Renew Your Career Break Dreams
Spring has finally arrived and with the fresh rains, the cold gray days of winter and the regrets of failed resolutions have been washed away. In their place are beautiful trees in bloom, colorful sprouting flowers, and the opportunity to renew your career break dreams.
For many, this is also the time when they start planning summer vacations and weekends away. But if you are reading this, most likely you have bigger travel dreams in mind. Ones that may take you to the savannas of Africa, the spice markets of the Middle East, the jungle-covered ruins of SE Asia or the pounding surfs of Australia.
But what also makes your travel plans different is that you are more than just taking time off – you are taking the time to also renew and regrow your spirit, your career, and your life path. That may seem like a heady goal to take on yourself but remember – you don’t have to do it alone. We continue to grow our tools, resources and inspiration to help you get started, and in some cases, back on the path to realizing your career break dreams.
Basic Training – Your Online Support System
In December of 2010 we launched Career Break Basic Training - an online course and community which connects you with reliable resources, expert voices, and like-minded peers – all of which will lead you to getting on a plane and taking a career break. And we are thrilled that several members have set their departure dates, some are about to depart, and others are already on the road!
In addition to helping you tackle the crucial to-do lists, Basic Training also offers a support system, which is something that has helped Lauren: “It is nice to have this community to share our hopes, plans, and fears with (as they relate to travel). I have been very careful as to who I share my future travel plans with, and this community makes me feel a lot less isolated. Everyone here ‘gets it’, and it also takes my plans to travel seriously, which is something I fear those close to me will not do.”
Learn more about what Basic Training can offer you.
Local Events - In Person Connection
“Building a support system is crucial. With less than four months to go until my departure, I am feeling stressed, panicked, emotionally drained and overwhelmed. I definitely recommend getting involved with Meet, Plan, Go! events – it can be a great way to meet others in your city who have already taken career breaks or are in the process of planning one.” – Katie
We are excited to have 17 great locations and hosts on board for our National Meet, Plan, Go! Event on October 18th, and they are busy bringing together inspiring panels of career break experts, travel authorities, and real people who have achieved their career break goals. And in the months leading up to October, they will also be hosting local meetups, so you can begin in person networking with your career break community.
Check out upcoming events in Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, New York City, Portland, and Seattle. And look for the release of early bird tickets for October in the coming days!
Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am
I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂
Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am
Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).
In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!
Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm
Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!
Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm
Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.
Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm
Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!
Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm
merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!
shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am
you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!
Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am
[…] how badly I want to go to Paris… If only we could afford living there for an extended period of time during our travels! Any […]
G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm
I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.