This is It 
It’s been a furious few days mainly spent on the pavement, a phone line, or surfing the web.
A week before the demise of my corporate career a chief worry was meeting my financial goal. That concern forced me to consider setting back my leave date of June to August – a disappointing prospect.
When HR director slid the severance package across a table and I released the freshly printed documents from a brown envelope the dollar amount staring back at me was it. Basically what I needed to begin.
The first 3 nights of unemployment proved sleepless, my brain revving with scenarios or possible outcomes. The fourth night I slept soundly. By the fifth, desire and reality clicked into place – two puzzle pieces slotting together.
What I desperately longed for had come, but did so abruptly. A whack to the side of the head.
As I processed the layoff, one question nipped at my heels – what now?
It was obvious.
#RTWNow
My new hashtag. For those unfamiliar, the Twitter tribe can follow certain lists, which are initiated by hastags, marked with a # before it. My former hashtag was #rtwsoon. But, no more.
I’ve graduated, it’s clear forces are pushing me towards that June departure date.
Oh yeah, it’s on.
Inert, slouch mode is replaced with being upright, feeling the ground beneath my feet, a weighty pack against my hips and back. Morning coffee won’t come from a plastic dispenser, but a smiling, toothless street vendor beneath the tropical sun. Sustenance will no longer sizzle under cancer forming rays in a microwave. It’s open fires and grills from now on.
I’m already mining that mentality. I’ve walked everywhere the past few days, basking in fresh air and spring flowers. By everywhere, I mean 20 city blocks plus. My morning yoga routine is full bore, and I sat down to actually read an unfinished book. Creaky body parts are becoming buttery dough, malleable and smooth. Especially slumber. Oh, the glories of a full 8 hours with naps interspersed!
It’s forming as I write this, 15 Things I’m Looking Forward To is resoundingly present. I’ve never felt so relaxed or productive.
By the end of May, my old life will wrap up. First stop is brother and mother across the open prairies.
I couldn’t be more ecstatic.
What is Scary
Lack of travel arsenal:
- Backpack.
- Laptop.
- External hard drives.
- Plug adaptor.
- Extra battery and SD cards for camera.
- Travel insurance.
- Travel vaccinations.
- Visas (if needed).
God, I’m certain there are a number of items missing from this list. I’ll need to mine craigslist and other sources.
What You Can Expect
Never one to leave my faithful friends hanging, I hope to document the experience of closing shop.
- Gear list.
- Just where my old crap will go.
- Complete the series on unplugging from the cubicle. Figure my expertise is cemented in this area now.
- How to keep in touch with loved ones.
- How to pack like you’re going to jail. Über minimalist.
- Some ideas on income streams for the burgeoning digital nomad.
And whatever else enters my curious mind.
Don’t be fooled, of course I’m quaking, frightened at the unknown road ahead. What fortifies me is a well of amazing relationships and an innate knack for resourcefulness. It came full circle when I recycled that brown envelope used to house my severance package by placing the application for Child Haven into it, addressed to an untethered future, one beaming with promise.
Anything new is terrifying, but isn’t it worth doing? Now give me that virtual high-five! I know you want to.
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{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
No time like the present and once that ball rolls, you won’t want to stop! Gun it. Live it. Rock & Roll it. All bad things happen for good reasons.. eventually & yes, severance packages are VERY good reasons. As I said- “Quit” & you don’t get that package of money. If you keep building the excitement and feel the taste of travel on your lips, it will help lighten the fears that you’re actualizing it. Way to go, Jeannie.
Those things aren’t scary, a trip to an electronics store, stop at World Nomads.ca and quick trip to the doctor and you’ll be set!
@Cornelius Aesop – Your comment touched me… I realized tonight this has been such a long journey. It might seem like I have more to lose than not, but right now it feels like I have much to gain. Thank you for this. :)
@Cornelius Aesop – Your comment touched me… I realized tonight this has been such a long journey. It might seem like I have more to lose than not, but right now it feels like I have lots to gain. :)
Well it seems you have the most important thing needed in your #RTWnow quest – the spirit to do so. I’m excited to see where this takes you because this has all the making of a great story and the best part, is you are the one holding the pen.
@Bethany – Haha.. I’m trying to view it as luck. It is the right thing, but some key pieces need to fall into place prior to leaving. Ack! Hope they do.
Wow! you are so lucky! Seriously, I dreamt of having something similar happen to me and it never happened. I would’ve died of happiness. Well good luck – this is certainly a push from the universe telling you that you are doing the right thing! – Beth
Woooweee! This is it baby, indeed. Looking forward to reading your beautiful posts from the road. Good luck with the planning.
Congratulations!! Good luck with all your planning. :)
Welcome to the cool kids club. Glad to have you aboard.
I had to come back and leave you another note. As I read the comments here what I notice is an incredible community you have built around you. In some ways, I am GREEN with envy — and NOT in a bad way, in a good way. I hope you know how much we all want to see you live your dream and that you are just a post away from getting there.. Don’t sweat the small stuff–they’ll all come together- they always do.
Really looking forward to following you all over the globe. You are a welcome guest in Chiang Mai, Thailand as long as we are there. We will be in a tiny place compared to what we have here, but would love to meet up with you. Please stay in touch.
Won’t be wishing you luck because you’ve got LUCK on your side girl! They gave you a two-months pay and basically freed you to go RTW NOW! How awesome is that.
A bit late on the scene this time around, we’ve been travelling for the last few days so a bit more difficult to find the time.
Congratulations!
Great decision, hopefully we’ll see you on the road soon.
Cheers,
Colin
@Stephanie – If you pray for it, that layoff might happen in time for your trip. Wait, I’ll pray for you! :)
@Erin – I think it was a blessing, just some niggly expenses linger and of course, that crazy planning. Thanks for the kind words!
@Aye – I feel so loved, with the hugs and high-fives! :) I faintly recall that housing source, along with HouseCarers.com – thanks for the pass along!
@ShannonOD – The bizarre is already happening -my levels of relaxation are spiking! Just exposure to the outdoors, walking everywhere – I’ve aged in reverse 10 years! :)
@Abbie – LOL. Adored your short, but meaningful comment. :)
@Chris – Haha.. whatever. You’re just desperate to beat us all, so you did. :-D
@Traveloggged – Our stories, plus others I’ve heard are remarkably similar. Layoffs can be devastating for those with no other identity or passions, but for us – IT is blessings all around. :)
@Joya – In many ways the layoff is lodged back there somewhere. My psyche was ready to be released. And yup, having a good time is top of the list! Thanks for commenting. :)
@Craig – Haha.. why yes, now I’m nomadic in body, not just spirit. :-D
@Sarah – Ohhh, thanks for the congrats. :) Things are happening at a fast pace, hope I can keep up with them!
@Jodi (Legalnomads) – I can picture those feelings you experienced – and the things we zoom in on. I’m not so worried about where I stay right now, more focused on getting out of here. I know, you think it would be the opposite. :)
@Candice – Note to self: ginger writing wizards with temperamental tendencies are ALWAYS right. :)
WOO HOO!! BEST thing to ever happen to you was getting laid off. I am SO happy you are going to be #rtwnow. Welcome, welcome, welcome. We MUST plan a meeting. Congratulations, a million congratulations. And, cheers to your awaiting adventures!
As for the stuff you need like external hard drive, etc., go to EBay for all of it. I got great deals.
LMK if you have questions about anything … where are you planning on going?? I need some details we can be sure our travel paths cross.
YAY!!!
XXXXX
I was creeping on your SU profile the other day and your profile said something like, “Stuck in an oppressive business office.” I thought, “That girl just got laid off, this is the BEST THING to ever happen to her.” Boy, I love when I’m right. ;)
Congrats lady! I’m excited for you. And having transitioned from a corporate lifestyle to that of a RTW traveler, I can understand any panic you might feel. I remember those white nights before I left where I sat in bed and thought ‘but what if I cannot find a place to STAY?’. The dirty secret from after 2 years of travel is this: you’ll always find a place to stay, and a way to replace things you’ve lost and get those electronics or vaccinations or the like on the road. Things always work out, even when they don’t. I think that is the best takeaway I could ask for, because it truly makes you feel free.
Looking forward to hearing more from you as you prepare for departure!
Jodi
Congratulations Jeannie! I’m so excited to hear you’ve taken this step-back and turned it into a giant leap forward.
I can’t wait to read about all of your adventures!
Way to stay adventurous. #RTWNow. Love it.
It will be the best decision you ever made….it is what you wanted to truly become – a Nomadic Chick. We actually always do get what we ask for.
stay adventurous,
Craig
High-five Jeannie! Everything happens for a reason – I have always believed in that. I know you’ll have a great time and I can’t wait to read about it. Being laid off will quickly become a thing of the past.
Getting laid off can be a blessing in disguise — especially for travelers. I launched Travelogged in Jan ’09 after getting laid off. I wasn’t as brave as you, so I didn’t do the RTW but I did take some terrific trips. Can’t wait to hear all about your RTW!
See I knew you were jealous of me finishing up work. Now you’ve been handed you dream, grab hold and don’t look back.
Yay! Congrats!
Such a huge congrats! I second Aye and will give you all kinds of high fives! :-) It’s amazing the calm you will feel the moment you actually get on your first plane or bus. For me, the last two weeks were terrifying, but the moment I stepped into the airport, I knew that everything that got “forgotten” or wasn’t time to do was no longer important – it’s the adventure! :-)
A virtual “high five” and a “low five” and a hug with a wee bit of “jumping up and down” with excitement for you Jeannie. If you are not aware already, you might look into Mindmyhouse.com. Just found out about from Christine of almostfearless.
Like Alison said, Happy Planning. A blessing in the sky for sure!
Congratulations, that’s really exciting! It sounds like being made redundant was the best thing to happen to you right now. Enjoy the crazy preparation phase!
Wow I’m so excited for you! I know you’ve been vacillating a bit but I’m so glad you were able to go ahead (It’s almost enough to make me wish *I’d* get laid off- knock on wood).
@Alison – I’m catching that high-five now! Some of my stops might be familiar to you, fellow Canadian. :)
@The Dame – $3,000 will take you far! And good luck to you. Helping folks will be far more rewarding than adding up a spreadsheet, trust me. :)
@Joel – Merci, merci!!! Thanks to you personally for all the offline conversations, it always helped.
@Sharon – Wonderful! So bloody excited about your adventures. Fear is part of both our palates these days. Even though this is right for me, whoah am I shaky. There’s debt to be tackled, those damn lists, etc. No matter, I’d still choose this! And so would you! Thanks for passing on that gear list – should help a ton! :)
@Aly – Hehe.. I’m a hustler these days. Making calls – coordinating things. Phew.. Don’t you worry – one day you’ll be #rtwnow. You and John will make it happen!
@Andy Hayes – an exotic port of call — sounds lovely. This time, you pick the restaurant. :)
@Brandy – Awwww… That Borat. :) Thanks for the advice. Trying not to worry, but as I sit in my room.. my god the crap I own. Shameful.
@Josh – LOL. True. Getting paid to ditch my *imprisonment* is more than okay with me. I’m starting to get used to it, but had to spend some $$ on a vaccination today – eek, that hurt… in the solar plexus. Thanks for your support!
@Gray – Haha, I love how curious you are. Hopefully I fill in some blanks. :)
@KathyW – You’re right about the extra time. Have no clue how I did this and my f/t job, probably why I fell ill. Thanks for the never ending encouragement.
@Keith – Thanks, my friend. What upset me the most was their methodology. At the end of the day, I was fully aware it’s a business decision.. but doing it in the bright glare of morning, among other things.. Funny, just got off the phone with a work friend and it sounds swamped there. Don’t miss it for a second. I am stoked for the day when I can return that high-five! :-D
@Andi – Awww. thanks honey! Seems you’re right, that door just opened. :)
I’m sooo happy that you’ve changed your thinking from worrying to excitement! I stick by what I told you, “when 1 door closes another 1 opens.” It’s SO true!!! I can’t wait for you to embark on your journey. :)
I’m excited for you. I can imagine the funk you can fall into after the situation you’ve endured, but you appear to have come out of any potential negative effects in record time. Your positivity is positively overflowing!
High five, high five, high five!
Great! Glad to see you’ve turned this around and are ready to get out there. All those packing and leaving things are very doable – the more so now you’re not trying to work at the same time.
Awesome! High five! I can’t wait to read your trip prep stuff. I’m always curious about how people plan for these long journeys when you can’t pack much. What do you really need, versus what don’t you need? How do you create an income on the road?
AWESOME! Congratulations. I’m shooting for a June departure as well, and I’ve got the same concerns: scraping together the last bit of cash and finding time to get “the list” completed.
You’ll get used to the insecurity of not having a 9-5. I’m a freelance journalist, so I’m always “unemployed” until my next assignment. I started freelancing right after school while I looked for permanent gigs; once I got over the uncertainty, though, I realized that working for myself was a much better option than the staff jobs I thought I wanted. Look at it this way: you got PAID to ditch the cube!
in the words of Borat…. vaaay nice! don’t worry- a pack, a world adapter, laptop, and SD card are all one amazon click away. BTW, don’t think you will need many memory cards if you are traveling with a laptop- best to upload your pics right to the computer and clear the memory card! cross that item off! :)
Skype is THE best way to keep in touch with everyone! In fact, if you have it, go ahead and add me (brandy.leebell) – Im always able to talk with a fellow RTWer!
Congratulations, and don’t worry so much about the big old lists, everything comes together, I promise. :)
Looking forward to seeing you again in a foreign port somewhere around the world :-)
Glad to see your back on your feet kicking butts and taking names!! ha! I’m envious that you graduated from #RTWsoon to #RTWnow!! I’ve been downgraded from now to soon yet again ha ha it’s a never ending cycle ;)
Nice, very nice..am in the thros of it myself right. Lists upon lists. Ups, downs, everything. I leave Monday and after that trip. I am wide open. Scary a bit.
Check this out. My daighter went RTW in ’98… go here http://www.wired2theworld.com/ and scroll all the way to the bottom of the trip list–and at the beginning of the RTW trip reports, there is a great packing list–plus you can see how the web site has evolved.
Will be following you!
Congratulations!! As much as I’m sure it’s been a lot of emotional highs and lows in the past week, I’m very jealous of you now having time to focus full time on your RTW and writing!
Very, very happy for you. I have no doubt you’ll be overwhelmed with virtual high fives! There’s an amazing support system of fans you’ve built up through what you’ve already accomplished, and I can’t wait to see it continue to grow.
I know how you feel! Except I dont have a severance package to see me thru, just the sale of my beloved car Im hoping I’ll get AU$3000 for. Im not sure where Im gonna go, but I know I want to help people in some way. Bring on the future and good luck with yours! :)
*HIGH FIVE* Go girl! I can’t wait to see where you’re headed and where you’ll end up! If Europe is in the plans I’ve got a futon in Brussels with your name on it :) Happy planning!!
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