It was back in Summer 2009 when I decided to quit my job, sell my things and book a one way ticket to Japan, a country I always loved (and still do) for it's spirit and culture. People would call me a "Aussteiger", a drop-off. Which I'm not, I insisted. Just wanted to do what I wanted to do, rather than being ruled by someone else. And so I did not really look out for work over there, just kept cycling. Even though there was opportunities. After almost 4 months, faith or fortune or whatever brought me back to Germany.

Currently, there are many self-proclaimed drop-offs leaving Germany for all sorts of reasons. Mostly well educated, somewhat wealthy young people. Could they come back in case they do not succeed or like in their destinations? Isn't such "drop-off" philosophy actually even restricting?

Am I a failed drop-off? I don't think so - I'm just free. I'm just me. Still, I do what I want to do. Visit friends, cycle, do some research because I love to do these things. Double benefit - doing what's good for me and what's good for the people arround me. In the Japanese culture, there is a special word for such livestyle: "tabi". "Tabi bito", means people who travel without knowing wether nor when they return. In the 100% correct and organized Japanese society, such travelling people are regarded, not being taunted. Such people are guided as long as the follow their rhythm.

From my point of view, there is not such thing like "drop off", unless someone manages to go to a remote island or planet with no internet. There is no way to run away, neither from the society nor from the establishement. The only thing one can do - and should do - is clearly determining what one needs. Doing so, one can certainly reduce cost intensive dependencies which leads to fewer working hours and more freedom. Which - as well - changes society from upside down.

"For tomorrow will never come, I follow the sun." The Beatles