Quitting my job to travel the world

So I won the You Wander We Pay contest.  But for how long will I go, I wondered.  A month of travel sure does sound dreamy but India is pretty far away and if I’m heading all the way over there, I know I’m going to want to spend longer and take my time.   Maybe I could make it to Australia? Back to Cambodia?  Trek in Nepal?     A real shake-up did seem like something I was ready for, plus I hadn’t traveled for an extended period in over five years.  Amazing how time flies.  My seven-month trip (serious highlight of my life) which always felt like it happened just yesterday, was actually many years ago.

I tried to go the conventional route – to hang onto my City job.  I requested a leave of absence and as I waited for the response, I had to keep mum about one of the most exciting pieces of news in my life, while I of course wanted to be on rooftops screaming about it!  My direct supervisor was uber supportive of my leave request and shared in my excitement.   Among other things, as trauma-focused social workers, we both know how important it is to be good to ourselves and make sure we have balance in our lives.  

As I waited for the response, I wasn’t sure if I actually wanted the office to say yes or no!   I have a complex relationship with the work and feel very connected to it (so many amazing individuals I’ve worked with, learned from and been inspired by over all these years.)  Interestingly, I had already left the job (and come back) once before.  The prospect of being free however, was something I dreamed about daily, not because I don’t want to work , moreso so I can be free to work on all sorts of things.

Denied! 

The response finally came in and I immediately felt a release of energy throughout my body.   While I knew it would be sad on many levels to leave the compelling work I’ve been doing for many years, I knew this was right for me.  I've learned how short life can be and felt confident  I could keep my budget to a minimum and land back on two feet if I seized this amazing moment.  The universe was talking to me.   And so... I prepared the letter and resigned the next day!  

Thank you universe. 
Thank you Heather.
Thank you Jeremy. 
Thank you Victim Services Unit and all of my family and friends who have been so supportive.
Thank you India Someday
Thank you YouWanderWePay.  
 
India (and who knows where else) here I come!