I have to say ever since coming back from vacation I have had the overwhelming desire to walk away. To disappear, to just pack my shit and go somewhere. I know its normal I see Facebook posts about it all the time. But I am seriously considering taking up donations and just taking my blog on the road and spend a few months or years working in various places around the country. Along with making new friends and visiting old ones.
Serious question hopefully I do get a reply from this how much do you think it would take to make this dream a reality? With my reasoning the first the obvious things, I need a vehicle which I don't currently have, on top of that I would need insurance. I would have to sell off most of my things, and put my books, which I am unwilling to sell, into storage. Then things like my cell phone, gas, food, laundry, hotel rooms and any other incidental that could happen like oil changes, flat tires.
I think even with the prospect of working sometimes and eating for free in soup kitchens every now and then as well as sleeping in hostels or crashing on friends couches and in my car some times. I think I would still need at least $40,000 to start with. Is there anyone with some experience who could help me adjust that number accordingly.
Is this a midlife crisis? Does anyone else get wanderlust in their 30's ? I thought I was susposed to be over this and ready to settle down and grow roots. or is it because I have been rather sedentary in my early adult life that I am feeling the need to go and grow in other ways? Is there a cure that I can help this without needing to pack everything and runaway?
And on the flip side of that same coin is there anyone down to ride out and do this as a team?
It is doable, but it means letting go of a lot. I had a car already when I just packed up and moved, but it still meant really streamlining what was really important to me. Letting go of things as replaceable or functional. There are other ways of travel though having your own car will give you more freedom and safety. Not to mention a way to haul your stuff more easily. There are ride shares through craigslist, buses and trains, for that matter my sister went cross-country on a bicycle. Check out couchsurfing.org in terms of finding places to stay, and be willing to camp.
ReplyDeleteWhen I moved from Washington to Arizona, I took about 14 days (not all of them traveling). I already had a Car and as a single woman alone I opted to stay at hotels most nights (except when staying with friends or family along my route). Including food (a lot of eating out, jerky and PB&J sandwiches), Gas, hotels, & stopping to see roadside attractions (and gambling in Vegas) I spent about $1500.
I didn't stop and do any odd jobs around to make money, but my brother has lived that life style and spent much less. Stopping and working for a while when he ran out of money till he had enough to move on. It has meant him living close to the bone at times and relying on the goodness of people, but he has done this successfully many times. And I can guarantee he has never had $40,000 at one time.
Depending on what you are willing to do. You can also look at WWOOFING, I know quite a few people who deal with their wonderlust this way and they do it all over the world.
I guess the point of my writing this all is that it is very easy to do if you are willing to risk it. For me throwing a dart at a map worked out, but the hardest thing about such a journey is going to places where you don't know anyone to start with and starting over on making friends and finding a place for yourself.
I have never regretted my choice, there for I endorse trusting in the universe and intrinsic goodness of people.