Should I leave it all behind? Where do I start?

by Lindsay S.
(Alberta, Canada)

I just turned 29, have left my husband, have a great job that I hate and have started a charity in Uganda that I love but don't make money working at. I have realized in the last year of my marriage and since that I have something missing in my life yet I lack the courage and that "go" factor to just do it - to see the world, live and experience another culture (other than Uganda) and quit my job and go.

It is not the responsible thing to do...but it calls at me every single day when I sit at my desk plugging away at meaningless work making money for a conglomerate where I am truly nothing more than a minion. Every single day I look at the wall of my cubicle in our open office concept and stare at the pictures I have posted of Uganda and hate myself for not having the courage to go...and for not knowing what to do.

Where do I want to start? Everywhere! What do I want to see? Everything! Where do I want to work? In the field...but how do you take that step? I know I did in leaving my husband simply for not being happy...I went to Uganda and discovered this passion and began this charity amongst my divorce.

I guess I am wondering how to get past doing the impractical to get the most practical result of happiness? How do I take that risk? How do I not? Sell my home and quite my secure job, making great money with total security that I really am good at and just going? I guess I wonder how women get to that NEXT step...I want to so badly and just do not know where to start. I also know I won't be happy until I do...I have at least figured that much out!

What advice can you give to someone struggling to start their life at 29...who knows only that she needs to have this adventure to be happy but doesn't know where to begin?

Answer: Linda, you're where so many of us have been at some point. I faced a relatively similar situation (but I was 43 at the time) and didn't know which way to turn. I especially felt I'd never find a good job again at that age if I simply upped and left. I know from my readers that many of us have faced similar situations.

I can't tell you how to find the courage to go, but I can help you with some of the more practical aspects of getting ready to go.

You could start with asking yourself seriously: should you quit your job? I found that fretting about whether I'd find a job again was wasted time. I not only found a job when I returned (after three years on the road) but I found a better one than the one I'd left. Of course there's never any guarantee but travel broadens you and makes you stronger, more resilient and resourceful - all of these are qualities that are well appreciated by employers.

Once you've actually decided to go, the next logical step would be to think through the best travel destinations and decide which way you're headed. A browse through the web's best travel forums should inspire you.

The next steps would be to deal with finances and planning, but that's another story.

No one can tell you how delve into yourself and follow your dreams. But experience often shows that a dream unfulfilled is often simply postponed. If deep down inside you want to 'go' and you don't do it now, the pressure will probably grow until the choice becomes inevitable.

And how do you tell your friends and family once you've decided?

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