Finnaly gave the notice.... - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**millmuff** · 07-23-2007, 07:38 AM

So after a year of planning, and changing my mind, and then changing it again. I have finally gave my company the heads up that I will be leaving in November to go travel. I work for a major Telecommunications company in Canada in an IT role and have really struggled with the idea of letting go of a job I worked so hard to land. As bad as it sounds I keep telling myself I can't actually go forward with this but I still am...I think part of it has to do with the fact that I've told so many people I'm doing it and now I dont want to go back on my word!! haha

It crossed my mind about a year ago that if I ever wanted to do that "big trip", that now was the time. So within the next few months my company is probably going to pull every guilt trip possible and we'll see if I can hold strong. I've actually asked for a 6-8 month leave, even though I would like longer I think thats reasonable. If they give me more then great and if not then I guess I get to leave for about as long as I like.

By the time I head out in Nov I will have approx 17 grand give or take saved up. This will be for pretty much everything from flights to accom, etc,etc. So I should have enough to go for a while comfortably. Anyways I just wanted to say thanks to everyone over the last year for the answers and support. I seriously think that if I hadn't came across this page I wouldn't have been able to get the nerve to do a trip of this magnitude.

I'll let you all know how things play out in the next few months.

**lauren313** · 07-23-2007, 11:39 AM

Wow, congrats on taking the plunge, how exciting. Where are you planning on heading?

**marc873** · 07-23-2007, 05:36 PM

Fucking kick ass bro. Balls to the wall and go for it. I also quit my job to go on my last trip. No regrets here, embrace it and have the trip of your life

**joe7f** · 07-23-2007, 07:52 PM

Add me to the people who left work to travel (my decision was just made for me

)

I'm doing an RTW next year, where are you headed?

--Joey

**florencia9699** · 07-23-2007, 10:54 PM

Wow!! That's great that you're finally getting to it! You'll just love it! And hopefully they'll give you as much time as u need. Have you prepared a rough itinerary?

hurr111 · 07-24-2007, 01:13 AM

I did the whole quitting work thing also. I haven't left on my first trip yet, but I also know it wont be my last. Stick to your guns and don't let anyone talk you out of it...I am excited for you, congrats!

**millmuff** · 07-24-2007, 08:05 AM

Thanks everyone for the posts, I didn't expect to hear much after spelling finally wrong on my thread title!! It's great to hear from other people who have done the same thing at work....I always try and tell myself my work isn't a priority...I really admire people that are admire to up and leave it all. I'm hoping this is a big step in the right direction.

For itinerary I'm going to keep it pretty loose. My basic plan is to start in NZ, Oz, SEA, China, Japan, and then possibly eastern europe or south america.....I haven't looked much further past asia. I'll be booking me flights within the next month or so which should narrow it down a little more.

**Diorama** · 07-24-2007, 10:31 PM

Congrats! I totally know how it feels to give your notice. In fact TOMORROW is my last day!!!!!!! I am so happy

In fact tonight I went to a cocktail reception with a bunch of coworkers from work and I just suddenly realized that I was so over it..I'm so over being around work or work people. It is nothing special to me anymore..Stay in touch. I'll be in Asia from Sept to Dec. And then In December I'll be moving to NZ..If your in the area get in touch. Good luck with the transition!

**worldwidemike** · 07-25-2007, 09:59 AM

Wow, congrats Dio! Have a good trip...you going to do another "Where's Jilly?" website...?

I enjoyed that so much when you were in Oz...

worldwidemike

**Canadian Bacon** · 07-25-2007, 10:18 AM

This is a trip of a lifetime... you wagered it all, and you'll gain it all.

GOOD LUCK BROTHER!

(If they ever fire me, I'm doing the same shit... or maybe when my contract expires...)

**Diorama** · 07-25-2007, 07:47 PM

Yes Mike of course I'm doing the website! my mom would kill me otherwise!

Wheres Jilly Part Deux!

I'll add the link to my profile once I've set it up!

**millmuff** · 08-03-2007, 07:20 AM

So just an update. Today I got called in to our regional managers office for a meeting. I wan't even thinking about the travel thinhg because I didn't think he had been told my situation yet.

Anyways he basically came out and said what amount of time will it take to get me to go and assure them that I will come back. It was such a releif to hear that, and also a really nice compliment. So now I basically all I really need to do is decide for how long. I told them around 6-8 months before so I don't think I can stretch it much farther than that without pushing my luck.

I'm going to fire off an e-mail to them by the end of the day.,...before I head to the Rockies to golf for a week at some of Canada's finest courses!! Just one of those days!!

**worldwidemike** · 08-06-2007, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millmuff

he basically came out and said what amount of time will it take to get me to go and assure them that I will come back.

Now that's the best of both worlds...the open ended schedule and a job when you get back! Congrats, dude!

worldwidemike

danny · 08-09-2007, 03:55 AM

Did the same thing nearly 6 years ago and after all the travelling realise i don't miss work as this ıs the opportunity of your life mate go for it and don't worry you wıll not even think of that job when drinking beer with gorgeous ladies from around the world.

Good Luck

**mbo108** · 08-09-2007, 07:18 AM

I agree with WWM, the chance to get to travel for that long and have the security to know you'll have a job when you come home...damn. nicely done.

**lilwings** · 08-09-2007, 10:45 AM

*insert jealousy here*

That's awesome that you'll have a little job security as well as some travel time! It's also a pretty nice nod from your boss! He knows that he has a great worker and will do anything to keep you and let you have some well-deserved fun too!

**millmuff** · 08-15-2007, 06:11 AM

So just a quick update. I hate to go back on my word, but apparently my employer has no problem with doing it so why can't I.

Just yesterday they decided to pull out some stipulation regarding the leave of absence. Basically if your not disabled or pregnant it can't possibly be important enough to leave work for an extended period of time( no offence to disabled or pregnant people).

I was pretty pissed off at first but decided to keep my head. Nothing really changes in regards to doing my trip. It actually makes me want to do it more I think. Anyways I think that they think that I wouldn't actually go and leave my job, but after they jerked me around I think I'll keep it to myself and just drop the two weeks notice on them in November.

**joe7f** · 08-15-2007, 07:10 PM

If you enjoy your job and get along with everyone (aside from this technicality rug being pulled out from underneath you), I would try to leave on the best terms possible. While you may not have your job when you come back if you handle it right and hiring environment is decent, there is no reason you won't be able to get an effective leave of absence.

--Joey

**millmuff** · 08-16-2007, 06:35 AM

I agree Joe. Sometimes it hard to keep your mouth shut when you get screwed over but so far I have. I've been in such a relaxed mental state just knowing that I'm actually doing the trip that it almost doen't matter what happens to me.

Even though technically they can't give me a leave I have been told by a couple managers to give them a call when I get back. So at least theres a few options when I'm back and broke.