Inspiration for a childfree life full of adventure and travel

[DoTheFoxtrot]

I'm wondering if any posters have lived a childfree life full of adventure and travel? If so, I would really love to hear your stories for inspiration!

I'm 35 and had always assumed I would go down the conventional route of marriage and kids, but this hasn't happened for me, and when I think about it, I can definitely see the advantages of living a life full of travel and adventure instead.

I've always been a very adventurous and independent person, so in hindsight I think this lifestyle could suit me very well. It would be nice to meet a partner to share these adventures with, but that's not the be all and end all to me.

I'm very outdoorsy and like the idea of moving between places every five years or so. Just for the experience since you only live once. Scotland, France and Cornwall all appeal to me (all for outdoorsy, sports and wildlife reasons).

Has anyone got experience of this kind of lifestyle? Would love to hear from you 😀

And before anyone asks what I'm doing on MN, there are so many threads on politics, gardening, feminism, etc which interest me!

Read Dervla Murphy for inspiration.

Check out the love her wild Facebook group and tough girl podcasts - some great inspiration there

Thanks @viques and @Veterinari

Does anyone out there have firsthand experience they could share with me? Would really love to hear from you!

Sorry no advice, but following with interest!

If you're comfortable going further afield have you considered TEFL? Dave's esl cafe has job listings world wide. All you need for most places is a clean criminal record, good health, and a university degree

@1Micem0use TEFL is a great idea - thank you. I had thought about that years ago, but hadn't really revisited the the idea so this is a good reminder. Eastern Europe appeals to me quite a lot, so wonder if there would be TEFL opportunities there. I once met a lady who volunteered in Romania at a women and children's refuge for a few weeks every summer and thought that seemed pretty cool too!

Try VSO- I did my first posting abroad at the age of 22 and had some wonderful adventures.

www.vsointernational.org/

this is what you are after I am sure of it.

@GreenTeaMug Wow, thanks for the link! VSO really sparks my interest. Which countries were you posted to? Was it for 3 months at a time?

I shall pm you. :)

@GreenTeaMug Thank you, that's really kind.

I did this when I was younger for a number of years.

Time spent in

South America, Asia, Europe. I have a TEFL, always a peadiatric first aid qualification too.

I have been

A teacher
A nanny
A scuba instructor
A snowboard instructor

I usually take on extra work for a few months of the year and work like crazy to save for the travelling/bumming around bits. And then live simply/frugally.

Friends have spent their lives doing this from 20s to now entering their 50s the only difference is that they have a few BTL properties that they manage in the U.K. for a slow dribble of income as well as having them for their retirement. Works for them.
The DH in that partnership is also a well paid trades person so he can dip back into that if he needs to or as a fall back should the lifestyle need to change.

@Atalune Thanks for sharing. I really admire your adaptability to switch between all of those jobs. That's absolutely brilliant! Was it timely/costly to gain the qualifications for each of those jobs?

I'm happy to live frugally as well, and just live life for the experiences rather than possessions. I'm not materialistic at all, but think it sensible to have savings for retirement. I have a flat that I can rent out while I'm away too which would help a lot doing BTL, just as your friends did.

You mentioned that this was when you were younger, so did you have a change of lifestyle in the end then?

When I wAs 30 I decided to “come home” to the UK and start a family.

I’m sure people live nomadically with children as I did, but I didn’t want that. My DH and I were considered the hippies and the out there ones in our respective families, but now we are the most conventional ones! Mortgage, 2 kids, careers.

I am very happy with the choices I made, the only thing I would have changed would have been to make more of a financial provision to come back to or fall back on. As it it out pensions aren’t as great As they could be and that’s something I worry about!

@Atalune Thanks for explaining a bit more. Sounds like you've had a really good balance of different life chapters. Life is for living!

It’s not a child free existence but have you read The Salt Path. Very inspirational real life story of a retired couple walking the south west coastal path after they lose their home. It’ll make you think anything is possible

@TwistyHair I remember reading an article in the paper about them! Fascinating. Didn't know they'd written a book though - will definitely check it out.

It’s such a good book. Written by the woman. And such an amazing adventure so close to home. Really shows what we are lucky to have on our doorstep.