Wanderlust again..??

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Hey guys,

Guess I'm just looking for some advice here or to see if people have had similar experience before.

I moved abroad to North America last September on a one year working-holiday visa, but came home early, in December. I prob - in fact I definitely - did things the wrong way around going over. I went straight into a new job as soon as I got there - a career related one - instead of taking a break from everything and maybe trying something new and different and maybe more casual. I also moved over alone, knowing nobody over there. I managed this fine but it proved to be scarier than expected (!) and didn't stay in a hostel to begin with, and so while I met people over there I probably didn't meet as many people as I could or should have.

Also, the job I was in didn't work out and I left after a month or so. I then kinda came to realising that I missed home a bit but more that I didn't really want to live and work abroad - it was more just that I wanted to see new places, experience new things and travel. So I did a bit of that and then came home at Christmas, and got a job in Feb this year. However, I've recently started to feel unsettled again, and while the job is decent with good prospects and in a good industry unaffected by the downturn, I still feel like I have unfinished business in terms of seeing more places and getting out there again! I have no commitments in terms of debts or a mortgage, and am currently single. So I just feel like I want to get out there again and see more places and experience more of the world again!

Has anyone else ever felt like this? Have you come home - maybe too soon - and felt the desire to go off again?!

chickenbutt

I know how you feel, I'm doing the same as you pretty much but I stuck it out and stayed the whole year.. Just worked more than I got to travel and didn't make as many friends as a consequence. The sensible side of me says, you've got a steady job that you like, don't quit unless you're positive and determined to make the most of a year abroad and understand that you may not have that job waiting for you when you return. Instead, maybe plan an adventurous week or two holiday for yourself somewhere exciting?

But that said, wanderlust is great stuff, if you have the will and determination, go for it! You only live once, you're young and you've got the means, all that jazz At least you can learn from your previous experience and take it head on. Good luck!

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Thanks for that...I think that's a big part of it for me too...also that I don't want people to think I don't stick to anything - which isn't the case at all. If I put my mind to something I follow through!

I only started my new job just over four months ago, so what I'm thinking is that I'll stay with it until maybe the New Year 2012 so I am there a year, then consider my options. I'm also looking at options like taking a year out to teach English in Spain, as I did Spanish in college for my degree and haven't really used it since...would be great to get the fluency back...

Any other advice/experiences greatly appreciated.

catbro3

I did things a little differently from you. I went straight into a job here, did a masters (which was probably pointless looking back on it, but seemed the thing to do at the time). Now ive just gotten a career break for a year which I intend to extend if I like it. I havent made any plans yet and have no money saved for the travelling but once I had my mind made up to go I became a happier person, people could tolerate being around me again!! Like you, ive no ties so I said just do it. I got a career break so if things go badly I have a job to come back to which makes it easier, I'm not sure i would have had the courage to do it without the security of a job to come back to. But now that ive made the decision I would have regretted not doing it. And now that you know the mistakes you made the last time you can rectify them and change it this time.

Live to regret the things you've done not the things you haven't

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catbro3 wrote: »

I did things a little differently from you. I went straight into a job here, did a masters (which was probably pointless looking back on it, but seemed the thing to do at the time). Now ive just gotten a career break for a year which I intend to extend if I like it. I havent made any plans yet and have no money saved for the travelling but once I had my mind made up to go I became a happier person, people could tolerate being around me again!! Like you, ive no ties so I said just do it. I got a career break so if things go badly I have a job to come back to which makes it easier, I'm not sure i would have had the courage to do it without the security of a job to come back to. But now that ive made the decision I would have regretted not doing it. And now that you know the mistakes you made the last time you can rectify them and change it this time.

Live to regret the things you've done not the things you haven't

I love that last line ;-) So so true and I try to live by it. I know I will regret not doing things the way I should have...so I think it's time to go give it another bash again now....just have to decide exactly where...hmm!

catbro3

where to go is exactly my problem at the moment!! the world is a big place. ive changed my mind loads of times, sometimes its canada (too serious), australia (too big and I dont know anyone), new zealand (too small and I know loads of people). It is great fun though. the world is my oyster at the moment and I think what I love is the possibilities!

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catbro3 wrote: »

where to go is exactly my problem at the moment!! the world is a big place. ive changed my mind loads of times, sometimes its canada (too serious), australia (too big and I dont know anyone), new zealand (too small and I know loads of people). It is great fun though. the world is my oyster at the moment and I think what I love is the possibilities!

When would ya be heading off catbro? I'm thinking of re-trying Canada or possibly..possibly Australia as I have mates there.

catbro3

Like everything I do this is a little backwards. I booked a 3 months holiday initially with friends which covers Japan, New Zealand(world cup), Australia and South Africa, so im headin off the start of September for that and home the middle of December. which is nice cos I like to be home for December. then 2nd of January is my fly date! what bout you

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catbro3 wrote: »

Like everything I do this is a little backwards. I booked a 3 months holiday initially with friends which covers Japan, New Zealand(world cup), Australia and South Africa, so im headin off the start of September for that and home the middle of December. which is nice cos I like to be home for December. then 2nd of January is my fly date! what bout you

Woah sounds absolutely savage!! You sure you're gonna want to come back to that job..? ;-)

Ah no I'm a way off fly dates...well not a way off, but a little way off. I have a very busy summer with weddings and stags...all these settled people!! Two weddings in July and another in Sept I can't miss...so I would say it would be something like mid-September, prob same as yourself so!

I will need to plan carefully though!