While many of my recent posts have been focusing on all things travel, I am facing a little bit of a travel lull at the moment due to the fact I am now working for 'the man' and have limited time off and funds - but don't worry dear readers, you'll be seeing more of The Basic Traveller antics coming up in the next few months as I've got a few trips booked and some more in the pipeline.
Anyway, I thought I might let you into my (albeit quite dull) routine of London living at the moment. Okay, so that's a bit harsh, what I mean is that yes, I have a 9-5, and while some people might disparage that, for the large majority of us, it is needed, because while I am the biggest advocate for travelling, for jetting off to the other side of the world or just falling off the map, sometimes a bit of 9-5 is needed. Firstly, to be able to afford to go anywhere you do sometimes need to be able to bring in the big bucks, it just makes things a little bit easier, and also to be able to get what we want out of life, sometimes that sort of stability is needed.
Now I'm not saying a 9-5 is the only way to achieve this, or to do it, and there are various other versions of a 9-5, and not all of them are great, believe me, I've had my fair share of brain-numbingly dull 9-5's. Yet, one thing they have taught me is that stability is needed for a lot of people, and for many, that stability is what is keeping their mental health in check, being able to be secure in the knowledge that they can control and know exactly what is going to happen in their day. Sometimes they bring a sense of security that you know what you are doing, they provide measurable progress in a career or work environment.
For many, they don't want this, they thrive off being out of control, and I get that, I love waking up in a different country and not know what the day is going to bring me, and while I've heard it so many times that your twenties is the time to be free with your career, to quit your job and go wherever the mood takes you, and don't get me wrong, I love this idea, I guess what I'm trying to say is that a 9-5 is not all bad if you are doing what you like, working towards an end goal, working for something bigger than yourself, or whatever reason you are working for you. Maybe it is to support a family, maybe it is to buy your dream house, perhaps you simply need that mental stability that routine brings, or simply just to be able to pay rent this month, whatever reason is you, then that's fine. I have seen so many things floating around on the internet on the moment talking about how travel is the only way to go, how those who haven't travelled haven't lived, how everyone needs to quit their job and go travel, and I've been thinking about, while this is aspirational for some, it is also detrimental for others that don't have this luxury, those with responsibilities, or for those who simply don't want to. Wherever your goal lies, whatever aspiration - that's you.
I've been properly working full time for the British Red Cross for 2 months now, and while I finally feel like I might be getting somewhere and actually know what I am doing, it is easy to get caught up with seeing how the other half live, Instagram pictures of sandy beaches and beautiful sunsets, I know what I am doing is making a difference to someone somewhere. I know that I am lucky to be able to work for a charity/auxiliary governmental organisation that can actually make a big difference, but nonetheless, it is still a 9-5 like everyone else.
I think what I am trying to say in all these mad ramblings is that, if you want to travel your life, that's fine, if you want a job, that's fine, if you need to have a job to fund your travel that's also fine too. Recently, I've been thinking that just because I have a 9-5 now that I've kinda 'sold out' or become boring, but I know that to be a load of bullshit, I just gotta do what I have to in order to be able to finally move out (which I've done) and support myself (which I can). So suck it world.
Have a good week my loves,
Lots of Love, Kate xx
Anyway, I thought I might let you into my (albeit quite dull) routine of London living at the moment. Okay, so that's a bit harsh, what I mean is that yes, I have a 9-5, and while some people might disparage that, for the large majority of us, it is needed, because while I am the biggest advocate for travelling, for jetting off to the other side of the world or just falling off the map, sometimes a bit of 9-5 is needed. Firstly, to be able to afford to go anywhere you do sometimes need to be able to bring in the big bucks, it just makes things a little bit easier, and also to be able to get what we want out of life, sometimes that sort of stability is needed.
Now I'm not saying a 9-5 is the only way to achieve this, or to do it, and there are various other versions of a 9-5, and not all of them are great, believe me, I've had my fair share of brain-numbingly dull 9-5's. Yet, one thing they have taught me is that stability is needed for a lot of people, and for many, that stability is what is keeping their mental health in check, being able to be secure in the knowledge that they can control and know exactly what is going to happen in their day. Sometimes they bring a sense of security that you know what you are doing, they provide measurable progress in a career or work environment.
For many, they don't want this, they thrive off being out of control, and I get that, I love waking up in a different country and not know what the day is going to bring me, and while I've heard it so many times that your twenties is the time to be free with your career, to quit your job and go wherever the mood takes you, and don't get me wrong, I love this idea, I guess what I'm trying to say is that a 9-5 is not all bad if you are doing what you like, working towards an end goal, working for something bigger than yourself, or whatever reason you are working for you. Maybe it is to support a family, maybe it is to buy your dream house, perhaps you simply need that mental stability that routine brings, or simply just to be able to pay rent this month, whatever reason is you, then that's fine. I have seen so many things floating around on the internet on the moment talking about how travel is the only way to go, how those who haven't travelled haven't lived, how everyone needs to quit their job and go travel, and I've been thinking about, while this is aspirational for some, it is also detrimental for others that don't have this luxury, those with responsibilities, or for those who simply don't want to. Wherever your goal lies, whatever aspiration - that's you.
I've been properly working full time for the British Red Cross for 2 months now, and while I finally feel like I might be getting somewhere and actually know what I am doing, it is easy to get caught up with seeing how the other half live, Instagram pictures of sandy beaches and beautiful sunsets, I know what I am doing is making a difference to someone somewhere. I know that I am lucky to be able to work for a charity/auxiliary governmental organisation that can actually make a big difference, but nonetheless, it is still a 9-5 like everyone else.
I think what I am trying to say in all these mad ramblings is that, if you want to travel your life, that's fine, if you want a job, that's fine, if you need to have a job to fund your travel that's also fine too. Recently, I've been thinking that just because I have a 9-5 now that I've kinda 'sold out' or become boring, but I know that to be a load of bullshit, I just gotta do what I have to in order to be able to finally move out (which I've done) and support myself (which I can). So suck it world.
Have a good week my loves,
Lots of Love, Kate xx