I have felt the call of the wild for as long as I can remember. Im torn between whats expected of a normal life, the american dream, family, career, car, and what it is that my soul yearns for. For so long ive just wanted to drift, see the world, fill my head with the knowledge of the universe, but whenever I get these ideas in my head there has always been someone to knock me down a notch, tell me why its wrong and impossible, how only after I work for 30 or so years than maybe once I retire I can finaly travel. And yet, then I hear or read about all these people who have done just that, and with little to no money. Its funny though, because every time I had planned a trip, and gotten knocked down, I end up getting myself in trouble or turning to drugs, so its like, was the alternative really so much better than me going out into the world? Im going to be 24 soon, and in no way is my life what I expected it to be when I was 16, I know a lot of us can say that, but still. Im finally getting out of new york soon, moving down south, but I dont even know if thats the right thing to do either. My plan was to move to florida for a year, make money, do some materialistic things, and then go travel, but should I just go now? I havent a dollar to my name really, so maybe I should wait, but its like I hear the drums, the call of the wild constantly pounding, and I dont know how much more I can take. I was hoping someone here has been in my situation, and can tell me what they did. Is it worth it to just leave? Do people really find happiness out on the road, away from money, and beer, and partys and friends? Im so lost and confused, so Im sorry for the long post, but I cant think of one friend I have anymore who I can talk to with stuff like this. I feel like I traded my spirtual dreamer soul for something more hardened and metal a long time ago.
i beleive that as long as there is no one else that will get hurt by your actions, then do as you see fit. you wont know, or indeed learn any other way. im in a similar situation myself actually but with complications. ive just started prooperty development with a family member. bought 2, turned them around and they are now being rented out. which is great, but they are a 3 hour drive away from me and i spent 4 days a week there for 2 months getting them sorted. i bought them where i did because they are so much cheaper there. now id like to move there. if we sold our house, we'd have enough cash to buy another similar or even larger with enough cash left over to buy another outright to rent. if that happened the money from the rental would mean my partner could stay at home (if she wanted) she wouldnt need to work. but she doesnt want to move. so instead we struggle to make ends meet every week. we struggle to pay the mortgage and we have no quality of life. on my own id be off like a shot, but i need to think of her aswell. so sadley im staying here. :banghead:
I remember being in your shoes many years ago. Never did it, and I regret it. Wouldn't trade my life for anything right now, but there's a part of me that wonders what I missed...
Its hard to know what to do then it's hard to find the courage to do it when you do. Always someone to knock you down as you say and rarely for your own good. Sadly its not a good time to try anything... Wish I could offer you a hot meal... kenny
Im in the same boat but im 17, ever scene i remember i wanted to to travel and live freely and live a happier life. just waiting to finish school, and move to another country and experience something different.
No matter what station or circumstance your life, it will consist of sensations, one following the other, some of which you may call pleasant and some not so.
I know EXACTLY how u feal... my family an friends all think im crazy an tell me that i wouldnt be able to do it.. i just need to conform to societys way of life an deal with it.. but all socitey views me as is a dope head because i got busted with a joint did 75 days in jail an everything i had left taken away DL licence, car, job , saveings for my trip.. but most of all the rest of my pride.. over nothing.. so now im 2500 in debt an have a warrent cuz i cant pay my fines.. so how am i supposed to fix it wen i cant ketch a break?? why do i want to live in a society thats gunna judge me befor they know me.. iv never done anyone no harm iv always been respectful... mostly put everyone befor myself.. an thats the kind of people i wanna be around.. but that hasent happend..(becides all u cool peeps but thats diff).. so iv been trying to plan a road trip for the last couple years but every time i chicken out becaue i start thinkin about what everyone says or thinks.. an my dad would have every cop in the u.s surchin for me if he dont know were i am every second.. drives me nuts im 25 yrs old let me go quit makein me feal guilty an like a lil kid.. i mean i love my family but i dont mind that i dont see them very often.. an my friends love em but i have nothing in common with em becides smokin pot.. except my best friend an roomate drifter but hes old an retired from that life now an he cant do the things i wanna do anymore.. iv sat in the chair next to him for the last 13 yrs listening to his storys an journeys dreamin of what it would be like to live free of all "nesscitys" society says u need but i dont want it, i dont need it, it dosent make me happy.. the happest i ever was wen i went camping for two months a couple of summers ago with limited supplys cuz i had my dog an kitten he loved it out there he was awesome.. anyway i cought my dinner every night cooked an cleaned it myself.. i had the time of mylife out there was healthier an happier then i had been in a while i didnt care for drugs or smokeing cigs.. but it wasent enough i want to travel but if i did im sure my dad woulda did sum stupid shit an make me out to be an ass an feal guilty... i just wanna be me not wat society says i should be or what theyve already made me.. im just tired an i dont know what to do anymore im just sad an depressed all the time i dont know how my roomie can stand me i cant even stand me lol im not what i wanna be or even who i use to be an i want happy carefree me back but i cant doit here.. an i dont know what to do im almost to the breaking point of just doing it or ending it cuz i dont wanna live if this is all i have to look forward to iv never felt more lonlyer then i do now... sorry for the sob story but thanks for listening, thats all i needed
fuck wat people think. do wat makes u feel good. forget wat society says is rite. live your lfe the way u want. i wanted to live traveling and thats wat i do. ive hitched, flew, hopped freight trains all over us and canada. im about to hitch and hop through mexico. i hear all this shit my family and people i meet tell me i should make somthing of my life,, fuck them, im being free, im happy, and im going to continue to be that way. good luck, dont let anyone hold you back,, be free and happy
I grew up on a dairy farm in Indiana. Milking happens twice a day -- every day. There is no escape. I answered the call of the wild by joining the Navy during the Cold War. I traveled a lot, lived in 3 different countries, learned a lot, met a lot of people, partied a lot and made mental notes along the way to remember my favorite moments (the smells, noises, etc.) I'm an artist by trade (semi-retired now) and I can certainly tell you my life would not have been the least bit exciting or interesting if I had stayed on the farm. I would have never learned to scuba dive, ocean fish or fallen in love with seafood. There's more to life than bacon...
I have to agree with rail punk, just do it. Its better to regret something you have done than something you havnt. If you drop out and realise that you cant or dont want to live that way, just drop back into "regular" society. Pick a destination and go, but before you do that, go to the library or search up some survivalist books online. There are books about dropping out, "Steal This Book" was a good one but is irrelevent now. There is also tons of good information on this forum. I say go for it, just be prepared.
I'm struggling with the same idea but in a different situation. I'm 53, good job and money in the bank. Put 30 years into corporate America and now I want to hit the road and travel. Got the Van pretty much all set to go, got the knowledge to get me started. All I lack is a pair of balls to shake off the fear of regret. Family members and close friends think I'm nuts but will let me do as I wish. Money wont be a problem at first but I have to think about my future and retirement. Just don't know what the future will bring and how will I afford it? Sounds so good to throw off society's norms for a while and enjoy but I hesitate...
I agree with Rail Punk. Go for it. There will always be people, in life, trying to tell you what to do, what's wrong and what's right. Are you going to listen to everyone in every situation for the rest of your life? What's right for one is not right for all. Just be careful out there. One day, I just decided to leave. And if I never did that, I'm pretty sure I'd be stuck in a really shitty life that I hate.. Do YOU!
we are trapped mate . everybody .you follow the system , you reject this system or you make your system . paper for life . money for life
Sonnl, what is YOUR dream? Not the "American" dream, but YOUR dream? You said "...but whenever I get these ideas in my head there has always been someone to knock me down a notch, tell me why its wrong and impossible." Let me ask you, WHO said it's "wrong and impossible" to achieve YOUR dream? It's your dream, go for it. Fuck anyone that says different. You said "...And yet, then I hear or read about all these people who have done just that, and with little to no money." Talk to TwoDogs. He can give you some excellent pointers. You said "...Its funny though, because every time I had planned a trip, and gotten knocked down, I end up getting myself in trouble or turning to drugs, so its like, was the alternative really so much better than me going out into the world?" Chumbawamba, "Tubthumper" (https://www.youtube.comwatch?v=2H5uWRjFsGc&ob=av2e) You said "...Im going to be 24 soon, and in no way is my life what I expected it to be when I was 16, I know a lot of us can say that, but still. Im finally getting out of new york soon, moving down south, but I dont even know if thats the right thing to do either." Dude, just do it. My life is nothing compared to what I thought it would be when I was 16. Conditions were hugely different, but at the same time we're both victim of the same problem- time. We change with age, and time still goes on. You said "...My plan was to move to florida for a year, make money, do some materialistic things, and then go travel, but should I just go now?" Up to you when you go. You're the one that has to take the first step. exciting, isn't it? Always is! You said "...I havent a dollar to my name really, so maybe I should wait, but its like I hear the drums, the call of the wild constantly pounding, and I dont know how much more I can take." Talk to TwoDogs. He can give you some pointers. Listen to him closely though. You said "...I was hoping someone here has been in my situation, and can tell me what they did." Many of us have been. And you know what we did? We went out and just did it. We had the same feelings. You're no different. It helps having some money on you, but best of all, ya just gotta do it. You said "...Is it worth it to just leave?" That's for us to know and you to find out! You said "...Do people really find happiness out on the road, away from money, and beer, and partys and friends?" Some do and some don't. You said "...Im so lost and confused, so Im sorry for the long post, but I cant think of one friend I have anymore who I can talk to with stuff like this." No need to apologize. You really havn't said enough, but still said too much. Instead of telling us your confusion, you should be discussing ideas, thoughts, goals, plans and options. Quit excusing your lack of action and step up to the plate. Are ya gonna do it? If so, great! If not, well, your call. But I know you'll regret it for the rest of your life if you don't.
