How does Dcider protect my privacy?

Your decisions are stored securely in our database with encryption. We never sell your data or share it with third parties. The AI analysis happens on secure servers and isn't used to train AI models. You can delete your account and all data at any time from the app settings.

How much does Dcider cost?

Dcider offers a 7-day free trial with full access to all features. After that, it's $4.99/month or $44.99/year (25% off). The free trial doesn't require a credit card to start.

How is this different from a pros and cons list?

Traditional pros/cons lists treat all factors equally and rely on your in-the-moment thinking. Dcider weighs options against your pre-defined personal values, providing an objective alignment score. The AI also surfaces considerations you might miss and tracks patterns across all your decisions over time.

Does the AI make decisions for me?

No. Dcider provides analysis and alignment scores, but you always make the final choice. Think of it as a thinking partner that helps you see how options align with what you've said matters to you. The goal is clarity, not automation.

Can I use Dcider offline?

You can view your decision history and values offline. However, AI-powered analysis requires an internet connection since it's processed on secure cloud servers.

What kind of decisions is Dcider best for?

Dcider works great for career choices, financial decisions, relationship questions, health and lifestyle changes, and any decision where you want to align your choice with your personal values. It's especially helpful when you're overthinking or facing analysis paralysis.

How do I set up my values?

When you first open the app, you'll go through a quick onboarding where you select values that matter to you (like health, family, growth, financial security) and rate their importance. You can always adjust these later in Settings.

Is Dcider available on Android?

Currently, Dcider is iOS-only. We're focused on making the iOS experience great first. Android support may come in the future based on demand.

LifestyleUpdated Jan 2026

Should I Travel Long-Term? A Values-Based Decision Framework

The dream of extended travel—months or years exploring the world—pulls at you. But practical concerns about money, career gaps, and leaving your life behind create paralyzing doubt. You wonder if this is bold self-discovery or irresponsible escapism.

Key Takeaway

This decision is fundamentally about Adventure and Discovery vs. Personal Growth. Your choice will also impact your career impact.

The Core Values at Stake

This decision touches on several fundamental values that may be in tension with each other:

Adventure and Discovery

Your desire to explore unfamiliar places and cultures. Consider what specifically you hope to experience and learn.

Personal Growth

Your expectation of transformation through travel. Evaluate whether travel is the best path to the growth you seek.

Career Impact

How extended travel would affect your professional trajectory. Consider whether the gap helps or hurts your long-term goals.

Relationships

How long-term travel would affect your connections. Consider who you'd leave behind and the impact of distance.

Financial Reality

Your ability to fund travel without damaging your future. Calculate true costs including opportunity cost.

5 Key Questions to Ask Yourself

Before making this decision, work through these questions honestly:

1What specifically am I hoping to gain or experience from long-term travel?
2Can I afford this without sacrificing long-term financial goals?
3Am I running toward adventure or away from problems at home?
4How will this impact my career, and am I okay with that?
5What would make this trip feel successful vs. like a waste?

Key Considerations

As you weigh this decision, keep these important factors in mind:

Your financial situation and travel budget

Career implications and re-entry plan

Health insurance and safety considerations

Relationships you'd be leaving or straining

Your actual travel goals vs. romanticized expectations

Whether you could test with shorter trips first

Specific destinations and their costs, safety, and logistics

Watch Out For: Social Media Comparison Bias

Instagram and travel blogs present curated highlight reels, not reality. Long-term travel includes loneliness, illness, exhaustion, and mundane logistics. The "life-changing" travel transformation is often exaggerated. Set realistic expectations for what travel can and can't provide.

Make This Decision With Clarity

Don't just guess. Use Dcider to calculate your alignment score and make decisions that truly reflect your values.

Download on the App Store

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does long-term travel cost?

Varies enormously by destination and style. Budget travelers can manage $30-50/day in Southeast Asia or Latin America, $70-100/day in Europe. Include flights, insurance, pre-trip costs, and emergency buffer. Many travelers underestimate total cost by 50% or more.

Will long-term travel hurt my career?

Depends on your field and how you frame it. Some industries penalize gaps; others value global experience. Frame travel as intentional growth with specific learnings. The bigger risk is returning without a re-entry plan. Career impact is real but often manageable with preparation.

How do I plan for long-term travel?

Start 6-12 months ahead: set a budget and savings goal, research destinations, handle logistics (home, mail, bills), get health preparations, build flexibility into your itinerary. Over-planning ruins long trips; under-planning creates unnecessary stress.

Is long-term travel selfish or irresponsible?

Not inherently—but it can be if you're escaping responsibility or leaving others to handle your obligations. Done thoughtfully, travel is a valid life choice. Done as escapism, you bring your problems with you. Honest self-examination matters more than others' judgments.

Related Decisions

Should I Take a Sabbatical?

You're burned out, curious about a different life, or yearning for time to pursue something meaningful. But taking extended time off feels like a luxury you can't afford—financially, career-wise, or psychologically. You wonder if you'll return refreshed or struggle to re-enter the workforce.

Should I Quit My Job?

The thought of quitting your job often comes with a mix of excitement and dread. You might feel trapped between the security of your current position and the pull of something better, leaving you paralyzed by uncertainty about whether leaving is brave or reckless.

Should I Adopt a Minimalist Lifestyle?

You're overwhelmed by stuff—cluttered spaces, endless organizing, and the weight of possessions. Minimalism promises freedom and clarity, but you worry about getting rid of things you'll regret, seeming eccentric, or going too extreme.

People Also Considered

Similar decisions in other areas of life:

Start a Business End a Relationship Take a Sabbatical

Sources

Galinsky, A. D., et al. (2015). Multicultural experience enhances creativity. American Psychologist.
Zimmermann, J., & Neyer, F. J. (2013). Personality development of sojourners. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

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