THE ROAD TO 40

THE 17 YEAR RESET

IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

My name is Paolo Barranca. I am Italian, I live in London, and I have spent the last 17 years living in the United Kingdom. On 15 September I will turn 39.

The United Kingdom gave me the opportunity to rebuild, learn and grow. London is where I became an adult. I worked in 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.

WHY I AM DOING THIS

What happened earlier in my 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 about moving forward without allowing the past to decide the rest of my life. As I approach 40, saying “maybe next year” is no longer enough.

THE JOURNEY

I am preparing for long term travel through Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas, with the possibility of returning to Europe for the next chapter.

I have never visited Asia, Australia or the Americas. I hope to travel for 1 to 2 years, or potentially longer if the project becomes financially sustainable.

This is not a plan to stop working. It is a plan to change how and where I live, work and create.

The journey is also a personal reset intended to support my wellbeing, perspective and a healthier way of living and working. I am not presenting travel as a cure or a replacement for professional mental health support.

I will document the journey on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and my website. I will continue working remotely with clients, creating content and building interactive digital prototypes.

FINDING MY CREATIVITY AGAIN

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. I love filming, editing and turning ideas into things people can see, test 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. I can help shape an idea, make a working version and identify a realistic next step.

If you have an idea or need help moving your online presence forward, you can contact me through paolobarranca.com.

HOW THE PROJECT CAN CONTINUE

The working model is simple:

Travel → Content → Audience → Idea submissions → Prototype clients → Revenue → More travel

I currently live in London, where my room costs £950 each month. I am raising the launch runway needed to begin responsibly while I continue building a sustainable way to fund the journey.

WHY £25,000?

£25,000 is the personal GoFundMe goal for the journey launch runway. It is not a claim that this amount will fund several years or the entire journey.

The figures below are current planning estimates. They are not booked expenses or verified future costs.

CURRENT PLANNING ESTIMATES

1. International flights: £5,000

2. Accommodation: £7,500

3. Food and essentials: £3,500

4. Local transport: £1,500

5. AI and prototype tools: £2,500

6. Internet connectivity: £600

7. Insurance, visas and administration: £900

8. Content and project costs: £1,000

9. Emergency reserve: £2,500

Total journey planning estimate: £25,000

Actual costs may change as the plan develops. I will distinguish clearly between estimates, confirmed arrangements and real activity.

PERSONAL FUNDRAISING AND CHARITY FUNDRAISING

This GoFundMe is a personal fundraiser for the journey launch runway. No charity is currently associated with, endorsing or named as the beneficiary of this fundraiser.

I am exploring a separate charity fundraising initiative connected to mental health. If it goes ahead, it will use a separate official fundraising page and will be announced only after the charity has approved the arrangement and wording in writing.

PUBLIC SUPPORT AND COMMERCIAL WORK

A public donation is voluntary support for the journey. It does not purchase a service, prototype, promotion, partnership, ownership, intellectual property, revenue share, equity or financial return.

Paid prototype work is separate. Commercial projects have their own discovery, scope, deliverables, timeline, price, agreement and invoice.

No donation or commercial project guarantees views, users, customers, leads, investment, revenue, profit, sales or market success.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

You can donate, share this campaign, follow the journey or submit an idea for a separate commercial prototype project.

The journey is currently being prepared in London. No flights or countries are presented as booked or confirmed. I will share progress honestly as it happens.

After 17 years in the United Kingdom, this is my decision to stop postponing the next chapter.

IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

Thank you for reading, supporting or simply following the road ahead.

Paolo