As far as romantic relationships go, forget them My history of getting involved with women is a disaster zone. It doesn’t bother me; I accept it because, again, relationships don’t fit with wandering instincts. If I meet someone I’m up front about my lifestyle, I don’t tell any lies.
Most of my friends have accepted my chosen path and many admit to being a little envious. Others treat my lifestyle with confusion and derision, unable to comprehend why I’m not chasing my tail -sorry, career – why I don’t have a mortgage and why I’m not pushing a pram around the park on a Sunday morning. People even become confrontational. A confused few demand to know why I don’t stick to convention. They want answers. Why should I get six months out to do something I want to do? It’s not fair I’m seeing this amazing world when they are staring into a computer screen for eight hours a day.
Santa Monica Mountains Hiking Map Photo Gallery
It puzzles me why someone should become confrontational towards me because of the life I lead. It’s not for everyone and I wouldn’t act the same way to anyone who works a nine-to-five job. I don’t necessarily agree with their choice but respect those who have chosen it.
I explain as best I can but others are hesitant, and understandably so. I’m not casting scorn on the conventional lifestyle – I understand the draw and everyone is free to make their own choices. The standard life charter that few query is comfortable for most but an increasing number are questioning the life we are expected to follow. We’re an intelligent race, but for reasons I don’t understand, we choose to work for forty-eight weeks of the year and accept four weeks of holiday. In America, many don’t even get that and are made to feel guilty for even asking for time out.
Many of you have dreams, a desire to do something different but are a little hesitant to follow them because they seem risky. OK, some dreams fail but I urge you to at least try.
Persistence conquers skill, knowledge and qualifications. If you want something strongly enough and are prepared to live outside the system and chase it like you’ve never chased anything before in your life, you can do what you truly want to. Whether that choice is hiking a few thousand miles in the wilderness, sailing around the world, or forging a career as a graphic designer, it makes no difference.
If you’re reading this, there’s a reasonable chance that you’re a dromomaniac and you don’t realise it. Don’t fight it…
