Life changing decision - any advice/experience?

[ttcycle]

Helen, not an easy decision to make and after so many people have given both sides of the arguement, all I can add is that good luck but either way - you have a fantastic tour to look forward to- that I commend you for. Live your life to the full and make everyday full of wonderment and growth and enjoy the challenges with the highs!! Good on you!

 

[HelenD123]

Ps can I have that Brooks saddle yet?

Forgot to say 'Hands off the Brooks!'. It's staying with the Ultra Galaxy for now in case I want to sell it.

 

[HelenD123]

Crankarm - thanks for your further thoughts. I know this isn't a winter blues thing as I've been contemplating it for months.

I'm ready for a change of job/career and I also want to travel so the timing seems right for both - go on the trip while I have the time and opportunity. I may never be able to take this long off again. I don't know what job I want to come back to and I'm not counting on finding the answer out on the road but I'm hoping it's all going to be a great experience one way or another.

 

[andyfromotley]

Will she, wont she, ohhhh its like a movie.

But rest assured Helen whatever you do you'll have people here cheering you on and ready to welcome you back if/when you return.

andy

 

[Creamcrackered]

Hi Helen
I did it something very simillar a few years back and the six months cycling was the best time of my life by far. When I came back I had 18 months without a job and it was undoubtedly the worst period of my life. However, with the benefit of hindsight I wouldn't hesitate one second to do it again. And when I finally got back into work it was in new line of work that suits me much better. So my my advice is b****r the unpaid leave and go for it, I don't think you need a safety net. It will be fantastic.
PS. Personally I'd head for some place a bit more different.

 

[Baggy]

Helen, as another cautious person I can understand your dilemma...but as you've prepared carefully and already prepared for the eventuality of not working when you come back it sounds as if a clean break is the way to go.

Regardless of how scary it all seems now, once you've done it and are getting on with your tour the fear will fade. Even though coming back will also be scary at least you won't be coming back with the millstone of work around your neck.

So far I can look back on life and think about all the frightening decisions I've made and for the most part can smile and wonder why I fretted so much when it all worked out just fine.

 

[hubbike]

imo quit and go.

 

[Campfire]

Don't burn your bridges! You might need them. Have a great time on your tour and keep safe.

 

[Scoosh]

HelenD - I've no idea where you are at in your BIG decision-making but I came across this a few mins ago and remembered your thread.

Listen up to these words of
extreme wisdom from the Ponca Chief White Eagle:


"When you are in doubt, be still, and wait; when doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage. So long as mists envelop you, be still; be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists -- as it surely will. Then act with courage."

HTH

 

[HelenD123]

Thanks scoosh! The mists have cleared and I've decided to make a clean break of it and hand in my notice. Not done it yet as I'm trying to work out the optimum date to leave to get paid for as long as possible. I need/want to sort it out on Monday.

Thanks for everyone's help. I may never be in such a fortunate position again to be able to contemplate doing this so wanted to be able to go away for as long or short as I want and have some unencumbered thinking time and be able to take advantage of any opportunities that arise along the way. I'll keep you all posted.

 

[MarkF]

Yaay! I am really pleased for you, you'll have clear mind once you are gone, free, everything in front of you, no deadline for how long you can enjoy yourself.

I am certain that you have made the right decison and sometime in the future you'll look back and wonder why you were worrying about making it.

 

[Auntie Helen]

Helen, my question is whether you're doing this trip on your own or do you have a companion?

The reason I ask is that you know I did my German tour (just 11 days, hardly anything) on my own but by the end I was happy to be back amongst people I knew. I'm not even particularly a 'people person' but I do like to have people to relax with and the peripatetic life of cycle touring, although wonderful, can also be quite isolating (she says from her VAAAAAST experience of 11 days of it!)

 

[chris667]

None of these decisions really matter, of course; it's a year out of your life, which hopefully you're not even half way through yet. If the worst comes to the worst, you can come home and sign on, you won't starve to death.

But AuntieHelen has a really good point, sort of what I wanted to say about my experiences after I moved onto the boat. You want to get away from what you're doing now, but getting straight to a long period of isolation isn't necessarily what you need either.

You're going to be fine and improve yourself as a person, whatever your experiences are over the next year.

I look forward to hearing what happens with you with interest.

 

[HelenD123]

Helen, my question is whether you're doing this trip on your own or do you have a companion?

The reason I ask is that you know I did my German tour (just 11 days, hardly anything) on my own but by the end I was happy to be back amongst people I knew. I'm not even particularly a 'people person' but I do like to have people to relax with and the peripatetic life of cycle touring, although wonderful, can also be quite isolating (she says from her VAAAAAST experience of 11 days of it!)

I know what you mean. I did a weeks tour last summer on my own to see how I got on. After a few days I was ready for some company so rather than camping I checked into a hostel for a couple of days and found some great people to chat to. If I need a break from the peripatetic touring lifestyle I've looked into doing some WWOOFing. This would give me the chance to put down some roots for a week or two, have some company, and catch up on my laundry etc. I've done a lot of week long working holidays with the National Trust so am used to this sort of thing. I've made some great friends through it. You'd be amazed how quickly you get to know people and gel as a group.