Nature accepts no excuses for not doing what you really want in life.
~ Anonymous.

To take a gap year is one of the best things you can do for your mental health, especially if you are not totally satisfied with your current life and job.

You can travel around the world, study for a year, write a book, do voluntary work, learn something new, ... the possibilities are endless. A gap year will also give you the time to think about what you want to do with your life, which is what most people don't find time to do in our hectic modern world.

If you plan well in advance, you can save enough money and even if that does not work, you can do some small fun jobs during your gap year.

Most people are very creative to find excuses not to do something their heart desires. We suggest that you use this creativity to find solutions instead: here you will find a great article with ideas for your travels.

And for all of you who need help to think out of the box, read Chris Guillebeau's blog: The Art of Non-Conformity.

Below you will find literature that should give you more than enough ideas to have fun for a year or even for only a week-end:

Lonely Planet The Gap Year Book

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich

101 Things to Do Before You Die

101 Things to Do Before You're Old and Boring

Lonely Planet Career Break Book