A conversation with my father

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Stay strong and carry on! My parents are always pressuring me to come home and go to university so I can get a good job. They think they no best but they do not. Respect your father but he is not your boss. One day soon you will be super successful!

If I had to guess, I would say that he cares about you and just wants what is best for you. However, his idea of a good life may just be a different one from what you consider a good life. Just keep doing what you want and try to explain to him why it is important to you.

it’s tough when the people we love are the ones telling us these things. It’s a challenge but we take these things as our fuel to do better and show to them that we can be successful with our passion.

when people tell me that there’s no money in our passion, I reply but only in my mind *Watch me!*

I think that living a passionate life is important. My parents do not understand our lifestyle as well. While I love them dearly, just remember that YOU are living YOUR life, not his. <3

I myself am going through something similar to this. Sometimes my parents are so happy for me and what I am doing and other times they are not. I don’t understand them. My dad keeps telling me “Jaime instead of traveling you should by a house with that money and find a girl to marry.” Ummm 1) he knows I am gay and still has to through in to find a girl 2) he knows I want to travel and see the world. On the other hand I have my mom telling me that I need to be very careful on the road and need to be “straight” while traveling. I understand she is worried but it kills me when she says things like that.

I think the thing is sometimes our parents are never going to 1) understand us & 2) be happy with who we are. Its like no matter what we do its never going to be enough for them.

The way I handle it is I let them know how I feel and let it be. I then ignore and go on with an other conversation or sometime just excuse my self and leave. I know it sounds immature but in reality nothing you can do or say will change how your parents feel about the situation. In your case you dad.

Stay strong and live your life the way you want to live it. In the end the only person you have to answer is to your self and to your God.

xoxo

After 14 years in the “real world,” I have “given” up that life to pursue my passions of travel & writing. I will never regret this decision. I would only regret it if I didn’t try.

Recommendation: Tell your dad, “someone needs to do it!” Meaning someone needs to travel the world & share their experiences. Otherwise, we would never understand each other & the world would be a very miserable place.

I am sure Christopher Columbus’ parents said the same (albeit not the most politically correct example, but still an example)

You have to do what’s right for you because you are the only person who can make YOU happy. Parents worry & don’t want their kids to get hurt. Unfortunately they don’t always tells us that in a good way. I definitely understand that guilty feeling! Just keep reminding yourself that your options are 1- do what’s going to make you happy & deal with a little guilt, or 2- stay in Italy & always wonder “what if.” I think the regret from staying will eat at you much longer than the guilt from going.

My Dad doesn’t use that language, but he has similar ideas to your father. He was raised with the idea that he should work hard, pay off his debts early, and retire as soon as possible. When you are retired, you have all the time you want to do whatever you want, including travel.

He’s been a good example for me, because he retired early, at age 52, 9 years ago. Since then, he’s kept himself busy fixing up and flipping houses, and I’d say he’s generally content. Since Ashley and I started doing some small travel here and there, he’s really taken an interest in it. But has no desire in the type of trip we are planning.

When we talk about travel, I talk about climbing mountains, volunteering on farms, and sleeping on couches. He’ll flat out tell me that he has no interest in any of that, he’s gotten too old. If he travels, it’ll be on a guided tour with air conditioned buses, and hotels.

I have my university education, a good job, own a house, and I’m married. I don’t think he understands why I want to give this all up, when I’m clearly on the correct path, headed towards an early retirement. But, the reality is, if I don’t travel now, I’ll never get to take the trip I want, and I’ll have to live with that regret.

There are plenty of examples online of people who have abandoned normal course life to travel, and they all seem to turn out fine. In fact, they tend to be the people I envy, those that have full lives, and solidly recommend their lifestyles to others.

I think you’ll be just fine. And, I’m hoping I will too.

Nothing wrong with you…erm… at least I hope, since I’m in the same boat: traveling non-stop. I’ve been an expat for 5 years, now I’m in China and have zero intention to go back to my hometown, which happens to be Italy too, and which I don’t feel as my hometown anymore. I still need some nomadic lifestyle, AND I love it here in East Asia!
The only thing, my parents are possibly more excited than me about my travels, they encourage me not to stop and they come visit me anywhere I am. This is a huge emotional support, it wouldn’t be the same if they discouraged me. Living abroad by yourself is already very difficult, I understand you need support, and naturally the one your parents can give you is the most appreciated. I suggest you talk to your father again, maybe he was just acting out of concern for your future.
Good luck with your new job in Egypt, sounds exciting!

There’s no such thing as normal. Look how big the travel community is, Giulia. Look how many people do what you do and want what you want. I’m about to start doing exactly the same as you … A long RTW trip.

I don’t think you’ll ever be disappointed with how your life turned out. Because look at what you’re doing – you’re doing everything you desire. You’re chasing your dreams. That’s admirable and inspiring.

Sweetie, I’m so sorry to hear about the conversation of you and your father. Sometime parent just don’t understand. They have their own thinking and perspective. I understand when they say what if they need you someday. But I’m sure you will be by their side if they needed you, but till then you have you freedom to do what makes you happy.

I still get this from my dad quite frequently when we talk – many of those quotes could be from him! Generally though, while he’s discouraging to me, he’s much more proud when he mentions what I do to others. Perhaps it’s a pride thing – but discouragement just makes accomplishment that much more sweet ;)

I didn’t know where to find this info then kboaom it was here.

Wow! I am so happy my parents have been supportive of my decision to quit my job and travel for a year. I definitely had some difficult conversations with my dad because he was worried and wanted to make sure I had thought things through, but he was never cruel or closed-minded about what I wanted.

You have to stand up for yourself and do what you think is best for you, even if the opposition is close to you.