Hi everyone!
Some quick background about me to give you all some context:
- In 2009 to 2010 I moved to Asian from Ottawa, Canada
- Between 2010 and 2011 I worked to save money for university
- Current education: only high school degree
- Current age: 25
During my stay in China/Indonesia, I realized that I wanted to live the life of a backpacker, exploring the world. To get jobs in Korea and Japan, I'm currently working on getting my bachelor's degree.
Every day since I've been back from Asia (2010), I've been thinking/dreaming about getting back "out there". I'm on the brink of dropping university so I can just live the life I want to, and experience Korea/Japan on working holiday visas (or even a tourist visa).
Encouraging me, are my backpacker friends who have only their high school degrees. There are two things stopping me, that these friends haven't been able to address:
1. Fear that this lifestyle will end in poverty/homelessness & loneliness, in old age and,
2. Fear of shit jobs (in Western countries), especially if I have to do them when I'm old (stuff like going back to cleaning dishes in a restaurant).
Right now I've got comfort, a sweet job and good grades; the "correct" lifestyle that everyone is "supposed to" idolize. But in my heart I have this restlessness that plagues me every day since I've been back from Indonesia..
I see people stressing and freaking out for school, and I'm no exception. I'm not enjoying this.. "comfort over happiness" way of living.. it's crazy!
So what's the "retirement plan" of a backpacker with a university degree!???? How does one deal/cope/make do with the above-listed fears???
Thanks for helping a newbie!