Last year I wrote a blog post on “Work-Life Balance: Traveling the World One Step at a Time” explaining why you don’t need to quit your 9-5 just to fulfill your desire to travel. Perhaps I wrote the blog to convince myself that I’m doing the right thing.
For me, I don’t live pay check-to-pay cheque but I do find myself scrambling for vacation days. While each year Carl and I take a trip to San Diego to visit his parents from Boxing Day into the New Year, this year, I found us at home. On New Years eve. In front of the TV. Had I gone to San Diego, I wouldn’t have enough vacation days for Hong Kong.
In my teens, I was told to pick a field of study to focus my career on. Early into my 20’s I was told to establish my career. I’ve done all that and now half way through, I feel I should thrive to have everything in check by my 30’s. I ask myself, ‘Should I be a grown up and take on a mortgage?’ Or ‘should I have fun in my 20’s and worry about the “grown up” stuff later?’ I always feel like I’m rushing to the next stage but I also don’t want to look back and realize I’ve fallen behind. Do I really have to wait another 40 years till retirement to really travel extensively? Will I even make it there?
I sit back and analyze. I know that home ownership has been my ultimate goal so I’d much rather have that now than later. Buying a house won’t affect my ability to travel but having limited vacation time does. My girlfriend told me that it’s not like I’d take 2 weeks off to travel to Hong Kong every year so there would be more flexibility to travel next year and the years after…which is true. I just can’t wait to step foot in Europe!
What are your thoughts on work-life balance? How have you juggled it?
Life Outside the Inbox 
I just stumbled upon your blog, but I am a fellow travel-lover who has difficulty finding the balance. Personally, I think you should never put something off if your heart aches for it. It feels safe putting something off, but in reality, who KNOWS when you will get to do it?
That being said, the work is important. I don’t have vacation days because I’m a writer/actor/bartender (I’m also 23.) My obstacle is MONEY. So I look for opportunity whenever I can. For instance, a simple business trip (I have to go to Memphis in a few weeks for a theatre conference,) can in to a little road trip. I may not get to see the entire world just yet, but I get to see Graceland and Nashville. A few months ago I went to Portugal because Living Social scored my friend and I a super cheap deal. One step at a time. Just keep your eyes open.
Also, quarter life crises…Yes. I’ve had about eight of them. 🙂
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Amanda, you’re totally right! It’s important to appreciate the little trips too, hence “TheRoadtripGirl” 🙂 I love your outlook, it’s good to appreciate the little things. Some of my favourite trips simply involve taking the back roads of the country side here in Ontario.
Good luck in your travels and hope we can both find that balance.
Thank you so much for your comment!
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I’m constantly balancing the work/life/travel balance. I do like to take big trips, but with work many big trips is not realistic. I mix in lots of day road trips and weekend wandering to get my fix. I also have the chance to travel to conferences for work, so I tend to turn those into mini-vacations also. Always looking for that next travel opportunity no matter how small. 🙂
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