Why I Quit My Job to Travel (and Eat)

It’s 2:03 am on May bank holiday Monday, 2016. My best friend and I are locked in a gaze as she walks backwards, down the street, her eyes sparkling with tears but she is smiling. Beaming in fact. At this moment, I am not sure when I am actually going to see her again. But I focus on waving her off, putting on a brave face and trying not to get teary myself. 

We’re outside the local kebab shop, after one hell of a send off. We have been partying all weekend. She’s leaving tomorrow, embarking on the journey of a life time; which I swear she’s been talking about since school. She’s been my best friend since then, and ‘the day’ is finally here. Shitting hell, I think to myself, as I bite into a slice of ‘coriander-chilli-chicken’ pizza and wait for our taxi home.

OK, so that’s not the end of it. Jodie isn’t the sole reason I came to this epic decision. But, I think when she left, a seed was planted. It wasn’t long after that I started to reassess my own situation. Great job, promotion on the cards, single, no kids, no mortgage. Could I leave it all behind to go and explore? Or was that too risky? Would I be able to find a job when I came back? Would I have enough savings to support me?

Eventually, I came to the decision that it was worth the risk. I had built up some great work experience in content marketing and my team at work said they would take me back with open arms if I wanted to return. My family were behind me too, they encouraged me to be brave and go see another side of the world, before I did get more ‘settled’ at home. All this, plus a little encouragement from my other school friend and travel-buddy, Sammy, and the rest is history.

So with a new found courage, I booked my one-way ticket. I quit my job. I read, and researched and talked to people who I knew had done a similar thing. It felt scary, exciting and liberating all at the same time. It was whilst the ball was rolling, so to speak, that I realised why I was actually doing this. I realised that the one thing I don’t want in life is regrets. I want to live my life to the fullest, for as long as my body and health will allow. I am also obsessed with Asian food. In recent months, I haven’t been able to express this on my blog as much as I would’ve liked. Work, commuting, being there for my family and seeing friends, keeping fit and healthy seemed to occupy all the available hours in a week. So, this, is also my chance, to scoff my way through Southeast Asia and tell you alllllll about it.

I would love for you to follow me on my journey.

If you want a sneak preview of what I am getting up to in real-time, follow me on Instagram @sophiesscran and Snapchat, username “Sophestry05”. I can’t wait for you to join me on my adventure…. First stop, Bali.