Paolo Barranca · Long term travel
THE ROAD
TO 40
THE 17 YEAR RESET
I'm Italian, I've lived in the United Kingdom for 17 years, and I'm approaching 40 with one question getting harder to ignore:
IF NOT NOW, WHEN?I want to stop saying “maybe next year” and start moving.
Why now
A reset measured in movement, not escape.
The plan is 1 to 2 years or potentially longer if financially sustainable. I have never visited Asia, Australia or Americas. That is exactly why those places sit at the heart of the route.
The United Kingdom gave me the opportunity to rebuild, learn and grow. London is where I became an adult, worked across different roles, learned new skills and languages, and built a stable life. I am grateful to this country, to the people I met and to myself for continuing through difficult years. Now I want to carry that knowledge forward and use it to contribute to people, communities and useful projects in other places.
What happened in my earlier life left lasting marks. At times I have chosen solitude because letting people close can feel risky when you have been hurt before. I will begin this journey alone, but I do not want it to be a story about isolation. I hope the road helps me reconnect with people, trust and possibility. Perhaps I will even meet someone with whom to share part of the next chapter. That is a hope, not an expectation. The journey is ultimately about moving forward without allowing the past to decide the rest of my life.
I'll document the journey and create YouTube, Instagram and TikTok content while building AI and digital prototypes, working remotely with clients and developing a location independent business.
My current room in London costs £950 per month. That confirmed baseline is part of why I'm assessing a different long term way to live and work.
Creativity found again
Share what I have learned. Help other people create.
After years of rebuilding, I have found my way back to myself and to creativity. I have been creating content and streaming since I was young, and I still love filming, editing and turning ideas into things people can see and use. Today I use modern digital and AI tools to create websites and interactive prototypes. During the journey I want to keep creating, share practical knowledge and help people strengthen their online presence. I cannot promise that every idea will succeed, but I can help shape an idea, make a working version and identify a realistic next step.
I offer practical creative technology guidance based on my experience. If you have an idea, want to understand modern digital and AI tools or need help moving your online presence forward, email me and we can explore what is realistically possible.
Campaign data · live
The journey starts with runway.
Preparing the journey
Raised£0
Combined gross goal£25,000
0% funded. After GoFundMe transaction fees, 100% of net funds received supports the journey. The £25,000 planning estimate is launch runway, not a claim that it will fund several years of travel.
Support the Journey ↗Current planning estimates
Every journey pound has a starting job.
These figures describe the £25,000 journey runway only. They are current planning estimates, not verified future costs or booked expenses.
01 · International flights£5,000
02 · Accommodation£7,500
03 · Food and essentials£3,500
04 · Local transport£1,500
05 · AI and prototype tools£2,500
06 · Internet connectivity£600
07 · Insurance, visas and admin£900
08 · Content and project costs£1,000
09 · Emergency reserve£2,500
Total journey planning estimate£25,000
One transparent campaign
The current fundraiser supports the journey.
This journey is a personal reset intended to support wellbeing, perspective and a healthier, more sustainable way of living and working. Travel is not presented as a cure or a replacement for professional mental health support.
- 100% of net funds received supports the journey.
- No part of the current campaign is presented as a charitable donation.
- No charity is currently associated with or named by this fundraiser.
- Any future charitable initiative will be announced only after the organisation has agreed to be involved.
GoFundMe UK · September 2026
How the platform currently works.
GoFundMe currently charges no fee to start or manage a UK personal fundraiser. A 2.9% + £0.25 transaction fee is deducted from each donation.
- The fundraiser does not need to reach its target for the organiser to transfer funds raised.
- The fundraising goal can be increased or decreased later.
- GoFundMe recommends accounting for transaction fees when choosing the goal.
- Transfers can take approximately 2 to 10 business days after transfer setup and processing.
- Campaign details including the goal, image, story and URL can be edited.
- Search visibility can be controlled in the fundraiser settings.
- Reaching £25,000 does not automatically close the fundraiser.
The long term model
Travel creates the context.
Useful work keeps it moving.
Travel→Content→Audience→Idea submissions→Prototype clients→Revenue→More travel
This is a working model, not a promise of audience size or commercial results. The goal is to earn continuity by making useful work in public.
Work on the road
Built on real portfolio foundations.
See existing examples of Paolo's digital products, campaign systems and creative travel work.
Follow the Journey