Toccara Best and her husband, Sam, embarked on a remarkable journey when they chose to leave their conventional careers behind to travel full-time. Initially planning for a year-long adventure, their travels extended to five years, as they embraced a lifestyle filled with exploration, learning, and unexpected challenges.
After Toccara’s request for a year of leave from her job as a high school counselor was denied, she decided to leave her position to pursue their dream of travel. The couple created their travel blog, ForgetSomeday, to document their experiences and share their adventures with others. Without the burden of a mortgage or children, they felt the timing was perfect for such a significant life change.
To fund their travels, they saved over $30,000 by drastically cutting expenses, selling their car for $5,000, and selling smaller items. By June 2015, they had accumulated around $40,000, allowing them to leave their lease and fly to Prague on one-way tickets. Their journey took them through more than a dozen countries, where they indulged in cultural experiences like Oktoberfest in Munich and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Dublin.
Transitioning Back to Life in the U.S.
Despite the fulfilling experiences throughout their travels, their adventure took a significant turn with the birth of their son. After returning to the United States to welcome their child, they continued to travel domestically. By his third birthday, their son had already visited 27 states. However, the onset of the pandemic prompted the family to reassess their situation, ultimately leading them back to California after five years on the road.
As their gap year turned into an extended absence from the workforce, both Toccara and Sam faced the daunting task of reentering their careers during a challenging economic climate. Toccara eventually secured a position as an executive personal assistant, utilizing her organizational skills. Shortly thereafter, she transitioned to a part-time role as operations manager at a nonprofit organization, where she has worked for nearly four years.
Despite her efforts, Toccara has struggled to find meaningful full-time employment in today’s competitive job market, highlighting the difficulties faced by many individuals who take extended breaks from traditional employment.
Reflecting on their decision to embark on this lengthy travel adventure, Toccara acknowledged the dual nature of their experience. While it was undoubtedly a calculated risk that required extensive planning, the journey proved to be more challenging than they anticipated. Despite this, she expressed a willingness to undertake a similar adventure again, albeit for a shorter duration.
The couple’s story exemplifies the complex dynamics of modern work-life balance, where the allure of travel and exploration can come with significant implications for career trajectories. As they navigate the transition back into the workforce, their experiences serve as inspiration for others considering taking similar leaps into the unknown.
