By: MJ + PJ
Clearly you need to set a departure date for notification purposes. Until you have that pinned down then any trip or vacation or adventure is mostly hypothetical. The example being: “We are going to travel the world?” “Oh really?! When?”. An end point is a very accountable and defining thing, and from which other dates and benchmarks can be worked out for other stakeholders.
So where does that leave everyone else? Who are your stakeholders?
EMPLOYERS
If employed where requesting time off or submitting a resignation is a variable, you need to play by those rules. Only because if your plan fails you have some chance of resurrecting your previous position! Quit cold turkey if you want, and in certain circumstances this may be necessary, but if so it’s a good idea to communicate why this is the case. Due warning also gives your workmates a chance to present information and opportunities to you that may be very useful on your adventure.
As licensed professionals there were minimum weeks notice we were required to give. MJ gave 2.5x his week notice count as word needed to get out for other planning purposes and he was tired of keeping the plan quiet. His employer appreciated the extra time as it took pressure off the employment process to cover both roles he played. PJ had a serendipitous opportunity for separation appear and so applied for and took advantage of that. (AJ simply had to finish out his school year.)
FAMILY and FRIENDS
We told family gradually about 10-12 months prior to departure. We also told some friends prior to the public announcement out of necessity – people who had done a similar trip and we were seeking advice from, people who were vital for a planning aspect, and people who were close to us but removed from other stakeholders (no contact with family or employers) that we could use as sounding boards and motivators.
Notification of family is important for a few reasons:
1. They probably care about you and want to know what you are doing with your life.
2. They need time to absorb and adjust to what you are planning to do.
3. They will likely be an essential safety resource as you go about the adventure.
4. They will provide some perspective on your worth and importance to others.
Notification of friends is important for a few different reasons, including and beyond those above:
1. They will become a great cheer squad and motivator when all the planning is grinding you into a state of exhaustion, doubt, and momentum loss.
2. They want you to do this type of thing (more so than family) and are happy to reinforce that.
3. They expand your web of resources almost indefinitely. You kind of know who your family knows, but you may be surprised at who your friends know, and where and how.
The RESPONSE
Whoever you tell, and whenever, you’ll get a lot of the same questions repeated. Which is why this website has FAQs. But be patient – there is a lot to consider and them hearing it directly from you can ease their concerns and fears for what you are doing. It also serves to reinforce and refine your own position and to set the tone for what you are doing.
That said, it isn’t all innocent questioning. At some point you will have to vigorously defend your decision, mostly to allay someone else’s fears (not yours). One of the realities we read about during planning that is the most ripe for others’ concern is your safety. But each resource reinforced the same thing: staying home and doing your usual thing is not any safer than traveling the world. Being complacent with your surroundings, zoning out on the same local drives, having decreased alertness for known risks that have not “occurred” are all things that you can’t afford to do on an world adventure.
An alternative is to notify no one and just prepare and go. If that approach is for you, then go for it! We chose to set a timeline and sought the input and context of others as we leaned towards the “it takes a village” philosophy for our preparation.
