| The following quote from The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle (by Haruki Murakami) pretty much expresses how I see this: "For the time being, there is no need for either of us to be here. And if that is the case, I feel, it would be better for us not to be here." I mostly disagree with those who say that you need a plan or purpose for a gap year to be useful. Mostly, because I do think some kind of plan or purpose, however vague, is good, just to provide you with initial and general direction. A gap year is often exactly the kind of thing that can give you a long-term plan and a purpose, so waiting on these things before you take a year off can be counter-productive. I used to do a lot of hitchhiking for fun. When I went hitchhiking with absolutely no plan, I wasn't always happy with the aimless results. But when I'd set some initial goal, a random city or country, the result was wonderful. Very often I wouldn't arrive at this initial destination, but see many others instead. If a gap year is not going to negatively impact you, I see no reason why you wouldn't do it. Even without a plan other than partying! |