Travelling doesn’t have to be a leap of faith

Not too long ago there was an article doing the rounds on Facebook entitled ‘6 Reasons Why Not Quitting Your Job To Travel Is A Waste Of Your Life’. It’s author, Logan Herlihy, had left his home in the United States after graduating from college to spend a year working and travelling in Australia.

Herlihy seems to be thoroughly enjoying himself. So much so that six months in he opened up his laptop to recommend it to everyone. Not Australia itself, per se, but travelling in general. He pushes the notion of leaving one’s normal surroundings to lead a life of experience and enterprise. Take the pay cut, quit the menial nine-to-five job, hop on a plane and find happiness.

It’s actually quite a convincing piece, but plays on ideals. Herlihy obviously has time to take a gap year, has some funds behind him, probably doesn’t have children and it happy to put off his career for 12 months to pursue this other venture. In theory, it sounds great. In practice, it’s a little more difficult. For him, cutting free and letting go is fairly straightforward, for others it may not even be an option.

Put me in the ‘other’ section.

Horsing around in Riga, Latvia.

Hi, my name’s Tom Woods and I am a 22-year-old student at the University of Salford. As a third-year, I have plenty of work to be getting on with, a part-time job, not much money and an overdraft at my disposal.

As an avid sports fan and keen traveller, I’d like to pursue journalism in those fields. I already do sports writing, watching a lot and playing little, but this is my foray into the world of travel. A chance to explore the planet, see new places, meet new people and document it here.

But is that really possible in my current circumstance? Of course it is!

Only recently did I contract the travelling bug, following a trip to Krakow, Poland in January. Since then, I’ve visited seven other countries, and have more trips lined up for early 2016.  That volume may seem unrealistic, but with research and careful planning deals can be found and free days soon open up.

Travelling Tom will not merely be a diary. I hope it will serve as inspiration to others by offering hints, tips and guides, helping you to travel for less and fit it around your lifestyle – both time and finance-friendly. I also want to tell stories, not just of my own, but those of other people, too.

So join me on my journey. Whether it’s telling tales of a beach party set to the backdrop of Ibiza’s sunrise, night kayaking on Latvia’s River Daugava or dragging my girlfriend around the many museums that each country has to offer, there should be something of interest for everyone.

You don’t have to quit your job or stop what you’re doing to travel. Not going Down Under for a year does not equate to the abandonment of adventure. You simply need the want and know-how.