Pick up and go. Period. You’re only 19, and time is NOT as precious as you might think right now. Trust me, you’ll never regret doing it, but you’ll regret it if you don’t. I wish I’d done something like that before I jumped into “career life.” I’m 31.
[quote]makkun wrote:
I think the whole man and his dog out in the country thing is slightly overrated - I would always try to combine it with some useful learning experience.
Teach English in China?
Volunteer somewhere?
http://www.contributions.org.uk/nonprofitmaking/international_charities.htm
Sign up with a foreign university - learn something while you’re away.
Makkun[/quote]
This sounds like a good plan. See what some local Uni’s offer. Who knows maybe you can get a few things paid and some extra cash to use while you travel.
I just turned 20 and I feel the same way. I feel like there is something missing in my life. Like every day is the same and i’m stuck in a rut that i can never escape from.
When I was 16 me and my friend decided to drive to Texas. We told our parents we were going camping and we just went. 16 hours of nonstop driving we arrived in San Antonio. We were only there for 1 day but it was one of the best experiences of my entire life.
After that I began to lose sight of what life was about. There is an entire world out there and yet i have been in the same place for 6 years now. Im tired. Im tired of seeing the same people and dealing with the same exact BS every day. I want to see new scenery, new faces.
I can think of 2 options right now.
Option 1 would be to take out student loans and move. Switch schools and live in the dorms untill im finished with my degree.
Option 2 would be to join the military, probably air force. Either way it would be a change.
I just cant live like this any more.
Military? Good pay, travel, etc…
Find out which countries you are eligible to work in. First, get some money behind you before you go though- you need a safety net and that will reduce your stress levels. Work hard for 6 months or a year, saving as much as you can. Then, throw your shit in a backpack and take off. Europe, Asia, Australia and NZ, Central and South America- it’s all good, bro. Get jobs as a bartender or waiter in places you go to. Kick it freestyle for a year or two. More people should do it. It opens your perspectives up hugely. Don’t be like many morons who have never left America or even their own state. I say do it.
[quote]X-Factor wrote:
I don’t want stress at my age.[/quote]
Sorry to say this, but no one “wants” stress at any age.
Shit, you can do that right where you’re at. Why travel?
How is “gettin by” “conquering the world”?
Ah, now we’re getting to the heart of the matter…
I would say that if you are truly interested in experiencing other cultures/countries, etc., and you have the means, then travel. This doesn’t seem to be what ails you, though.
Your “lack of satisfaction” will almost certainly follow you to whatever time zone you end up in. Sounds to me like some serious introspection is needed before you make a decision to flip the script and take off. There’s a big difference between striking out to see the world and trying to run away from yourself.
If you haven’t already read it, I recommend “The Sun Also Rises” by Ernest Hemingway. As the title implies, no matter where you are, the sun comes up and you have to live with yourself.
Note: I wasn’t trying to be a smartass with the above point/counterpoint, just trying to show you that you may 1) have already answered your own question, or 2) need to ask a different one.
Find that something that not only interests you but will challenge you mentally and physically. Find that something where you will be able to genuinely and selflessly help and protect other people, particularly complete strangers.
You cannot run away from responsibility, stress, disappointment or failure – those are a part of life everywhere, whether you move to Tibet for a faux most-excellent weekend adventure or pretend to spend a month searching for a mystical swami on the South Pole. Shit happens.
You’re young and you have time, so don’t waste what you have trying to follow a selfish or foolish personal indulgence. Be honest with yourself about why you feel empty and stale. What kind of goal is it to want to get by on your own in a different, exotic or unknown location for an arbitrary amount of time? That will not fix what it is that makes your life stale and empty.
I encourage you, do not choose to be a tourist and drift through your life on a wandering stream of false, meaningless misadventures. Instead take this moment in your life’s journey to use your mind and your heart, to leave nothing to chance, to make a plan and commit yourself follow it. This will give you the opportunity to master your destiny and fulfill your potential. Shit will still happen and fate will intercede in ways you may well not be able to control, but you will be on the path you consciously choose to follow.
Enlisting in the military could be an option, but not for some one who doesn’t want to know real stress or chance combat. Perhaps you could consider exploring one of the many forms of fire/rescue service?
I have cousins who in their youth swore by forestry service smoke-jumping, parachuting into fight forest fires, as being very fulfilling. I know counter-intelligence work in Korea, doing air cavalry operations during Desert Shield/Storm or flying into Rwanda to provide security and relief in Operation Provide Comfort pressed some buttons for me.
If a fulltime commitment is too much, consider one of the many volunteer programs available. Nowadays, I live in a rural nowhere where there is no paid or fulltime fire department. So, I am a volunteer firefighter, first responder and special rescue team member for my community. Just as with my military service, I have no interest being a hero, I’m doing a job that I have trained to do and that needs to be done when the call for help comes.
I guarantee you can find peace of mind when you know you save some one’s life or property on an emergency call; it’s not always sexy and you definitely do not always win, but it is a chance to act and participate in what you make of your life. If the life and death route is far too intense, and there is absolutely no dishonor in being true to yourself about that, consider service with Habitat for Humanity or the many church and relief volunteer organizations. There are groups that build schools and homes or put in water and sewers lines in Mexico and on Indian Reservations and elsewhere in the world that you could assist.
In each moment of your being, you have the opportunity to have a life where theoretically, philosophically, spiritually, religiously, (or fill in the meaningful blank) you can actually do something to make a difference in your world; and there is little staleness to a life flavored in giving gifts like that, I promise.
The last 2 posters made me think, and I would like to add something to my earlier post:
We all more or less felt like this when we were your age. I think it is a convenient illusion to think that just going away will get rid of the problem - it won’t, because the lack of satisfaction is something you’ll carry with you; and all new things you see on your travel will entertain you, but if you don’t open up for the experience to change you, the initial feeling will catch up with you. Some people just travel in a bubble, never letting the environment get to them - and come home not really enriched.
That is why I think your travel should come with, or be part of a learning experience (see my links above). I don’t want to get all Yoda on you, but it is indeed the inner journey that will change you more than just travelling.
I would argue that those of us who did the travelling got most out of it, because it changed our views and perspectives on life. And that is indeed an enriching and satifying experience.
Makkun
I’m 21, and I feel your pain. I’m in college for an engineering degree and am conflicted between being a journeyman and really trying to contribute to the world with research. Should I go to school for another 5 years after I graduate or should I just get out there and get on with my life?
I will say this: I am doing a study abroad semester in Australia right now and it’s been a great decision. I’ve had a friend who took a semester off and went on a NOLS program hiking in the Himalayas for 5 weeks. Best decision of his life. I think some traveling will do you good.
Whatever you do, where ever you go, just don’t fall into a tourist mindset. My least fulfilling trips here have been get on a bus, stop somewhere and take pictures, get back on the bus and repeat. If you go somewhere, be a part of that place, not an observer.
Lots of good advice already posted.
Don’t worry about being alone, get a youth hostel card and stay in hostels, they are cheap, you will meet people and join up with them.
Whatever you do, DO IT, you are young and it is great. It will change your life and open your eyes.
Better to travel in a different country but even within the US you should meet foreigners who will broaden your views.
Also, I have never met nor heard of a single person who did this that regrets it. NOT ONE.
Met one guy who has been doing it for 28 years solid.
Some countries are dirt cheap too, you can live on like $20 a week no problems.
Good luck I envy you you lucky bastard.
Hmm, I think there are a few people who think I may not be happy, or that I may be planning on running away. This is not the case, I simply want more at the moment, something I can remember, something that will change me. This will not be long term either (or I don’t plan on it).
I plan on only a few months, maybe half a year. And it’s not a touristy thing, I want to go meet people, discover the culture, be influenced by what people have to offer, discover more of myself.
As for work, I lived in N.Ireland, and my father is from the republic, so i’m eligible in Britain and Europe (I think), and obviously canada. I was thinking of packing up and heading for ireland to see all the family, get a rail pass, ferry my way to scotland, england, maybe wales, and just head over to europe, spain or something.
And just rail my way to wherever I think I should, make my way to Greece or something. Spend however long I think I want to in each country. Then head back on the rail as far as I can. And fly home. That sounds like a few monthes don’t it?
I think you found your own answer mate.