I worked my ass off from the day I left school. Joined the Royal Navy on my 16th birthday, working for ideals I didn't really agree with (I was a submariner, britains nuclear arsenal is kept on submarines, do the math). I left when I was 19, and continued working sh*tty jobs for sh*tty pay, just to f**kin survive.
When I hit like 21, i sorta lost it a bit. I gave up my job, house, everything. Packed a backpack, sleeping bag, and just vanished.
I travelled around britain, just 'living'. Seeing stuff that I hadnt seen, I learned I had lived a very sheltered life. I also found out, you can survive, and be HAPPY, with just a sleeping bag, and a few bare essentials.
Now, i'm semi-settled, I still feel the urge from time to time to vanish and go wandering again. Next time I want to do a different country, see how other places work.