Note: I know no one can help make the decision for me. But I just wanted some perspective on those who were able to go backpacking regularly throughout their 20s. What changed as you age?
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M24 here. I’ve always loved backpacking and adventurous travel. During uni and before starting work, I managed to do quite a handful off-the-grid trips and honestly I don’t feel quite done yet and always look forward to do more of these.

However, recently, I received a job opportunity that would require me to relocate somewhere where travelling becomes much harder, mainly due to distance, cost, as well as lack of holiday leaves. It’s a contract work and I’m pretty much guaraanteed the job until the max next 5 years. On the posive side, the job pays pretty well. And since I won’t be spending much (I dont spend alot aside from travelling), it’s a brilliant opportunity to stack some money.

The dilemma is this: if I fully commit to this path, I’ll basically be putting long-term travel on pause until I’m around 29.

And I know 29 is not old. But after tearing my ACL last year, I started becoming more aware of how fragile the body can be. I try my best to keep my fitness in check and make I am always in shape. But I still wonder whether the rugged style of backpacking I enjoy now (long bus rides, rough accommodations, hiking, sleeping anywhere, constantly moving around) will still feel the same in my late 20s.

Part of me worries that I’m “wasting” the prime backpacking years of my life.

At the same time, another part of me thinks sacrificing 5 years now could massively improve my finances. To the point that I probably could take a year off or two once im done with this contract job.

So I’m curious to hear from people who’ve been able to do both. How different is travelling in your early 20s vs late 20s? Did your energy, interests, or tolerance for rough travel change a lot? Or is this fear mostly in my head?