Traveling might seem like an impossible dream when you’re broke, in debt, or stuck in a dead-end job. But I believe that’s the best time to start exploring the world. When you’re at rock bottom, the only way is up. As Janis Joplin once said, "freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose."
When you’re broke and jobless, there’s little to lose by packing up and setting off on an adventure. You might discover something you love, gain valuable life experience, and develop soft skills that employers value. The world is full of opportunities and jobs. If you’ve exhausted all options in your area, why not try somewhere new?
Don’t stay stuck in a job that barely pays the bills. Move somewhere. Start over. Our ancestors did it. They moved to where the opportunities were and thrived because of it.
I know it’s scary to leave when you’re struggling. We often only leave a situation when we feel secure. But there’s no perfect time to travel. If you’re in a bad situation, look for new opportunities. If you fail, you’ll be back where you started, which is better than staying on a path that makes you unhappy.
If you’re unhappy with your current situation, consider moving overseas and finding work or traveling. You can volunteer, work in a restaurant or bar, do farm work, busk, be an aupair, be a tour guide, or start a blog.
One of my favorite scenes in the movie "Up in the Air" is when George Clooney’s character fires J. K. Simmons’ character Bob. Bob is upset because he feels like a failure. But George Clooney tells him this is a chance to follow his dreams because he has nothing left to lose.
If you were faced with such an opportunity to change, would you take it? It’s hard to go against the current, but eventually, you have to say, "not today, not anymore."
Use websites like Worldpackers or Trusted Housesitters to find new work or accommodation opportunities. You can earn extra money via sharing-economy websites like Uber, Lyft, EatWith, TaskRabbit, and others.
Once you’re overseas, you can get a working holiday visa, use job boards and local expat stomping grounds to find jobs, or take freelance work via a website like Upwork.
If I was broke, young, or in a job I didn’t like, I would first try to teach English overseas. You don’t need to be a teacher to do this — just a native English speaker. Many schools abroad will even pay for your flight to and from the country!
If I wasn’t a native English speaker, I would use websites like iTalki or Cambly and teach people my language! You get paid to be someone’s language partner.
Find something that moves you forward. Maybe along the way, you may find yourself with a new passion or in a new situation where you feel at home. But while you’re trying something new, you’ll at least be able to pay off some of your debt, have some cool adventures, and gain some life experience.
The world can be your oyster if you truly grab it! When you expand your worldview, you increase your possibilities. Don’t make excuses as to why you can’t — find all the ways you can. The world can be your oyster if you let it.
