, but on a different time scale.

I graduated University, planning my RTW during the last two years of my schooling. I studied international business, graduated, and went to Alaska where I worked driving a big ass truck.

Saved my ass off. 85% of every dollar earned went in the bank. All this while, only my girlfriend, and good friend Tom really believed i meant what I said. I'm riding around the world.

6 months later, and the job that I had that was allowing me to save the money necessary to make such a massive trip was pulled out from underneath me and the other 20 guys that did the same job. I was even able to get my friend Tom in on it before the good stuff ended.

When the job ended, we were 18 months from our intended departure date. No job prospects held the money we needed to make the same RTW trip.

So, we left 16 months early, and changed our plans to make it to Argentina from Seattle.

I'm on the road now.

So, like you, I know what its all about. I'm not special. Anyone can do this.

I don't know what you've got under your belt in regards to travel experience, but before I left, every waking moment was spent dreaming about traveling, improving on my previous adventure, and I referred to my feelings as "always wanting to be somewhere else, all of the time"

I suggest, and will even go as far as to demand, that you drop this shit, and get on with life. And to me, that means, EXPERIENCING life, and not just peddling through it.

You know how to do it. I can tell. You know what it is you want, and you know how to do it. Only one thing remains, and that is to simply turn this dream of yours into a reality, and DO IT.

Before my trip, when I was discussing it with my girlfriend Kristi. I used some very harsh and no uncertain terms to tell her exactly how I felt about my desires to travel. I told her:

"You can come with me, and travel the world; or, you can stay home and be forgotten about. Because I won't allow someone that doesn't

She took me for my word, and two more years later, we're still kicking ass and taking names.

You appear to me, (and maybe I'm just reading between the lines) to be someone that knows hows to get shit done, and those around are you are simply not on the same page.

Think about it. You already know yourself to be someone that "gets shit done". You never had a problem with it before, and you never will. All you lack is the courage, and after the first time you do this, you'll never have another problem with it again.

This isn't a lifestyle change for you. No, it is an extension of your life as you have always known it, yet simply have never experienced first hand.

You have questions, and everyone on here has a version of an answer for each one. Some of us do this because it drives us like nothing else we know in life. Some of us do it to get it out of the way, and accomplish our goals. And some of us do it, because it does more for us than anyone else can know.

If you need any inspiration, you let me know. We'll all miss seeing you on the road if you never make it out here. Don't make us wait any longer that we have to amigo!

I'd tell you to keep it real, like I do to most, but you already know how.

--Alex

Currently on the road. Check the ride report link below.

GO,GO, GO, GO, GO, GO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I find 100 times more scary to get a 20-30 years mortgage than travelling for a year (the 2nd is much less money!), but we've been all brainwashed to do so (enrich the d*amn bankers?). (Deared myself the trip, but not yet the mortgage!):D

No worries, you'll always be able to catch up later (those bastards will always help you to join the bunch of debitors!) and still you will have fulfilled your dream!

You have to GO
 

I admire your commitment, dedication and determination. This is your life and you should live it according to your desires and principles.

It is normal to feel apprenhensive when embarking on such an awsome journey. People around you will be concerned for your welfare. It is admirable that you are concerned for their opinions also. Thus by my definition you aren't at all selfish.

Let me tell you that you cannot be happy sacrificing yourself for others -nor should they be happy to stop you realising your dream and goals. In simple terms you will regret not going for the rest of your life and this carries with it resentment-which is corrosive baggage to carry around. Much better to live the dream and fill the world (and your family and friends) with enthusiasm, goodwill, knowledge, understanding pride etc etc.

In my experience if you fall at the first hurdle (probably the second or third in your case as you have made the sacrifices and created the means to achieve your dream) this can create a template for how you behave in the future when faced with challenges. Overcome this hurdle and you will become much more self-assured, capable and confident.

These qualities will without any doubt make you more employable -should you decide at some point to labour in someone elses dream!

Go forth and explore the world and you will find all sorts of unexpected things. The great thing about life is that we can plan as much as we like (family career, retirement...) but as we have seen recently with the economic damage politicians have reeked on the world and ordinary people's lives, you DO NOT want to be stuck in their creation.

I was all ready for a trip but got offered a great job just as I was about to set off. I choose the job but it only lasted 6 months. Had I taken the trip I would have had it for life. Regrets: I have a few....

Your must create your own life and not accept someone else's version. Your head and heart say GO, so that is what you must do!

Enjoy

The best investment you can ever make is in yourself. At your age I was in college working on a BSEE degree. That degree opened more doors than you can ever image. I didn't have wander lust then, but I do now and that degree will help make it happen.

Your at a crossroads in life, make sure you have some sort of fallback, because life has a tendency to throw a curve ball.

Go ahead with your travel plans and see where the open road takes you.

Ride Your Own Ride!

daryl

go go go !!!
 

Do you think anybody on this forum will advise you to stay at home?doh

Just go, and stay with your one values. You can still love your parents, you can still make them proud of you will you are traveling, you can still get a decend job if you decide to go back. But you will never have the chance to be a traveller on your 21 once you are 30.

To have a plan, to be focused, to go to your goal step by step, that will be a great thing in you self-development.
And remember.... fear is the enemy of progression :mchappy:

See you on the road .......somewhere around the world :scooter:

I do hope you have buggered off. (In the nicest possible way.)

If not I am going to come along with Alex and we'll drag you kicking and screaming.

(Says the man who is sat in front of his computer dreaming distant daydreams about being on the road while his bike sits with one wheel and a sad face in the garage.:oops2:)

Good luck.

Birdy

(PS - Kudos on the saving.)

Cysne, I hope since your first post, things have progressed and discussions have been made at home with the parents.
I'm sure if you help them find a replacement for you so you're not leaving them with a problems, this will help relieve their concerns regarding the business.

For every person who says "go for it" you'll probably encounter 2 who says "don't because...."

Most "normal" people like the comforts of being home, seeing family often and like routine to their life.
I find that those who I encounter, who, like you (and many others on the HUBB) prefer spontaneity, an element of risk and whilst we love our family and friends are also fairly content in their own company.
We're just different and that's a good thing :)

Reassure your family by involving them in your planning to show you're responsible (which you have already proved to be!) and I'm sure you'll have their blessing.
Good Luck bier