Why Don’t We Get a Real Job in the Real World?

Because we’re just too busy pursuing what we love.

This is a guest post by Casey Siemasko.

We’ve hiked to the centre of an active volcano in Indonesia, hitchhiked with nuns in Ecuador, and hugged koalas in Australia. We’ve watched Bollywood films at a leper colony in India, glacier hiked in New Zealand, and seen hundreds of sky lanterns released in Taiwan.

We’ve sunbathed on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. We’ve walked amongst many of history’s most famous landmarks.

In all honesty, we’ve done a lot of amazing stuff in our twenty-four years of life.

Are we incredibly lucky? Absolutely. There’s no denying we’ve been blessed with remarkable experiences, many beyond our wildest dreams. But there’s actually quite a bit more behind it than just ‘luck’. And no, it’s not the lottery.

We’ve purposefully decided to value world travel above all else.

That’s it. And we’re willing to do whatever it takes to live the life we want. Not a life of dreading Monday mornings and high-stress, low-reward, socially accepted career paths. Not a life of selling our souls to 9-5 jobs that only provide us with a means to an end.

That’s just not us.

What we’re after is a state of constant discovery.

A life where we are amazed by something everyday; we’re pushed out of our comfort zones everyday; we’re inspired by new people and places everyday.

And for us, that’s what travel is. It’s how we learn about the world and our place in it. It’s how we form meaningful connections that transcend nationality and language and stereotypes. It’s how we experience the jaw-dropping beauty of the Earth.

For us, travel means falling in loving with life. And it’s a pure, powerful, overflowing kind of love.

We’re perfectly aware of the fact that our desire to be digital nomads isn’t everybody else’s. And that’s okay. We’re not saying there’s anything wrong with a 9-5 job in suburban America or a two-week vacation. Maybe that’s exactly what we’ll want in a couple years. The important thing is that if you are fortunate enough to choose your line of work—a luxury not granted to millions across the world who are just trying to survive—then you better appreciate that blessing. Whatever you are doing wherever you are should be building you up, molding you into the person you want to be. If you’re not passionate about it or it doesn’t equate to loving life in your own way, then why waste precious moments doing it?

Right now, the only thing we’ve conclusively decided we’re invested in to, is long-term travel. Not a one-year round-the-world trip that comes and goes, but a sustainable, travel-oriented lifestyle. A way to keep traveling at the pace we want, until we decide we’re ready to stop.

I know a lot of people think we’re being irresponsible. That first we should build the foundation we’ll need for later, planning and preparing for the time when we do want a permanent address and ‘real’ job. We should be thinking finances in this unstable economy we all live in. Well, it took us more than a couple bottles of wine (on separate evenings ;-p) to talk over the pros and cons of pursuing a nomadic lifestyle. Ultimately, investing in physical things wasn’t as important as investing in our happiness. And just to clarify, we’re not taking an extended vacation or throwing responsibility out the window. Dan is completing his MBA online. I’m doing a bit of freelancing. We’re both spending time blogging and networking and learning new skills. Actually, we’re spending more time working and investing in our futures now than we would be at a ‘real’ job.

But for us, every ounce of energy is worth it. When you’re doing what you truly love, leading the lifestyle that you love, you don’t mind putting in overtime.

That’s not to say we don’t recognize the cons to this travel-oriented lifestyle. There are most certainly times when I want to chuck my computer out the window while I’m shouting all sorts of profanities I normally reserve for driving—and we’re not even permanently on the road yet. We’re both experienced enough travelers to realize everyday won’t be sunshine and happiness. Like all things worth pursuing, there will be moments when we want to call a quits and go back to the comfort and stability of what we know. But as long as those moments are the rarities, the occasional bumps along the road, then I think we’re doing pretty well.

So why don’t we settle down and get a ‘real’ job? We’re just not ready for it yet. And because nothing else gets our blood pumping and our heart pounding like exploring, learning, and tasting new things around the world.

We’re not escaping life. We’re living it. Even more, we’re loving it.

Why Don’t We Get a Real Job in the Real World? Because we’re just too busy pursuing what we love.

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About the Author

Casey is one half of the lovebirds at A Cruising Couple with a shared desire to learn, explore, taste, and give more, travelling the world together slowly but surely and currently calling Taiwan home. Join them as they document their travels and try to connect more with the world. While you’re here, why not leave a comment, follow them on twitter, like them on facebook, check out their pinterest or subscribe to receive updates on new posts? They would love to stay in touch!

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This post forms part of the ongoing series: Why Don’t You Get a Real Job?

By | 2018-03-01T09:48:56+00:00 May 16th, 2013|Thoughts and Inspiration|11 Comments

11 Comments

  1. Well, I have been at this type of lifestyle for 5 years now. The minimum I have travelled of any given year is 3 months. You definitely put the normal life on hold but I love it.
    Casey, question: how did you gain so many FB likes? It’s really wonderful. lmk how you got so many FB followers. great job!

  2. Jenny 11/09/2013 at 11:15 - Reply

    I love this, I hope/plan to be just like you guys once I’ve graduated! Safe journeys

  3. Peter Barnett 15/07/2013 at 06:56 - Reply

    You guys are awesome, I’ll be back for updates on you both!!! x

    • Casey 15/07/2013 at 13:50 - Reply

      Thank you for the encouragement! Happy to hear you’ll be part of our journeys!

  4. faye 31/05/2013 at 08:23 - Reply

    Great article, I will do what you guys are doing now, soon. I always tell people (and myself) that we do not have to be what the society wants us to be. Best of luck for you both and I wish you all the happiness and love in the world! Or wherever you’re travelling next!

    • Casey 04/06/2013 at 17:15 - Reply

      Thank you so much for the support Faye. We also wish you the best of luck in your endeavors-hope you’ll stop by our website some time and let us know where you are and what you are doing!

  5. Helen Anne Travis 20/05/2013 at 18:16 - Reply

    Great post! Very inspiring.

    • Casey 21/05/2013 at 10:02 - Reply

      Thanks so much Helen, we’re so glad you enjoyed it!

  6. Arjen 17/05/2013 at 13:10 - Reply

    You can live your life in all possible ways. Is there even such thing as a real world and a real job? To be honest, I think seeing the world and living your dream has more to do with the ‘real’ world than sitting in an office. Enjoy the wonderful road you have taken!

    • Casey 18/05/2013 at 03:51 - Reply

      I couldn’t agree with you more! I think it’s like you said, there are all sorts of ways to live your life, and as long as you are pursuing what makes you happy, that’s all that matters 🙂 We shouldn’t let others dictate what a ‘real’ job should be based on what they think a successful career looks like.

      • Jamie 28/05/2013 at 16:25 - Reply

        Arjen, I agree about the ‘real’ world. And casey, your words ring so loud and true in my ears. Thanks for sharing something wonderful.

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