In 2019, I made a bold life move when I decided to quit my job in order to backpack across the Southeast Asia region. The move was the biggest risk I have taken in my life so far to date. This post takes a deep dive into the thought process behind why I decided to pursue this dream.
My Situation Prior to the Move
I will start by summarizing my life situation prior to making my big move. Why? Because it will give you insight into my thought process and hopefully allow you to relate to some or all of the challenges that came with my specific move. So here it is!
My life situation prior to making this life move, was one I personally felt was very ideal. For many backpackers this is not the case so packing up and heading off is much easier. I graduated college with good grades (and was privileged enough not to have any student debt), worked my way into a top financial firm and made a very comfortable salary. I lived in the heart of New York City (a childhood dream of mine), worked decent but not crazy hours, and lived up the city life almost every weekend. Though I was not deeply passionate about work, I was living an incredibly happy, stress free and adventurous life full of love, joy and madness. My life was right where I wanted it to be at the age of 25. All signs pointed to a future in which I would be financially secure and able to retire earlier than the average American worker. What could be better right?
So why did I exit this life in order to backpack across Asia? Here are the 5 main reasons.
1. Discomfort
Discomfort is an interesting thing in life. We want to avoid it at all costs but without it, our potential of joy is suppressed. What do I mean by that? Well, think about some of your happiest moments in life; my bet is most of them involved some sort of discomfort leading up to it. Even something simple as seeing your best friend feels so much more amazing after going months away from one another as opposed to seeing him/her the day before. I like to think of discomfort as a tool to humble ourselves. When things go well in life we tend to bask in our happiness and in doing so, we lose some of our appreciation for it. In fact, some of the humblest people I have met around the world are people who have faced severe discomfort.
Discomfort is such a life paradox because it is something we should not want yet deep down it makes things around us better. Winning the super bowl, learning to ride a bike, making your school dance team, would all not feel as joyful without the discomfort that was required to get to the end goal. This is why I truly believe that discomfort is not something to run away from. Too many of us are focused on securing our comfort and in doing so, we rid ourselves great opportunities to enjoy life’s ultimate joys of achieving things that require discomfort.
For me, leaving behind a life filled with pure joy and comfort was a way of seeking discomfort. That’s right-Seeking discomfort. It is actually a term that has become popular thanks to a social group called “Yes Theory”, a group that encourage everyone to step out of their comfort zones (video below).
I had everything I wanted in life and to me that was the exact time to shake things up and find another life challenge to take on. I now have the fear of having no job, the fear of losing some of my savings, and the fear of entering a region of the world that I am very unfamiliar with. Some may say that’s too scary, but I say it’s an opportunity to feel the exuberant joys of accomplishing and getting through it all.
2. Marginal Utility
This reason is nerdy I’ll admit, but back in high school I learned about an important economic theory called marginal utility. For those that don’t know what it is here is a simple explanation. Marginal utility is the added satisfaction you get for each additional piece of something. For example, how much joy would you get from your first bite of cake? How about your second? Third? The difference between each bite is your marginal utility. A basic economic principle is that the more you get of something the less joy you get from each piece. I.e your 10th bite of a cake is less satisfying than your first or you going from $999,998 to $999,999 adds less happiness than going from $4 to $5.
Nerdy economic lesson aside, I have thought about this principal for a lot of life’s joys and it almost always has stood true. The more I partied the less joy each party brought me, the more slices of pizza I ate the less I enjoyed each bite, the more money I made the less I enjoyed each additional dollar in my pocket. Though it is an economic principal, marginal utility is a powerful tool you can use to maximize your happiness in life. You don’t need some fancy graph or any math but instead simply live with the understanding that each time you do something you’ve done already, you will get less and less joy from it. It does not mean you wont get joy, but the amount of joy you comparatively get decreases over time.
Using this concept, you should realize the way to maximize your life’s happiness is to always be looking for change. Change is scary but change allows us to experience those first time joys over and over again. For every change we make we get a new opportunity at a first bite of cake so to speak. We don’t have to be sad or upset to make changes in our life. We can be happy but still realize that the joys of doing XYZ in my life is not the same as it once was. Maybe instead of eating the 20th bite of our favorite cake we can enjoy the 1st bite of a totally new flavor many times over. Yes I know not every change works out for the best, but making life changes allows us the best chance to maximize our happiness.
3. Self Understanding
It seems like life never gives you a second to pause and analyze your actions. We start schooling and before you know it we are focused on college. From college we worry about a job and once we get that job we can’t stop thinking of ways to progress in it. Though there is nothing wrong with progress, many of us never take a step back to actually see if we are on the best path for ourselves. Taking some time off and spending it away from everyone and everything can be useful in understanding where it is you want to go in life and where you feel you need to grow.
Very few of us take this time to do this but doing so can save you years of planning or better yet, regret. It is easy for us to follow those around us and run fast when everyone is running but don’t forget it is ok to take time to grow and learn about yourself. In fact in the end it is probably the wisest use of your time and money.
4. Less is More
Once you pack for a backpacking trip you realize just how little you will be living off of. There are so many luxuries that you have to give up for a few months in order to do this. Common electronics, styling products, fancy clothing, and much much more. Not to mention in many countries that is only the start. Cold showers, no personal space(if doing a hostel) and even yes, no toilet paper, are all things you have to deal with for an extended period of time. Doesn’t sound great I know, but learning to live and be happy with less is a true life blessing. Now no one is going to go back and throw away all their toilet paper but that is not the point. Spending months without many of things you are used to is a great way to learn a valuable skill…to make do with what you have. If you can afford more great but the point is to never feel like there is a particular lifestyle you must have. If you learn to adjust to whatever life brings your way you will be a much happier person with less constraints around what you do. This is something I wanted to learn on my trip to Asia and another reason I decided to make the move.
5. Love to Travel
I saved the most obvious one for last but of course the main reason for all of this was I love traveling! More than even the sights or picture worthy spots, it’s the people and cultural interactions that pushed me to go do this. Having many months to travel means you can enjoy the smallest of conversations and uncover the most hidden of gems, simply because you have the time. I love traveling so getting the chance to do so for an extended period of time is a memory I know I will never forget!
So if you are thinking about doing it, and have your finances in order…I say give it a shot! You never know how it may change your life! Feel free to email Earth’s Corner for more tips and tricks!
Well said! Keep following those inner voices and you will discover life and yourself. Rewards don’t come without risks.
Amazing and inspiring.,. you are sending a positive message, so proud of you!
Thank You!
EXCELLENT! As always, so eloquently written and right from your heart! Love the last reason, it tops all the others, which are so true, too…..of course. Good Luck!
Thank you and yes last reason is the main reason!
You have a very analytical mind, and therefore, will enjoy all the countries and their people. Every minute, there will be a new bite of the “delicious cake”
Yes, lots of adventures already! Looking forward to more!
love it! great insights 🙂 makes me want to do the same!
You should!
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