Burned out from their healthcare jobs, this millennial couple sold almost everything to take a gap year around the world

29.07.2024 - 01:02 / insider.com

A week into their honeymoon in 2022, Katie Flynn and Mistry Bhavik faced a major healthcare: Flynn had caught a severe amoeba infection while traveling in the Philippines. The monthlong vacation they had been dreaming about had to be cut short.

Both full-time pharmacists in Ontario, Canada, the couple had no idea when they could travel for a long period again. Although Flynn had three weeks of vacation days, Mistry would have had to take unpaid leave as a contract pharmacist.

At the same time, they were feeling burned out by their healthcare jobs. The COVID-19pandemic had taken a toll on their mental health, and it was getting harder to give their best at work.

"I was noticing that I didn't have that same degree of patience and compassion, and I was not being the best version of myself," Mistry said. "I knew I needed a hard reset."

So they made a plan: Save as much as possible for a year and a half, then leave on a one-way ticket.

"My family was initially surprised that I wanted to 'throw away' the things I've been working toward," Mistry said.

Many people also asked Flynn and Mistry, both in their early 30s, questions about having children. They responded with frustration: "Sometimes, it kind of feels like it's the only thing that people want to talk to us about at our age," Flynnsaid.

Moreover, taking a gap year is less common among people in their age group, Mistry said.

Most of their peers had gone on long-term trips after graduation. But Flynn and Mistry had pursued advanced degrees and graduated in their mid-20s with significant student debt.

So, after working for a few years and establishing themselves professionally, they decided it was the right time to leave.

Flynn and Mistryturned to other travel bloggers and sites like Budget Your Trip to decide on their budget. However, they got a mix of responses. Some had spent generously to travel in luxury while others kept to small budgets.

"We had to be realistic about what our travel style is. We don't want to camp for 365 days," Flynnsaid.

The couple set a budget of $45,000 — or $123 per day for both — for their yearlong trip. This daily budget is less than what they spendin Ontario, which they estimate isaround $220 per day.

On top of their full-time jobs, they rented out their basement for $868 a month. Additionally, they sold 95% of their belongings on Facebook Marketplace — including their furniture, electronics, and clothes, and say they made around $7,200.

Related stories

They also participated in paid focus groups, which amounted to around $360.

After a year and a half of saving, the couple finally set off to Japan in May. However, apart from booking hotel rooms in advance, the couple did not plan an itinerary.

"Our goal was to have a