Has anyone else thought of leaving home?

I know, I know.

 

Hey Quirk. First of all, lemme just say that I'm probably the last person you should be taking advice from.

I'm basically walking round in your shoes, a couple of thousand of miles away. No biggie. Don't listen to anything I'm not qualified to say.

What I can do though is squirt a little silver on your cloud.

You have options. True, you're underage and your cat will miss you. But you have the urge to GO and you know that you CAN. Theoretically speaking.
Even if it is just down to the shop or to the next neighbourhood or to the next state. You can. You're not stuck in a country abroad with a weirded-out single mom who's just as lost and alone as you are.

If I were you, I'd definitely hit up 'em uncles. I'll admit, as much as all the wanderlust may appeal I wouldn't go stumbling across the country. But if I had a destination... That would be an entire different story.

E/mail them, call them - something. Just contact them. See what they have to say. Would they even want you there? I mean, if you just turn up it might get kinda awkward. I mean, not like they'll kick you out or anything, or make you sleep in the shed (who knows?!) but you really gotta look at this from their perspective. Would they want to be responsible for a minor? And as reasonable adults, they'd probably just call up your folks.

Basically all i'm saying is, make sure you plan this out a little, and not so much concerning your own arrangements (although that's important too) but those of the people being affected as well.

I don't know what you're going to end up doing, after-all that's for you to decide. But good luck pardnur; and I bid you only the fairest of winds!!

 

Quirk

I feel you. Feel what you're saying and I'd love to help you if I could.

Now right off the top, you're under age and I'm an old guy so I cannot say to you something like Go For It. Know body can. I breaks a law. So I can't say leave. And I won't.

I think that your dad probably loves you. Sounds like it, from what you say. I wish that you could sit your dad down alone. Let him get real scared at first, like you want to talk about Sex Education or something. It's a fun thing to freak out your dad. So, try it. LOL

Talk with him. Get him on your side and on you wavelength, and when you feel that you are both comfortable, try to express what you feel, to him.

Here's the bottom line. Whatever the outcome, at least you have honestly put your heart out there and you get to speak your mind. Just lay it all out. What the worst that could happen? He gonna lock you in the closet till you're 18? Not hardly.

It's about you being "Real" with others. At least you did the right thing.
You can't control what the others do.

--------------------------------------------------

The other side of the coin. In the 60s you could spare change and people would actually give you a quarter. For the least 30 years now, people just look at you like you're nuts. You got to eat.

I have met 14- and 15-year-olds back in the '60s and '70s, girls and guys tat had made it on there own. But they were very sharp people and they were the exceptions and not the norm.

Me I stayed home and finished school. It was 66,67, 68, and 69. I was missing all of the GOOD STUFF. I was dying to run. But I stayed. I knew that my folk actually did love me. And most of all, I knew that there was food on the table and a bed. When I got my first part time job at 15 or 16 I realized that I could never afford that. It was only logical to stay where the bases were already covered.

What would I do for money. That's the real part of it.

 

I left home at 15- if you have the wanderlust and want to hoof it you just have to go with it....look into woofing and communities, festival work etc. If you dont go you will never know, if you can stay -stay.... once your gone doesn't mean you cant return back home.
If your folks are good people make sure you let them know your alive...
Nothing worse than good parents not knowing whether their children are alive or dead
be happy :daisy:

 

I forgot to add I took my cat too, I taught her to walk on a lead....crazy I know...but I just couldn't leave her behind. :2thumbsup:

 

Cool!

 

Speaking of communities, festivals and woofing...

This summer I'm going road-trippin' cross country with a couple of older folks. They've also managed to get me a job at this alternative cafe-club place called the "Mad Tea Party" (it's real groovy). Also volunteering at a bunch of festivals.

I've looked into woofing, but most places need you to be at least 18.

All i'm saying is, i've got all this sorted 'cause I got the 'lust as well, and if I don't go, i'll just drive myself crazy and do something completely insane.
My mom doesn't like the idea, and i'm having to scrape the money together myself - but it's worth it - and a bit more "concrete" in terms of planning if you know what I mean.

I'm meant to be coming straight back home in September though, but i've left a couple of options open-ended so there could always be a change of plan :tongue:

 

I've thought of it, but I know that my mother would be devastated.

And I love my mom.

 

You ever watch Dateline? There are tons of stories how kids like yourself end up being shipped back home in a box. The truth of the matter is the world is not a safe place to live..at all. A ton of weirdos out there that would love to take advantage of a young child such as yourself. You are not even old enough to drive and hitch hiking is not a safe way to get around. I know a grown man that was in his 30's that traveled in the same circles as myself that decided to do the same thing about 3 years ago. He disappeared and to this day his body has not been found. It is okay to be free spirited, but you need to be smart about it. The world is not butterflies and roses.

 

I'm 25 now. In my teen years, I did think of leaving home sometimes. I never did though; every place I thought to go had some adult who would bring me right back home.

 

my mum docent respect my hippy ways and mellow thinking but i am going to stay home and be with my family because when i turn 19 i am going to shri lanka and travel then tour in my rv eace: keep it real dude live life the way you want to

 

Some people believe they would rather die doing something than not at all - the world is a diverse place it is where we learn and grow..
Not sat watching things that give us feelings of fear, sure there is good and bad in the world ...
I would rather be out experiencing it than living it thru the eyes of a screen!

Regarding age limits on woofing there are people out there that would be happy to take on young people - if you feel inspired be inspired ... you only have one life, enjoy it. Even with the challenges it brings, once you step into the world you realize it is balanced good bad beautiful ugly ...
Whatever you chose journey well be brave face the fear and do it anyway !

 

stonersteve1969 - I've was in Lanka last summer. The groove is unreal.
Went roadtrippin' in a van from Hikkaduwa all the way to Arugam Bay, straight through the mountains - where the tea at.

If you get the chance, pop in to Surf n' Sun on the east coast.

Dancing til Dawn - Your words are devoid of bullshit. Thank you. It's refreshing.

 

:love: That is sweet of you to say so, thank you xxx