Since my travel plans are now all out in the open, I’ve had to actually start preparing for my Big Trip (that’s what I’m calling it…for now). How do you go about the process of leaving your job, your city, your apartment and then going somewhere in the world? I have no freaking idea!
Just kidding. I’ve got a little bit of an idea. Here’s what my process has been like up until today:
- Decide to take a RTW (round-the-world) trip.
- FREAK OUT.
- Make a plan and a budget.
- Start reading useful web sites. And blogs. Lots of blogs.
- Save money. Stop buying things you don’t need.
- Tell your parents.
- Revise your plan.
- Save MORE money.
- Tell your friends. But not all of them.
- Change your plan AGAIN.
- Go to a travel clinic. Get vaccinations before your health care disappears.
- Keep saving money.
- Start getting rid of your stuff.
- Quit your job.
- Okay, now you can tell more of your friends.
- Is all your stuff gone yet? Hardly. Time for Craigslist/Gumtree.
- Probably time to revisit your itinerary/plan…again!
- Buy things you’ll need. Like a backpack.
- Make plans to see people before you leave. This is the fun part.
- Start throwing things out. Recycle. Freecycle. Goodwill.
- Cancel/forward accounts, mail, etc.
- Make a MASSIVE to-do list of everything you forgot to do. There are more people to see, more things to buy, more things to sell, more things to store, more bookings to make, more bookings to cancel.
- Get on an airplane to somewhere.
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i love travelling
11 January 2011
great article i love traveling other country thanks for sharing your thought . this is great help . Travel Tour Guide
Adam
18 July 2010
True that.
Ayngelina
18 July 2010
Hmm I think there are definitely more freak out stages, like right after you buy your ticket you want to puke, as well as the night before you leave.
Raam Dev
29 April 2010
Haha, awesome list. I can relate to so many of these! I went through the exact same things when I decided to become a nomad and start my journey in India.
You missed two big parts though (at least they were big for me). The first part is passing in that resignation letter at work, further solidifying the reality of your future.
The second part is about buying the plane ticket online and pressing that “Purchase” button. It was quite scary and thrilling at the same time. :)
Adam
13 April 2010
If I've learned anything, it's that planning a RTW trip involves freaking out just about every step along the way!
Adam
13 April 2010
I can't tell you how many times I've changed my plans! Too many, probably. And it's just going to change again when I'm out in the world, but you do seem to get used to it after a while.
Adam
13 April 2010
True – but once you learn HOW to save money, it becomes a lifelong habit. Or so I hope!
ottsworld
13 April 2010
What a great take on RTW travel! I think I need to insert #2 after #6 for my parents…
SpunkyGirl Monologues
12 April 2010
Haha, fantastic list Adam. Number 2 is definitely a good one, but so are all the plan revisions.
Candice
12 April 2010
I think I'd have to do Step #8 repeatedly.
Adam
12 April 2010
haha thanks Rob.
Securing a passive income sounds pretty sweet to me. That's an ongoing project of mine until it becomes a reality!
Adam
12 April 2010
Good idea Scott! It feels really good to be so far along–and almost on the road!
SHABL - Rob
12 April 2010
Hey, last time I didn't see thsi box, I must of been on Ludes.
Here are the only steps you need:
1) Decided to go
2) Secure passive income
3) Sell Everything you Own (Kept car coz I like having it in the summer)
4) Quit your job
5) Book a ticket anywhere
6) buy a backpack the day before you leae
7) Go for it and let the people you meet guide your future
That said, cool post and good luck man!
Scott
12 April 2010
Great list. Put it up somewhere you notice and start crossing them off!
Adam
12 April 2010
Thanks Dina!
Step 22 pretty much involves freaking out as well. So much to do in so little time!
Dina VagabondQuest
12 April 2010
I love this list! I will send it to my friends that is thinking of backpacking, but still not out there yet!!
It's great that you only list the freaking out once! My freaking out moment was not early on the list, but like a few days before actually closed and left our apartment: we didn't allocate enough time to close up the apartment, everything was so last minutes – we didn't sleep the last night before we left!
Adam
11 April 2010
Only sometimes?!
Adam
11 April 2010
Excited and terrified pretty much sum up my life.
Stephanie
11 April 2010
exhausting. Sometimes I just want to be off already!
Heather
11 April 2010
Ha — yeah, I think there might be a major freak out or two but then, at least for me, I've felt excited and terrified every day for the last 2 months.
Adam
11 April 2010
Thanks Dave!
I only reached step 14 on Monday, so…. there's still plenty of time for more freak-outs.
Adam
11 April 2010
Haha… yeah, I suppose I've probably been freaking out continuously for the past few months, mixed with occasional moments of extreme happiness & optimism.
Dave Dean
10 April 2010
Hey Adam, nice list! Tho I think you forgot an important step somewhere between 14 and 23 … “wonder what the hell you're doing and why you're leaving your job, friends and family to travel round the world, have a minor breakdown about it, then pick yourself up and carry on regardless”. I know I did the first time I went travelling!
Oh, and I wrote a post about step 18 recently, if it'll help! :)
Good luck!
Earl
10 April 2010
You only freaked out once? Well, done! I think I freaked out after every step the first time around…
Adam
10 April 2010
I've known a few people who've done that and it's worked out well for them. I'm a little more skeptical of that process, but who knows what I'll be up for once I'm jobless and homeless in a few weeks!
Bobbi Lee Hitchon
10 April 2010
You should add in there-take part in a clinical study-not much effort, but big bucks!