Last week, I mustered all the strength I had and with the encouragement of my girlfriend, took the plunge into the unknown world of unemployment before we set off for 8 months traveling Asia.I had a job where I enjoyed the people I worked with, that paid really well and most importantly I enjoyed the job itself, but there was still something missing. I knew it was time to leave and time to move onto my next stage in life. Before suddenly leaving behind a career you may wish to return to, these are some important things to consider.

Don’t Burn Bridges

Providing you like the people working above you, you’re probably not going to want to leave on a bitter note. Take all the necessary actions to ensure you resign according to your companies policy and give at least two weeks notice. If you didn’t enjoy your last job, remember to stay professional when resigning. This will be the last job on your resume or CV and when you return from traveling you’re going to need references.

Be Honest with Everyone

In the state of the economy your decision to leave might come as a shock to your employer and your peers, and they will have a lot of questions regarding why you’re leaving, followed by “are you crazy?” It’s important to stay honest with them as well as to yourself about the importance travel has in your life and why you must take this journey. It’s safe to say some will understand and some won’t, but if you explain to them why you’re leaving and how this is not an 8 month drinking binge in Cancun they should understand, maybe even be inspired.

Keep in Touch

If you hated your job this last point doesn’t apply, but if this was a career you are looking to return to or are relying on your employer for future job references it’s a good idea to communicate while on the road. A simple email saying hello or even keeping everyone updated on what you’re doing on Facebook is a good way to go. This way when your employer gets that call for a job reference a year from when you left, there is a clear picture of who you are in their mind.

“Every Good Thing Comes to an End”

It’s important to have some cash and some sort of plan reserved for when you return. This will lessen some of the anxiety of returning home to your unknown future. It’s important to stay flexible while traveling, but at some point you will return and if you at least have some idea of what you could do for work and where to live it will allow you to enjoy your trip even more than spending precious time worrying about the future.

While the choice to leave a career might not be for everyone, for those whose goals involve seeing the world and long term travel, we may have to leave behind everything we have worked so hard for. Mark Twain once said ” Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore.Dream.Discover”