I Took a Career Break in my 30’s to Solo Travel to Australia
Charlie Womack shares the story behind her brave decision to take a career break in her 30’s to pursue a solo travel adventure to Australia and beyond. This inspiring story is a refreshing reminder to always live life on your own terms and time lines.
Taking a career break in my 30’s wasn’t always going to be the plan. Travel has been a huge part of my life since my 20’s. I didn’t take a gap year before university, and once I graduated I headed straight into a full-time job. Having travelled to many bucket list destinations in my 20’s using my annual leave, I realised how much travel meant to me. However, by then, I felt I was on the ‘career path’ and believed I shouldn’t leave my job for a long trip. Instead, I worked hard to use every day of annual leave to explore the world, cramming in as much as possible and even going as far as going straight into the office from a long-haul flight.
Why I decided to solo travel in my 30s
But as I entered my 30’s I had this constant feeling of an itch that hadn’t been scratched. Travel is something that defines who I am, that I get the most amount of joy from and gives me such a feeling of freedom. Why shouldn’t I take some time out for myself? And as some of my closest friends got married and started families, I knew this wasn’t what I wanted right now, and nor was staying put in the same routine I was in.
“I had this feeling of what if? And why not now? Maybe I had been waiting for someone to travel with, but why shouldn’t I just do it alone? And the only thing holding me back was this feeling that I shouldn’t be doing it at this stage of my life. But I very quickly realised how ridiculous that was. There is no one path for everyone.”
Taking some time to travel to places I’d always wanted to go to, was the right thing for me to do at this time. In the grand scheme of things, I had very little holding me back.
Why I chose Australia to have a career break in my 30’s
Having made the decision to take the time for myself, it was a fairly easy decision as to the destination. Australia has always been somewhere that intrigued me, but it is such a long flight with so much to explore, it never seemed feasible to do what I wanted to do on annual leave. It is a country I didn’t get to when I was younger, so this was the perfect place to head. Given this would be the first time I was long-term travelling solo, it also gave me a sense of security that I would understand the language and the culture.
I also plan to visit New Zealand, Fiji and some of the Pacific Islands. I want to make the most of being on the other side of the world!
Why I decided to take a career break
Initially I talked to my company about taking an unpaid 10-week sabbatical, with a role in the company still being available for me when I came back. For anyone considering taking some out, this is a great option if your work allows it. I felt it gave me the time I wanted, with the security of something to return to.
However, the more I started thinking about it, the more I realised I wanted more freedom than this was o”ffering me. To try and fit all I wanted to achieve into 10 weeks would mean having to plan things in such great detail. So, I made the decision to leave my job and give myself no restrictions with dates for my travels.”
This felt huge. A really big choice to be making but, as soon as I had, I felt relief and I knew it was the right thing for me at this time in my life, and fundamentally in my career, however unusual this seems in your mid 30’s! With the time pressure off, I really relaxed with the planning. I had indefinite time, and wanted to try the style of travelling where you go with the flow a little more. This is very unlike me – I usually have everything organised and planned. But as I entered my new era of travelling, and life, this felt like the right decision! I have a rough plan – start in Australia, and travel the East Coast for 4-5 weeks. And then from there, I am going to visit New Zealand, Fiji and some Pacific Islands. But beyond booking 4 nights in Sydney for when I arrive, I was leaving everything else to plan as I go.
How I am feeling getting closer to leaving
The closer I get to leaving, the more nervous I feel. Everyone is telling me how excited they are for me, but I mainly feel daunted and anxious.
“I think it is important to recognise that big decisions come with mixed feelings. I was anxious about how long I might be away for, and what I might miss out on.”
The logical side of my brain knows I will have the best time, and that it will all work out. And that without having a plan or a flight booked home, I have given myself much more choice and freedom. If it isn’t working the way I planned, I can change the style of travel, the destination, or the outcome. I also did a lot of work to accept that nothing is going to be 100% perfect, there will be some tough days, but I absolutely know the memories I make and the experiences I gain will last a lifetime.
“The bonus of travelling in my 30’s is that I have more financial security, having saved while working. I have more clarity, maturity and confidence in myself to know exactly what I want out of things.”
This does come with the flip side of having more things to sort out, I own my house so I needed to consider and plan what to do with that. However, living on my own has taught me that I enjoy my own company, which means I am not worried about feeling lonely.
What I hope to get out of this trip
I am looking forward to pushing myself as I take this career break in my 30’s.
“My hope for this trip is to gain self confidence and resilience. Travelling alone will allow me to reconnect with myself, but also push me to step outside of my comfort zone, and meet people along the way.”
It will also give me the freedom and flexibility to make my own decisions and do things that call to me, without having to compromise with others. I can shape my trip entirely around what excites and attracts me.
But mainly, it is stepping out of my daily routine and the regularity I found myself in. Immerse myself in new experiences and environments, which will broaden my horizons, and prove to myself I can do it! It’s a chance to reset, recharge, and return home with wonderful memories. Fully in the knowledge that this is the right thing for me at this point in my life.
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