Gap years at 38 regret it

I’m currently single, no kids or mortgage and in average paying secure job. (Tradie)
Have a 1 way ticket booked to Thailand( to mainly learn Muay Thai with savings pot just for this to last 3-4 years if needed. As the trip is getting closer just getting few nerves and wondering if I’ll regret it.
Any1 had any similar experiences and regrets ?

40 comments

  5. For coming back to employment after a few years not working, it will depend on the hiring manager. For me, I have never cared about gaps in resumes. Just speak to what you did. Transparency goes along way with me personally. However, there are hiring managers that think it’s bad because they were told by others it was bad and will not look kindly on it. Those are jobs and managers you don’t want either way. Good luck and have a great time!

  6. I always recommend travel. For whatever reason.

    I wouldn’t worry too much about gap years. Assuming you mean employment anyone who cares isn’t worth working with.

    In all honesty they can go fuck themselves. Made up ancient bullshit like it could possibly matter.

    It’ll all be fine. The world is changing. Go do something you’re excited about. Don’t worry about some old fuddie duddie, that’s future you’s problem.

  8. I would try to use the trip to determine that. You are going to Thailand. It may become easier and easier to put off real life while you are there. That you may eventually regret. Thailand is basically the Land of Lost Boys.

    One concern I’d have is that the justification for the trip is learning muay thai. Will you regret not learning or working toward something else when you’re older? Either way, enjoy yourself, but try to keep perspective.

  9. I quit my job and traveled at 33. I came back in 8 to 9 months because I was bored. Was definetly worth it because I had nothing tying me down or holding me back except self-limiting beliefs. One of the best things I did. I thought I would do it for 3-4 years but I barely lasted a year.

    Now I am also 38 and thinking of doing something similiar but instead for an online business or for building a different skillset. It sounds risky at this age but I feel like I would regret it if I don’t do it. If you look back at your life, you always regret the things you did not do. So I say, go for it.

  10. I don’t think you’ll regret it, you’re probably feeling that way because it is a large change to your current lifestyle and you’ll be stepping into and unfamiliar place and culture. That’s perfectly natural and once you’re there those nerves will fall away.

    There will always be demand for experienced skilled tradies so you do have something to go back to. Also you don’t have to commit to this for three to four years. Commit to a year or six months and assess how you feel

  12. Sounds like a great idea. Few better ideas. You’ll have the time of your life, even if it doesn’t work out as you hoped or feared.

    Be careful riding motorbikes though and have health insurance and make sure it covers riding motorbikes.

  13. I turn 38 in eight days, and after a crazy 2022 in which my ex died by suicide and I lost my job of 15 years, I haven’t been employed by anyone since.

    In March 2023 I filed for a LLC and started my own business, took a course and got a certification, and haven’t looked back since. I’ve worked on my mental health and happiness.

    I started looking for new jobs this month so that I can supplement my income, and it’s been slow going, but at least I feel better than I used to at my old job, which left me depressed and burnt out.

    Gotta stay positive, be smart about your available resources, and make a plan. You also have to find ways to celebrate your wins and be grateful for the opportunities that life presents to you.

    Keep your head up, you got this.

  14. I’m 37 and I’m doing it – just started 2 months ago – so I’d recommend it.

    You have no compromises, no obligations, no liabilities, and no debt. There’s no reason not to unless you have specific financial goals (like /r/fire) that would be heavily affected by your decisions, but it sounds like you’te in the same boat that I am – you have enough in liquid savings to live on for an extended period of time without dipping into investments – so you’re probably okay.

    Pull the trigger. If things do go badly – they won’t – you can always go back. Enjoy your life. Good luck.

  15. I’m in the middle of some gap years but not doing anything as adventurous as Thailand. If my future job prospects have a problem with it they can fuck off. I’m working on shit just without a boss. Not a tradie but if I was I’d be even more confident. Pretty sure just about any trade will have more work than tradies can handle in the next decade.

  16. You can make something up, like you had to take care of an ill loved one. And talk to it in your cover letter or mark it in your resume.

    But the ill loved ones in this case are the Thais whose face got in the way of your knee strikes!

  17. As someone who lives in that part of the world I have a lot to say but will hold back.

    – Come for one year but know that your trade job wont be that useful in Thailand (if at all).

    – watch out for booze – its about 1.50 for a drink here so easy to fall in rough ways.

    – dont date anyone who works in a bar or hotel

    – be mindful of those you associate with. You’ll likely fall into their routine so make sure its a positive influence.

  18. I was single with no wife & no kids at age 38 too. That’s when I sold everything I owned on Craigslist, got a remote job and moved to the mountains of Central America.

    I lived in Central America for 6 years, and traveled countries all over Latin America from Mexico all the way down to Argentina. I met my beautiful wife in the process, and we enjoyed a lot of these trips together. I met other great people as well, attained fluency in a foreign language, and saw some incredible once-in-a-lifetime sights.

    Today we both live in Florida, USA. Married, home owners, with a happy little cat. And our story is just getting started with many more adventures on the way.

    As for that big move when I was 38 years old? I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat. My only regret is that I didn’t go sooner, and stay longer.

    GO. You will never regret the things you do, you will only regret the things you did not do.

  20. the older you get the more you realize the stupid college adventures you had or impulsive motorcycle you bought really does enrich your wellbeing in more ways than you ever expected. Life is all about the joys, sorrows and failings that make up who you are. And who knows, this might lead into something more.

  21. I thought we moved past this.

    Fuck everyone else. You live once. Enjoy yourself.

    And if any employer says anything about a gap year (you know you can lie on a resume very easily right?) then all you need to tell them is all the cool stuff you did and accomplished. They see it as a waste? Well maybe you learned a new skill or two, got to travel to places you’ve always dreamed of, and met lots of cool people.

    Honestly, do you want to work somewhere where they think you taking a year off is bad?

    Do you and the life you want will follow.

  22. Don’t think of them as “Gap” years. “Living Abroad” of “Studying Abroad.”

    Sounds like a great experience. See some of the world and trying new things. Don’t be afraid.

  23. I’m not sure if you’ll regret doing it, but you’d almost certainly regret not doing it.

  24. I just did this.

    I got burned out. So burned out. I worked at a start up for four years and it killed my soul.

    I took two years off and did nothing. I was still in pandemic mode so I didn’t really travel or anything.

    I just like chilled, ate, read, jo, did hobbies, hung out with family and friends, slept. If somebody needed a buddy for the day I was that person cu I was available.

    I helped out with baby sitting friends kids.

    I’m back to working now and I feel refreshed.

    Also, gen x and millennial managers are more understanding when it comes to taking breaks because of mental health and burn out. When you apply for jobs just be honest. You took some time. You are allowed to.

  25. When you’re 95 in your deathbed thinking back on your life, the very last thing you’d regret is that awesome year you travelled to Thailand. You’d regret not going though…

  26. I apologize if I assume too much but I assume tradie means tradesman? If that’s the case, why would you care if there’s a bit of a gap? I’m a tradesman myself, and I always thought of that as a benefit. You are as good as your work, so your resume is for the clerks in the back.

    Just my opinion, but do it. Life is short, and most of us spend our lives keeping the machine running, and raising our replacements. Do something different. I am satisfied with my life, but at 44 I already regret not travelling more and seeing more of the world when I was younger. I have two small kids and with the recent rise in the cost of everything, travel has slid down the list of important things. Maybe it won’t be what you want, but you’ll have had the adventure.

  27. I think you’re more likely to regret not doing it. I don’t have to tell you how many shady guys work in the trades. A guy going to Thailand for a year or three is nothing compared to a guy who went to prison for two years for vehicular manslaughter, and that guy found a job. I think you should absolutely do it.

  28. No, living in Southeast Asia will be easy. Lots of westerners to mingle with and it’s so cheap. You won’t stress about money so you can stay indefinitely. Plenty of people to ask questions and get advice because there are so many expats.

    90% of your potential stress is already solved right there. Just have some emergency money to come home and reintegrate in case something bad happens like you break a leg.

  29. i am fortunate enough to be staying with my family for long and now i have a 2 years career gap now. not sure how i am going to find work later, and now i am at the 65th day in japan. there are a lot of shitty things happened in this two years and even in the middle of my fucking trip

    but at least i am happier now. you only live once. you can make money later. but you cannot make time

  30. I dont think you will regret going on an adventure. I have hired lots of people and generally tender offers to those that understand the work life balance. If you have gotten to a point where you can afford to take time off, that would be a positive from my point of view.

  31. YOLO bro. Learning a martial art is something that you will have forever. The confidence will be a valuable addition to your life.

  32. >As the trip is getting closer just getting few nerves and wondering if I’ll regret it. Any1 had any similar experiences and regrets ?

    I’ve regretted not taking the trip. The kids, job, mortgage, school stuff is just our cultures loud voice talking over what you actually I want to do in life. Go take the trip and deal with the fallout after. If you’re worried about gaps on your resume just do what I do – lie about it.

  33. No, just go for it if you’re in a position to do so and have the means.

    You will not regret it, believe me.

  36. You may, you may not.

    Only one way to find out. But do please work all your visas out, getting deported from places really hampers travel opportunities

  37. Leave enough savings to last you a bit for when you get back, but it’s not like you have anyone relying on you for anything and you only live once. Go for it!

    Worst case you get a retail job for a while.

  38. You’ll regret not doing something much more than doing it. Let me tell ya

  40. Sounds like a pretty good way to spend a year. I wouldn’t do that but only because I’m not you, not because it’s not a good use of your life. Make sure you’re getting what you want out of life, nobody else will look out for you like that.

    If you had kids, the priorities would be different, but you don’t, so what exactly is there to lose by enjoying your oassions?

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