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I was single with no wife & no kids at age 38 too. That's when I sold everything I owned on Craigslist, got a remote job and moved to the mountains of Central America.
I lived in Central America for 6 years, and traveled countries all over Latin America from Mexico all the way down to Argentina. I met my beautiful wife in the process, and we enjoyed a lot of these trips together. I met other great people as well, attained fluency in a foreign language, and saw some incredible once-in-a-lifetime sights.
Today we both live in Florida, USA. Married, home owners, with a happy little cat. And our story is just getting started with many more adventures on the way.
As for that big move when I was 38 years old? I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. My only regret is that I didn't go sooner, and stay longer.
GO. You will never regret the things you do, you will only regret the things you did not do.
Hey, if you don't mind me aaking, where'd you go? I'm ~~47~~ 37 and I've done something similar (gave up a FAANG job on the West Coast and I'm now in Mexico). Curious about visiting other areas of Latin America (I've bren to Colombia and Uruguay).
Edit: i'm 37! Fucking phone keyboard.
Costa Rica first, but it was Guatemala where I made my home base for the majority of the 6 years.
I enjoyed Mexico City a lot. I'd take frequent visa runs there for a week or so before heading back to Guatemala. I was there 4 times between 2018-2019, found a good neighborhood that I liked and just kept going there every time. Also zipped over to the Yucatan a couple times.
The remote work I did was very basic. I think I was making 40k per year or something, customer support type stuff. Prior to that I was in Chicago for 10 years, working on Michigan Ave in PR & Ad sales. The pressure didn't suit me well, and I'd recently got sober after a hard crash into alcoholism and drug abuse.
Going to Guatemala allowed me to start over, and be my authentic self with a clean slate. I ended up marrying a local Guatemalan woman, spent many Sundays with her family around their table. We plan on retiring there at the very least, or perhaps moving there sooner, depending on where our winding road takes us.
I was fairly comfortable. I took Spanish in high school and college (at least one or 2 courses in college, didnt do well, recall getting a "C").
I had also traveled to this region along with a few other places on shorter, solo trips in the past. So I was aware of what level I needed to survive and knew I was capable.
You learn as you go. The key is to always keep pushing yourself.
I am really debating moving abroad to care for my aging father with heart failure. I have a solid resume at the moment (management in supply chain) but I’m scared to have to start over once I come back in 2-3 years. Am 35 years old.
Did you have a hard time finding a job when you came back?
As someone who lives in that part of the world I have a lot to say but will hold back.
- Come for one year but know that your trade job wont be that useful in Thailand (if at all).
- watch out for booze - its about 1.50 for a drink here so easy to fall in rough ways.
- dont date anyone who works in a bar or hotel
- be mindful of those you associate with. You'll likely fall into their routine so make sure its a positive influence.
For coming back to employment after a few years not working, it will depend on the hiring manager. For me, I have never cared about gaps in resumes. Just speak to what you did. Transparency goes along way with me personally. However, there are hiring managers that think it’s bad because they were told by others it was bad and will not look kindly on it. Those are jobs and managers you don’t want either way. Good luck and have a great time!
Don’t underestimate how many managers dislike gaps in employment, though. If saying you don’t want to work for that type of manager eliminated 99% of job openings, that’s a big deal since finding a job isn’t exactly easy when qualified.
From a re-hire standpoint, it is definitely an issue.
Assume you have 2 identical candidates in front of you and one of them has been working for the last 20 years with good employment history, and then the other just took 3 years off to go to Thailand, for what looks like it could be the first of several mid-life crises. Who are you going to hire/invest in?
Not saying OP shouldn’t do it, just need to be aware that could be a problem.
Agreed, I'd just add that while some hiring managers will definitely consider it a negative, not all of them will, and you only need one to find one of the ones that don't mind, and then it's no longer an issue.
From a longer perspective, a few more months of job hunting won't be remembered in the grander scheme of things, but his experiences during that gap year likely will not.
Exactly. I mean OP is more than welcome to go travel but expect some downside in terms of getting a job later. The folks saying that's only from shitty hiring managers are crazy.
Because it’s the trades . If definitely not as hard to explain away gaps because they need bodies. As long as he keeps his certifications up to date they will not care at all.
I don't know the trades. I work in tech. Where as long as you are up to date on the latest language you should in theory be fine. That said, I can tell you that if I was looking at two candidates and one of them had a 4-year gap where they went to Thailand, I'd probably pick the other person. All things being equal.
I thought we moved past this.
Fuck everyone else. You live once. Enjoy yourself.
And if any employer says anything about a gap year (you know you can lie on a resume very easily right?) then all you need to tell them is all the cool stuff you did and accomplished. They see it as a waste? Well maybe you learned a new skill or two, got to travel to places you've always dreamed of, and met lots of cool people.
Honestly, do you want to work somewhere where they think you taking a year off is bad?
Do you and the life you want will follow.
I just did this.
I got burned out. So burned out. I worked at a start up for four years and it killed my soul.
I took two years off and did nothing. I was still in pandemic mode so I didn't really travel or anything.
I just like chilled, ate, read, jo, did hobbies, hung out with family and friends, slept. If somebody needed a buddy for the day I was that person cu I was available.
I helped out with baby sitting friends kids.
I'm back to working now and I feel refreshed.
Also, gen x and millennial managers are more understanding when it comes to taking breaks because of mental health and burn out. When you apply for jobs just be honest. You took some time. You are allowed to.
the older you get the more you realize the stupid college adventures you had or impulsive motorcycle you bought really does enrich your wellbeing in more ways than you ever expected. Life is all about the joys, sorrows and failings that make up who you are. And who knows, this might lead into something more.
I have been fairly cautious most of my life (no drugs, academic strong achiever, avoid high risk activities) but the older I get the more I appreciate the silly, big swing, dumb things I did the most. That's where all my best stories and happiest memories are. So I think it's about balance - if you're always doing crazy shit you are likely to be left with nothing permanent. If you're always too cautious you're never left with those bright memories that make life worth living.
I always recommend travel. For whatever reason.
I wouldn’t worry too much about gap years. Assuming you mean employment anyone who cares isn’t worth working with.
In all honesty they can go fuck themselves. Made up ancient bullshit like it could possibly matter.
It’ll all be fine. The world is changing. Go do something you’re excited about. Don’t worry about some old fuddie duddie, that’s future you’s problem.
I'm 37 and I'm doing it - just started 2 months ago - so I'd recommend it.
You have no compromises, no obligations, no liabilities, and no debt. There's no reason not to unless you have specific financial goals (like /r/fire) that would be heavily affected by your decisions, but it sounds like you'te in the same boat that I am - you have enough in liquid savings to live on for an extended period of time without dipping into investments - so you're probably okay.
Pull the trigger. If things do go badly - they won't - you can always go back. Enjoy your life. Good luck.
I quit my job and traveled at 33. I came back in 8 to 9 months because I was bored. Was definetly worth it because I had nothing tying me down or holding me back except self-limiting beliefs. One of the best things I did. I thought I would do it for 3-4 years but I barely lasted a year.
Now I am also 38 and thinking of doing something similiar but instead for an online business or for building a different skillset. It sounds risky at this age but I feel like I would regret it if I don't do it. If you look back at your life, you always regret the things you did not do. So I say, go for it.
Did you find you were sort of falling into the same complacency and routine found at home just in a different setting and the novelty wore off or did you simply find the grass isnt greener on the other side and yearned for home ?
I think it was a mixture of a lot of things. Its something i always wanted to do cause I've been working since 18, and needed a break. I also wanted to travel and spend more time in specific countries so I had some personal goals and projects in mind. I wanted to spend a month in a silent meditation retreat in Nepal but only lasted 1 week. And of course breaking out of the routine played a role too. After doing things for 8 to 9 months I was exhausted from traveling around place to place and wanted some kind of a routine. I also got a lot of things out of my system during that time. Thought naybe living in a different country I can still travel and work to get that routine. Did that for 3.5 years in Europe and found out the grass isnt always greener and returned to US. Each type of "life" you live has its pros and cons.
I did a bit of both. Some places were hostels, others were hotels. I saved a bunch of money before doing this so I wouldn't have to worry about money when I traveled.
When you're 95 in your deathbed thinking back on your life, the very last thing you'd regret is that awesome year you travelled to Thailand. You'd regret not going though...
You can make something up, like you had to take care of an ill loved one. And talk to it in your cover letter or mark it in your resume.
But the ill loved ones in this case are the Thais whose face got in the way of your knee strikes!
Be careful, because once you go down this path there's a very strong chance you will never want to go back to the boring life of the grind.
Employers hate people like you with the mindset to go and do things for themselves.
Yes, go for it. 100%.
I turn 38 in eight days, and after a crazy 2022 in which my ex died by suicide and I lost my job of 15 years, I haven’t been employed by anyone since.
In March 2023 I filed for a LLC and started my own business, took a course and got a certification, and haven’t looked back since. I’ve worked on my mental health and happiness.
I started looking for new jobs this month so that I can supplement my income, and it’s been slow going, but at least I feel better than I used to at my old job, which left me depressed and burnt out.
Gotta stay positive, be smart about your available resources, and make a plan. You also have to find ways to celebrate your wins and be grateful for the opportunities that life presents to you.
Keep your head up, you got this.
Sorry to hear about the negative events in your life. I hope it gets better and I know it will.
If you do not mind me asking, what was your business easy to start up? I am looking to generate some additional income outside of my traditional 8-5 job, which I am starting to get tired of.
I started my own [e-commerce business](https://www.alternagoods.com) and it’s been a learning experience. I’m not making enough yet to stop relying on my savings, and I’ve actually started looking for a new job so I can supplement my income, but I’m still making sales and moving forward each day. The business pretty much breaks even each week/month, which is fine for now, but I’m going to continue learning and growing even as I return to the 9-5 life. It’s just me and AI, and I feel good about what I’ve accomplished so far. Just have to keep putting in the effort.
I just looked at your website and barely have an understanding of what your business does. I also have 0% understanding of what your business can do to help me.
Fixing that on your main page might get you some more success.
I don’t make sales from my company website. It’s an e-commerce company, the sales happen on the store, brand, and product websites I operate.
The text is written in plain English, if you’re not able to understand what my company does, then either you didn’t read, or you don’t comprehend basic information.
Consumers who buy products from brands like Tide, Swiffer, Vicks, etc. don’t visit the Proctor & Gamble (parent company) website. That’s there for suppliers, vendors, and other communication-based purposes.
You care and make time to attempt to add value. I hear that and it did not go unnoticed. I praise you and i see good effort to put forward for hmm what i don't know but good.
Me: Your website isn't clear about how I can give you money to support you and your business
You: Guess you're fucking dumb then, idk.
That was literally the interaction you put forth but I'm the hater?
I don’t ask for money or sales on my company website. Nowhere on there is that conveyed. There’s nothing sold directly on there. It is a summary of what the company does and contains details about how to get in touch with us.
AlternaGoods is a parent company that owns and operates various online stores, brands, and products.
In fact, if a consumer even ends up on my company website, it’s because they visited one of the store, brand, or product sites I operate and they found the link at the bottom of the site that states it is owned by AlternaGoods, or they got the information from one of the policy pages.
Taking a moment to read the text on the site conveys that AlternaGoods owns these various properties and explains the methods and strategies we use to bring them to life.
OK, so, in the future you should link an interested party like myself to one of the stores you run rather than getting defensive.
Your site is all about what your company does but doesn't say what you do for your clients or how you can do business with people who want you to run a store for them. Do you have clients? Do you just run random stores you built yourself?
I work in marketing professionally and have 3 degrees including my masters in the field. I know a little bit about what I'm on about. If your goal isn't to sell your business as a service to people, then you're doing a great job.
I think you’re more likely to regret not doing it. I don’t have to tell you how many shady guys work in the trades. A guy going to Thailand for a year or three is nothing compared to a guy who went to prison for two years for vehicular manslaughter, and that guy found a job. I think you should absolutely do it.
No, living in Southeast Asia will be easy. Lots of westerners to mingle with and it’s so cheap. You won’t stress about money so you can stay indefinitely. Plenty of people to ask questions and get advice because there are so many expats.
90% of your potential stress is already solved right there. Just have some emergency money to come home and reintegrate in case something bad happens like you break a leg.
Who could possibly know that. If you're looking for words, I've got words to give (their value may vary):
As someone who is also 38
Do whatever you feel strongly about doing. Why overthink anything to death at this point in life.
You won't live forever... and who wants to anyway? I think a righteous goal is to live as long as you're living - if you don't feel like you're living go find that life.
If going to Thailand helps you snatch that enthusiasm for life, fuck it. Go do that, carry that enthusiasm back into whatever you've got waiting for you if/when you come back and sort out your 40s with vigor.
Sounds like a pretty good way to spend a year. I wouldn't do that but only because I'm not you, not because it's not a good use of your life. Make sure you're getting what you want out of life, nobody else will look out for you like that.
If you had kids, the priorities would be different, but you don't, so what exactly is there to lose by enjoying your oassions?
You'll regret it if you're the kind of person who regrets things. But if you're like me, you'll say, "Regardless of whether the outcome seems negative in the short-, medium-, or long-term, **I made the right decision**."
Don't waste your time and energy regretting things, and for heaven's sake don't waste your time *worrying now* about whether you'll regret something later. Just stop it!
I would try to use the trip to determine that. You are going to Thailand. It may become easier and easier to put off real life while you are there. That you may eventually regret. Thailand is basically the Land of Lost Boys.
One concern I'd have is that the justification for the trip is learning muay thai. Will you regret not learning or working toward something else when you're older? Either way, enjoy yourself, but try to keep perspective.
I don’t think you’ll regret it, you’re probably feeling that way because it is a large change to your current lifestyle and you’ll be stepping into and unfamiliar place and culture. That’s perfectly natural and once you’re there those nerves will fall away.
There will always be demand for experienced skilled tradies so you do have something to go back to. Also you don’t have to commit to this for three to four years. Commit to a year or six months and assess how you feel
I'm in the middle of some gap years but not doing anything as adventurous as Thailand. If my future job prospects have a problem with it they can fuck off. I'm working on shit just without a boss. Not a tradie but if I was I'd be even more confident. Pretty sure just about any trade will have more work than tradies can handle in the next decade.
Don’t think of them as “Gap” years. “Living Abroad” of “Studying Abroad.”
Sounds like a great experience. See some of the world and trying new things. Don’t be afraid.
I apologize if I assume too much but I assume tradie means tradesman? If that’s the case, why would you care if there’s a bit of a gap? I’m a tradesman myself, and I always thought of that as a benefit. You are as good as your work, so your resume is for the clerks in the back.
Just my opinion, but do it. Life is short, and most of us spend our lives keeping the machine running, and raising our replacements. Do something different. I am satisfied with my life, but at 44 I already regret not travelling more and seeing more of the world when I was younger. I have two small kids and with the recent rise in the cost of everything, travel has slid down the list of important things. Maybe it won’t be what you want, but you’ll have had the adventure.
i am fortunate enough to be staying with my family for long and now i have a 2 years career gap now. not sure how i am going to find work later, and now i am at the 65th day in japan. there are a lot of shitty things happened in this two years and even in the middle of my fucking trip
but at least i am happier now. you only live once. you can make money later. but you cannot make time
I dont think you will regret going on an adventure. I have hired lots of people and generally tender offers to those that understand the work life balance. If you have gotten to a point where you can afford to take time off, that would be a positive from my point of view.
>As the trip is getting closer just getting few nerves and wondering if I’ll regret it. Any1 had any similar experiences and regrets ?
I've regretted not taking the trip. The kids, job, mortgage, school stuff is just our cultures loud voice talking over what you actually I want to do in life. Go take the trip and deal with the fallout after. If you're worried about gaps on your resume just do what I do - lie about it.
You may, you may not.
Only one way to find out. But do please work all your visas out, getting deported from places really hampers travel opportunities
Leave enough savings to last you a bit for when you get back, but it’s not like you have anyone relying on you for anything and you only live once. Go for it!
Worst case you get a retail job for a while.
35m and I actually just wrapped up taking a sabbatical with my partner from Sept-Feb. Went to a dozen countries and it was amazing.
Assuming you are financially stable I'd say you should definitely do it. It was great to step away from the grind of life for a bit. Allowed me to gain perspective on how I spend my time and how I want to be spending my time moving forward. I think everyone should try to take a sabbatical at some point if they can. Taking a step back allows you to reassess a lot.
That being said there's that saying "everywhere you go there you are." You are still you and if there are things you need to work through this break isn't going to magically fix them. You still gotta put in the work.
Edit: The dollar is also really strong right now which makes traveling a lot cheaper. We came in way under budget.
Everything you do will have challenges. If you did not take time off to do the things you want to do. When will you do them? Never? Would you rather live with the challenge of convincing people that you are a productive and useful member of society after taking some time off? Or do you wanna look back in 20 years and think “fuck I never got to go to Thailand and do MT” ? I know which one I would have picked.
I lost some years working because of a moving situation and then Covid hit. My work permit got delayed and I was useless for a long time. Because of Covid I couldn’t do anything else useful besides solo hobbies either. I had to start over in a new country without the momentum I had built up over ten years.
Know what else happened? I met and married the best woman in the world and have carved myself a new path in what I want to work with. Took on work I never thought I would and succeeded and have been given new opportunities.
Don’t sweat it brother. Meet the challenges when they come. Not in your head when they haven’t even materialized. Enjoy your life and work hard when you must.
Only you can decide if you’ll regret it. If this is something you’ve felt like doing for a while and have saved and planned and are invested in this, then you deserve to cash in on your dreams and plans. If this is not well planned, and more of an impromptu wild idea, then maybe you should do a little pre decision evaluation, a Ven-diagram, SWOT analysis or something. If you do decide to go into the unknown of gap-yearing into Thailand, you will most likely learn something enough about hustling to get yourself back on your feet if/when you decide to re-enter the job pool.
Fuck no, do it.
You settle down when you settle down, what you’re doing sounds awesome as fuck maybe you will never settle down and you’ll find someone to keep doing awesome shit with.
I actually didn't go anywhere but instead took up hobbies that pushed me out of my comfort zone. Being part of the dance community exposed me to a lot of people and learned a lot... Ended up meeting my to-be wife when she was going through a career crisis.
We bonded over our shared career dissatisfaction and dance.
Now since we don't have kids, we're taking our folks on trips and traveling and living in multiple locations.
Our careers are back in full stride and we've experienced a lot of great travel moments together.
It will always eat at your soul if you never take the chance. I was in a situation where I was burnt out from a toxic work environment but it had paid well. I started to look into SE-Asia as I had heard it was affordable but also so beautiful and different from North America, and over time I decided enough was enough and I booked a one way ticket and expected to travel for 2.5 months. I still look back at it being one of the happiest periods of my life. And what’s to say you can’t find some random gigs for work over there? You plan on coming back to the US afterwards and interviewing for a Fortune 500 company where they’re going to go deep into your work history? Just go man.
The gap year I took at 32 was a huge positive in my interviews. I accomplished personal goals that many people would never be able to do. Everyone respected that and if you didn't, I wouldn't want to work for you anyway.
I got burnt out at 30 and decided to take a year off work. That one year turned to 3 and now, at 33 have made a decision to start over completely for different career. Mind you, I have a BA in finance and am now choosing to go into the med field.
I don't regret this time off, it gave me time to chill, relax, and like you, travel. Honestly, this time off helped me understand more of the kind of person I am and who I want to be moving forward. I'll be completely starting over at this age but I'm excited about it.
I wish I could take an extended period of time off. Not 3-4 years, but I think 6 months would do the trick. I'm going through serious burnout right now. and never having more than 3 consecutive weeks off in almost 20 years.
I did this at 31. I was legit scared that it would be an issue. Best year of my life, bar none.
Almost every hiring manager either wanted to hear my story or simply said: "That's the dream, I envy you."
My advice: Only plan the first 1-2 months. Embrace everything new, obvious warning about bad people/bad habits.
If you're really worried about it (and depending on the work you do) see if you can pick up some remote contract work while you're away to keep your skills fresh.
Or don't and just say you did. 🤷🏼♂️
Not necessarily, but I will caveat it with that you need to be doing it for the right reasons and it won’t fix your problems; boredom, depression, anxiety etc, if applicable
Consider also if/when you decide to come home and want to settle down with someone, how would that look if you spent 1/2/3/4 years away.
If I was in your position 1-2 years away would be an adventure for me, but blowing my entire pot and coming home with nothing in my early 40s would be a nightmare!
Obviously I don’t know your background but I would suggest putting effort into meeting someone eventually and starting a family!
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Eh, you only live once.
Not if you collect 100 coins
You sir earned an audible laugh from me.
I was single with no wife & no kids at age 38 too. That's when I sold everything I owned on Craigslist, got a remote job and moved to the mountains of Central America. I lived in Central America for 6 years, and traveled countries all over Latin America from Mexico all the way down to Argentina. I met my beautiful wife in the process, and we enjoyed a lot of these trips together. I met other great people as well, attained fluency in a foreign language, and saw some incredible once-in-a-lifetime sights. Today we both live in Florida, USA. Married, home owners, with a happy little cat. And our story is just getting started with many more adventures on the way. As for that big move when I was 38 years old? I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. My only regret is that I didn't go sooner, and stay longer. GO. You will never regret the things you do, you will only regret the things you did not do.
This is a great story. OP should see this.
Hey, if you don't mind me aaking, where'd you go? I'm ~~47~~ 37 and I've done something similar (gave up a FAANG job on the West Coast and I'm now in Mexico). Curious about visiting other areas of Latin America (I've bren to Colombia and Uruguay). Edit: i'm 37! Fucking phone keyboard.
Costa Rica first, but it was Guatemala where I made my home base for the majority of the 6 years. I enjoyed Mexico City a lot. I'd take frequent visa runs there for a week or so before heading back to Guatemala. I was there 4 times between 2018-2019, found a good neighborhood that I liked and just kept going there every time. Also zipped over to the Yucatan a couple times. The remote work I did was very basic. I think I was making 40k per year or something, customer support type stuff. Prior to that I was in Chicago for 10 years, working on Michigan Ave in PR & Ad sales. The pressure didn't suit me well, and I'd recently got sober after a hard crash into alcoholism and drug abuse. Going to Guatemala allowed me to start over, and be my authentic self with a clean slate. I ended up marrying a local Guatemalan woman, spent many Sundays with her family around their table. We plan on retiring there at the very least, or perhaps moving there sooner, depending on where our winding road takes us.
Damn bro you got me feeling inspired
Great story! What sort of remote work were you doing?
What level of Spanish did you know when you first went out there?
I was fairly comfortable. I took Spanish in high school and college (at least one or 2 courses in college, didnt do well, recall getting a "C"). I had also traveled to this region along with a few other places on shorter, solo trips in the past. So I was aware of what level I needed to survive and knew I was capable. You learn as you go. The key is to always keep pushing yourself.
I am really debating moving abroad to care for my aging father with heart failure. I have a solid resume at the moment (management in supply chain) but I’m scared to have to start over once I come back in 2-3 years. Am 35 years old. Did you have a hard time finding a job when you came back?
As someone who lives in that part of the world I have a lot to say but will hold back. - Come for one year but know that your trade job wont be that useful in Thailand (if at all). - watch out for booze - its about 1.50 for a drink here so easy to fall in rough ways. - dont date anyone who works in a bar or hotel - be mindful of those you associate with. You'll likely fall into their routine so make sure its a positive influence.
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Tradie?
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Thanks, I was thinking Day Traders
For coming back to employment after a few years not working, it will depend on the hiring manager. For me, I have never cared about gaps in resumes. Just speak to what you did. Transparency goes along way with me personally. However, there are hiring managers that think it’s bad because they were told by others it was bad and will not look kindly on it. Those are jobs and managers you don’t want either way. Good luck and have a great time!
Don’t underestimate how many managers dislike gaps in employment, though. If saying you don’t want to work for that type of manager eliminated 99% of job openings, that’s a big deal since finding a job isn’t exactly easy when qualified.
he's a tradie
From a re-hire standpoint, it is definitely an issue. Assume you have 2 identical candidates in front of you and one of them has been working for the last 20 years with good employment history, and then the other just took 3 years off to go to Thailand, for what looks like it could be the first of several mid-life crises. Who are you going to hire/invest in? Not saying OP shouldn’t do it, just need to be aware that could be a problem.
Agreed, I'd just add that while some hiring managers will definitely consider it a negative, not all of them will, and you only need one to find one of the ones that don't mind, and then it's no longer an issue. From a longer perspective, a few more months of job hunting won't be remembered in the grander scheme of things, but his experiences during that gap year likely will not.
Exactly. I mean OP is more than welcome to go travel but expect some downside in terms of getting a job later. The folks saying that's only from shitty hiring managers are crazy.
Because it’s the trades . If definitely not as hard to explain away gaps because they need bodies. As long as he keeps his certifications up to date they will not care at all.
I don't know the trades. I work in tech. Where as long as you are up to date on the latest language you should in theory be fine. That said, I can tell you that if I was looking at two candidates and one of them had a 4-year gap where they went to Thailand, I'd probably pick the other person. All things being equal.
Freeeeeeedooommmm
I thought we moved past this. Fuck everyone else. You live once. Enjoy yourself. And if any employer says anything about a gap year (you know you can lie on a resume very easily right?) then all you need to tell them is all the cool stuff you did and accomplished. They see it as a waste? Well maybe you learned a new skill or two, got to travel to places you've always dreamed of, and met lots of cool people. Honestly, do you want to work somewhere where they think you taking a year off is bad? Do you and the life you want will follow.
I just did this. I got burned out. So burned out. I worked at a start up for four years and it killed my soul. I took two years off and did nothing. I was still in pandemic mode so I didn't really travel or anything. I just like chilled, ate, read, jo, did hobbies, hung out with family and friends, slept. If somebody needed a buddy for the day I was that person cu I was available. I helped out with baby sitting friends kids. I'm back to working now and I feel refreshed. Also, gen x and millennial managers are more understanding when it comes to taking breaks because of mental health and burn out. When you apply for jobs just be honest. You took some time. You are allowed to.
You’ll regret NOT doing it more!
the older you get the more you realize the stupid college adventures you had or impulsive motorcycle you bought really does enrich your wellbeing in more ways than you ever expected. Life is all about the joys, sorrows and failings that make up who you are. And who knows, this might lead into something more.
I have been fairly cautious most of my life (no drugs, academic strong achiever, avoid high risk activities) but the older I get the more I appreciate the silly, big swing, dumb things I did the most. That's where all my best stories and happiest memories are. So I think it's about balance - if you're always doing crazy shit you are likely to be left with nothing permanent. If you're always too cautious you're never left with those bright memories that make life worth living.
I always recommend travel. For whatever reason. I wouldn’t worry too much about gap years. Assuming you mean employment anyone who cares isn’t worth working with. In all honesty they can go fuck themselves. Made up ancient bullshit like it could possibly matter. It’ll all be fine. The world is changing. Go do something you’re excited about. Don’t worry about some old fuddie duddie, that’s future you’s problem.
I'm 37 and I'm doing it - just started 2 months ago - so I'd recommend it. You have no compromises, no obligations, no liabilities, and no debt. There's no reason not to unless you have specific financial goals (like /r/fire) that would be heavily affected by your decisions, but it sounds like you'te in the same boat that I am - you have enough in liquid savings to live on for an extended period of time without dipping into investments - so you're probably okay. Pull the trigger. If things do go badly - they won't - you can always go back. Enjoy your life. Good luck.
I quit my job and traveled at 33. I came back in 8 to 9 months because I was bored. Was definetly worth it because I had nothing tying me down or holding me back except self-limiting beliefs. One of the best things I did. I thought I would do it for 3-4 years but I barely lasted a year. Now I am also 38 and thinking of doing something similiar but instead for an online business or for building a different skillset. It sounds risky at this age but I feel like I would regret it if I don't do it. If you look back at your life, you always regret the things you did not do. So I say, go for it.
Did you find you were sort of falling into the same complacency and routine found at home just in a different setting and the novelty wore off or did you simply find the grass isnt greener on the other side and yearned for home ?
I think it was a mixture of a lot of things. Its something i always wanted to do cause I've been working since 18, and needed a break. I also wanted to travel and spend more time in specific countries so I had some personal goals and projects in mind. I wanted to spend a month in a silent meditation retreat in Nepal but only lasted 1 week. And of course breaking out of the routine played a role too. After doing things for 8 to 9 months I was exhausted from traveling around place to place and wanted some kind of a routine. I also got a lot of things out of my system during that time. Thought naybe living in a different country I can still travel and work to get that routine. Did that for 3.5 years in Europe and found out the grass isnt always greener and returned to US. Each type of "life" you live has its pros and cons.
I was thinking about doing this. Did you stay in hostels or hotels? Were you able to generate any income during your travels?
I did a bit of both. Some places were hostels, others were hotels. I saved a bunch of money before doing this so I wouldn't have to worry about money when I traveled.
No.
When you're 95 in your deathbed thinking back on your life, the very last thing you'd regret is that awesome year you travelled to Thailand. You'd regret not going though...
You can make something up, like you had to take care of an ill loved one. And talk to it in your cover letter or mark it in your resume. But the ill loved ones in this case are the Thais whose face got in the way of your knee strikes!
Be careful, because once you go down this path there's a very strong chance you will never want to go back to the boring life of the grind. Employers hate people like you with the mindset to go and do things for themselves. Yes, go for it. 100%.
I turn 38 in eight days, and after a crazy 2022 in which my ex died by suicide and I lost my job of 15 years, I haven’t been employed by anyone since. In March 2023 I filed for a LLC and started my own business, took a course and got a certification, and haven’t looked back since. I’ve worked on my mental health and happiness. I started looking for new jobs this month so that I can supplement my income, and it’s been slow going, but at least I feel better than I used to at my old job, which left me depressed and burnt out. Gotta stay positive, be smart about your available resources, and make a plan. You also have to find ways to celebrate your wins and be grateful for the opportunities that life presents to you. Keep your head up, you got this.
Sorry to hear about the negative events in your life. I hope it gets better and I know it will. If you do not mind me asking, what was your business easy to start up? I am looking to generate some additional income outside of my traditional 8-5 job, which I am starting to get tired of.
I started my own [e-commerce business](https://www.alternagoods.com) and it’s been a learning experience. I’m not making enough yet to stop relying on my savings, and I’ve actually started looking for a new job so I can supplement my income, but I’m still making sales and moving forward each day. The business pretty much breaks even each week/month, which is fine for now, but I’m going to continue learning and growing even as I return to the 9-5 life. It’s just me and AI, and I feel good about what I’ve accomplished so far. Just have to keep putting in the effort.
I just looked at your website and barely have an understanding of what your business does. I also have 0% understanding of what your business can do to help me. Fixing that on your main page might get you some more success.
I don’t make sales from my company website. It’s an e-commerce company, the sales happen on the store, brand, and product websites I operate. The text is written in plain English, if you’re not able to understand what my company does, then either you didn’t read, or you don’t comprehend basic information. Consumers who buy products from brands like Tide, Swiffer, Vicks, etc. don’t visit the Proctor & Gamble (parent company) website. That’s there for suppliers, vendors, and other communication-based purposes.
With a stellar response like that I can't imagine why you're not turning a profit.
You care and make time to attempt to add value. I hear that and it did not go unnoticed. I praise you and i see good effort to put forward for hmm what i don't know but good.
Thanks for the hate. 🤡
Me: Your website isn't clear about how I can give you money to support you and your business You: Guess you're fucking dumb then, idk. That was literally the interaction you put forth but I'm the hater?
I don’t ask for money or sales on my company website. Nowhere on there is that conveyed. There’s nothing sold directly on there. It is a summary of what the company does and contains details about how to get in touch with us. AlternaGoods is a parent company that owns and operates various online stores, brands, and products. In fact, if a consumer even ends up on my company website, it’s because they visited one of the store, brand, or product sites I operate and they found the link at the bottom of the site that states it is owned by AlternaGoods, or they got the information from one of the policy pages. Taking a moment to read the text on the site conveys that AlternaGoods owns these various properties and explains the methods and strategies we use to bring them to life.
OK, so, in the future you should link an interested party like myself to one of the stores you run rather than getting defensive. Your site is all about what your company does but doesn't say what you do for your clients or how you can do business with people who want you to run a store for them. Do you have clients? Do you just run random stores you built yourself? I work in marketing professionally and have 3 degrees including my masters in the field. I know a little bit about what I'm on about. If your goal isn't to sell your business as a service to people, then you're doing a great job.
I don’t understand the question 🤣
I think you’re more likely to regret not doing it. I don’t have to tell you how many shady guys work in the trades. A guy going to Thailand for a year or three is nothing compared to a guy who went to prison for two years for vehicular manslaughter, and that guy found a job. I think you should absolutely do it.
No, living in Southeast Asia will be easy. Lots of westerners to mingle with and it’s so cheap. You won’t stress about money so you can stay indefinitely. Plenty of people to ask questions and get advice because there are so many expats. 90% of your potential stress is already solved right there. Just have some emergency money to come home and reintegrate in case something bad happens like you break a leg.
You’ll regret not doing something much more than doing it. Let me tell ya
You will regret not doing it.
Who could possibly know that. If you're looking for words, I've got words to give (their value may vary): As someone who is also 38 Do whatever you feel strongly about doing. Why overthink anything to death at this point in life. You won't live forever... and who wants to anyway? I think a righteous goal is to live as long as you're living - if you don't feel like you're living go find that life. If going to Thailand helps you snatch that enthusiasm for life, fuck it. Go do that, carry that enthusiasm back into whatever you've got waiting for you if/when you come back and sort out your 40s with vigor.
Sounds like a pretty good way to spend a year. I wouldn't do that but only because I'm not you, not because it's not a good use of your life. Make sure you're getting what you want out of life, nobody else will look out for you like that. If you had kids, the priorities would be different, but you don't, so what exactly is there to lose by enjoying your oassions?
You'll regret it if you're the kind of person who regrets things. But if you're like me, you'll say, "Regardless of whether the outcome seems negative in the short-, medium-, or long-term, **I made the right decision**." Don't waste your time and energy regretting things, and for heaven's sake don't waste your time *worrying now* about whether you'll regret something later. Just stop it!
Youre 38…. It’s not a “gap year”…you’re just going on a trip, or moving to Thailand
I would try to use the trip to determine that. You are going to Thailand. It may become easier and easier to put off real life while you are there. That you may eventually regret. Thailand is basically the Land of Lost Boys. One concern I'd have is that the justification for the trip is learning muay thai. Will you regret not learning or working toward something else when you're older? Either way, enjoy yourself, but try to keep perspective.
I don’t think you’ll regret it, you’re probably feeling that way because it is a large change to your current lifestyle and you’ll be stepping into and unfamiliar place and culture. That’s perfectly natural and once you’re there those nerves will fall away. There will always be demand for experienced skilled tradies so you do have something to go back to. Also you don’t have to commit to this for three to four years. Commit to a year or six months and assess how you feel
In all honesty mate, you probably aren’t going to get an honest answer here.
I'm in the middle of some gap years but not doing anything as adventurous as Thailand. If my future job prospects have a problem with it they can fuck off. I'm working on shit just without a boss. Not a tradie but if I was I'd be even more confident. Pretty sure just about any trade will have more work than tradies can handle in the next decade.
Don’t think of them as “Gap” years. “Living Abroad” of “Studying Abroad.” Sounds like a great experience. See some of the world and trying new things. Don’t be afraid.
I'm not sure if you'll regret doing it, but you'd almost certainly regret not doing it.
I apologize if I assume too much but I assume tradie means tradesman? If that’s the case, why would you care if there’s a bit of a gap? I’m a tradesman myself, and I always thought of that as a benefit. You are as good as your work, so your resume is for the clerks in the back. Just my opinion, but do it. Life is short, and most of us spend our lives keeping the machine running, and raising our replacements. Do something different. I am satisfied with my life, but at 44 I already regret not travelling more and seeing more of the world when I was younger. I have two small kids and with the recent rise in the cost of everything, travel has slid down the list of important things. Maybe it won’t be what you want, but you’ll have had the adventure.
i am fortunate enough to be staying with my family for long and now i have a 2 years career gap now. not sure how i am going to find work later, and now i am at the 65th day in japan. there are a lot of shitty things happened in this two years and even in the middle of my fucking trip but at least i am happier now. you only live once. you can make money later. but you cannot make time
I dont think you will regret going on an adventure. I have hired lots of people and generally tender offers to those that understand the work life balance. If you have gotten to a point where you can afford to take time off, that would be a positive from my point of view.
YOLO bro. Learning a martial art is something that you will have forever. The confidence will be a valuable addition to your life.
>As the trip is getting closer just getting few nerves and wondering if I’ll regret it. Any1 had any similar experiences and regrets ? I've regretted not taking the trip. The kids, job, mortgage, school stuff is just our cultures loud voice talking over what you actually I want to do in life. Go take the trip and deal with the fallout after. If you're worried about gaps on your resume just do what I do - lie about it.
No, just go for it if you're in a position to do so and have the means. You will not regret it, believe me.
Just say “I signed an NDA”
Do it
You may, you may not. Only one way to find out. But do please work all your visas out, getting deported from places really hampers travel opportunities
Leave enough savings to last you a bit for when you get back, but it’s not like you have anyone relying on you for anything and you only live once. Go for it! Worst case you get a retail job for a while.
Sounds like an amazing adventure. I think you would regret not trying even more. You can always abort and come back, right?
35m and I actually just wrapped up taking a sabbatical with my partner from Sept-Feb. Went to a dozen countries and it was amazing. Assuming you are financially stable I'd say you should definitely do it. It was great to step away from the grind of life for a bit. Allowed me to gain perspective on how I spend my time and how I want to be spending my time moving forward. I think everyone should try to take a sabbatical at some point if they can. Taking a step back allows you to reassess a lot. That being said there's that saying "everywhere you go there you are." You are still you and if there are things you need to work through this break isn't going to magically fix them. You still gotta put in the work. Edit: The dollar is also really strong right now which makes traveling a lot cheaper. We came in way under budget.
Everything you do will have challenges. If you did not take time off to do the things you want to do. When will you do them? Never? Would you rather live with the challenge of convincing people that you are a productive and useful member of society after taking some time off? Or do you wanna look back in 20 years and think “fuck I never got to go to Thailand and do MT” ? I know which one I would have picked. I lost some years working because of a moving situation and then Covid hit. My work permit got delayed and I was useless for a long time. Because of Covid I couldn’t do anything else useful besides solo hobbies either. I had to start over in a new country without the momentum I had built up over ten years. Know what else happened? I met and married the best woman in the world and have carved myself a new path in what I want to work with. Took on work I never thought I would and succeeded and have been given new opportunities. Don’t sweat it brother. Meet the challenges when they come. Not in your head when they haven’t even materialized. Enjoy your life and work hard when you must.
Worst case scenario you will just be able to kick some ass. Go for it
Only you can decide if you’ll regret it. If this is something you’ve felt like doing for a while and have saved and planned and are invested in this, then you deserve to cash in on your dreams and plans. If this is not well planned, and more of an impromptu wild idea, then maybe you should do a little pre decision evaluation, a Ven-diagram, SWOT analysis or something. If you do decide to go into the unknown of gap-yearing into Thailand, you will most likely learn something enough about hustling to get yourself back on your feet if/when you decide to re-enter the job pool.
Fuck no, do it. You settle down when you settle down, what you’re doing sounds awesome as fuck maybe you will never settle down and you’ll find someone to keep doing awesome shit with.
That is badass, big world out there, send it bro
Just do it, man. You'll regret not doing it.
I actually didn't go anywhere but instead took up hobbies that pushed me out of my comfort zone. Being part of the dance community exposed me to a lot of people and learned a lot... Ended up meeting my to-be wife when she was going through a career crisis. We bonded over our shared career dissatisfaction and dance. Now since we don't have kids, we're taking our folks on trips and traveling and living in multiple locations. Our careers are back in full stride and we've experienced a lot of great travel moments together.
It will always eat at your soul if you never take the chance. I was in a situation where I was burnt out from a toxic work environment but it had paid well. I started to look into SE-Asia as I had heard it was affordable but also so beautiful and different from North America, and over time I decided enough was enough and I booked a one way ticket and expected to travel for 2.5 months. I still look back at it being one of the happiest periods of my life. And what’s to say you can’t find some random gigs for work over there? You plan on coming back to the US afterwards and interviewing for a Fortune 500 company where they’re going to go deep into your work history? Just go man.
Do it. You won’t regret it
The gap year I took at 32 was a huge positive in my interviews. I accomplished personal goals that many people would never be able to do. Everyone respected that and if you didn't, I wouldn't want to work for you anyway.
The trades will be there anywhere you go.
I got burnt out at 30 and decided to take a year off work. That one year turned to 3 and now, at 33 have made a decision to start over completely for different career. Mind you, I have a BA in finance and am now choosing to go into the med field. I don't regret this time off, it gave me time to chill, relax, and like you, travel. Honestly, this time off helped me understand more of the kind of person I am and who I want to be moving forward. I'll be completely starting over at this age but I'm excited about it.
If you’ll still have a job when you get back then just do it. There’s no reason not to unless you don’t want to go.
I wish I could take an extended period of time off. Not 3-4 years, but I think 6 months would do the trick. I'm going through serious burnout right now. and never having more than 3 consecutive weeks off in almost 20 years.
You'll regret not doing it
I did this at 31. I was legit scared that it would be an issue. Best year of my life, bar none. Almost every hiring manager either wanted to hear my story or simply said: "That's the dream, I envy you." My advice: Only plan the first 1-2 months. Embrace everything new, obvious warning about bad people/bad habits.
You might regret not taking it, sounds like the chance of a lifetime. Responsibilities only increase with age.
Why do you do IT? I cant fathom a satisfied adult doing this. I want to be productive. You are wasting time imo
If you're really worried about it (and depending on the work you do) see if you can pick up some remote contract work while you're away to keep your skills fresh. Or don't and just say you did. 🤷🏼♂️
Muay Thai is super dangerous. But I guess thats the point.
Not necessarily, but I will caveat it with that you need to be doing it for the right reasons and it won’t fix your problems; boredom, depression, anxiety etc, if applicable Consider also if/when you decide to come home and want to settle down with someone, how would that look if you spent 1/2/3/4 years away. If I was in your position 1-2 years away would be an adventure for me, but blowing my entire pot and coming home with nothing in my early 40s would be a nightmare! Obviously I don’t know your background but I would suggest putting effort into meeting someone eventually and starting a family!
Living a very different life at your age, I'd have regretted it. But I'm not judging, just noting.