Travel Taught Me How to Live Life on My Own Terms

I remember when I still had my corporate job, my dissatisfaction prompted me to search for other choices to live my life. Being single and with no other responsibilities, I was free to leave my job and everything else behind. The stress at work only made me more interested in pursuing sustainable living and alternative lifestyle. Growing my own food, making some tiny money, pursuing my hobbies and living a simple life in the country. I was thinking about a way to live my life without being completely dependent on money. Being part of a materialistic society, it was a ridiculous idea for me. Back then, I was traveling a lot to the countryside and that made me start thinking about taking the first step to completely change my lifestyle. But I didn't really know where to start. I didn't even know how to travel alone and how to get by without a job. Since I had nothing to lose anymore, I was able to overcome my fear of the unknown. There was no other way but to move forward.

Though I'm not judging those who travel around the world to see places, party and meet people, my travel was more about finding a way to live my life on my own terms. This can mean different things to each individual. But living life on your own terms means the ability to live a life that is fulfilling and meaningful to you. It does not really have to be about travel, it could be changing your career, pursuing your passion, living somewhere else, achieving financial freedom or starting your own business. It also means having the flexibility and freedom to pursue the things that matter to you most, it can be volunteering, traveling, getting fit or other interests.

In my case, I already know what I don't want. It is like, I've been there, done that and I'm not coming back (unless I don't really have a choice). Fortunately, I always have a choice. I made sure that my travel also had a purpose and that was to find my purpose. To come back filled with knowledge and finally be able to live my life on my own terms.

Living my life on my own terms means that I no longer have to go back to my corporate job and making few people, who are not even from my own country, richer and richer. I no longer want to participate in an unethical industry and be in an office full of psychopaths. I don't want to work for a boss who asks me to manipulate/cheat the numbers in order for the business to look good. I don't want to sacrifice my own integrity. I want to be able to get out of that consumerism lifestyle, if not 100%, at least be able to minimize my participation.

It is easy to figure out what I don't want. Making specific goals is hard, it looks promising yet scary. It is hard because most people don't even have any goals in life. The lack of definite purpose can cause unhappiness. Taking action is the hardest part. It takes courage to decide that you are not going to stay where you are. And leaving is like finally jumping off the cliff. It feels easier when you're already free falling.

I made sure that I could make the most out of my travels by learning as much as I can. I volunteered in permaculture and sustainable lifestyle communities. I also met people during my volunteering days who taught me a lot about the tourism industry and all the things I need to know. I confirmed again and again through failures that I really wanted to pursue something more meaningful. My travels gave me a lot of ideas about what else to do in my life.

Though I'm not completely living 100% independent of the society, the good thing is that every day I am applying everything that I've learned on the road. Travel taught me how to minimize my expenses without being so cheap, but just being able to live a balanced life. Travel taught me about discipline. It taught me about being independent. It taught me how to appreciate the simple pleasures in life. It taught me that nothing really lasts. It taught me how to adapt to change. It taught me how to plan and take actions.

Living life on your own terms means having fulfillment and purpose in your life.