Working a mundane 9-5, in order to save up for emergencies? Nah, the concept is passe. New age adults in the city vouch by the adage of loving, laughing and living it up!
In a rather interesting trend of sorts, a lot of youngsters in town are giving the ‘grown up gappers’ trend a nod! Wondering what it entails? Well, it’s all about taking a career pit-stop and globe trotting in pursuit of exhilarating travel experiences – even if that equals exhausting the savings down to a bare minimum.
We get city youngsters to tell us more. Prioritising wider perspectives over pay: "After having signed up for a cubicle job, and spending two years of my life at the desk (quite literally), I decided there was more to life than saving up for that latest iPhone or bagging something to temporarily stir up some envy among my friends. The first time I spend on an entirely funded international travel, I was stone cold broke! But then, travel gifts you experiences you shouldn't trade anything in the world for," reveals Anujna Ravikumar, an entrepreneur and event planner.
Forgoing a paying job for a year just to satiate her love for travel seemed daft to many. She adds, " Moreover, people have become seemingly aware of the perils of pushing stuff on your bucket late till the fag end. It just doesn't happen. Also, at 25, the mounting pressures and family commitments are the least for the most of us. You can always get back and make up for the expenditure. But losing out on an opportunity to venture out into the unknown? Not likely to return."
Plan, before you take the voyage pledge: Enthusing how the trend also needs to come with adeqaute planning, Siddharth Lakshmanan, a 24 year old automobile engineer adds, "Ever since I moved to Rochester for my internship and landed a job post that, I missed out on the opportunity of exploring the place. So, I'm least regretful to take a break and travel with my eyes wide open. It makes you adept to adversaries, pushes you to mingle with people with varied experiences and ideals, managing your finances during the travel, and thinking outside the box. Do your research and don't forget to read up on the safety prerequisites. These are life skills which help you become personally as well as professionally. "
Do it for thyself: Ridhi Agrawal, a page designer, who's currently on an exploration spree reveals, "In an era where monetising out of travelogues and unique travel experiences are in vogue, there's always a chance that not all's lost, even if you pay through your nose. Also when you shop or dine out at a plush restaurant only to Instagram it, you do it for the world. When you quietly back-pack, you do it for yourself. And that's something I wish for everyone to experience."
Stressing upon the challenges one is bound to face during such an uncertain sabbatical, she shares, "Remember, you are shelling out your hard earned money just to satiate your wanderlust. Don't cave into living beyond your budget. During one of the recent visits to the North, I ate at crowded places and tried my hand at activities in the busiest of streets. It's okay to choose learning over luxe. Travel to impress your yearning and don't let judgement eclipse your choices of stay. Keep it simple and make use of your resources judiciously so that you could spend it on an activity than pay for taxes for eating at a fine dine. the idea is to rejuvenate yourself, and not necessarily get back with a tearing hurry to pay up for the money spent. The key is to Make the most of the experience and every penny spent!"
