I haven’t always been happy with travelling part-time —I’ve caught myself daydreaming of a life where I could travel all the time, like the ones I read about scrolling through nomadic travel blogs. The long hours of a 5-9 job, as opposed to the typical 9-5, or the stress that work can bring, can make it tough to fulfil a passion and travel a lot. However, selling everything and going on a never-ending trip isn’t necessarily the only solution. I’m grateful I chose to look for other options that better suit me.
Fast forward to today, and I’m still in a full-time office job. Yet, I often hear people say, “You’re lucky; you’re always on holiday!” The reality is, I don’t have more time off; sometimes, I even have less. However, I’ve found a balance that lets me have a settled life and still travel a lot.
The key is figuring out how to balance work and life. That’s the real secret to juggling a full-time job and still having the freedom to travel extensively.
Now, how to find the right balance between travelling and working?
Honestly, there’s no easy answer to that question. Why? Because I believe there isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula. We each have our unique ways of finding balance, and to make it a bit trickier, what feels right changes over time. We have to keep adjusting it as we go through life to keep it just right.
Here’s how I found my balance—hopefully, some of my experiences will help you figure out what works for you!
1. Find a region you like with plenty to explore
I strongly believe that we don’t have to travel far to experience adventure. There’s always something fantastic to discover in our local area. Think of your surroundings as a tourist destination, and treat your weekends like a 2-day holiday. This mindset opens up incredible opportunities for travel.
I’ve found my balance by moving away from my home country and enjoying the experience of living in Brisbane on Australia’s East Coast. Why? Because I have a passion for outdoor activities, and the Sunshine State’s climate is a perfect fit for that. The multitude of interesting places and the variety of activities in and around Brisbane – and a bit beyond! – are truly amazing.
2. Find the right job
This plays a crucial role in achieving the right balance. It’s pretty straightforward: a full-time job takes a significant amount of time and can impact your ability to travel extensively. My current job situation is a major reason why I choose to stay where I am, not for financial security but because it also meets the criteria I set for a good work/life balance:
- I enjoy the variety of my missions, my level of responsibilities and the skills I get to develop in my industry.
- My work environment is healthy, and I handle most of my responsibilities without excessive stress.
- I have a reasonable work schedule and a close proximity to the office, so I can also manage my hobbies and chores easily and find ample time for travel and travel planning.
- It provides a consistent salary. While money isn’t always necessary for travel, having money becomes a lot more important when time is limited.
It’s not by luck that I have found this position: it’s a result of making intentional choices in my career.
When choosing my job, I didn’t solely focus on the job description and salary. While living in Paris, I had the number one criteria on this list covered (with all of Europe as my backyard!). However, but my job’s long hours and lengthy commute left no time for travel planning and weekend escapes. I liked my job, but it taught me a valuable lesson.
3. Make the most out of your breaks between trips
Rather than the usual workdays/weekend perspective, what if we view it as having two days of holidays each week, with a 5-day break to recuperate, get ready, and plan for the next adventure?
During my non-travel days, I focus on things I can’t do while on the move. Being home brings me joy—I play soccer, spend time with close friends, and enjoy what my city has to offer. Most importantly, I always have the next trip to plan, keeping the excitement alive.