Spending an entire year exploring all the world has to offer used to be reserved for the college graduates who “don’t know what they want to do yet” or for the wealthy who had the time and money to burn.
For the rest of us, we actually have to WORK to pay our bills. So while exploring the South American rainforests or sipping frozen drinks on a deserted beach in Barbados sounds nice – it doesn’t seem doable. ESPECIALLY during a pandemic.
But the good news is there has never been a better time than now to travel the world and take your very own adult “gap year” – in fact, it’s easier than you might think.
Whether you dream of a rugged vacation full of outdoor hikes and nature, or a relaxing tropical experience soaking in the sun and sea, you can truly choose your own adventure.
So how is it possible to get away from it all without abandoning your responsibilities?
To start, COVID-19 has completely changed the professional work atmosphere. Many companies are realizing they don’t need to keep their employees tethered to a desk and micro-manage their every move.
Professionals are learning to utilize tools like Zoom to host meetings and many folks either work from home or anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection.
Without the need to actually “go to work,” people are discovering for the first time how to maximize their newfound freedom.
Enter in the reality of taking an adult gap year.
Think about it…
…if you can conduct business anywhere – then do it!
You don’t need to actually work from “home” – you can work from a resort in Mexico or a café in Europe.
As long as you’re actually getting your work done – who cares where you do it?
Have kids?
Chances are their schooling is still online, so they can keep up with their studies regardless of where they’re actually doing it too.
In fact, never in our lifetime has there been a better opportunity to explore the world than now.
Flights are discounted and hotels are so desperate to book travelers that they’re offering rooms at extremely low rates.
Many places around the world are even offering free accommodations in exchange for minimal work like cleaning or admin stuff.
Notice we’re saying you actually have to do something to earn your keep – not just expect the world to hand you free stuff like an entitled millennial.
Nobody likes a “begpacker” or “travel influencer”.
The good news is – you can take a gap year and still be productive.
42-year-old Tenaj Melendreras took a year off with her husband and teenage son and has absolutely no regrets.
Condé Nast Traveler reported:
“We were able to enjoy travel, work, school, and experience it for our first time as a family,” says Tenaj’s husband, Faustino. “We hope that we were able to open [our son’s] mind up to the world beyond the borders of what he thinks and would see in the United States.”
Getting out there to explore the world is a great way to restart your life and open your mind to all there is to see, learn, and experience.
Some people are even opting to actually leave their jobs (with a safety net of savings in place of course) and live off the grid.
And don’t be intimated by the process – you can do it too!
If you’ve always dreamed of doing something big like taking a year off and exploring the world, don’t miss your chance.
Strike while the iron is hot – and don’t forget to take a lot of pictures!
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