Do you ever dream of quitting your job with an eruption of glitter…?

…giving your landlord the middle finger, then driving off into the sunset to places unknown? Wouldn’t you just love to see more places, broaden your horizons, and develop a more global mindset? Do you have hobbies that you’re passionate about, but you live in the wrong place, or just don’t have the time for?

Millennials, like us, are finding it increasingly difficult to derive satisfaction from traditional models of work, paying rent, and building a family. More and more, we’re finding ways of breaking out of our “normal lives” and living in a more extreme way.  If all of this sounds amazing but you’re overwhelmed and just don’t know where to start, where to go, and how to support yourself…Keep reading!

I was born and raised in the scenic Hudson Valley Region of New York. I lived and studied in “the city” for over a year, but after spending a summer studying in Paris, I just developed a hatred for the cutthroat lifestyle of New York. I once loved New York City, but maintaining a lifestyle that makes you happy, with no money is really difficult and gets old pretty quickly (you lose that joie de vivre). There are only so many times you can go to Free Night (Fridays) at the MoMA, or give NOTHING for the suggested donation at the Met. I just wanted to get out and see the world and experience something different.

Step one: Figure out what you’d like to be doing in your free time. Then choose a place that facilitates your ambition.

Do you love rock climbing? Maybe you’ve always wanted to get into mountain biking? 

When we felt the call to the mountains we answered by taking seasonal jobs in Alaska for a summer. When we wanted to spend a winter learning how to ski/snowboard, we took seasonal jobs in Colorado. By placing ourselves in the prime locations for each hobby, we were able to maximize the personal value of our free time. When we needed a brand new culture to explore, we took jobs teaching English in South Korea. It’s never been easier to find jobs online. And if you’ve got a job that you can work from your computer, like any kind of freelance work, you’re halfway there.

Research a few different locations that fit your criteria. What’s the weather like? What kind of food do they have there? Will you need a car to get around? Check Craigslist, what types of housing options are there, what about community activities?

Sick and tired of only having 2 weeks vacation? Learn how to maximize your vacation time by working seasonally

“Ok, so I can quit my job now, right?”

Wrong! Timing is key!

Step two: Find a job.

This may sound more difficult than it is, and it’s actually the key to everything. That’s why we’re giving away our Free Seasonal Work Handbook with this post.

It’s full of practical tips on:

• Choosing a place to go
• The many different types of seasonal jobs
• Finding jobs on the other side of the country, or planet?
• Applying for seasonal work at home and abroad
• Getting rid of your extra shit
• Building the lifestyle of your dreams

Traveling doesn’t have to be expensive, but having some form of income is essential for living a life of travel, whether that means you work from your laptop, or you travel from job to job.

Download your Free Seasonal Work Handbook!

Interested in Spending a Summer in Alaska? We’ll give you 10 great reasons you should get a summer job in Skagway, Alaska!!

“So, this is when I quit my job?”

False, saving money is going to be key during this time. If you’ve already got more than enough money to travel and survive on until you get your first check, then by all means quit your job.

Step 3: Get your shit in order.

Do you need a visa? What are your visa options for the country you’re considering?

Does it require a visit to your doctor? Do you need any vaccinations?

Be sure to have extra copies of

• your passport
• birth certificate
• social security card
• school diploma…etc.

Make a list of what you need and check it off as you go. Stick to your deadlines. (note: traveling within your own country may require fewer documents than traveling internationally)

Lets talk finances, do you have enough money to get you where you need to be? Realistically, it should only be a few weeks before you get your first paycheck at your next job. Budget out the estimated cost of your travels, including food, gas, accommodation…etc.

Saving money in the weeks and months leading up to your departure is a key preparatory measure. It helps to sell off the stuff you’ve collected over the years, you certainly can’t travel with all that decorative bullshit. Figure out what you’ll NEED, we’ll help you get rid of the rest! It’s probably going to take some sacrifices, but it will be worth it in the end. Maybe you shouldn’t buy those new shoes or that new backpack [yet]. Or maybe cut back on the number of iced triple grande non-fat caramel macchiatos or long island iced teas you drink, then stack that money up in a jar somewhere.

“So when do I quit my job!?”

We recommend quitting your job as last minute as possible. Those last few hours aren’t going to seem all that valuable now, but if money runs short you’ll be thankful for every penny in the meantime. Give a 2 weeks notice, your boss will respect you for it, and it’s never a great idea to burn bridges you don’t need to. Unless this guy’s got a glitter bomb coming, then by all means, we won’t judge you for it.

Step 4: LEAP! Buy your plane ticket as soon as you have enough money.

I cannot stress this enough. (Do this with trains, busses, and boats as well…if you’re planning on driving set your date and stick to it) That way it’s yours and you’ll ACTUALLY be going to [insert that place you’ve been dreaming of].

There’s nothing like that exhilarating moment right after you’ve taken that jump. The world is yours. Anything is possible.

You’re right at the edge, now let us give you the extra push!

Take the leap! Download our free Seasonal Work Handbook! We’ll give you the tools to break free of your daily grind!

Just keep picturing yourself on that beach in Thailand, or climbing that mountain in Alaska, or getting spiritual in a desert somewhere, or riding that wave in Indonesia,  or…

Tell us where YOU would rather be in the comments below. Have any questions about working seasonally? Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest 

For more information and stories about seasonal work, check out our podcast!