How I Became The Professional Hobo (Part I: The Dream, The Decision)
By theprofessionalhobo ~ February 6th, 2012. Filed under: travel planning.
I’m regularly asked how I got my start as The Professional Hobo. What was the catalyst for my decision to sell everything in favour of full-time travel? How did I do it? And most importantly – why?
Although I’ve answered many of these questions in one form or another over many interviews for other websites and newspapers, I haven’t properly documented the process on my own site.
Here goes…
Tough Questions
“What are you running away from?” was a question recently asked of me by a friend who was trying to help me through a rough emotional period of confusion about what I wanted to do.
Travel is commonly seen as running away from something or an act of withdrawal, but try as I may to psychoanalyze my actions, I simply can’t see how I’m running away from anything. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
Best to start from the beginning so I can illustrate my point.
Success in Business – and Life?
In 2006, I was running a busy financial planning practice in Toronto, Canada. I was what you could call a “medium-sized fish in a big pond,” having achieved a certain level of success and a reputation for helping people engineer their finances to enable their life’s dreams. I focused on the emotional issues of personal finance in an effort to transform our vision of money from a taboo hindrance into something that empowers and enables instead.
I regularly appeared on television, gave interviews in newspapers opposite financial “celebrities”, and I spoke in front of audiences as large as 3,000 people.
But something wasn’t right.
There was a little voice inside of me – a voice that has been a lifelong friend or pest, depending on how you look at it – that said “Nora…you’re not doing what you’re supposed to be doing. There’s something else out there for you.”
Those dastardly words. I’d heard them so many times before, and in the past when the voice kicked in I changed careers. I’d been a television producer and host, stage manager, professional actor/singer/dancer, operations assistant, assistant property manager, I started an administrative business, and – most recently – I ran a financial planning practice.
Not this time
But this time when “the voice” chimed in, I refused to listen. I’d put way too much blood, sweat, and tears into my business to leave it callously for yet another career. So instead, I filled my life with other things that I hoped would satisfy the ever-growing void in me. I became a Toastmaster, an active Rotarian, I sat on boards of directors for large charities, I got back into film & television acting, and I performed in numerous stage musicals.
Soon enough, I was busy 18 hours a day, and the voice was getting louder, not quieter.
In January of 2006, I was in two car accidents in one week. People said “the universe is trying to tell you something,” but I was only annoyed at this diagnosis. “What is the universe trying to tell me, for goodness sake? That I shouldn’t drive in the snow?! Get outta my way; I’ve got work to do”.
Forced contemplation
It wasn’t until a few months later when two bouts of bronchitis devolved into walking pneumonia that I was forced to stop everything for a spell. Shortly thereafter, the ball dropped. I was in absolute tears about having to go into the office to do some work that I’d been avoiding for weeks.
“What do you want to do?” was the poignant question asked of me when I had my head in my hands, at wit’s end.
“I just want to…retire!” I wailed dramatically. Shortly thereafter though, I considered what retirement meant to me. What was the retirement vision I had for my golden years? I counseled my clients to describe a day in the life of their retirement so we could plan towards it, and I’d neglected to do the same for myself.
Retirement….meant traveling around the world, slowly. Meaningfully. But not just passing through; rather, living around the world.
Rewind: Some history about my view of travel
Before I go further, there’s some back-story required.
When I was 8 years old…
I was sitting in class when the teacher showed us a documentary about Europe. I was fascinated. I saw people, but I didn’t recognize their garb, the language they spoke, the food they ate, the markets they shopped at, or any part of the architecture or scenery. It was so completely foreign to me. And I desperately wanted to know how the children my age played, and what daily life was like inside their homes.
This is the very root of my literal life-long dream of travel.
As the years passed….
Travel being important to me, not a year passed in my adult life when I didn’t go away for at least one vacation each year. But with a paltry vacation allowance and limited funds, most trips were only a week long, and were often superficial attempts to escape Canada’s long winters rather than culturally immersive experiences.
Then, in South Africa….
I took the month of December 2005 to go to South Africa. People at home thought I was nuts.
“You’re going away for a whole month?!” They said incredulously, implying that I was somehow irresponsible.
And the ultimate disconnect: when I was in South Africa, the heavily European-influenced locals asked “And how many months are you here for?”
“Months?!” I’d reply in disbelief. “I’ve only got days – no, hours – here! What do you mean?”
And at the end of my month, as I flew out over low-lying South African fields, watching the farmers tend to their livelihoods, I realized that I still had absolutely no idea how they lived. I’d thought that a month would be long enough to crack the code of the South African mentality; long enough to gain even a faint understanding of the people, their way of life, and their own dreams and ambitions.
Instead, a month of travel throughout this large and convoluted country left me with more questions than answers.
…Back to my breakdown…
So here I was, bed-ridden, considering what retirement meant to me.
I wanted to climb the mountains of the world.
I wanted to break bread around dinner tables round the world.
I wanted to shop at markets around the world.
I wanted to understand daily life in remote corners of the world.
I wanted to volunteer my services to help people around the world.
I knew I couldn’t achieve these goals in the way I truly wanted with week-long – or even month-long – vacations. I had to go much deeper than that. It had to be a lifestyle.
Could I wait another 30 years for a conventional retirement to live out this life-long dream? What if I did, then come retirement age, I wasn’t willing or able to do these things any more? How would I view my life as I lay on my deathbed? I already had a few close calls with the car accidents and my illnesses…what would I feel about my life if it ended right then and there? Would I have regrets?
Early Retirement
After considering these things, it became obvious to me that with only one shot at this life, I had to make the most of it. I had to “retire”. Putting in time for another 30 years was not possible; time wasn’t to be wasted or bided – it was for living.
Finances
I had the good fortune to have saved and invested for my future from a very young age, and had a good nest egg socked away for later years when I can’t work and need income. And in selling my financial planning business I was granted a small income for 2.5 years; long enough to figure out what form my travels would take – or even just to play out whatever dreams I had of long-term travel and return to the “working world” re-energized and enthused.
Ultimately I had no idea what form my travels would take or how long they would last when I made the decision to go. I just knew I had to go. And for once – the voice agreed. Despite the counter-intuitive move of selling a business I’d just built to the point where it could run itself and generate increasingly larger amounts of income, my inner voice actually applauded this decision to break out of the mold and chase down my dreams.
And so it was with a good financial footing and a large dose of faith that I put the wheels in motion for a life of travel.
Stay tuned for Part II, where I discuss some of the logistics of how I became The Professional Hobo; from quitting my job, to selling everything, to deciding where to go and what to do, to developing a location independent career as The Professional Hobo.
February 6th, 2012 at 11:57 am
My heart aches with this post. This is what I would love to do. There are so many “but’s”. But my child, my husband, money. I look forward to your second post.
February 6th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
@Jennifer – There will always be a “but”! That’s the kicker! But(!)….for every “but” you can come up with, you can also find somebody in that situation (with kids, husbands, lack of money) who have found a way to make it work.
It requires passion, commitment, creativity, and faith. But if you want something badly enough, you can have it.
February 6th, 2012 at 1:35 pm
This was so beautifully written!
So genuine and honest, very inspiring!
How do we read about part two?! It is fun to live vicariously through someone’s stories of travel and adventure. But I think I want to do more than just hear the stories someday.. I want to get out there and live life with locals around the world! A dream I will do my best to make a reality
Your travels sound amazing, all the best to you wherever you are!
February 6th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
How I understand the “buts.” Until recently I was full of them. Now that I am doing it everyone either says I’m irresponsible (these people will almost always be the people working for the elusive American dream or consumerism and hate most of their life) or people who are jealous and want to do it but…(these have two categories they really don’t want to but don’t want to admit it or they think that their life is more difficult to leave than mine and there is usually some pride attached to that thought but the don’t see its all ego).
February 6th, 2012 at 2:01 pm
Oh, and I love the post, can’t wait for two!
February 6th, 2012 at 2:52 pm
@Guin – Stay tuned for Part II, this Thursday!
@Laura – Great observations. One of the most common responses I get to my lifestyle is “WoW! I wish I could do that but I know I never could”….the reasons of which are as varied as the people who say it.
Luckily though, I rarely get the “irresponsible” line….maybe because I call myself a “professional” – ha ha!
February 6th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
I actually have broached this subject with my SO and he is always concerned about safety. I would love an article addressing this Nora. I’m trying to convince him to go to Prague, but have been unsuccessful so far.
February 6th, 2012 at 3:56 pm
Really looking forward to the second part, it’s something I would really like to do.
At this point it wouldn’t take much to tip the scales in favour of traveling full time.
(…… and for Jennifer in the above comment I was in Prague in January and felt very safe the whole time. It’s a WONDERFUL city, with wonderful people!)
February 6th, 2012 at 7:36 pm
Great story…Definitely an inspiration…
February 7th, 2012 at 4:57 am
You have definitely made the right decision and we are all lucky to share your insights and adapt them to our lives to a greater or lesser degree.
What you wrote about the emotional aspect of finances stroke a chord with me and even though this is not the place or the time for this discussion, I tend to believe that for an individual to be able to achieve the level or happiness, contentment or quality of life they want, it helps if the country they grew up or live in is organized enough to support and not discourage their dreams and aspirations.
It helps knowing that the banking system and the insurance company back home are trustworthy enough to keep you and your life’s hard earned savings safe. Imaging being an normal, hard working, tax paying 55 year old who only years before retirement realizes that his government has for decades mismanaged and wasted his pension contributions and his kid’s education savings fund and because the State no longer has enough money to adequately cover even the most basic needs, it doubles and triples the taxes, changes the tax system and cuts the salaries on a monthly basis and relies on foreign predatory agents and institutions to put financial “order?” in their house, ultimately turning the citizens to depressed, debt burdened slaves who always get the wrong end of the stick. See what is currently happening in the European South and Ireland. How can the people
prosper and and be happy in aggravating circumstances such as these…
For Europeans, a Canadian equals someone who has a good quality of life and is usually well-travelled. Most Canadians I’ve met had been places and were open minded and free spiritted like you are.
Apologies for my liberal socialist rant. We live in really strange times and that’s why we need to hear more positive outlooks like yours.
I may be moving to the Middle East in a few months time, but will get back to you on that one.
Look after yourself and keep in touch
February 7th, 2012 at 11:03 am
Hi Nora,
We just realized the exact same thing. We can keep waiting for “someday”, but what if “someday” never comes? Life happens now! So a few weeks ago we decided to start selling everything we own and prepare ourselves to leave in a year (maybe 18 months) and start traveling the world. Do what we are meant to do en be who we are meant to be.
Thanks for sharing your story. We will be sharing ours on the blog mentioned above.
Enjoy your travels!
February 7th, 2012 at 11:53 am
@Jennifer – Some of the greatest “safety” issues exist in our own backyards! A good dose of street sense and not putting yourself in compromising positions goes a long way to keeping you safe. (And yes, Prague can be quite safe, and a very cool place to visit)!
@Claire – How exciting! Keep an eye on those scales…
@despina – On a global economic scale, none of us know what’s coming. Although I was lucky enough to set up my my financial future with investments that I’ve “locked away” until such a time that I can’t work any more, there are no guarantees. Canada could suffer similar economic tough times that Europe is currently going through before I need that money.
Does it mean we shouldn’t save and take care of our futures? No. For me, what it means is that we shouldn’t sacrifice our lives and dreams NOW in favour of a future that might never come to pass. All the more reason to make sure we’re living every day to the best extent we can (without being irresponsible towards ourselves, families, and futures).
The Middle East, huh? Sounds intriguing!
@Erica – What a liberating decision! Good for you. Congratulations, and enjoy the journey…every step of it!
February 8th, 2012 at 7:34 am
Nora, this is such a beautiful post! Sometimes the Universe really does give us no choice but to stop and ask ourselves the tough questions in life. It’s horrible that it took your illness/breakdown to come to the realisation but SO great to hear how you turned your life around! =)
February 8th, 2012 at 7:46 am
@Toni – Thank you! Indeed….the Universe provides for us, when we’re willing to listen to the guidance available. My illness and breakdown were a function of my being forced to listen after ignoring that inner voice for a tad too long. Now I do my best to listen – and act – before it gets physical….still easier said than done at times.
February 8th, 2012 at 8:59 am
Great article – so fun to hear about the catalysts of others. Can’t wait for part 2. And @Jennifer – it is possible to do with husband and children too. Don’t let the “buts” drag you down.
February 8th, 2012 at 4:03 pm
Nora,
Thank you.
February 9th, 2012 at 2:37 am
Another amazing post, as usual. And it’s official, you’ve made it to my top 3 favorite bloggers
The truth is, I always wanted to travel, but (here comes the excuse), I don’t have sufficient funds to do it. I would try to save up but there is always an excuse not to do it. Other people (read family) think that it’s a weird path of life, packing up and just seeing the world, without a “real” job and family. I may be weak, and cave, and dream of traveling. But I know that one day it will happen – of course it won’t happen until I’m 70 and my knees will pop when I try to get onto a train. I have hope, and save up for my vacations until then!
Eagerly waiting for part 2 of the post
February 9th, 2012 at 8:12 am
@LM – Thanks! We all do have our ultimate “breaking point” past which we make these life-changing decisions, don’t we? Did you have a catalyst of sorts?
@Vinny – You’re welcome!
@Joseph – Woohoo! Top 3! I’m honoured.
Money is a big limiter – often logistically, and often emotionally. I was truly blessed to have a secure financial footing to start with, which – most importantly – meant I had no debts.
In regards to saving money (for travel, or anything else in life) – it’s all about how much you want something. When the time is right and your dream is to travel (above other dreams), then you’ll find a way to save for it and make it happen. The biggest step you can take is the first one – of commitment and faith.
February 13th, 2012 at 10:46 pm
thanks for sharing this post! love your inspiring story
especially love the idea that time isn’t to be wasted but spent for living!
February 19th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
@MB – Cheers! I think it takes a life-changing (or rather, life-challenging) event to make you realize you’ve only got one shot…and it’s best to make it count!
February 21st, 2012 at 7:56 pm
you can have a lease-car, such as a Audi or BMW of VW Passat and a BlackBerry and a MBA degree and a big house, and still, you’re tired, tired, tired and not lucky. Then, it’s time to think. To become a professionel hobo too
February 22nd, 2012 at 2:23 pm
@Joost – Just because we have all the acoutrements of a nice lifestyle doesn’t mean we are happy. I learned that lesson the hard way!
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:01 am
Very inspiring Nora, thanks for sharing your story. I enjoy reading about what makes people travel in the first place. It has become such a part of you today, but it is good to know what started it all. Congratulations on living your life the way you want to live it. I’m looking forward to part two. I just wanted to say that I love the way you write.
February 23rd, 2012 at 11:23 pm
@Deb – I might say the same about you & Dave….how travel has become part of the fabric of who you guys are today…and yet, you and I both know it’s one heck of a journey from the “regular” life to one of full-time travel.
Have you published your own story of how it all began? If not, then maybe it’s time!
Ps – Here’s Part II of my story: http://www.theprofessionalhobo.com/2012/02/how-i-became-the-professional-hobo-part-ii-the-logistics/
May 2nd, 2012 at 2:01 pm
Like you, when I was about 10, I used to find myself looking at posters of Paris, and other European towns, wondering what life was like and thinking that it all looked so romantic. While I’m not a Professional Hobo (although I’d love to be), I have made some serious changes in my life to set myself on a path allowing me to explore my passions and reach my goals. Of course, it does include travel. I’m looking forward to following your blog. Please feel free to explore my blog as well. My most recent post is about those twists and turns of life and career.
May 3rd, 2012 at 9:24 am
@Nicole – What a great adventure you’re on yourself! I really like the look of your blog, and look forward to seeing it develop. Gotta love those twists and turns! I think the key in life is to simply follow the path with faith and optimism….wherever it may lead….