At the fork in the road.....take the all american way, or perhaps the road less traveled by?

Question

hey everyone, im a 21 year old guy. and i am on the edge of a nervous breakdown...not really but im very stressed at this point in my life. when i was 13 i read "On The Road" by Jack Kerouac, it changed my whole life. fast forward nine years I did the whole college thing for 2 years, and found out that it wasnt for me, ive also traveled around the country a bit but its always just for a couple days or as week tops at a time.... . now im 21 entering the workforce and i allready see that im not where i want to be. where im at now isnt even close to where i want to be. i dont ever want to look back when im older and say "what if ?" im torn between keeping my job which i am very lucky to have in this unstable economy, paying off all of my bills and beginning to settle down...which is not what i want to do at all. i have this urge to just say to hell with it all and hit the road, see where it takes me. i live in ohio i just got back from a short trip to california and there is so much more out there than just this small town. im really into music, festivals, books, all that. i consider myself an intellectual person, but i just have this burning desire to say **** it all and just go....why????? if i do i think i will be commiting financial suicide for the rest of my life. ive got a car loan and plenty of school loans to pay off. i could leave and try to find myself, happiness, peace, possibly god or something close, the meaning of life, and my niche... or i could stay here and be miserable and mad at life just like everyone else... heres my problem though... i dont just want to take short trips, i want to search the globe, i want to LIVE a traveling lifestyle on the road... but money doesnt grow on trees...ive tried researching the subject and seeing how people acomplish this, but i cant seem to find anything i know im not alone...i guess im just a free spirit.. i feel held back and the clock doesnt stop... if i am going to go, i feel i have to do it now, before its too late...any ideas, thoughts, links, words of wisdom...ect would be greatly appreciated. thank you... Xander

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

you could get hit by a car tomorrow. do it. I actually moved to the bay area 2 years ago from ohio. its sweet. I base here and travel around a lot too. Just got back from a 2 month trip. Do it. Have no regrets. live in the moment and drop the stress. i am soooo over worrying about what my family will think, and having a savings and boo hoo I need to do this and need to do that. screw that. You are just starting your journey. own it. and money is crazy. You can get it when you need it. Travel light, be without. Feel that lightness. Don't get caught up in material stuff, that will not let free. Pay your debts, and if its too high that it will take forever- then find another way. there is always another way- don't you ever think that there is not,,,,, not even for a second, that is unproductive thinking and wrong. I work part time at a cafe, live in a sweet storefront/loft and get tons of time off to travel whenever, and have my job each time I come home. There is a will, therefore there is a way. You will find your way. (and your will)

Live for yourself
Find yourself
love thyself


Hit the road kid. see you out there.

Answer 2

I don't know where you are, but I'm in Texas. Texas is the size of France and England combined. Go on a bike trip in Europe and stay in hostels. Collect your thoughts while you enjoy the time off, then come back and take care of business.