This was amazing Jill! It’s so cool to get to know more about what makes you tick. I appreciated every single word in this article. I love to see you still affirming to yourself that you’re on the right path and this is who you are.
And thanks for the huge inspiration. We’re now <6 weeks from leaving on our sailboat. It feels like there is too much to figure out, and it’s too overwhelming. I had a day at work today where everyone is like, “we’re going to miss you! You’re so good at your job!” And I’m nervous. But your article reminded me what else is out there and why we’re doing it.
Thanks so much, Cory. I’m glad this resonated with you. I’m starting to realize that when we are out in the world doing what we are meant to be doing, life runs much smoother. You will know if you are supposed to be there. If nothing else, you will grow more resilient which is the best asset to have in these changing times.
Jill, thanks for linking me up to this article. You have reignited an old dream of mine to travel the US backroads with no agenda other than to experience whatever comes up. My wife and I have talked about it, but so far, it's all talk. At 80, it seems an extreme thing to do. But my wife is 15 years younger, and with a trailer and a truck, we could manage a few years on the road. Thanks for lighting a fire with your beautiful essay. Happy trails!
Can I ask you something personal? Please feel free to not answer it...I want this BUT I have two kids who I am funding for. I am living as a foreigner in Singapore which is THE most expensive city in the world. The most. I save. I work hard to give both kids a bright future in any college they want. I grew up in India and didn't have the privilege i am providing my children to study overseas. How can I give this all up... I cant can I? Plus financial obligations towards these two which I want to honour definitely. But I also fear that if I delay this my health may not permit any of it later. I am on Indian passport so I need a visa almost everywhere which obviously makes things tad tougher. Planes. Leave schedules. Visas. College funds. How did you manage your financial obligations amidst all this? I am 45. 🙂
I don’t have children so I never had financial obligations like you do. Since selling everything, I haven’t had any serious financial obligations. The only things I worry about now are making sure I have a place to stay and some money for food. Plus we work while visiting family in Canada so we can afford a flight back out again.
I'm so glad you've written this down and thrown these important words out there. I believe that yes, folks are threatened when you start pulling something off like this. And sure, they might have a point about wondering about your future, but you're one of the wise ones who knows the future is never promised due to health problems, world conflicts, whatever. You could sit at home, saving money and being "safe" so you can find a nice cinderblock room to be placed into as your reward for old age. Some are thrown, seeing you both so confident in your choice, and it warms their heart to plant seeds of doubt. Ignore them.
Hey Jill, we are on your team. Every time we go back to Australia, people are always asking if we're going to buy a house now and settle down. Our answer is NO. Not ready for that, especially with the latest election results. We love our lifestyle. We love exploring new places, meeting amazing people. Yes we do miss our two boys, our granddaughter who is now 15 months old, and old friends we have known forever. We play the tourist every now and then, but with house sitting we are able to stay in a community for longer. We really get to know the town/village, we get to meet the neighbours, find a favourite cafe and pub, become regulars. Get involved in community activities. It's a good life. We are happy, content with our choices. There are still so many places we want to go. We love your homeland Canada. Found it expensive but everything is relevant. We hope to return there next year to see a lot more of the country. Vancouver island is our favourite place. All the best.
Awesome, Rosie. After living on the West Coast for 15 years, I can attest that it is one of the best places in Canada to live. I also lived on the East Coast for 4 years. It’s nice as well but winters are much colder.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It’s nice to hear from like minded people that share the same philosophy in life.
We are all travelers, although most don't know it. From a tarot perspective, you are embodying the archetype of the Fool. Society does not like fools because many are working meaningless jobs to get by, trying to keep it together, raising families and such. I lived the life of the outer Fool with my backpack until life changed that by becoming a father. Now I am an inner Fool. For me, I follow where the River takes me. Keep being true to the River.
I love that our South Pacific shenanigans left you with that a-ha moment! I can't remember their names for the life of me, but I remember them.....especially after our rental car dukes of hazards day🙃
First off, feeling pretty dang flattered to be included in this post, so thank you, lady! Second, oof, I’ve been there. I got hit with the “when are you gonna settle down?” question constantly through my 20s and early 30s, mostly because I was always hopping on a plane (and missing holiday parties). My own family kind of gave up on the idea of me planting roots or starting a family. That chatter only stopped once I got pregnant (surprise!) and couldn’t travel as much.
My internal monologue is always:
“I don’t want to be a tourist.” And the fact I can’t just up and leave really peeves me, but alas, that’s my life in this chapter.
Next time someone asks when you’re settling down, just tell them, When I’m six feet under!” 😂
Haha! Thanks for the witty comeback. I like it! Glad to include your wise words in my writing, and I can't tell you how reaffirming it is to find kindred spirits along this lifestyle path:)
This was amazing Jill! It’s so cool to get to know more about what makes you tick. I appreciated every single word in this article. I love to see you still affirming to yourself that you’re on the right path and this is who you are.
And thanks for the huge inspiration. We’re now <6 weeks from leaving on our sailboat. It feels like there is too much to figure out, and it’s too overwhelming. I had a day at work today where everyone is like, “we’re going to miss you! You’re so good at your job!” And I’m nervous. But your article reminded me what else is out there and why we’re doing it.
Thanks so much, Cory. I’m glad this resonated with you. I’m starting to realize that when we are out in the world doing what we are meant to be doing, life runs much smoother. You will know if you are supposed to be there. If nothing else, you will grow more resilient which is the best asset to have in these changing times.
Jill, thanks for linking me up to this article. You have reignited an old dream of mine to travel the US backroads with no agenda other than to experience whatever comes up. My wife and I have talked about it, but so far, it's all talk. At 80, it seems an extreme thing to do. But my wife is 15 years younger, and with a trailer and a truck, we could manage a few years on the road. Thanks for lighting a fire with your beautiful essay. Happy trails!
That’s great, Gary. I wish you all the best.
Can I ask you something personal? Please feel free to not answer it...I want this BUT I have two kids who I am funding for. I am living as a foreigner in Singapore which is THE most expensive city in the world. The most. I save. I work hard to give both kids a bright future in any college they want. I grew up in India and didn't have the privilege i am providing my children to study overseas. How can I give this all up... I cant can I? Plus financial obligations towards these two which I want to honour definitely. But I also fear that if I delay this my health may not permit any of it later. I am on Indian passport so I need a visa almost everywhere which obviously makes things tad tougher. Planes. Leave schedules. Visas. College funds. How did you manage your financial obligations amidst all this? I am 45. 🙂
I don’t have children so I never had financial obligations like you do. Since selling everything, I haven’t had any serious financial obligations. The only things I worry about now are making sure I have a place to stay and some money for food. Plus we work while visiting family in Canada so we can afford a flight back out again.
I'm so glad you've written this down and thrown these important words out there. I believe that yes, folks are threatened when you start pulling something off like this. And sure, they might have a point about wondering about your future, but you're one of the wise ones who knows the future is never promised due to health problems, world conflicts, whatever. You could sit at home, saving money and being "safe" so you can find a nice cinderblock room to be placed into as your reward for old age. Some are thrown, seeing you both so confident in your choice, and it warms their heart to plant seeds of doubt. Ignore them.
Thanks, Joe. I think you are right. Thanks for putting it so eloquent and easy to understand.
Hey Jill, we are on your team. Every time we go back to Australia, people are always asking if we're going to buy a house now and settle down. Our answer is NO. Not ready for that, especially with the latest election results. We love our lifestyle. We love exploring new places, meeting amazing people. Yes we do miss our two boys, our granddaughter who is now 15 months old, and old friends we have known forever. We play the tourist every now and then, but with house sitting we are able to stay in a community for longer. We really get to know the town/village, we get to meet the neighbours, find a favourite cafe and pub, become regulars. Get involved in community activities. It's a good life. We are happy, content with our choices. There are still so many places we want to go. We love your homeland Canada. Found it expensive but everything is relevant. We hope to return there next year to see a lot more of the country. Vancouver island is our favourite place. All the best.
Awesome, Rosie. After living on the West Coast for 15 years, I can attest that it is one of the best places in Canada to live. I also lived on the East Coast for 4 years. It’s nice as well but winters are much colder.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It’s nice to hear from like minded people that share the same philosophy in life.
We are all travelers, although most don't know it. From a tarot perspective, you are embodying the archetype of the Fool. Society does not like fools because many are working meaningless jobs to get by, trying to keep it together, raising families and such. I lived the life of the outer Fool with my backpack until life changed that by becoming a father. Now I am an inner Fool. For me, I follow where the River takes me. Keep being true to the River.
Thanks so much, Janaka. It’s always a pleasure to befriend a fellow fool:)
🙃🙏❤️
I love that our South Pacific shenanigans left you with that a-ha moment! I can't remember their names for the life of me, but I remember them.....especially after our rental car dukes of hazards day🙃
Haha! What a time we had! That poor car. lol
First off, feeling pretty dang flattered to be included in this post, so thank you, lady! Second, oof, I’ve been there. I got hit with the “when are you gonna settle down?” question constantly through my 20s and early 30s, mostly because I was always hopping on a plane (and missing holiday parties). My own family kind of gave up on the idea of me planting roots or starting a family. That chatter only stopped once I got pregnant (surprise!) and couldn’t travel as much.
My internal monologue is always:
“I don’t want to be a tourist.” And the fact I can’t just up and leave really peeves me, but alas, that’s my life in this chapter.
Next time someone asks when you’re settling down, just tell them, When I’m six feet under!” 😂
Haha! Thanks for the witty comeback. I like it! Glad to include your wise words in my writing, and I can't tell you how reaffirming it is to find kindred spirits along this lifestyle path:)
I so agree. Glad I found you on here! It feels good when you find peeps who can relate.
I love your honesty and clarity; fellow Canadian here who hasn’t lead a tradition life.
Thank you, Richard. I’ve been mulling lots of this stuff over since touching back down on our soil in March. It feels good to finally get it out:)