Here’s a little bonus post for you this week because last time out on the blog (here) I promised that my next post would be revealing my plans for 2020!
I always like to kick off any post with a bit of an introduction and I’ve rewritten this several different ways to try and achieve that. However I think that actually I’m going to keep this post relatively short and sweet and just break the news to you!
I’m leaving!
Fear not beloved readers, Jason Likes To Travel as a blog is going nowhere so your “favourite blogger” will still be around, however I am leaving! As some of you will already know, I’ve made plans to leave my job of 8 years, leave my home and go and ‘live’ out in Washington State for three months.
It is of course only temporary, I will be coming back to England! I fly out to Washington on February 3rd and I’ll be flying back to England on May 1st. It’s also currently ‘unofficial’ as far as work are concerned, I don’t plan on officially handing my notice in until December so for any work folk reading please keep that in mind. They are aware of my plans but I’d rather you didn’t go shouting about it through the office just yet (Thanks!).
So there you go! That’s my big reveal! Some big news and big changes are coming in the New Year! Whilst it is only temporary, it’s also going to be a completely new experience. It’s exciting but equally nerve-wrecking to be doing something completely out of my comfort zone.
I don’t really know what 2020 has in store for me beyond those three months and that’s quite weird, that unstable and spontaneous lifestyle isn’t really who I am. I’m ‘Weetabix boy’ who has two Weetabix every day for 31 years (few exceptions). I’ve spent the bulk of this past decade living in the same house and working in the same office such is the predictability of my life. Of course I’ve traveled a lot over that decade but the reality is I’m boring, safe, predictable, comfortable and live the easy life. A life of routine you might say.
In 2020 I’m signing up for the opposite of all of that! Will things go well in Washington or will they go horrifically? Will I struggle being away from England for that long? Will I easily find a job when I come back? What state will my finances be in after 12 weeks of unemployment?
I haven’t got a bloody clue! That should perhaps terrify me, and admittedly for clarity I do have the luxury of a roof over my head when I come back, but it doesn’t scare me! I’m embracing the uncertainty. I’m going in to this with a feeling of “no regrets” and feeling ready for it! The reality is that change is coming but I’m optimistic that its positive change that is coming! I guess time will tell!
Anyway, thanks for reading!
Next up on the blog? A trip to Hamburg! Stay tuned!
Jason
Jason likes to travel 
Good work, mate! Excellent, infact! 🙂
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Thanks Nick, I appreciate that! 🙂
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Unknown is scary but can be also so excited! Enjoy, whatever future brings! 🙂
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It can certainly be both! I appreciate the support though, thanks! 🙂
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Nice work! This sounds super exciting! Best of luck with everything 😍
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Thanks Ellie! Still a few months to prepare for it but I’m excited 🙂
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How exciting Jason, I’m sure it will all work out well for you. Could you perhaps ask for three months unpaid leave from work so you have something to return to or would you prefer to do something different on your return?
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Thank you! I did debate asking about doing that, however I think I want to do something different when I come back. It’s a good time for change 🙂
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That’s so exciting! I think it’s the best thing you could do, and in my opinion, eight years at the same job is way too much.
On the other hand, I get the nervous feeling about uncertainty. I got laid off this July and have been applying to jobs for six weeks straight now. My friends are between “You’ll never find anything that meets your requirements” and “Wow, you already had a few interviews after such a short time?!” And then I’m thinking with all the time I have and the compensation I received I should just go and travel until I find something. But somehow that seems too risky. Even though I’d recommend it to EVERYONE ELSE, haha!
Anyway, I’m sure you’ll be fine! And yay for Hamburg! Was almost going back there for a job interview next week!
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Thanks Nina, I agree! It’s a long time at one place.
I completely understand that. It’s a good time to go and travel if you can though. Likewise, I’m sure you’ll be fine whatever you end up doing!
It’s a great city, shame you’re not going back next week haha.
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What an exciting adventure! I hope everything works out well and best wishes to you!
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Thanks so much! I appreciate you saying that 🙂
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Good luck Jason, always good for folks to try living in another country, opens perspective and better for change!
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Cheers Nick. I completely agree. I’m looking forward to life in another country, even if it isn’t for too long 🙂
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Congratulations, Jason! I think no matter what happens, you should consider 2020 a success 🙂 Many of us live our entire lives without change, and the fact that you’re brave enough to push yourself outside your comfort zone should be commended!
Now that tweet about domestic US flights makes more sense 😉 I wish you the best of luck, and I can’t wait to see what you get up to stateside once you’re a man of leisure. If you find your way to NYC, be sure to let us know!
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Thank you so much! I really appreciate you saying that, it’ll be a great experience I’m sure 🙂
Haha yes! It’s a long time in one place, I know I can go and explore the nearby states but I’d quite like to catch up with people a little further away that are a bit too far traveling by land. I’ll definitely let you know if I end up making it over to NYC 🙂
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I hope you enjoy your stay stateside! It’s always a bit scary making a move to a new country, even on a temporary basis! Best of luck, I’ve not been out to Washington but it looks amazing
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Thanks so much! Washington is a beautiful state, I’ve visited a few times but it’ll be nice to be out there for a longer period. I’d definitely recommend a visit some time! 🙂
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Hi Jason, and welcome (soon) to Washington State! I hope you’ll have the chance to visit both sides of the Cascades—including the mountain range itself. If you’d like any suggestions, let me know! J 😎🗺
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Thanks so much! I’ve been to Washington a few times before so seen both sides of the mountains, I’m excited to have a bit longer there to really enjoy it though. All suggestions are welcome 🙂
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Exciting! Good luck for your move. Hope it’s a grand adventure. Looking forward to reading about Hamburg. Aside: Start researching where to buy Weetabix now! Don’t see them often in grocery stores. Think you can order from Amazon or Walmart 🙂
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Ah thank you! I’m sure it will be great. Haha yes, although I think I might be ‘brave’ and just have to survive without Weetabix for 3 months! Hopefully the lack of sales don’t put them out of business! 😉
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Details man, details!! Why Washington state? Why during some of their coldest, wettest months? Why three months and not one, or six? So many questions! Hopefully you have a blog post planned to answer them!! 🙂
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Haha sorry! I perhaps took it for granted the reasoning was well-known. My girlfriend lives in WAshington and the long distance is a pain! Haha.
Three months because I’m only traveling on a tourist visa which allows you up to 90 days. It’s a little ‘test run’ I suppose in to figuring out a longer term plan.
The timing is just asap really, I want to save a little before going over there 🙂
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Ok. It all makes sense now.
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So excited for you, I will expect lots of adventures, just from Washington. Very nice. .
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Thank you! I’ll obviously be based in Washington but I’m hopeful I’ll squeeze in quite a bit of adventure too. I’ll keep you posted!
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I’m excited to see where this next chapter of your life is going to take you!
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Ah thank you so much! I’m excited too 🙂
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I’ve nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award. See details here and congrats. You guys have a great blog: https://thetravelarchitect.wordpress.com/2019/09/27/the-sunshine-blogger-award/
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Thank you! I’ll try and respond to this at some point, I appreciate the nomination though 🙂
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It is great that you’re taking the big leap to surround yourself in a new setting. With this big move, I am sure there will be lots of adventures in store for you. Sending you lots of the best wishes!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
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Thanks Nancy! I’m sure I’ll squeeze in some adventure too! 🙂
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This all sounds very exciting! I’ll be keeping an eye on the blog for future updates 🙂
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Thank you! It still feels ages away but certainly exciting! 🙂
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Big changes are exciting 🙂 Good luck!
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Absolutely! Thank you! 🙂
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How exciting! It’s such a courageous step to do something this different. I resigned from the corporate world a year ago after 16+ years with the same company. It’s scary, uncomfortable and unpredictable with a lot of highs and a lot of lows, but I have no regrets as I’ve learned so much about myself, discovered so many beautiful places in this world and made so many new like-minded and supportive travel tribe friends. Wishing you much success in your new adventure!
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Absolutely. It’s great you’ve already stepped away, 16 years is such a long time! I’ve done 8 but I’m looking forward to the change and all that comes with it. It sounds like it has been a great decision for you so hopefully much the same for me. As you say, at the very least I’ll learn more about myself in making the move 🙂
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GO FOR IT!! I reckon once you’ve had those 3 months away, you won’t be able to stop the wanderlust and you’ll abandon the comfort zone completely! YOU CAN DO IT!
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Thank you Hannah! I appreciate the support. I’m excited for the 3 months but equally excited at the uncertainty of what comes next. Excited to see how your 2020 goes too 🙂
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This is awesome to hear. So you are currently in WA. So… with the state of the pandemic, my guess is you will stay put. Hoping you are enjoying your life there.
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For the timebeing, I’m actually heading home a little earlier than planned but I’ve had a good 8-9 weeks out here. Shame the virus has made things a little more complicated in recent weeks.
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Agreed. We are all figuring out our places…again. Stay safe. You have lots of work to do, in this world.
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