Deciding what to do

LegacyUser

Hi,

I was made redundant a few weeks ago. Now I'm still being paid till the end of this month so I haven't started looking for the dole or anything. I'm 37, have no responsibilities or debts (well other than rent). I did hate my job so I'm looking at it as a new start. I've always done some part time acting so I'm going to throw myself into this I think. I'm thinking of going travelling for a month or so in June as I've never gone travelling before so this is my chance. Not sure how that will work if I start getting dole and that (already have asked about that in the state benefits section).
It's all very weird. I have all this time suddenly, don't have to go back to that desk I've sat at for ten years. Guilt or something makes me feel like maybe I should just forget acting and travelling and start looking for a similar job again but then another side of me says this is your chance so go enjoy life, travel, try and do what you always wanted and you've paid your taxes for almost 20 years so don't feel guilty about claiming the dole.

What do you think? Is travelling a good idea? I'm also quite nervous about travelling on my own. I can be a little shy but I've always heard travelling can really be good for you and help with being shy and that.
Any advice welcome.

themadchef

Go for it.

I'm 37 too. I think at our age you have to go grab what you want and throw a little caution to the wind if you have the financial ability to do so. Travel before you sign on maybe for a month or so? Then when you come back and sign on maybe take up dram class? or something creative.

If it were me i'd probably keep an eye on the jobs market (dole will require you to do interviews anyway i think).

The other side of it:
Most of all when the gloss of all that free time wears off (and it probably will for someone who was so busy) dont let yourself get isolated or down. Keep busy, keep active and stay up to date in your career.

\ Jealous!

LegacyUser

Hey

I'm the same age as yourself. I've travelled a fair bit on my own throughout my 20s and early 30s.

When I started off I was fairly shy and had few friends at home - by the time I finished, I found it easy to go into bars on my own, travel on my own and befriend people a lot easier.

It can give you a great sense of self.

Why not check out some acting courses in America or Australia and start there. . . you begin your journey doing something you're interested in, you have a ready made group of people to hang with .....

LegacyUser

themadchef wrote: »

Go for it.

I'm 37 too. I think at our age you have to go grab what you want and throw a little caution to the wind if you have the financial ability to do so. Travel before you sign on maybe for a month or so? Then when you come back and sign on maybe take up dram class? or something creative.

If it were me i'd probably keep an eye on the jobs market (dole will require you to do interviews anyway i think).

The other side of it:
Most of all when the gloss of all that free time wears off (and it probably will for someone who was so busy) dont let yourself get isolated or down. Keep busy, keep active and stay up to date in your career.

\ Jealous!

Thanks, yeah. Think I just have to go for it. I'm involved with a play for the next two months so can't go travelling till June. Maybe I'll just have to be careful with money till then. I don't ever want to go back to office work if I can help it. I've done a lot of acting training. Might look into learning to be a drama facilitator when I get back or maybe full time college in acting or directing or anything in that field.

LegacyUser

By the way it's Europe I'm thinking of travelling around. Been on holidays in America several times over the years but I actually have hardly been to Europe. Going to go inter-railing.