Or why I’m leaving my perfectly good job to travel around the world doing yoga…
Just over a year ago, I went from teaching English in a secondary school to working as a leadership coach for an education charity. I moved city for the role and effectively started a new life. This was a good move. It gave me the opportunity to work with some incredible, inspiring teachers, and it allowed me time to reflect on what I value.
After moving, a lot of the new people I met would ask me what I did in my free time, which was pretty embarrassing. Having spent the last 5 years teaching, my honest answer was, “Erm… marking?” But gradually I realised that there are a few things I love doing. Yoga, teaching, travelling and writing. And the thing about coaching other people is that it’s hard to avoid turning the questions back on yourself sometimes. I was forced to question why I wasn’t doing more of the things I love. What was stopping me?
Mainly fear. Fear that if I uprooted the comfortable, happy life I have now then I might not find something as good again. I compared myself to other people my age and worried that I wasn’t “progressing” enough. Shouldn’t I be climbing the career ladder and earning more money? Shouldn’t I be buying a house and settling down? My friends are working for promotions, getting mortgages and having babies. I wouldn’t trust myself with a pet goldfish right now.
And the thing is that’s not what I want at the moment (cute as goldfish are). I’m lucky enough to have the freedom to choose what I want to do right now. So I decided to go for it. I handed in my notice and booked my first flights.
My plan is still very open. I’ll leave my job at the end of February and set off for Spain. I’ll complete my yoga teacher training in Valencia, then spend the next few months travelling and doing as much yoga as I physically can, writing about my experiences and sharing what I learn. I’m so far out of my comfort zone it hurts, and so excited that I can hardly sleep.
Rachel
Sounds absolutely amazing and I can’t wait to read all about your journey xxx
ajk7a
What an amazing thing to do! Would highly recommend visiting http://www.phoolchattiyoga.com/ in Rishikesh, India. It was here my love and appreciation of the true benefit of yoga really began after a very impromptu decision to pack up a comfortable life and disappear off with a rucksack…best decision!
https://ajk7a.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/phool-chatti-ashram/
Jade
Thanks for the recommendation! I’ve thought about India – have been looking at Mysore, but you’re not the first person to recommend Rishikesh. Really glad your decision worked out so well for you!
tom
Good luck on your journey, I left an uninspiring job in 2009 to travel for three months in Thailand. it was big thing for me then. I ended up staying for 2.5 years and it’s now been my home on or off since then. I have an exciting well paid career and have lived in some amazing places world wide. All because of that first step. Have an amazing time. Tom
222lizzie
Thank you so much Tom! That’s inspiring to hear, and Thailand is definitely on my wish-list of places to visit…
discoveryjack
Beautiful blog!
Jade
Thank you so much! X
Mike Holliday
Thought I’d add my good wishes for your path. Good luck with your yoga and travels. And your yoga blog is off to a nice beginning too.
Jade
Thank you Mike – I just had a read of your blog too – really interesting 🙂
Marcel and Guigo
Hi jade
we find your profile by instagram and it was so cool to discover your project.
we are traveling since September living work experience exchange and has been so incredible.
We really want to make your trip great and you enjoy too! Good luck always!
Jade
Hi there, thank you so much for the encouragement! Great to hear you’re having a positive experience too. I’m loving it so much I wonder why I didn’t do this sooner! Take care and all the best in your travels – hopefully we can keep in touch via Instagram xxx