After spending many nights Googling stuff like “what the hell shall I do with my life”, I found all the travel/lifestyle design blogs and thought I’d get involved
Man vs clock is a relatively new travel blog on the scene, but one that quickly caught my attention. Firstly, Anthony is a fellow Brit, so I can completely relate to his feelings about the cold, the rain and the British mentality. Secondly, he’s honest and talks about what’s on his mind (swear words and all) which makes a refreshing change. Chronicling Anthony’s race against time to escape the rat race and travel the world, Man vs clock is a blog that has a very strong personal voice. Anthony isn’t on his travels just yet…he’s currently in the UK saving up to leave Britain to escape his comfort zone and go out into the unknown. On his blog you’ll find financial updates and comfort zone challenges plus some words of encouragement to face your fears and be true to yourself. According to his countdown clock today, Anthony has 143 days left before Operation Getaway.
I work as a Spinal Injuries Support Worker in Newcastle.
Hmm, the complex bit first: I’m so bored and restless here, that at times I feel like pulling my head off and chucking it off a wall. I’ve never been satisfied with the bubble I live in and feel like I’m missing out on one big party. I feel booking a one-way ticket is more of an adventure – My life has too much predictability and I need some uncertainty to keep me on my toes!
Also,
I’m a very weather-orientated person and unfortunately, the North-East of England offers 3 weather types:
1.) Cold
2.) Pissing down with rain
3.) Cold and Pissing it down with rain (I bet the Durham and Newcastle tourism board will LOVE me now)
I had absolutely no idea about blogging and I was a complete technophobe. After spending many nights Googling stuff like “what the hell shall I do with my life”, I found all the travel/lifestyle design blogs and thought I’d get involved.
Well I wasn’t going to start a blog until I actually left England. The problem was – I kept talking myself out of leaving because I am petrified of running out of money. I thought if I start a blog with a countdown clock and make the focus on that, it would hold me publicly accountable – so I thought “Man Versus Clock” would be a perfect name. As well as it being a travel blog it’s a bit of a personal development blog too, without the cheese.
My biggest fear that preoccupies me right now, is running out of money on the road and having to return to England – with dented pride, people smirking and having to apply for more jobs that kill my soul. Then probably settle down with a girl I don’t even like, get married and go to IKEA for new furniture every week, to compensate on how much me actually hate each other and our lives. Oh God I even feel nauseous typing that!!
Right now I have £4500 and to be honest, I’ll never be satisfied with how much I take. I’m completely new to all of this and I take comfort from people such as yourself who left with less, yet made it work.
I am currently completely torn between South America and South East Asia. The former so I can improve on my Spanish and visit 100, 000 seater football stadiums and the latter for the food and lifestyle! I’m usually very decisive, but I’m a bit stumped. I’ll be booking up very soon though.
I’m 99% sure I will only return to England to visit friends and family. I call it “home” but ironically, it’s never felt like that.
For the first month or so, I’m going to probably party like I only have a month left to live! My life for the last few years has been work, work, work so I will welcome a rest from it. After that, I’m going to rent a lovely place in the sun, by the sea and get my head down in my online projects, in an attempt to create income for myself, to sustain my dream of travelling the world.
Don’t feel too pressured to write only within a targeted niche. There are loads of niche Nazi’s out there who will tell you to only write about a specific, pigeon-holed niche, or you are doomed for a lifetime of internet purgatory. I’m sure there are plenty of pros in a niche, but I have received much better feedback and got way more people on board when I was just being myself and writing from the heart.
Also, don’t be afraid to piss people off. If you feel something strongly and conclusively, write about it and believe it – but don’t be too dogmatic in your approach when people disagree and keep an open mind. And finally, don’t be to disheartened in the early days if your post comments are only from your mam and spammers! If you regularly write, it’s only a matter of time before people who are in to your “thing” will come on board.
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Hey Vic,
Cheers for having me in this series and for the awesome introduction
Any time Ant!!