The Cubicle

I spent over 7 years sitting in this cubicle, burning up my 20’s, and knowing that something was very wrong but not sure how to fix it. I at least knew that I definitely didn’t want to wake up and be the miserable and rich bald guy driving the convertible one day.

After some research into various escape options, I came across Rolf Pott’s book Vagabonding which was like a slap in the face. I levitated around for weeks, planning in secret and not sharing my new dream with anyone. I sold my house and began to tear down my entire financial and social structure which I had spent the last 30 years building. I stopped buying things and started banking the money instead - which added up far quicker than I would have imagined once I cut out the frivolous spending.

Finally, on December 31, 2005 I walked out of IBM Global Services forever. One quick look back and I knew that I would never return.

Here is the short story about my escape from the cubicle.

What is Vagabonding?

Rolf Potts describes it as “The act of leaving behind the orderly world to travel independently for an extended period of time” and “A deliberate way of living that makes freedom to travel possible”.

So put simply, it is the act of choosing experiences and travel adventures over working away your life for material things. Its not throwing all caution away and going into the Wild to face grizzly bears and poisonous plants alone…(but of course, that is always an option)..it is simply a matter of re-aligning your priorities in life.

You can spend $20K on a new car, or keep driving the one that you have that runs fine. Sure, a new car would be fun and smell good, but in a few years it will wear out just as well. Or you could take that same amount of money (a small fortune by budget travel standards) and literally go around the world gaining life experience and memories that will shape you into a new person. Unlike plasma screen televisions and clothes from the Mall - life experiences never wear out, go away, rust, get stolen, or go out of style. After the initial investment, they are yours forever.

Why not wait for retirement to enjoy life?

Thoreau put it best when he said we spend “the best part of one’s life earning money in order to enjoy a questionable liberty during the least valuable part of it.”. AKA…..retirement.

In other words, live for now. There is no guarantee that you will have the finances or health by retirement age to do the things that you want to do. This does not mean that we should not prepare some for the future, but do not get stuck in the cycle of working to buy things to distract you from working in the first place!

What if I do not have the money?

You would be amazed at how little money you actually need to travel a majority of the world. In fact, per the BBC, more than half of the world’s population lives on less than $2 a day. How much money slips through your fingers monthly? We’re not talking vacation style travel here where money is fire hosed for 2 weeks in an effort to bring happiness.

Budget destinations like Asia, Africa, and South America are full of adventure and culture, but are extremely cheap compared to what you spend to live in the “civilized” world. For the cost of one average dinner and a movie night out in the US, you could eat, sleep, and play for days on an island in Thailand!

A life of travel

Vagabonding is not for everyone just like sitting in an office or cubicle is not for everyone. I don’t advocate throwing a finger at your boss, sticking a flower in your hair, or even denouncing capitalism. In fact, I have never burned a single bra. If you enjoy what you do, stick to it! If you feel the life being sucked out of you in true Office Space fashion, then get the heck out of there. It can’t be put any simpler than this:

Stop complaining about things and make yourself happy!

How to get started?

First, STOP BUYING THINGS. In a few months you will realize that things are a liability rather than a blessing. Save the money instead so that you will have a buffer. Plus, more money = more options.

Second, start talking to other travelers, jump into the culture, and see if it is for you. You can start by visiting my website for new budget travelers - Take a look at my backpacking guide to get started and maybe join the backpacking forums.

Bootsnall is also a huge and friendly travel community which will accept you with open arms.

Next, pick up a copy of the book Vagabonding. Here are some other great suggestions on my backpacking books reading list as well.

Once you are where you need to be, everything else will fall into place and it feels great.

I will see you in the field one day.

Tags: backpacking, backpacking travel, budget travel, vagabonding

6 Comments »

Skylab

“Stop complaining about things and make yourself happy!” You couldn’t have said it any better. Great blog btw.

Comment | December 4, 2008
Dave Gardner

Sorry about the late comment (was stuck in a cubicle!)–awesome post. Again–the reason for escaping the box. This is the real way to express “thinking outside the box!”

I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve linked to this specific post from my cubicle Squidoo lens–because you have said it so well!

Dave Gardner aka EditorDave
http://www.squidoo.com/lantau

Comment | January 19, 2009
Tessa

Hi Greg, wow I love your ideas and what a change you made! I’m only 17 but my dreams are big and man, what you’re doing, thát’s what I want I realy admire your story, escaping the cubicle! That’s real living you’re doing.

Hey I just made a new blog on myspace, if you want you can read it and tell me what you think (I put a little link in it to this site)…

Love your spirit! greetings from Belgium

Comment | August 10, 2009
If You Want To Travel, Hang Around Travelers | Shannon S. Evans

[...] 5. Blogs: I’ve stumbled across a lot of blogs over the past few weeks. Eventually I’ll stop being lazy and add them to my blogroll or maybe I’ll even be fancy and create a links page. Actually, that’s exactly what I’ll do because there are just too many great reads to just list them here and I really don’t want to leave anyone out. All of them have inspired me in some way to travel…and write. I will list them all later, but here’s the link to my favorite post from Vagabonding Life…here. [...]

Pingback | August 26, 2009
tin

i don’t like dragging myself to work everyday that’s why i am leaving the cubicle soon and resign from my current job!
i just want to travel!

Comment | August 27, 2009
Nomadic Chick

Not to comment twice, but I have to. The minute I read IBM, I nearly choked on my water. Many, many of my friends worked there or are currently working at evil IBM. For 7 years or more the only words/phrses I’ve heard to describe them is: soul-sucking, cold, bottom line over humanity, automaton, unsatisfying… I could continue, but let’s not.

In fact, it seems IBM might be one of the worst in proving that vagabonding is the way to go. If you haven’t, check out the documentary, The Corporation (http://www.thecorporation.com/). IBM is promininetly featured and not in a positive light.

PS: hope I don’t get sued for this.. To cover my ass, it’s my opinion IBM - really, truly.

Comment | January 23, 2010