A Full-Time Traveler Dream Job
So here is the thing: Some people are blessed enough to love their career choices, their jobs, and perhaps even their bosses, but some are more like me, in a professional limbo and always reminiscing about their favorite subjects in school or university or thoughts like "I should've just become a History major or a botanist (perhaps)," even if money doesn't orbit these professional choices.
Anyhow, I fear that at some point down my "lifeline," I became just another sheep, following the crowd, conforming to the hype and the popular career choices, and ended up where I am: nowhere close to knowing what's next professionally and, to be fair, even personally. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to move around a bit and spend time in three different countries. For most of my life, I was in Brazil(my country of origin), then another considerable amount of time in the USA (my adopted country), and now, for the last 3.5 years, Switzerland ( oh well, not sure how to put this one). Anyhow, here I am, now searching for a job, feeling the need to create some sort of roots somewhere because time is constantly on the move. Regardless of what I may feel inside, time is NOT stopping for me or making me younger, and the more I talk to older friends, and even to my parents, I can't help but think about retirement plans, pension schemes, retirement destinations, and argh... you get the picture!
I am sure for most of us, if we could go back in time, we would tweak a thing or two. Maybe some of us are perfectly OK with how things turned out(especially those who have attained a higher "sense of SELF"), I'd say congratulations, but I know I definitely would. Even if my current self had to be altered somehow, I'd take my chances, but since we can't, let's drop this (though I secretly revisit this thought often and daydream thinking of movies like The Time Traveler's Wife).
The point is: If I could choose again, I'd be a professional traveler. I am sure some people will disagree, but to me, this would be a dream job. Imagine visiting exotic lands and tasting incredible (and sometimes not so incredible) food, meeting people, and experiencing new cultures that will somehow contribute to your life. Throw yourself into different experiences as often as possible in the name of work!
Unfortunately, it's not so simple, and I am sure as much as there are great things about it, there are equal downsides to be considered, such as maybe no fixed address, being always on the go, changing rooms, temperature, places, faces, airport-hopping, being distant from those you care about, so on and so forth.
Regardless, there are professional travelers who, to my standards, have found a way to live their dream (via the job). It is not unusual to find even companies sponsoring such opportunities! Below are some articles to give you an overview:
Want to Become a Professional Traveler (post outdated)
These are only a few articles; I am sure there are plenty more to go. I guess the point of this post is to share what I think I would and should have and perhaps what I can still do. I'd love to be a professional traveler, but maybe that time has passed, and I have to focus on other dreams and opportunities. How about you? What is your "dream" job? Are you doing it or planning on doing it in the future?
I would love to hear your comment on this.
