From Engineer to Vagabond: Why I Quit My Job to Travel

Why I Quit My Job to Travel the World

Recently, I left my career as an engineer to begin a journey of backpacking through the world. After nine years of studying and working as an engineer, I found myself losing passion for what I was doing. There was a growing sense that the work I was doing wasn’t aligning with my deeper values. I wasn’t contributing in the ways I wanted, and it left me feeling empty in some ways. In recent years, I’ve had some experiences that have made me question living in the status-quo. Life is too short to put off following our heart. So, I did something that many people only dream of—I quit my job. 

I sold most of my possessions, leaving me with only what I can carry on my back. While this minimalism feels freeing, there are moments where I question the magnitude of this lifestyle change.

Leaving behind stability isn’t easy. It comes with a lot of uncertainty and fear, but I believe growth happens when we push ourselves beyond our comfort zones. For me, quitting was an act of faith—faith in myself, in the world, and in the unknown. I knew that in order to figure out what really mattered to me, I needed to step away from the familiar and to myself the space to explore other possibilities. 

I realize that not many people even have the option to do what I’m doing; to go for an extended period without income. The position I’m in is a combination of the advantages I have as well as the hard work I’ve done up to this point. Realizing my unique circumstance is part of the reason I want to share this journey. 

Shifting Values: From Material to Spiritual

As I’ve moved through my 20’s, I’ve started to question the traditional markers of success. We have been taught to strive for financial security, career titles, and accumulating better “stuff”. But on the path to attain them, I realized they didn’t give me the deep sense of fulfillment I thought they would. The more I focused on external accomplishments, the more disconnected I felt internally. Something had to change.

This realization led me to shift my focus from a materialistic mindset to a more spiritual and contemplative one. I began to see that happiness and meaning don’t come from the things we own or the status we achieve but from our connection to others, to nature, and to ourselves. I found myself drawn to spiritual teachings, books, and people who live with more intention and mindfulness. This shift has made me re-evaluate what I want out of life. Instead of climbing the corporate ladder, I want to align with my values and find ways to be of service.

That’s a big part of why I’m doing this. The world we live in feels like it’s on the brink of something, whether it’s an environmental, social, or mental health crises. We seem to be collectively heading down a precarious path. We consume more, stress more, and are more anxious than ever, all while large-scale injustices and suffering continue to persist. I know I don’t have the answers, but I know that in my own small way, I want to contribute to positive change. To do that, I needed to step away from the rat race and rethink how I can make a meaningful impact.

The Journey Begins

As I write this, I’m a few days into my travels in Mexico. I’m traveling with no real set plan, which is both freeing and terrifying. I’ve got a loose idea of what I’d like to do: learn Spanish, explore Latin America, spend time in an ashram, maybe visit the Middle East, but I’m leaving room for the unknown, because I’ve experienced the magic that can take place there. I’m intentionally keeping my plans open to see where life takes me.

Traveling has opened my eyes to how different the world is outside the developed bubble I’ve lived in. When I’m home in Canada, it’s easy to take comfort and stability for granted. When I travel, I’m confronted by different realities – poverty, injustice, and cultures that challenge my understanding of the world. These experiences have helped me grow in ways I couldn’t have predicted. I’ve met incredible, open-minded people who have shaped my perspective, and I know there’s so much more out there to learn.

This trip is about deepening that understanding to hopefully find out how I can best contribute to the world. I want to learn more about global issues and seek out ways I can be of service. It’s not about “saving the world” as I hold no illusions about my ability to do that, but if I can make a small difference, if I can touch a few lives, that’s enough for me.

Psychedelics for Personal Growth

It feels important to mention that part of this shift in values came through some profound experiences with psychedelics. While these substances still carry a stigma, it feels like a shift towards acceptance has occurred in recent years. My personal use of psilocybin in particular has given me insights that have changed how I experience this life. They helped me see beyond the material world and opened me up to the idea that we are all deeply interconnected. To some, this may sound like hippie B.S., but it’s something I’ve come to embrace. 

For most of my life, I considered myself an atheist. I believed in the physical world and what could be proven, but the intentional and careful use of psychedelics have equipped me with a broader lens. They have showed me that there’s something beyond what we can perceive with our senses. While I don’t subscribe to any organized religion, I do believe in the universal truths they embody. Psychedelics helped me step back from the endless pursuit of material success to focus more on living in alignment with my values: being present, serving others, fostering community, and practicing compassion. 

the Need for Change

When I think about the world today, I can’t help but feel a sense of urgency. Humanity is being pushed to its limits in a system that prioritizes consumption over sustainability. We consume more than we need, and yet, in many ways, we are less happy, less fulfilled, and more disconnected from each other than ever before. That’s not to discredit the amazing things advances have given us, but I believe it’s important to look at the costs. 

I’ve seen firsthand the injustices that exist in the world like people living in slums or children without access to clean water or an education. With a sense of interconnection, I’ve realized that those who suffer unfairly are having a human experience just as I am. Yet, it’s something that we in the developed world rarely talk about. It’s not that we don’t care, but our attention is overtaken by media and information that doesn’t reflect the reality of billions of people around the globe. I believe that change starts on an individual level by living intentionally and striving to make a difference, no matter how small.

I’m not under any illusions that my journey is going to “fix” these problems. But I believe that by learning more, by opening myself up to new experiences and perspectives, I can find ways to contribute in a meaningful way. I don’t know what that looks like yet, but this period of travel and exploration is my way of seeking those answers.

Stepping into the Unknown

As I begin this journey, I’m stepping into the unknown with an open mind and heart. There are so many uncertainties ahead: where I’ll go, what I’ll experience, how long I’ll be gone. I’m working to embrace this uncertainty. This is an experiment in living with curiosity and courage, rather than letting fear and scarcity guide my life. 

I’ve already heard from people who wish they could do what I’m doing but feel trapped by fear or responsibilities. This path isn’t for everyone, and it comes with its own challenges. But for me, the biggest risk would have been staying where I was and not giving myself a chance to explore other possibilities. If you’re something in this resonates, I invite you to follow along. This is an exploration of what happens when we let go of the familiar and step into the unknown.