Here We Go
Posted on Sep 22, 2012 | 29 comments
This is a funny game.
One day you're just sitting there drinking your coffee, staring at the walls, and a magic idea pops into your head. All of a sudden everything seems to make sense. You feel relieved, excited. And then you think something like, "Hell YES! This is exactly what I'm gonna do."
So, you go home to shout the news. Before your coat comes off, you're on the computer gathering research. You bombard your spouse with your eager thoughts as soon as he walks in the door. You can't help yourself. This is what you've been waiting for. This is your ticket. This is the idea that is going to change everything.
Months pass. Again, you find yourself just sitting there, drinking a cup of coffee, staring at the walls, and then you have a flash.
"OMG! This is the one!"
You rush home. Your spouse will be home soon, and you can't wait to tell him about the idea that is going to change your lives forever.
Here we GO!
A few years ago my wife and I got this crazy idea to quit our jobs and travel the world forever with our kids. At the time, it seemed like a perfectly simple and wonderful thing to do. We'll just go home, sell our stuff, put a few coins away, and hit the road. Next year we'll be in Paris. Easy Peasy!
Of course - as is the case with all big ideas - reality eventually entered the room. After a few months of blind excitement, we found ourselves with some questions.
So what happens if the kids get sick??
And what about this debt?? How did we plan on paying this off again??
And the house?? CRAP! Did we seriously forget we had to sell the house? Actually, we have to sell 2 houses. When's that going happen? (Side note on the houses. When people say they have to "sell" two houses many often assume the seller is walking out of the deals with pockets full of gold. This is not so. In our case, it would probably be more accurate if we said we had to "get rid of" two houses. Garage sale style.)
Oh yeah, and what about making money? I'm supposed to fall out of my hammock in Thailand at 7AM and get to work?? I don't think so.
And our jobs, families, schools, and on and on and on.
Ideas can be tricky little things, especially the fun ones. You have to control them. And then you have to put them to work.
___________________
Our 1 year escape plan eventually turned into a 3 year odyssey. Many times we considered giving up. Many! Like everyday many.
When things don't work out as planned, the tendency is often to cash in your chips and call it a day. I sure know we considered this. At times we were done. At times I seriously thought, "This must be the dumbest idea anybody ever had. What the hell were you thinking? Travel the world forever? You're an idiot!"
And then, just as things seemed to be falling apart, we'd find something good that would pull us back in and give our crazy idea some life. We'd get back to work. We'd solve a problem. We'd check something off our endless list. And we'd again say, "What the hell. It's a good idea. It's what we want. Screw it. Let's go."
Man, I'm glad we didn't let go of our idea. We could have, but we didn't.
Ideas often need time to grow up. They need to be nurtured. They need to evolve. Just because your idea has a bad day, doesn't make it a bad idea.
Think about it.
Here We GO, Again!
In a few weeks I'm going to be unemployed. I'm going to be spending my days playing with the kids and taking them to school, planning for our trip, and getting this blog back in shape. I am so excited!
And we sold our house! I can't believe that. One day it was ours, then it instantly belonged to someone else. It feels good.
We've managed to save a good amount of cash to get us started our journey and give us time to turn our newly found freedom into careers. That's going to be fun. I have no doubts about that.
Next weekend we're having a final yard sale. And all my 25,000 baseball cards are going. Man I wish I saved that money when I was a kid instead of spending it on 25,000 baseball cards.
Next spring we are driving out to California and Western Canada and maybe Alaska. A National Park trip. A family visit. A wedding. Disneyland. And after that, who knows? Maybe Asia. Maybe Guatemala. Maybe Nepal. Maybe Paris. It's funny how once you realize you're actually going to pull something like this off, the details seem to matter much less. Now, it's just about going. It's tough to plan for trips in advance once you have the ability to wake up and go wherever you want. What a great dilemma to have!
___________________
So kids, it looks like we did it. After years of planning and debating and failing and succeeding, we are finally entering into the new world. It's strange, there's no doubt about that. I have stopped trying to wonder about what things will be like, and have started to just take things as they come. I guess that's how this works. Once you get rid of all the heavy stuff in your life - the house, the high-pressure job, the exhausting routine, the debt - you can truly start to live in the moment. Ideas get easier to accept. There's more space in your brain to explore. You're not so damn tired all the time. It's great!
When we started this, a lot of seasoned travelers used to tell us the same thing over and over and over again.
"Just go. You'll figure it out."
I never got that. I couldn't figure out what they meant by this. It's seemed so irresponsible to "Just Go". I could never be that rash or careless - I've got kids!
Well, now I get it. Responsibility has nothing to do with it. We're parents, citizens, adults. Responsibility goes without saying, or at least it should. Of course you prepare mindfully. Of course you pay your debt. Of course you tie up your loose ends. There is no way around the fact that you are going to have to work for this life.
But . . .
Once you get here. Once you leave all those burdens behind. Once you get to a place where you don't have to say or think, Why the hell am I doing this? Once you create the opportunity to explore, think, and create. Once you start thinking about what you can do, instead of what you can't do. Once you give yourself the time and space to actually realize that there really are no rules. Once you get here, that is when you'll get it. And you won't GET HERE until you JUST GO.
And with that . . .
Here We Go.
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Congrats, things are shaping up nicely. I'm now on the road, and life couldn't be better - the work was all worth it, as it will be for you and your fam.
Justin, you have a lot to look forward to.
Nate recently posted..Street Photography Singapore – Red Light District to Orchard Road Lah
Oh yes, I have everything to look forward to. I have certainly been jealous of your travels thus far. I think people like you, Tracey and all the others have kept me going. See you on the road!
Thank you for presenting the long-haul version, not simply the "just go!" perspective. We were in the latter category not so long ago, and ended up taking a year to pare down, live semi-nomadically, and sell the house. Our big stuff sale is today. We begin traveling next week. And you are so right: there are no quick fixes to attain this lifestyle.
It has been such an encouragement to follow your journey of preparation and thoughtfulness, and it's awesome to hear that you're ready to go!
Joy recently posted..This is what trepidation looks like
The big sale is today! Nice! Where are you going first?
To California for several months, and then we'll see!
Joy recently posted..Surprised by joy
Congratulations guys, I'm sure you will have an adventure of a lifetime!
Enjoy
Martin recently posted..Trip Pulse: New Zealand with children. Nature on Steroids Part 2/2 – South Island
Hooray!! Finally, you're there!! Can't wait to see where your travels take you and how it all turns out!! The five of us will be following along. We'll be jealous because we'll be home by then!!
Tracey - Life Changing Year recently posted..I Thought I Invented Long Term Family Travel – Epic Fail!!
You won't be home for long. You'll figure something out. You can be our personal "on-call" tour guides. We'll just message you when we need travel advice and there you will be, directing us from the comfort of your home!
So exciting! We're waiting on pins and needles for the sale of our house to go through... was supposed to happen yesterday but we're probably looking at another week now, hoping it doesn't unravel. We just moved into our camp trailer and are getting ready to quit the job (as soon as the sale is final) and head out across the country. Then, like you, we'll see where we end up after that. Excited for you!
Rebeca recently posted..Remembering Esther
Excited for you as well. Some timing, right?? It will sell. And then you will be off. I have been paranoid about "unraveling" for months, but her we are.
Can I send you all my baseball cards on consignment?
Clark Vandeventer recently posted..Travel, Unschooling and Freedom.
I'd trade you, but I gave that up a long time ago. Maybe we should just bury them all and hide a secret treasure map some place. I'm actually quite serious about that.
Thank you for your inspiring words. It has only been a few months since we truly came to the realization that there are no rules. It has been so helpful to follow your blog. We are just beginning to determine what we want our life to look like and we are starting to make small changes to move toward our goals of living a less materialistic and more adventurous and experience focused life. Our only debt is our house and cars, so we are starting from a good position in that regard. We are now starting to save and look toward some long term ideas for making money without being chained to my husband's corporate job. Looking forward to continuing to follow your journey and learning from you as we go. Congratulations on coming as far as you have!
Rose Townsend recently posted..Literacy-Your child’s connection to the world
Hi Rose,
One thing I have stopped worrying about is making money. That is the hardest thing to figure out while your still working and in the routine. We saved enough to give us a head start, that will have to do for now. I'm excited for you guys! It's a big deal to come as far as you have! Now, just keep going!
We're so excited for you! Enjoy. We're looking forward to seeing you somewhere down the road.
I was just thinking of you guys yesterday! Really hope to meet up some day! It's been so long since I saw your blog, I have no idea where you are. Have to head over and check it out!
If all goes well, we are a few months behind you. Thanks for keeping us all reminded. SO much more fun to stare at the computer and plan and dream than it is to sort out the crap from the treasures and pack/sell/give it all away.
The crap will be gone soon, Rose! Hang in there. It's not a race!
YES!! I'm so happy for you guys!! Congrats, and enjoy!!
Melissa recently posted..It really is about the little things
I still can't get over how fast you did it!
Wow. I know that "it's so real" feeling all too well. And your day is here! I'm so excited for you and your family! Hopefully our paths will cross on the road. So many blessings, love & light on your journey!
Congratulations!
Lainie Liberti recently posted..3 Creatures I Hope We Never Run Into Part 7
Well, now I can finally stop being jealous of you and Miro. Thanks Lainie!
Wow, an inspiring post. I have just arrived back from my latest trip within the last hour. Feeling a little bit down I came across your email. It has cheered me up and I now see a way forward. Best of luck with your travel plans.
Steve Whitty recently posted..London 2012 – A few thoughts.
Perfect timing! Can't tell you how many times that has happened to me. Stick with, man!
love it. So so soon for you guys, yay!
right now I'm in the "pay off debt" phase. After that, it is the full-on saving mode. Then...GOING! 
I'm already working on my online carrier (nomadic translator, travel writer), so all I have to do now is keep paying my dues and wait…hardest part!
Can't wait to hear about your adventures all over the globe.
- Maria Alexandra
Spanish Translator @latinAbroad recently posted..Puerto Rico patriotism: The U.S. territory’s dilemma
Save! Save! Save! It will be here before you know it. We tend to focus so much on what's down the road, right. Do now! It will come. Thanks for the support. I'm really looking forward to see what you do when you get traveling.
And I might need some Spanish lessons!
Rad! I'm SO thrilled things are falling into place for you. And you better come and see us when you make your way to BC (we will be home in April!)
Amy @WorldschoolAdventures recently posted..Pre Trip Expenses
Congratulations Justin!
If you thought the last three years were an adventure, just wait for the next three. The time you spent preparing is well worth it and has clearly put your mind at ease. At one point down the road, you'll wonder why you didn't go sooner to experience all those "pinch me, this is real" moments.
Congratulations to your family....it's like a graduation...now comes Life! Vivid, free and delicious!
A King's Life recently posted..The Roulette of Driving a Motorbike in Ubud, Bali
I know! I can't imagine. I can't get past tomorrow at this stage. We will just have to see what the day brings!