You are very right there... a lot of travellers have a bit of a baggage, and that's why they travel until a certain point. Until they found peace, until they have healed, until they have found what they are looking for! :)
Hey, you can still do the work & travel holiday in Australia (provided you are not 31 just yet) :) I started my work as a travel agent over there on my W&H visa... So if you have any question, just shoot, this is my territory! :)
Also, you don't have to stay in your country, especially if you are working in IT. More and more companies are being more open to let their employees work from home.... or anywhere else in the world, as long as they get the job done.
You have been around here, great! So you may have heard of the 'digital nomad scene'?
Nusa Penida! Nice! Did you snorkel with the mantas? Did you go to Angel's Billabong? How many days did you stay>