4 ms·

Years ago I realized sitting at a desk was not making me happy. So I quit my Software Engineering job and took 2 years to drive from Alaska to Argentina, having

by grecy 7y ago

Years ago I realized sitting at a desk was not making me happy. So I quit my Software Engineering job and took 2 years to drive from Alaska to Argentina, having the time of my life. [1] Then I worked for a bit again to save money, and quit again and just got back this year from 3 years driving all the way around Africa. [2] The people I met, the places I saw and the lessons I learned will stay with me for the rest of my life, and I personally love the life. I've decided I want to be a travel writer and photographer, because it makes me happy. I have way less money, but I'm happier than I've ever been. I have written a couple of books about my adventures, and I write for a slew of magazines now too. Do what makes you happy. [1] The Road Chose Me Volume 1 - https://amzn.to/2wkxceX https://amzn.to/2wkxceX [2] 999 Days Around Africa - https://amzn.to/2H93IUH https://amzn.to/2H93IUH

michalstanko 7y ago
I have been working as a JS dev for the past 17 years, I'm now 40, and what you wrote resonates with me so much. Even though I like coding and learning and trying out new stuff, I've developed this love for Spain's coasts, I just wish I could be there discovering it every single minute, being outside, being physically active. And the older I get, the more I feel this urgency to stop wasting my life at the desk. On the other hand, I have 2 small/ish children and a wife I need to provide for, virtually no savings, living in a landlocked Central European country with dark, cold winters. I wonder if I'm ever going to be able to escape this somehow and really do what I love, or be where I want to be, before I turn into an old man unable to do any physical activity. And the winter is coming...again. :-( ;-) P.S. Will definitely buy your book, so I can daydream with you.
- grecy 7y ago
  You absolutely can do it. I met plenty of families living on the road, home schooling their kids, etc. etc. For me, it all starts with savings. If you really, really want to break out of your current lifestyle, you have to start putting money away, and you have to start now. It might take 5+ years, but if you want it badly enough, you will find a way. Keep in mind it's a lot (A LOT) cheaper than you think. Most people spend around $1500/mo for absolutely all expenses to drive around the entire world. [1] If you already have a place to live, it's really common to air b n b it out and live off the income from that while you're on the road. We only get one life. Make sure you're doing what you want with it. Good luck! [1] http://theroadchoseme.com/the-price-of-adventure http://theroadchoseme.com/the-price-of-adventure
- circlefavshape 7y ago
  I'm 47, and finally stopped daydreaming about a different life when I was around your age. You need to make the life you have better instead of fantasizing about escape. Work less, spend more time with your wife, spend more time with your friends. It worked for me
overcast 7y ago
I'm working on this same inevitable outcome. I'm just not happy sitting at a desk doing development for a company. I'm happy when I'm traveling, meeting people, eating great food, and that's why I've grown a food/drink marketing side business. Soon, I'll depart from this 9-5 world.
ciguy 7y ago
Wow I thought your story sounded familiar, then I realized I follow you on Instagram! You have great content and a great story, but I didn't realize you had a book also.
- grecy 7y ago
  Thanks! I'm locking myself away for this upcoming winter to write The Road Chose Me Volume 2 - Africa. Also starting to get a more serious about planning the next big one!
  - kenneth 7y ago
    Do post your Instagram, would love to follow you too!
    - grecy 7y ago
      https://www.instagram.com/theroadchoseme/ https://www.instagram.com/theroadchoseme/ Videos from all over Africa too - getting bribed in Nigeria, getting stuck in the Congo mud, rolling the Jeep in Uganda - http://youtube.com/c/theroadchoseme http://youtube.com/c/theroadchoseme
rak00n 7y ago
Did you have to get a new car insurance as you entered a new country or is there another way to do it?
- grecy 7y ago
  Depends where you are in the world. West Africa has a group of countries that use one kind of insurance (called Carte Brune) and East Africa have a bunch of countries that use one kind (called COMESA) For central America you buy it for every country that need it (about $15/mo) and South America you can get it for multiple countries, or buy it separate. Really interesting countries like South Africa the insurance is automatically included in the price of gas.

by grecy 7y ago

michalstanko 7y ago

I have been working as a JS dev for the past 17 years, I'm now 40, and what you wrote resonates with me so much. Even though I like coding and learning and trying out new stuff, I've developed this love for Spain's coasts, I just wish I could be there discovering it every single minute, being outside, being physically active. And the older I get, the more I feel this urgency to stop wasting my life at the desk. On the other hand, I have 2 small/ish children and a wife I need to provide for, virtually no savings, living in a landlocked Central European country with dark, cold winters. I wonder if I'm ever going to be able to escape this somehow and really do what I love, or be where I want to be, before I turn into an old man unable to do any physical activity. And the winter is coming...again. :-( ;-) P.S. Will definitely buy your book, so I can daydream with you.

grecy 7y ago
You absolutely can do it. I met plenty of families living on the road, home schooling their kids, etc. etc. For me, it all starts with savings. If you really, really want to break out of your current lifestyle, you have to start putting money away, and you have to start now. It might take 5+ years, but if you want it badly enough, you will find a way. Keep in mind it's a lot (A LOT) cheaper than you think. Most people spend around $1500/mo for absolutely all expenses to drive around the entire world. [1] If you already have a place to live, it's really common to air b n b it out and live off the income from that while you're on the road. We only get one life. Make sure you're doing what you want with it. Good luck! [1] http://theroadchoseme.com/the-price-of-adventure http://theroadchoseme.com/the-price-of-adventure
circlefavshape 7y ago
I'm 47, and finally stopped daydreaming about a different life when I was around your age. You need to make the life you have better instead of fantasizing about escape. Work less, spend more time with your wife, spend more time with your friends. It worked for me

overcast 7y ago

I'm working on this same inevitable outcome. I'm just not happy sitting at a desk doing development for a company. I'm happy when I'm traveling, meeting people, eating great food, and that's why I've grown a food/drink marketing side business. Soon, I'll depart from this 9-5 world.

ciguy 7y ago

Wow I thought your story sounded familiar, then I realized I follow you on Instagram! You have great content and a great story, but I didn't realize you had a book also.

grecy 7y ago
Thanks! I'm locking myself away for this upcoming winter to write The Road Chose Me Volume 2 - Africa. Also starting to get a more serious about planning the next big one!
- kenneth 7y ago
  Do post your Instagram, would love to follow you too!
  - grecy 7y ago
    https://www.instagram.com/theroadchoseme/ https://www.instagram.com/theroadchoseme/ Videos from all over Africa too - getting bribed in Nigeria, getting stuck in the Congo mud, rolling the Jeep in Uganda - http://youtube.com/c/theroadchoseme http://youtube.com/c/theroadchoseme

rak00n 7y ago

Did you have to get a new car insurance as you entered a new country or is there another way to do it?

grecy 7y ago
Depends where you are in the world. West Africa has a group of countries that use one kind of insurance (called Carte Brune) and East Africa have a bunch of countries that use one kind (called COMESA) For central America you buy it for every country that need it (about $15/mo) and South America you can get it for multiple countries, or buy it separate. Really interesting countries like South Africa the insurance is automatically included in the price of gas.