What is the Rat Race?

[Greg]

There's nothing like a title and responsibility "promotion" without a pay increase.....and so is the way of big corporations unfortunately.

No worries....if you know its a trap then it didn't work, you aren't stuck - and honestly all of this will make that first Guinness you drink in Ireland taste THAT
much sweeter...because you earned it! 

[Anthony]

Heh, thanks Greg, good points.
I just need to get my spending under control. I saw my bank account one day, had more money then I expected, then took the liberty to start eating out everyday again. As if I had forgotten the reason I was building up funds in the first place.

[skylab]

lol in the company i work for if you get a promotion... they give you a raise in stock. what a joke.

[johnnymac]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! *screams like hell* Damn! I need a promotion. Damn.

[Vhan]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! *screams like hell* Damn! I need a promotion. Damn.

And that Ladies and Gents is most likeley the best summary of the "Rat Race" I have ever seen....

 

[doverider]

Thank you ANTHONY!
You just gave me the reason I NEED to go!  I've had nothing but support from family and friends for my idea.  Of course I'm 47, and have had a pretty full 'standard' if somewhat non-traditional life.  I went into the USMC after high school, got married, got divorced, raised a daughter (as a  single parent), had a coulple of LTRs, went to college at 33, graduated at 40, and until last year worked in my chosen field of Landscape Architecture.   

I was married to my career and the 'things' it brought.  I even managed to buy a house on my own. But then the bills kept piling up and the business of the business started driving me insane. I pushed with all my might to 'become a sucess' and only found myself distanced from my family, having medical problems, and watching my relentless work make me into a person I didn't like. 

I went through 4 jobs in 2 years, trying to keep up with the pace I needed to afford the lifestyle I had chained myself to.  But in the end the economy shut all that down.  I realized I was never going to 'make it', especially not alone.  I decided it was time to let go. My daughter is now married with two kids, the rest of my family is more or less stable.  I have no more dependents or obligations, except to keep up with family and be there when they need me. 
I have always dreamed of traveling extensively.  But I still had to deal with doubt, guilt, and a bit of fear.
I was thrilled when I discoved vagabonding, couch surfing and backpacking websites and communities.  But is was Anthony's last post that has put the final nail in it for me.  I don't want to be trapped and not ever get to have these experiences.  I'm still healthy and young enough to enjoy them, but that may not last.  There is no day in the future that is better than today. 

So I will Sieze the Day. I will make the first step.   And I will see you on the Road!

Thank you!
 Barbara

N

[Greg]

Welcome Barbara!

Great story and congrats on the big step, you've come to the right place.

For inspiration if you haven't already:

1) Grab a copy of Rolf Pott's book vagabonding - Link on Amazon
2) Check out some other people that have vagabonding blogs: http://www.startbackpacking.com/travel/vagabonding-blogs/  Mine is www.vagabondinglife.com
3) Fire away with any questions, here or Facebook.   See you on the road!

- Greg

[colderby]

I don't know how I can add anything that has not already been said, but its one hell of an amazing thread.  I just love how you define the rat race, its a wake up call to a lot of people if they read it, I really love it!