I used to work 50-55 hours a week for a financial services company that was only paying me for the most part for 40 hours. I woke up in the morning thinking about work, went to work all day, stayed late, and then came home thinking about work. I barely went out and enjoyed myself. I never took vacation days and even if I had a high fever I wouldn’t think of calling off. On my worst days I’d do a half day setting off a wave of sickness in the office. I broke records in that company and created sales records that stood unchallenged. Yes I was proud. I saw many promotions and then the market crashed and my records no longer meant anything as countless colleagues were kicked to the curb..We meant nothing…..
On my travels I meet a lot of elderly friends. As we stand in line at some museum or some attraction waiting in line, the conversations start. Many have told me its their first time out of the country. They worked all their lives and waited until retirement to take a breath of fresh air and leave the country. I’ve been asked by some how and why I’m traveling now in my 20’s…why not work hard and wait until I’m 70 to enjoy traveling.
The market crash made me realize that it’s time to take a deep breath of air for the first time in years. While others around me were having nervous breakdowns and panicking I was calmer and freer than I had felt in years. My whole world and career projectory had been shattered almost overnight. Yet it freed me up to think outside of the box and begin to discover what it is that I love and figure out a way to profit off of that. I want to work hard for MY dream. It’s been a long journey but travel is helping me discover what I love about life.
I’m happy for the elderly travelers that they are finally able to live their dreams after 50 years or so of working hard. But why can’t our dreams be our daily life? Why are we so hardwired to suffer for someone else’s dream and wait until we are elderly to enjoy ours. Trust me I have spoken with many an executive at the airport on their way to St. Bart’s or the Caribbean and they are living their dreams…
Many people my age say they will start a business later on, run for office later on, travel later on….For what? So that you can hobble up the steps of the Basilique du Sacre-coeur in Paris and take a picture before your painful arthritis sets in? The lessons you learn on your trip…will it be too late to implement? Just a thought…I live by carpe diem. Thoughts?
VIVIENNETOILE 
Sherese
February 28, 2012
When I was your age, I left a job in television, decided I wanted to travel and see the world, so I became a flight attendant. To date it was the greatest job ever, an addictive lifestyle and I felt free, freedom that I had never known. I loved being on the airplane watching the lights at night, or sitting in the cockpit while looking out over the Atlantic Ocean. One of the most beautiful sights ever is to watch the sunset at 33,000 feet in the air. What you are doing is what I sincerely believe people in their 20’s should be doing. I still love to travel, and any chance I get to go elsewhere I do. You become well rounded, you gain a better appreciation for other cultures and people, and in some way it makes you appreciate your own Country that much more. I still have several places I want to visit, but it’s not in the budget at the moment, so I have to plan and take them when I can. I want to visit Egypt, and when I finally take a DNA test to discover where my ancestors were from I plan to go there as well. I want to visit, Italy, go back to Paris to shop (hmmm, perhaps I may have found a shopping buddy for Paris hint hint). I actually want to go to China, I must must go to the pearl market there. Amsterdam happens to be one of my favorite places, I want to go and ride the train to the surrounding countries, and I absolutely must visit the Anne Frank House. Enjoy this journey Viv. I find it so interesting how much you really have in common with me…you’re doing exactly what I did, only a little bit differently. I had one major goal, that by the age of 50 I will look back and say that I’ve done, or attempted to do everything I ever wanted to do. It is possible to dream big and accomplish all! Discover the world, and just Enjoy!
Arit
April 12, 2012
I love this post. My husband and I were just talking about this because he’s very much into entrepreneurship and we both love to travel. It’s amazing how many people hold on to the mindset that you should work and work and work and then allow yourself time to explore your dreams. It’s really a shame. I mean, Americans don’t even take vacations, like ever. That’s what I loved so much about everywhere else I’ve traveled, people slow down and take their time enjoying life. Love it.
viviennetoile
April 12, 2012
Thank you so much Arit for your comment. It is so true… glad you and your husband can connect with the sentiment!