[iamflimflam1]

Back in 2007 I quit my job and went travelling for a year. I was pretty much out of touch with tech and didn’t have a laptop with me and smartphones did not really exist yet (I came back to the real world in time for the iPhone to launch). Honestly a year sounds like a long time, but the reality is not much really happens that quickly. It just feels like it does when you are close to it.

I felt terrified. I was/am quite an introvert and very shy. And my plan was to go backpacking by myself. A lot of my friends and colleagues thought I would be back within a week or so.

At times it was hard - but most of the time it was great and if you’re staying in hostels and you’re on one of the common routes then you are very rarely lonely.

There are some amazing places out there and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to visit them.

[randomopining]

How old were you?

[iamflimflam1]

I was relatively old for a backpacker - I would have been 36. I had savings and was in a reasonable financial position. But I had no idea what I would do when I got back. I assumed after a year of not working I would be unemployable.

A year is not long - and if on you CV it says “travelling” or “sabbatical” No one will bat an eyelid.

[randomopining]

Nice. I did a lot of that in my early to mid 20's, and now because of covid and focusing on my job and having a GF -- haven't done it as much at all. Now at 31 i'm wondering if i'm "too old", but probably not at all.