Wednesday, November 30, 2011

"Someday" is Today — I'm Off to See the World

Today is my last day of work.

I quietly turned in my letter of resignation on November 1st. The reason?

I'm going to travel the world for the next year.

Here's why.



I'm so thrilled to finally share this news! The road leading to this moment has been incredibly emotional, often in unexpected ways.

I cried when I made the decision to quit my job.

I cried when I told my boss I was quitting my job.

I cried when my boss told all my coworkers I was quitting my job.

Change is difficult, and yet I am so, so happy and certain this is right for me.

Goodbye, cubicle. {Decor: Holstee Manifesto}


I'm not leaving right away; I plan to spend December and January in Seattle doing the following:

  • Getting used to being unemployed
  • Spending time with my family for the holidays
  • Sorting through and getting rid of 99% of my stuff, including my car
  • Figuring out how to pack my life into a backpack
  • Deciding where I want to go and what I want to do for the next year
  • Blogging about it all!

In February 2012, I'll take off on a great adventure. I think I'll start out in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and from there? Well, I'll just head wherever I feel like going. I'm in no hurry.

And I'll keep on blogging from wherever I wander.



I'll write more in the coming days and weeks about what ultimately led to this big decision, including how I can afford to take off without working for a year (hint: I lived fairly frugally and saved a lot).

I'm still incredibly overwhelmed that this is actually happening. I'm also flying to Las Vegas and running my first marathon this weekend, which is absolutely insane.

For now, I just want to say: LIFE IS SHORT. My decision finally came down to what I can and can't get back.

  • If I quit my job and lose my income, can I ever get a job and an income back? Yes.
  • If I stay with my job and spend the next year of my life feeling miserable, can I ever get that year back? No.

When my granddad died in September, I thought about the last in-person conversation we had and how he fervently urged me to travel. I bet I could have named just about any dream to him and he would have told me to go for it.

I imagine that, at the end of his life, he looked back and wondered why anyone would waste even a moment of precious time doing anything but.

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37 comments:

  1. Devon, I've been following your story since you were mentioned by Leo B, and I am so thrilled for you--- I am really looking forward to reading about your travels. Bon voyage!

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  2. WOW!!! So very proud of you Devon, for following your heart and soul!!! YAAYYYY!!! What an incredible adventure you are beginning. I will be following you and supporting you every step of the way! Congratulations!!!!

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  3. What a badass! I've been reading your blog for a few months and I look forward to your posts in the next year! :)

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  4. Thank you all!!! I will definitely be figuring everything out as I go and appreciate so much that you'll be there to follow along!

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  5. You're smile in your video is so contagious.

    There is nothing that can hold you back now Devon. You have the guts to live the life I've heard you talk about since I first met you.

    I'm proud of you!

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  6. Wow, how awesome! I can't wait to hear about your journey!

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  7. Devon, I have been reading your blog for awhile now and wish you all the best on your journey! It struck me how similar your story was to that of another person I follow on Tumblr. You might check her out as she is currently traveling in Asia after quiting her job: http://one-twenty-five.tumblr.com/

    She even did a post on packing which you mentioned as something you need to think through:http://one-twenty-five.tumblr.com/post/10505825300/the-pack

    Best of luck and congratulations!

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  8. Hi Devon I just saw a link to your movie on Facebook and I absolutely loved it. I can totally empathise with what you're going through because I have recently done the same thing. I'm working my notice period now and finish early March then I fly to Bangkok. Perhaps you'll still be in Thailand when I get there - if so would be great to hook up and swap travel stories! :)

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  9. Wow Devon, how exciting! I'm so glad you feel at peace with your decision and that you're moving forward with big plans. I really do hope you find joy and fulfillment in this wild and precious life. Good luck!

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  10. So awesome. I love seeing someone taking charge of their life like this. Lots of luck in the marathon, and I'm looking forward to seeing the world through your eyes!

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  11. Wow, way to step up to the plate and go after your dreams! Leaving your job voluntarily is definitely not easy, I have creeping doubts on a regular basis about whether it's smart to do the same thing next summer. I'm sure you're in for a hell of an adventure.

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  12. Great video! Loved everything about it! I admire the guts it must have taken for you to do this, and am *so* jealous! I can't wait to read all about your travels. Best of luck!

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  13. That's awesome! Great video. Excited for you!

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  14. Thanks so much, everyone! It was such an emotional last day at work and I can't even tell you how much it helped to have your support here!! So thankful.

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  15. No matter how rich or poor, young or old, wise or foolish you are, there is no force powerful enough in this world to recover time from those who have let it pass them by.

    You will dominate the world in the next 14 months. So proud you took the leap.

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  16. Congrats Devon! I love your cubicle picture! Would you consider submitting it to Meet Plan Go for Photo Friday? We'd love to feature it in Dec and your story!

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  17. Congrats Devon! Looking forward to reading about your adventures and proud of you for living life the way you want it to be lived.

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  18. Wooohoo!! Congratulations!! So glad I found your blog (via PocketChanged.) Can't wait to read more. Love the video too.

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  19. Enjoy your travels. I hope to be able to travel the world one day as well. But probably in the opposite direction to the West. Will you be travelling alone?

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  20. Thank you! Yes, I will be traveling alone, but I hope to meet up with people I know and make plenty of new friends along the way!

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  21. This is the second "I quit my job" post I've come across today....Congratulations on taking the leap, and I look forward to following the adventure...

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  22. This makes me happy :)

    Congrats DJ pauly D, excited to celebrate in July!

    -S

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  23. Good Luck!
    I wish you the best.
    I am exactly 10 years older than you, and probably 10 times more scared of doing something like what you are doing.
    I will follow your blog, maybe you will me the courage to quit my job and follow my dreams ;-)

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  24. Congratulations for taking this huge step! Life is indeed short. Live it fully! All the best to you. I'm looking forward to sharing in your adventures.

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  25. Devon, I think we may have been separated at birth! Lol. Con-grat-u-la-tion on your big decision! I was so excited to find someone, anyone, in the same boat as me. I'm so excited for you and can't wait to read about your journey. Sounds like you'll be in Asia next year. We should try and meet up! =) Life is short. Couldn't have summed it up better myself. Congrats again and best of luck! By the way.. kick-ass video! =)

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  26. I'm impressed and awed by your decision. Enjoy yourself and good luck! :)

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  27. AMAZING! I love this. If you want to read another cool travel/photography blog, I recommend Mr. and Mrs. Globe Trot: http://mrmrsglobetrot.blogspot.com/ There's a great post on there about how to fit your life into a backpack to travel the world: http://mrmrsglobetrot.blogspot.com/2011/02/whats-in-my-suitcase.html Best of luck :-) Can't wait to read about your adventures!

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  28. I am so glad that Ceely from www.runningoffthereeses.com turned me onto your blog today. I am so looking forward to hearing about your wonderful and adventurous journey. Peace and joy will be the end result. How awesome is that?? Grandpa will be proud!!

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  29. Wow, what an inspirational post. I came to this post via Niall Doherty's website. What you are doing, have done and will be done is pretty amazing. Good Luck and Best Wishes!

    Ciao
    Ajay

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  30. YES YES YES this is a SIGN that the decision I am going to be making next MAY is the right one. This gives me COURAGE and perhaps we can meet up!
    Can't WAIT to read more.
    CONGRATULATIONS

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  31. Grab onto that courage and don't let go!!! So happy to hear you're heading in the same direction. Keep in touch!

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  32. Just saw this from running off the reeses blog and all I can say is...TAKE ME WITH YOU!!!!

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  33. I found your blog yesterday, and I have to tell you, I think you're inspiring. :)

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  34. I just found your blog. How exciting! Can't wait to see what's in store for you.

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  35. ~Really~ nice video, Devon!

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  36. Cool story Devon! What about the idea of finding a job you love so it doesn't really feel like work and then seeing the world for 4-6 weeks a year so you can do both?

    Best, Sam

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