The Day I Quit
By NomadicMatt | Published: June 28, 2011
“I’m going to quit my job when we get back,” I said, turning to my friend Scott.
“Really? I doubt that.”
“No really, I am. I’m going to quit and travel the world,” I said, turning my face back into the warm Thailand sun.
It was 2004, and we were in Ko Samui. We had just visited Chaing Mai where I had met the five travelers who so inspired me to travel the world. Their world of no 401ks, vacations, and bosses seemed too good to be true and I wanted to be a part of it. I was determined to be a part of it. I even started to prepare for it while in Thailand before I had any real idea of what I was going to do.
While on Ko Samui, I bought the Lonely Planet guide to Southeast Asia. I didn’t even know if I’d go there on my trip. I didn’t know when my trip would be or for how long or what I wanted to see. But buying that guide made the whole thing seem more real. It was my commitment to the travel. I had the guide; there was no turning back now. The guide symbolized my trip and, for me, it represented what I had to do to make the mental leap.
I read every page of the book on the flight home. I highlighted destinations, planned routes, and worked out my trip in my head. I knew everything about Asia by the time I touched down in Boston.
However, once back home, I came to the realization that I had no idea how to make this happen. Would I finish my MBA? How much money would I need? When could I go? Where would I go? What would people say? How do I get a RTW ticket? What credit card should I use? Are hostels safe?
The list of questions seemed endless, and, in the days before travel blogs, Twitter, and iPhone apps, the challenge of planning a trip was a lot more daunting than it is today. Outside a few websites, there just wasn’t as much information on the Internet back then. It took a lot longer to find and was usually a bit dated.
But the real challenge would be telling people I was leaving and letting them know I meant it. I don’t remember the exact conversation I had with my parents. They always counter my impulsive decisions (of which there are many) with some nervous, “the world is a dangerous place and we worry” parental response. Over the years I sort of tuned them out. I have my father’s stubborn streak, and, once I make a decision, I make it. For a while I don’t think they even believed me, and, until the day I left, they tried to talk me out of it.
But what I do remember is going into my boss’ office. It was a few weeks after I had come back from Thailand, and I was getting more and more sure that I was going to do this trip. I knew I had to do this trip. I went into his office and told him we needed to talk. Shutting the door, I sat down across from his desk and told him.
I was quitting. After meeting those travelers, I knew I had to travel around the world before I started my career.
He sat back and grumbled. “You have only been in this position 8 months. It is hard to find a new person right away. It really puts me in a bind.”
He stared at me intimidatingly.
“I know and I’m not quitting right away,” I replied. “I’m going to quit 6 months from now, finish my MBA, and then go.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” I said, as confident as I had ever said it before.
In a way, it was more than my job I quit that day. I quit my life. I quit the American Dream. My life was heading down a road that I realized I wasn’t ready for. Marriage, houses, kids, 401ks, play dates, college funds – everything you think about when you think about the American Dream. While there is nothing wrong with that, it wasn’t what I really wanted. It took a trip to Thailand to make me realize I was unhappy. At 22, I was working 50-60 hours per week, investing in retirement funds, and planning out my next 40 years. I never loved it, but that was just what people did, right?
My trip to Thailand showed me that there was more to life than the corporate grind. While that lifestyle is good for lots of people, it wasn’t good for me.
The day I left the office was the day I quit a life I never really liked. I was living to work, not working to live. And, when I hopped on the road at 25, I wasn’t ready for that type of life. I’d come back to the “real world” when my trip was over.
Though, as time went on, I realized I could never go back. The divide between that world and mine was too great.
Sometimes decisions we make ripple forward in our lives like giant tsunamis. I thought the day I quit I was just quitting a job. It turned out I was quitting a lifestyle. I quit the American Dream and, in doing so, I found my own and have never looked back.
And they say quitting is for losers.
“Though, as time went on, I realized I could never go back.”…Does this mean you aren’t retiring from travel after all?
I’m not quitting travel. Just my 100% nomadic ways. I’m going to be semi-nomadic.
Basically, after this trip we’ll have to find you at your new website: semi-nomadicmatt.com??? Just kidding. Honestly, after 6 years of travel I might be transitioning towards that soon myself but I still have to complete two epic journeys: Alaska to Patagonia & London to Singapore (overland)
hmmm maybe I should get that domain name right now.
If I am right , he is trying to say that he can never go back to that “American Dream “.:)
Correct!
Nicely done. It took me until I was 30, but I quit my job and moved to the south of France. It lasted almost a year for me. I did resume a somewhat typical life after I returned to the U.S., but the “dream” will forever be different.
I’m a little curious about the logic behind having a job leading to marriage, but I believe that too many people are living lives they don’t really want, similar to what you were doing before. Too bad more don’t realize that the same amount of hard work can be more rewarding if it’s channeled into something they love. It certainly doesn’t have to be travel; become a photographer, an entrepreneur, a big brother, an organic farmer, or hell, trade stocks if its really what you love. Just don’t do someone else’s dream.
As they say, it is the things we don’d do that we regret, not the things we do do.
It’s a wonderful feeling when you realize what you really want to do with your life, and making it happen feels even better.
It truly is.
“in the days before travel blogs and iPhone apps, the challenge of planning a trip was a lot more daunting than it is today” – dude, 2004 was only 7 years ago, and blogs and lonelyplanet already existed… ppl have been traveling RTW at least since the 1970s… sorry, but you are not so original.
I never claimed to be original in this post actually. If I was, then it wouldn’t have been OTHER travelers who inspired me to quit. In terms of blogs, iphones, etc., the point you missed was that the ease in which people can get travel information now didn’t exist back in 2004. There might have been a website or two, Lonely Planet, and Boots N’all but no mobile apps or 98745749375 travel or destination blogs filled with information.
Hey Matt – I traveled through Greece for a month before I started Corporate America 6 years ago…it def gave me a different perspective on life…during the last 2 years, I have been organizing ski trips with friends and strangers – it’s been a blast!
Just as I have decided to finally make a big step, planning my move to Denver from the East Coast and playing with the idea of starting a travel group, blog and getting people together, so that I can do something I love and not work in front of a desk the rest of my life….i stumble onto your blog. It’s quite inspiring! I’d love to email with you and get more info on your book!
Great story–loved reading about the path you took to getting out of Dodge. Though I want to echo what an above commenter said: Are you not “quitting” travel after all next April?
I’m not quitting travel. I’m just quitting my full time, non-stop, nomad lifestyle. Smaller trips now.
I like your story- it took some real balls to step out off the escalator like you did. I feel like it might be getting late for me to do something similar- at 28 years old. I recently travelled overseas for the first time (to the U.S, from Australia), and the number of open, genuine and friendly Americans I met has inspired me to travel more. You guys have an awesome nation!
It’s never Late. I’m 35 and I took the first step couple of months ago. If you really, really want something there are always ways to get it.
Remember, it is never too late.
I agree. It’s never too late to make a change. Tomorrow starts today!
You’re absolutely right about its never too late – my husband & I started our Excellent Adventure five months ago and we are 55!!! While we have travelled before this time we have quit our JOBS and are travelling South America first then wherever. So get out there and do it.
You don’t have to be in your early 20s and single to do this. You can be in your 40s, with kids and a house, too. My husband and I quit our jobs, went RTW homeschooling our kids, and are now starting a new biz. Life has many chapters, and “quitting” has a negative connotation whereas “changing” may be a way for others to think of it and open new doors. There’s something to be said for growing roots through work/home/community/family–and then uprooting and repotting.
Fantastic article!!! I can relate so much to your experience because it’s do similar to mine except I pushed the corporate job so far, I ended up with burnout! Luckily I had already quit when that happened and I am currently working my 3 month notice period. 21 working days left
Thanks for some great motivation!!!!
Great! Good luck with the upcoming trip!
It is nice to hear about the experiences others have had dealing with a similar situation.
I was so excited and nervous the day I quit my job. But I had a different experience because my supervisor was incredibly supportive. Of course he was going to have to fill a gap, but he knew how much I love to travel, and he was truly happy for me. I feel very lucky that I had a lot of support from everyone around me when I quit to travel.
In the end, my boss was incredibly supportive. We still stay in touch and he frequently reads this website. I think he was just sad to see me go even though he now says “he knew I would do great things.”
Brilliant post – I went through the same thing just a few years after you.
This was a really interesting post because I want to do the same exact thing, but my huge problem is money. How did/are you paying for all of your travels?
In the beginning, I saved money for over a year. Now, this website covers all my bills.
wow, that is amazing. thanks! I am new to your blog/website and really enjoy reading the stories. Good for you! I am trying to do the same exact thing, except I have no money saved
Hi Matt! Really glad I’ve read this post cuz thats the same thing I want to do with my life.
I came to New Zealand from Russia 2 years ago after I’ve lived in Florida for 3 months. I came to NZ to study my Bachelor of Business which is great and will be finished in one year. I did it cuz my parents are conservative people and dont want me to nomad. I’m studying IT and kid of like it. BUT I WANT TO SEE THE WORLD, see beautiful places, not watching myself getting older at the desk. I’ll be 22 next month. Living on budget now. Being thinking how to get extra money and started a website on Russian to sell tours to NZ – it doesn’t really work, but people are reading my blog where I describe life in NZ.
This will not be a really nice question, but I’m so curious. Could you please tell after what period you started to get money from the blog ang how much it is possible to spend on travel now.
I’m not sure what you mean by the second part of your question but I started making money after 8 months.
this is beautiful matt. i love how you leaned into uncertainty, trusted your instincts and got HUGELY rewarded for it. that can be so frightening but exhilarating at the same time! i know what you mean about how different things were back then. when i took my first solo trip to paris, there was no tweeting to meetup with fellow travelers on the road…no internet even. what a difference now- hell, i left on my solo road trip 3 weeks ago and haven’t been alone yet- ha ha. sometimes the life we want doesn’t exist as a solid model to follow, and we just need to go from our gut and create it. good for you.
Really, Lorna? It is what people never understand … even if you travel on your own, there is always someone spending time with you if you want! During my 3 solo months in Mexico I spent maybe max a week altogether just on my own, and only because I wanted it that way
oh yeah alexandra- think you misunderstood! i meant that there was no way back then (which i think is what matt’s saying) pre-travel blogs, internet, etc. to make plans ahead of time. it took a little extra courage then i think to travel solo, as you knew even less then what you were heading to. now, i can put out a tweet that i’ll be in portland, oregon soon, and fellow travelers will organize a meetup in my honor- i know i’m showing up to people excited to meet me and may even have plans before i get there! back then, i met folks when i arrived- from all over and had a blast solo, but it took extra guts to make the leap because of not having a way to meet anyone online prior. honestly, i think it was an extra thrill to travel that way, but i definitely love the online travel community too
I love this story of “how it all began.” However I now feel robbed of the chance to dramatically quit my big time job (since I never had one!)
“I have my father’s stubborn streak, and, once I make a decision, I make it. For a while I don’t think they even believed me, and, until the day I left, they tried to talk me out of it.” <— I actually could've written this paragraph myself, so true is it about both me and my parents' attitude towards my trip.
Loving your last few posts as they've been personal to you and it's always great to find out about the people behind the blogs.
Thanks! My parents also still try to talk me into coming home. It will never end.
This really spoke to me. It is really nice to not feel so alone in wanting to quit the American Dream for something else…. especially as a woman. Part of me feels so ungrateful for all I have and all my family (immigrants) have worked for…. but following the norms does not equal fulfillment. Who says you can’t have a little bit of both?
Exactly. Your life is meant to be lived how ever you want.
Your blog is really inspiring me. The idea of returning to my home country to work in a normal job all the way up to “retirement age” is so un-appealing, I would rather not live at all than do that.
The same here, Dave!
This is great since many people flirt with this idea but few follow through on it. You mentioned your worked 50-60hr weeks in finance; how many hours would you say you work now with your website and other projects?
I don’t know. I don’t really keep track. 25?
(what I’m getting it at is that I’m sure you’re still working very hard (maybe harder) than before but it’s different when it’s something you enjoy or find rewarding)
I’ve just made the decision, and the announcement, that I’ll be taking 6 months off to travel – starting next year. I’m curious to know how much money you left with, though I realize 2004 was a while ago, I’m still curious. Also, you mentioned not going back to the American dream. It’s clear that your blog is monetized. When did you start your blog, how long did it take for you to monetize it, and is travel a large source of your income now?
So many questions:
1. I left with 20,000 dollars to last me through Europe, Asia, Australia, NZ, and Fiji.
2. April 2008
3. 8 months
4. All my income comes from this website.
Thanks Matt! This is all very encouraging!
Great! That’s exactly what I like to hear.
Very brave, and a great decision. You felt it and I think that made the difference. When you feel it in your bones, you can’t think of anything else, it has to be right. Congratulations on making it and enjoying it happen.
Matt,
Great article and inspiring! I am actually going down the same path right now after having visited Asia for 8 months and lived in Singapore. Your website is what inspired me to do it, I quit my job and got into a sales position while building traffic to my adventure website. My plan is to leave in February 2011 or as soon as my site reaches a number of click-thus that could support me while exploring the rest of the world. If it takes off, you should know that your site was part of what convinced me to do it as well!
Well Karl, thanks for such kind words. I’m glad I could inspire you in some part.
Great article Matt. I admire your courage to step out of the rat race and carve your own path. I did the some thing at age 49. Sorry I waited so long but as they say better late than never. I think that people do need to realize that this is something you should really think about and plan for. Walking into the boss’s office and quitting may seem cathartic however you may find yourself in a worse situation and more frustrated than you began with. My advice is to do some research set up a plan and start executing it. Thanks for sharing your story Matt.
It is never too late too start. 24, 49…doesn’t matter!
Fantastic post. I loved reading about your decision to quit the American dream and live the life you want. I think for a lot of people that’s the hardest thing – to be brave enough to live the life you really want. I’m glad you quit the life that wasn’t meant for you, to live the life that was meant for you.
How inspiring! If you think about it, what you did really is the original American Dream- wasn’t America founded by explorers looking for a better way of life? Sounds like that’s just what you did. Awesome!
Good point, good point.
I couldn’t agree more Jessica!
I don’t know where we all lost the “American Dream,” but it’s about time we start remembering what it’s really about and how lucky we are as American’s to have these opportunites.
Insipring Matt, as always!
Hi Matt, good on you for doing what you really wanted to do in life. I moved to London from Oz at 22. It’s great in LDN because if I want to, I can travel every weekend, or every other weekend. Most other countries in Europe, for example, are less than a two hour flight. So popping across to places like Paris for the weekend (like I’m doing this weekend) keeps me sane and happy!
From London, Europe is just an easyjet flight away!
I was terrified of telling my bosses I was leaving. Not because I was afraid I was making a mistake, but because I was pretty friendly with these people and didn’t want to leave them in the lurch. As it turned out I was incredibly lucky. My boss accepted my resignation with sadness but was excited about the trip I was going on. He then did me a massive favour – he told me to hold off handing in my official notice as something was just around the corner. That something turned out to be an opportunity for voluntary redundancy which he encouraged me to apply for. I got it and managed to secure a massive chuck on top of my savings from a job I had already intended to leave… Sometimes things seem to work out a certain way for a reason.
Good post.
That’s very interesting. I did almost the same thing when I was 25. Been living away from my own culture ever since. A bit weird reading this about someone else going through a similar thing.
Glad things have worked out for you. ^_^
Fili
The more I travel, less unique I realize I am…and I mean that in a good way.
Your life choices are certainly inspirational Matt…thanks for sharing. A few years ago, I was so burnt out with my life as a teacher of the deaf that I quit and purged my things and started to travel and live a nomadic lifestyle. (I had been living in Boston for 25 years and needed to experience something different.) I have been living off savings and doing odd jobs and massages as a certified therapist, but am looking for alternatives to earning money online. I don’t want to return to the traditional work paradigm, or be dependent on doing massages since this isn’t something that I love to do. I am on a short hiatus with my travels due to the finances and am looking for suggestions…you seem to have made it work for you. I haven’t searched all of your site so the answers may be here…I’ll look, but if anyone has any suggestions…I’d appreciate it. I have become restless and am need of traveling again…so money coming in would be beneficial. Thanks!
Keep living the dream and whatever makes you happy bro…
is “semi-nomadic” a word
I don’t know but I will make it one!
I thought your post was romantic in a way and quite inspirational, but it was actually something you posted in response to a comment above that really hit me..
“The more I travel, less unique I realize I am…and I mean that in a good way.”
It’s a hard feeling to put into words, but honestly I couldn’t agree more!
This is a great post, Matt.
Yippee, i made the plunge off and on for a long time figured you should work later in your life not now. Problem was as i grew older I still felt the same way, i just wasn’t buying into the old american dream not for me.
Funny thing your friends and family really hate you for doing something different and proving it doesn’t have to be that wat after all.
There’s more us out there who move to a different beat and get restless sitting still, there’s so much to see and be a part of.
Living in Tulum, Mexico now but already looking to move on soon
Damn ! You are so lucky you had your epiphany at a very young age.
I went backpacking to Europe just last month and it made me realize how much there is to see of the world.
I am about to make the same leap of faith..
Cheers.
Once you make the leap, the rest is easy.
Great story, Matt!
I just left my job last week, gave my two weeks notice the following week after I got back from my New Zealand trip. I actually told my boss about my plan last year (we’re good friends) and originally planned to leave around April or June of next year. But I was pretty miserable when I got back to work, all I could think about was getting out there again.
I’ll be traveling around the US for the next couple months as I still haven’t seen much of the US before I leave the country (planning to be away for 1-1.5 years). I’m also planning on finishing up a couple of software projects I started a few months back that could hopefully add some additional income, and maybe if I end up really enjoying life on the road I can be just like you
.
Thanks for creating this blog, you have a lot of very useful information here!
The US is great to explore. I never really how big it was until I tried driving across it. I mean sure you see it on the map but when you drive coast to coast, you get a real appreciation for its size and cultural diversity. Have a great time!
Dear Matt,
I really liked reading this post, especially about the part where you acknowledged that you were not ready for a life lived for marriage, houses, kids, 401ks, play dates, college funds. It takes a lot of guts to just quit a job and hit the road; not many people are brave enough to that. Even in my part of the world, that being south-east Asia, I hear so many of my contemporaries just living their lives in the structured order that others have done but secretly wishing they could do things differently but don’t dare to do so.
I’m aiming to quit my job in 2013 and travel Africa!!
Happy travels, Matt!
Hi Matt,
May I ask why you got your MBA and spent all that time and money to then quit? One doesn’t need an MBA to travel to SEA right? Or was the MBA the epiphany that helped you realize it’s not for you?
Would your view be different if you went to Harvard Business School and had your pick of the liter of what you could do for a living?
Thx,
Sam
If some one is determined for a goal, then he should go for that. Follow your dreams. And yes, Courage do not look back.
Quit my job 2 weeks ago. Sitting on the fence at the moment – look for a full-time online marketing job or make a living online before my money runs dry. I would like to have a chance to chat with you personally if possible Matt.
As a nurse I have nursed many patients who said “If Only…..” – since we have turned our backs on “The Australian Dream” we have changed our whole lifestyle! We are living outside of the box, and we love it
Its amazing how good it feels to “let go” of the norm and live a life of dreams.
Love reading your story of how you knew what you wanted, and how you chased your dreams – good on you.
Cheers
Lisa
Inspirational…..
I will be quitting my “American Dream” tomorrow. Glad I came across this tonight…Wish me luck!
I wish you a lot of luck! Have a great time!
This is a great blog and i really want to travel with my with with these guys , whats south America like for getting around by bus.
Hi Matt. Since I started taking short overseas trips on my own (to the US, Mexico, Nicaragua, Argentina) I knew that travelling is one of the main things that make life worth living. I’m 38 and I’ve always hated the corporate lifestyle and everything that goes with it, but quitting it all and taking the plunge was always too scary specially from a financial standpoint. Until recently, when I finally got a job that allows me within reason to be “location independent”, and with that in mind I’m planning to hit South America for living there through most of this year. I can’t wait.
I’ve come to learn that the only thing no one can ever take away from you, not even after death, is the experiences you seek to live through. The experiences that make you say to yourself “It was SO worth doing it!”. That’s way more valuable than anything else you can buy. Things won’t change your life. Exposing yourself to other realities and people in this world and learning about new cultures will.
Glad to see you’ve loved my home country, Costa Rica. For us, the rest of the world is what’s exotic and awaiting discovery, of course
. Thanks for this inspirational site.
I just stumbled upon this post – I think I’m in the exact same position. I’m from a small country in Europe and spent the past 4 years living abroad (university in the UK, exchange in Malaysia, work in Indonesia and volunteering in France). I’m 23 now. I returned to my home country in September last year to start a graduate job. It has now been about 7 months and I’m getting the itch to move abroad.
I guess the stability that corporate life offers is just not what I want at the moment – at least not here. I’m terrified of the thought of settling here. I’m just trying to weigh up the sides and decide what I should do. The only thing that is keeping me here is the job – I know it’s good for my career. I do enjoy it, but I’m not happy with my life. Not here. I guess all that travel I have done in the previous years has changed me and I guess my “dream” is not to go in the direction the society wants me to… Ah, the crossroads…