It seems like every week I’m asked by friends, coworkers or readers when I’m going to quit my 9-to-5 job and do this traveling thing full time. Ditching the corporate rat race while living on a tropical island while making thousands working four hours a week, isn’t that the ultimate goal of every travel blogger? While I’m inspired by those full time travelers out there I’m well aware that most of us (particularly Americans with our meager vacation time which we don’t use all of) don’t travel that way. Truth is, I rather like the dichotomy of my life-suburban physical therapist during the week and international jetsetter on the weekends. Here’s why I’m perfectly content not quitting my job to travel the world.
Routine
I mainly write about destinations and the experiences I have on the road and travel is all about getting out of your comfort zone. I push myself, whether its climbing glaciers and volcanoes or eating bugs and guinea pig. Like most of us at home I’m a creature of habit and a bit of a homebody. Waking up at 5 am to climb Mayan pyramids? Try 5 am gym workouts instead. Multi-course Michellin-starred dinners? More like blueberry kale smoothies and grilled chicken salads. These are the run of the mill, everyday activities that I don’t write about (but I may be convinced to start if you guys really want me to), but are just as much a part of me as the adventures I post about.
Stability
I have a three bedroom house in a suburban neighborhood that’s safe and quiet. I have a Subaru Forester in my driveway that takes me to my job with a local hospital system. I have a job with steady benefits that pays well. I have a fridge full of food and am able quickly and easily make a meal whenever I’m hungry. I have a comfortable bed where I can fall asleep peacefully. Through a mix of provenance and smart decisions I have a comfortable balance in my bank account. I’m fortunate, really damn fortunate, to have been afforded the opportunities I’ve had and I take none of this for granted. It’s because of having all of my basic needs generously covered that I have the freedom to persue adventure elsewhere.
Family and friends
Talking with my nomadic or expat friends one of the hardest parts of frequently traveling is maintaining relationships at home. Family dinners with my brother and his wife, an impromptu wine night with close friends and the upcoming arrival of my sister’s baby boy, these are the small moments I cherish just as much as the times spent strolling through cobblestoned European villages or listening to the sounds of the Costa Rican rainforest. I’m also blessed that Steve, the incredibly handsome man I’m lucky enough to spend my life with, enjoys traveling as much as I do and indulges some of my crazier travel whims.
This guy
This handsome fluffball is Sammy (you’ve seen lots of this cute face if you follow me on Snapchat) , and he’s been a part of our family for nearly 15 years. He loves chasing shoestrings, climbs our stairs upside-down like a tuxedoed mountain climber and goes absolutely crazy for lettuce. What he’s not crazy about? Absolutely anything outside of the house, and don’t get me started on car rides. As much as I’d love to hit the road with Sammy its just not going to happen but being greeted with purrs and snuggles when I return from a trip is one of my favorite parts about coming home.
I kind of like my job
For me travel is a selfish endeavor, it’s something I do purely for my own enjoyment and I have zero qualms about saying that but I also feel a deep responsibility to do my part to make the world a little better. As flawed and frustrating as the American healthcare system is what I do is highly rewarding for me personally. Working as a physical therapist I do a bit more than treat your standard back or knee pain. I specialize in neurological and oncology rehab helping people recover from or adjust to some of the most devastating times of their lives. I tell people that I hope they never have to see me but those that do need my services are grateful. My heart is especially with my ladies dealing the effects of breast cancer treatment; surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are lifesaving treatments but painful with side effects that last years after treatment is completed. I’ve had the privilege of getting to know some amazing people while helping them reclaim their lives from cancer; sadly I’ve also met some of the bravest and most courageous souls and I’ve been honored to help make their final journey more comfortable.
On a lighter note I’m also lucky that I’m able to work a four day work week (albeit with longer hours) with Fridays off. Yes, that means I have a three day weekend every single week and it is 100% worth the longer work days. It allows me to be Queen of the Long Weekend Trip as well as using less vacation time for my longer trips. It’s a win-win for me.
Traveling is not an all-or-none endeavor and I hope I can show you it is possible to sate your wanderlust one week or weekend at a time. You can get out there and climb those high mountains, swim in tropical waters and have grand adventures then come back home to share your stories over a glass of wine.
Ray says
Part of the beauty of travel are the people you meet and connect with. Because you are fortunate to have that with your career as a physical therapist, I can see why you wouldn’t want to quit the rat race and travel full time. You are probably one of the people who has found a way to achieve a comfortable work-life balance, and I commend you for that. It’s not easy to achieve nor easy to maintain when you get to that point.
Brianna says
I’m really quite fortunate with all of the opportunities I’ve had, both professionally and personally.
Khürt L. Williams says
It’s not a rat race if she doesn’t feel like a rat. Do you feel like a rat Brianna?
Brianna says
Not at all!
Hannah @GettingStamped says
Traveling full time is not for everyone. We quit June 2013 and we miss many things like a routine, stability, our kitty, and much more. Are you from Milwaukee? Saw the Milwaukee pic, thats where we are from. We gave up our home in WFB (if you’re from Milwaukee you’ll know) and not sure if we’ll return…
Brianna says
I have family about an hour from MKE, its such a fun town!
JJ Johnson says
I absolutely enjoyed reading this. Not all of us have to quit the 9 to 5 n order to fulfill our travel desires and your situation juat works perfectly for you.
All the best to you and yours!🌐
Brianna says
I’m thrilled you like this post JJ, like everything in life there is n single right way to travel.
Charles McCool says
Thoughtful, introspective article, Brianna. Hey, I also have a Subaru Forester. We are like twins! Oh, not about that 5am getting up though. You can have possession of that silliness.
Brianna says
Charles, I do get mistaken from you all the time 😉
Katie says
Love this! I work 9-5, travel, and have a blog. It can be done and I like knowing that when I get back from a trip I have a place to call home, a place to relax, and a place to snuggle my dog.
Brianna says
Cheers to part time travelling Katie!
Tami says
I really enjoyed your post. I agree. I, personally, think it would be incredibly selfish to leave family and friends all the time and just vacation eternally, even if it does require a lot of blogging work to make it happen. I would never be able to do all the volunteer work I currently do if I were always gone. And I don’t think I would appreciate being able to travel as much, if I did it all the time. It’s the contrast between a normal life and the excitement of getting to explore that makes it all the more special.
Brianna says
Thanks Tami. As with all things in life there is no one right way to travel
Paula Morgan says
I completely agree with all of this – and to be honest if I am away for more than 6 weeks I start to enjoy it less and it become more like hard work.
I am thinking of a gap year next year but I wonder how I will go 🙂
Brianna says
Whatever the next year holds I’m sure you’ll have plenty of adventures!
Megan says
I really agree with this. I think traveling full-time is something to do when you are younger, not just because of the big blocks of free time one tends to have during and after college/grad school, but because of where one’s parents and siblings are in life. I traveled a lot when young (thanks to my parents), but I cut short my last expat fling to be available to my dad for his last six months of life. I treasure that time more than any trip (although lots of our time included him reminiscing about the trips we took as a family).
Brianna says
Losing a parent was one of the hardest things in my life, I’m glad you got to spend those last few months with your dad.
Tamara Elliott says
Love this!!!
Brianna says
Aw, thanks girly!
Naomi says
Really interesting post! I’m currently thinking about the future and whether I want to be ‘nomadic’ or strike a balance between fun adventures and building a life here in the UK near loved ones. The next year of my life is going to be a bit of an experiment to see which works best for me! You seem really happy with your set up and that is all that matters, you’ve cracked contentedness 🙂
Brianna says
I’m sure whatever the next few years hold in store for you you will be happy as well!
Cristina says
Really interesting post. It sounds like you have things sorted :).
Cristina
Brianna says
Thanks Cristina, I like to think so.
Jessica The Dining Traveler says
Great post! Like my dad used to say “there’s no place like home”. There’s something great about traveling and returning to home and routine.
Brianna says
There really is no place like home.
Ana says
Hi Brianna, I have rediscovered my love of travel now that I am an empty nester. I love your blog and this article. I am on a 9 week sabbatical from work and I am trying to figure out how I am going to pair my demanding job with my desire to travel more when I go back to work in November. I started a blog mostly for me so I can capture those memories and special times and share it with my fam and friends. We will see what happens… I have 5 weeks left on my sabbatical. For now I am getting ready to leave for Oahu where I will be living for the next 4 weeks. 🙂 keep up your blog! Hugs, Ana
Brianna says
Ana, thank you so much for your kind words! I’m thrilled to hear you enjoy my blog 🙂 Where ever the road takes you I’m sure it will be a great adventure!
Sue Reddel says
Good for you! Sounds your life is just how you like and pretty darn good. As much as I love traveling I couldn’t imagine not having my comfortable home, cats and Suburu Forester either! Sounds like we’re on similar journeys!
Brianna says
Great minds think alike!
Janet says
This is a refreshing post in contrast to so many insisting you must be location independent. Maintaining a home base requires that I am discerning with my travel destinations and also encourages me to find the hidden gems closer to home. It doesn’t make us any less adventurous or curious.
Brianna says
I agree on both accounts!
AlicevstheWorld says
I really understand why you wouldn’t want to give up your career to travel. That sounds like an incredibly rewarding job!
Brianna says
I really do have the best of both worlds
Alex S says
First, this is a great list! Each one of the reasons you listed are for others the reason why they want to quit the 9-5 world. For some, it’s an opportunity to escape. For others, it’s about exposing themselves to new cultures and food and becoming more “worldly.” Personally, when I did work in the corporate world it felt as though I sold my soul to the devil. I was great at my job, got to travel a ton, but it wasn’t fulfilling. Quitting my job last May to follow my dream of helping promote local business in ski towns throughout North America I’m traveling less, making less, ad working more but it’s the happiest I’ve EVER been. Was it worth leaving the stability? Absolutely! Do I miss being in a different mountain town every weekend chasing the snow? Of course, but I wouldn’t change anything. It’s every person’s goal to find a job they love doing because that’s what your going to spend the majority of your time on. Anyways, keep up the good work!