I did it! I did it!I quit the stress of the corporate world, and now I’m going to see the real world! I’m so excited, it’s going to be so….wait, what have I done? Did I just quit? What about my financial obligations: rent, student loan, Tinder…er, romantic dates, and of course, my weekly Krispy Kreme doughnut binges (I am a proud addict). I can see my mum’s reaction now:

The truth is, it was a very difficult decision, but it was a decision that was a long time coming. Ever since I read Around The World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne as a little boy, I have fantasized about embarking on a similar if not less ostentatious adventure. The only thing standing between me and this goal was …everything.

Everything, until 2016 happened. No, not Trump, way more personal than that. Anyway, it made me realize that nothing is promised. It also made me question what I worked so hard for. That question led to another one; what makes me happy? It quickly became clear that working 14 hour days was not the answer. Sure the pay was good, but the satisfaction was temporary. My soul needed more.

Someday you won’t remember what you had…but you will never forget what you did – Steve Jobs.

After a lot of soul searching, I allowed myself become who I have always been; someone who derives pleasure from moments, not possessions. So I swapped the Street for the trail, traded the briefcase for a backpack, and substituted the Oxford shoes for Merrells.

An entrepreneur friend of mine once said, “chase the dream, but don’t lose sight that there is more to life”. So to Wall St., I say, it’s been real y’all. Thanks for the memories. You have beaten me down, lifted me up, built my character, tested my mental strength, and afforded me sustenance along the way. Now I take all that on the road. I know not what I will find, but I certainly hope to see a lot.

Come see the world with me; follow my adventures via Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gogaclay/

I also write on Medium: https://medium.com/@gogaclay

A subsequent post would contain my itinerary, as well as a theory I intend to test out as I travel. So come back here and come back often. Lastly, don’t keep this to yourself; share these links, tell a friend, and have that friend tell another friend, because nobody keeps secrets anymore!