‘I’m 31 and about to go on a grown-up gap year’
Watch: 'I'm on a gap year at age 31 - it's never too late to travel'
A woman taking a solo gap year at the age of 31 hopes to help "break" the stigma that going travelling is just for the young.
India Jolly, from Plymouth, Devon, had always wanted to travel around south east Asia but every time she had the savings to go she ended up going back to university to study instead.
After taking a fixed term maternity cover job as a curator at a museum she used the opportunity to save to travel and booked her flights before she could change her mind.
Jolly saved £11,000 for the trip and jetted off to Bangkok, Thailand, in June 2024.
She hopes to spend four months travelling round Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam before heading to Australia for a year on a working visa.
"It's something I have wanted to do since I was 20," she explains.
"It something that's always been in the back of my mind, but whenever I have had the opportunity to save to go travelling I have gone back to university.
"It still feels quite surreal."
Jolly initially caught the travel bug when she spent five weeks in America after graduating from her history degree in 2016.
After spotting an elephant sanctuary on social media she had her heart set on travelling to Asia, but Jolly struggled to save.
"I started my masters degree in history and finished in 2019," she explains.
"Then it was the pandemic. I wasn't having a good time so I went back to university again.
"I did a masters in heritage in 2020."
After securing a job for a year she knew she had to take the plunge this time and booked a flight before she could change her mind.
She spent the year planning and saving and set off on her travels in June 2024.
Jolly hasn't booked anything past the first few weeks in case she makes friends on her way and changes her route slightly.
"I'm excited to go to Chiang Rai to see the temples," she says.
"In Cambodia I want to do Angkor Wat.
"And they have these giant rats that are trained to find unexploded bombs.
"I have a big list of museums.
"I just love learning things."
India wants to inspire people to go travelling no matter their age.
"There are so many assumptions," she says.
"It's assumed at 30 you have to be married with children not travelling around.
"I'm trying to break those expectations.
"Societal pressures are all in our head."
The rise of the grown-up gap year
After finishing their studies many fresh-faced post grads consider taking a gap year before the real adulting really begins, but taking time-out to travel isn't just for adolescents.
Recent research of over-50s by travel insurer AllClear said they planned to travel more than they did the previous, while a further poll, by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), found almost four in 10 over 60s are throwing caution to the wind and booking the trip of a lifetime.
But what's fuelling this rise in mid-career travel?
Rob Burley a travel tour operator expert and founder of GP Traveller says there are numerous reasons grown-ups are taking time-off later in life instead of straight after college including many having the financial freedom to do so.
"Many travellers I meet on the road like being financially stable first before their big trip," he explains. "That way money worries don't get in the way of adventure!"
Having a little more life experience is another potential factor. "Adults often feel more prepared for challenges after living a bit," Burley continues. "And are better at adapting when plans change."
There are also some mental health and wellbeing factors at play for many adult travellers.
"As professionals climb the career ladder, the pressures and demands can lead to burnout, prompting individuals to step back and reassess their life priorities," explains psychologist Barbara Santini.
"In contrast to the exploratory gap year of a younger person, adults often use this time for significant personal transformation or to escape the rigours of their routine work life.
"Another factor is the demographic trend of delayed milestones," Santini adds. "Adults today, especially in Western societies, are reaching life milestones such as marriage, homeownership, and child-rearing later than previous generations. This delay provides a unique window where a gap year later in life becomes feasible and appealing."
Of course the trend is also underpinned by changes in workplace dynamics and the digital revolution.
"The increase in remote work opportunities allows individuals to explore the world or dedicate time to personal projects without sacrificing their careers," Santini continues. "Furthermore, there is a growing awareness and prioritisation of work-life balance, which encourages taking breaks for personal development and health."
Tips for embarking on a grown-up gap year
Strategic planning: It’s crucial to plan meticulously to mitigate the impact on your career trajectory. "Discuss potential sabbaticals with employers or consider transition points between jobs," Santini advises.
Purposeful activities: Choose activities that align with your long-term goals. "Whether it's further education, volunteering, or travelling, ensure these activities enrich your personal or professional growth," Santini says.
Financial preparedness: Establish a robust financial plan to fund your gap year. "Consider the costs of travel, living expenses, and the potential absence of regular income," Santini suggests. "Planning financially can make the difference between a stressful and a fulfilling gap year."
Network maintenance: Santini advises keeping in touch with professional contacts and maintaining an active presence in your professional community, even while away. "This connectivity will ease the transition back into the workforce," she adds.
Flexibility is key: Expect bumps and embrace them. "Keeping an open mind helps you experience a place fully," Burley advises.
Live it up! Be open to new people and adventures. "Some of my best memories came from spontaneous moments," he adds.
Travel: Read more
‘I managed to holiday in the Maldives for just £70 a day. Here’s how I did it’ (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
'Workcation' allows woman a week's holiday in Spain without taking any annual leave (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
‘Sportcations’ and ‘boomerang tourism’ are the travel trends to watch out for in 2024 (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read)
