Two years ago, I made the decision to leave my job as a lawyer to travel the world as I transitioned into a new career as a journalist.
The decision was scary, exciting, and left me wondering more than once if I'd made the right decision.
I can now say without a doubt that I did.
The experience not only let me tick a few countries off my list, but also equipped me with skills and experiences that have been useful in both my personal and professional lives.
Like any uncomfortable endeavor, there were unexpected twists and turns. Here are some of the major lessons I learned in the process:
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1. Have a clear goal and purpose
Many people dream of quitting their jobs to travel, but it's important to think about why you want to do this, what you want to get out of traveling, and how you think traveling will achieve this purpose.
For example, I wanted to travel to reinvigorate myself after a stressful stint as a lawyer and transition into a new career. Doing this meant traveling at a slow pace, staying in each destination for a month or two. I also needed to rent an apartment with a decent internet connection so that I could work remotely.
2. It's OK not to do everything
Everyone's reason for traveling is different, and people value certain activities and experiences over others.
For me, sampling the cuisine in each place was extremely important, so I chose to spend my time and money hunting down the best eats ... sometimes over "must-see" tourist hotspots!
3. Have an honest conversation with your travel companions about expectations and budget
I traveled with my husband, which made this aspect easier. There was no awkwardness when we voiced our thoughts about what we wanted to do and how much money we were planning to spend.
On our trip to India, two of my college friends joined us. There were no major conflicts, but there were times when we differed in what we wanted to do, what we were willing to pay for accommodations, and even where we wanted to eat breakfast.
It was a short trip, so we were able to compromise on most things. If it was a longer trip, however, I could envision frustrations building up — potentially ruining the trip and even the friendship.
Make sure to set expectations with your travel buddies before you depart.
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