European thoughts and Unemployment

Do something that is NOT like yourself AT ALL and see how good it feels.

Its now been 6 months since I have been back from Europe and seems like it was yesterday/years ago. I can’t tell which, sometimes I remember things when I wake up like it just happened, sometimes I think it was years ago. Sometimes I think it must have been a dream! I still can’t believe my life this last year. It started out with me quitting my job back in January due to stress from being an Assistant Manager at Target. A place I love to shop but they have some serious issues running that company. It wasn’t a quick decision I actually planned it for months while looking for another job. I realized life was way more important than 60-hour, stressful work weeks and money. Life should be about striving to find happiness not being miserable all the time. So I quit! And started planning a backpacking trip across Europe. LOL That was my dream. A friend and I had talked about it the year before and started to plan a trip. Due to some issues he was not able to go so I was faced with go alone or not at all. Which was a hard decision and its not like I could just ask someone else if they would like to go to Europe for 2 months, it was a big commitment. I have been waiting for YEARS to go to Europe; mainly Italy was my dream place. I kept waiting on people so this time I decided I was done waiting and I would take the leap!

You are going by yourself? I would just die. I could never do that. You have guts. Aren’t you scared? That would be lonely. Awe that’s okay. Those are basically what every person I told said immediately. I find that rude. I know most people meant some as a compliment or something but I found myself defending it all the time. Yep I have guts and you would be surprised what you would do if it were that or nothing. And by the fact you have never been to Europe I can see you have always chose nothing. Maybe that is a little harsh but I was annoyed and also I thought it to myself, which is what I wish they would have done. If you listen to other people’s fears you will be held back in life. It is those who don’t go the normal path that have the most fun, I have found. I know it takes guts and I didn’t think I had any up until that point. I would have never dreamed I would have quit my job and then go to Europe. I was always taught get another before you quit. Basically live in misery until you find something else. Well I had lived in misery for 3 years and nothing had come. So I jumped and crossed my fingers and planned a European tour! Lol Not exactly what most people would do when they quit their job but hey I like to think I’m not most people. I was lucky enough to not have any debt, scholarship to college years ago so no loans, and parents that were completely supportive and let me move back in….at 28. It was fine they and I both knew I wouldn’t be there long. They both were excited to have me back for a little while, it didn’t last. LOL but luckily neither did my unemployment! Ill get to that later. Back to Europe!

Europe bound in May! Originally it was suppose to be in March, since I quit in January. I was still waiting on my friend so it got pushed back until I knew they weren’t going. My original plan of going 2 months, taking trains, and staying in hostels got changed a bit too. I ended up taking a 3-week tour and back packing for 2 weeks by myself. I thought a full 2 months on my own would be too rough, now I know I could have done it. So when people said I had guts I didn’t agree; guts would be doing it all on my own.  I also thought my now planned 5 week trip might be too long. Wrong again I could have gone 3 more months I loved it so much!  5 weeks was great though, just enough to get me hooked!

I started out in London staying in a hostel for 4 nights before starting my tour. The hostel in London was Amazing! It was a great hostel experience, nothing like the movies scare you into thinking. There was a really loud train bridge next to it but with ear plugs it was just fine. Then when you walk out the door and under the train bridge BAM Big Ben and the London Eye less than a mile away! Great start to my trip. I met a lot of cool people I went around with at the hostel. Oh and I saw the Queen of England in her carriage opening up Parliament, no biggie. J Needless to say I was immediately hooked on Europe. I met up with my tour group and heading to Amsterdam, not knowing the girl I sat next to would end up being my roommate!  I took a Cosmos tour and had a shared room. I was nervous about it but it turned out good. Amsterdam was just a brief stop so I didn’t get to see much. Enough to know it is a beautiful city. We basically drove through Germany except for a river cruise to see some castles. Then to Switzerland to see the majestic Swiss Alps. Off to my destiny ITALY to see Venice, Pisa, Florence, and Rome. Through France’s beautiful Rivieria to see Nice, Monte Carlo, Monaco, and Carcassonne. Into Spain for a stop in Barcelona and Madrid. Back into France for Bordeaux, Ambroise, and then end in Paris! That is where I stayed at my second hostel. This one was so so, good hostel, location wasn’t so much. In Paris I found it was very hard to find a centrally located hostel. I also learned a valuable lesson about airports and places you stay. For instance, Paris has only 2 airports Orly and De galle. If you see another mentioned know it is actually an hour an a half away. That was the worst day of my trip getting there and then arriving back in Rome because I knew I would want more time in Italy than the trip allowed me so I flew back. Right when I got there the metro went on strike. I finally made it to my final and most amazing hostel!! I can’t even describe how great it was. The hostel owner cooked dinner every night- for free, took us out on the town in his car-for free, better WiFi than most hotels-free, free breakfast, and it was $35 a night in Rome! He also bought me tiramisu for my birthday! Best 29^th bday ever! And a great end to an Awesome trip!

Homeward bound. When I arrived home it was back to my parents house and on a job hunt. I got to experience what it is like to be unemployed, by choice. I know it’s different when unexpected. It was hard just like before when I would look when I had a job. I would look around on the internet for jobs and to try to figure out what I wanted to do. Apply for a bunch and hear nothing. Get with all my connections to help out and nothing. It was a scary feeling. Although my old position had not been filled (in 8 months) so I knew I could go back there. But that was a last resort and a giant step back. I started feeling completely lost and wanting to go back to Europe. Also wishing I had stayed in Europe, got a job at a bakery or boutique or as a travel guide! But I was stuck in the US day-dreaming. If that was a profession I would be rich! I was about to give up after 4 months of searching and nothing, I am aware this is actually not long. I have a new respect for people who are unemployed, it takes a toll on you. Its hard to stay motivated after awhile and its just depressing. There is so much negativity associated to people who are unemployed which doesn’t help.  People think it is easy to get a job. Yes you can go work at McDonalds tomorrow but some people don’t want to do that. The longer you are unemployed the harder it becomes to find a job. Not only because people think that the longer you are unemployed the more worthless you may be but also because you start looking less because you are so depressed an unmotivated. And I have always been a very motivated hard working person but unemployment changed that. I saw myself in a new light and it was scary. Right when I did give up and was getting more depressed- I got an interview! In a company I have always wanted to work for! I was in shock through the whole process and in the interviews. Not because they were bad but because I did so good. It was like some other person who wasn’t nervous took over my body and said all these awesome things. And guess what? I got the job!!! So now I have been employed for 2 months and I am finally starting to feel happy!

Just to think a year ago I was miserable and dreaming of what I wanted. Then I quit my job and made that dream come true! Europe and the job I always wanted all in one year! And right before I turn 30, well in 6 months ill be 30! So I have plenty of time to do some more awesome things! 2013 has been a great year for me!

My Advice(if you want some):

1. If you want to take an AMAZING trip somewhere – Do it. Do it now. Most jobs will give you extended time off for a trip of a lifetime.
2. You can go to Europe/travel alone- yes its scary at first but it wears off the moment you get to your hostel/hotel and you realize you didn’t drop dead like you thought. If it is this or nothing…well we know what I chose. And if you are a girl you will be fine, you go places here all the time alone, there is no different. Just don’t follow people into alleys.
3. You have more guts then you think you do, use them!
4. Don’t listen to others negativity or fears. Follow your gut and how you feel.
5. Plan! If you are going on a trip of a lifetime plan out every detail, don’t go with the flow. You will miss something.
6. If you are unhappy at your job get a new one. Stop putting it off. If you have the funds and supportive family/parents just quit. The fear will help you look more and really prepare for interviews.
7. If you do quit or are unemployed- spend your time wisely. Don’t waste it and then regret what you should have done. 9 months goes by fast!
8. SAVE. Seems like it is becoming a foreign concept. When I quit my job and went to Europe people were confused as to how. It is called savings. Yes I know a lot of factors go into not being able to save like: college loans, getting married, having kids, making dumb decisions. I also know some people have struggled their whole life in poverty and it is tough to get out of. I’m not talking about them, I’m talking about the others who could save but don’t.  Even a little amount every month is something, better than nothing. Here is a thought: Why not have kids later and travel in your twenties? Don’t be the norm. Its more fun, I promise.  Why not use your twenties to get out of debt. Why not instead of charge everything under the sun and hope you pay it off later, buy what you can afford. Save.
9. Stop day-dreaming and make it happen. Find out what makes you happy and go after it.

10. Do something that is NOT like yourself AT ALL and see how good it feels.

I have never been a person who likes change. I have always been a person who is held back by my fears and insecurties. This year has taught me that was all dumb. There is nothing (well almost nothing) I can’t do if I don’t at least try. This year I quit my job and became unemployed, went to Europe by myself for 5 weeks, and got an Awesome job at a company I have always dreamed of working for. If you’re not afraid life can be pretty sweet. Bring on 2014, I am so gonna rock you!