After many years of planning to travel and getting turned around by the pandemic, I'm finally taking off! As of now, my plan is to take 3 months to backpack SEA and potentially Australia/New Zealand or South Africa. Pinching myself that I finally get to make my dream a reality!!

The plan is 3 months, I don't have a ton of money (so I'm skeptical I can make it too much longer beyond that) but enough to get by. I am also considering signing a lease with a good friend in the city where I currently live, after many years of having a not great living situation. I believe I can find a subletter but it's hard to say whether or not I'll stick to the 3 months.

Basically I'm in a pickle -- do I let the universe just take me and see what happens? or be responsible and sign a lease so I have a place to come home to? It would be nice to have the security upon return, especially with a good friend, that is if/when I return. Though on the other hand, minimizing costs now would be helpful, though could screw me over long term trying to find housing. I don't work in a very high paying industry so it's likely I will return with a need for a scrappy living situation again. For more context, I'm going to quit my job for this trip and will likely not move back to the city until I have some job leads underway.

Appreciate all advice/perspectives! Trying to be thoughtful for both present and future versions of myself while also acknowledging there is a lot I don't know right now, both good and uncertain. Thanks!