5 Reasons You Should Quit Your Job and Move to the Caribbean.

 

Six months ago, I embarked on a plane to the Dominican Republic with a backpack, a one-way ticket and a help exchange position at Taino Organic Farm. During my time here I have become an adventure tourism/health/community blogger, plant liberator, Aquaponics intern, event photographer, tour guide, cook, farm hand and social media marketer. I do not make loads of money, spend all day on the beach or get more than a farmer’s tan. However, I have had some of the most amazing opportunities and learning experiences I never would have thought possible before coming here. Without further adieu, I have come up with 5 Reasons You Should Quit Your Job and Move to the Caribbean.

1. Be inspired to be self-motivated. No one is going to hold your hand here. You won’t have a guidance counselor, therapist or boss that tells you how to live your life. You will however, have plenty of responsibility and opportunities to learn if you are self-motivated. Your specialized college degree is worth nothing if you are not willing to adapt, think outside the box and learn through doing. Living in a developing country offers amazing freedom and opportunities to those who look for them. You should quit your job and move to the Caribbean if you’re willing to put yourself out there and live your dream.
   

   Living my dream in the Dominican Republic!

2. Diversify your network of friends. In my time here, I have met people from 15+ countries. Everyone has a story and seeing first hand how culture influences individuals has aided me in remaining open to new people and calling my attention to how I have been influenced by my own culture. You should quit your job and move to the Caribbean if you want to meet people who will act as a mirror to yourself, allowing you to improve and connect on a whole new level.
   

   Friends I met at Taino Farm from the UK, Czech Republic and Dominican Republic.

3. Explore a new place. The Dominican Republic is full of beautiful places to explore. From beaches to rainforests to waterfalls, the pictures of my time on the north coast of the Dominican Republic truly don’t do the memories justice. There is more here than just tourist attractions, there are places to create memories of incredible adventures and experience the touch, sight and scent of an entirely new place. You should quit your job and move to the Caribbean if you want to experience a warm breeze in the middle of winter while you gaze at the horizon of the sea with close friends that were strangers just a short time ago. 
   

   Exploring a mangrove forest.

4.  Find new opportunities. If your hands are shut, you can only hold onto the few things that fit into clenched fists. If you leave your hands open, it’s amazing how much you can catch. By not closing yourself off to opportunity, you begin to see it all around you. The path you take is not paved with the same stones all along, there are diverse opportunities available.
   

   A photo of myself and Monica Rush from my first event photography gig at the Mojito Bar Cabarete Festival!

5. Gain a different perspective on… well, everything. Whether you’re coming from a desk job in the UK or a yoga ashram in India, living and working in the Dominican Republic is sure to change your perspective. The easy going Dominican way will make you wonder why you ever worried about your retirement fund, while the island will reconnect you to the joy of nature and the world around you. Learning Spanish will help you think on your feet and the language barrier will teach you how to connect and communicate without the aid of spoken communication. Riding a motorcycle to work and running out of gas will make you realize safety is a feeling, not a guarantee and sometimes the breakdowns are more of an adventure than the destination. You should quit your job and move to the Caribbean if you want to immerse yourself in a learning-intensive yet soul rejuvenating environment.
   

   Move to the Caribbean!

 Post and photos by Lynsey Wyatt.