When I tell people I want to travel for months at a time, the very first question is always, "How can you afford that?" As I try to break it down, eyes begin to glaze over and heads shake followed by all the reasons that this would simply not be possible for them. Recently, it dawned on me that most consider "vacations" travel. They are not. You may travel to a destination but then you pack in absolutely every activity, every kind of food (usually with extra desserts), and, by the time you've finished, you're exhausted and broke. Clearly, this is not a lifestyle many could finance. It also doesn't allow for soaking up rich cultural differences, listening to different ideas, watching the way other places run. This soaking, listening, and watching is what I want and it isn't possible in a two week, or for many, ONE week trip, especially if you come from the United States. There has to be time to not only see the sights but also just exist. I want saturation, to marinade in the local life. One of my (many) pet peeves is listening to, or reading, someone's opinion of another culture when they have never been to the place nor had a conversation with anyone with personal knowledge of it. An opinion based on opinions is not really valid. I want to speak intelligently with personal observations and discussions I've had with the individuals who live differently. It also lends to expanding the ideas of possibility. Creativity and imagination are squelched by The Way It's Always Been Done. News Flash: Other places do things that have been labeled "not possible" and "too expensive".
My priorities have shifted considerably in deciding on this lifestyle. That began when I was sitting on my couch thinking about a particular corner of the room that needed a table or something. Have you ever had an area demand attention? I was going to spend money for an item to fill space. Not an actual need or even a function, just a filler. What else did I spend money on that could be better directed to the life I wanted? All purchases came under the microscope. I fix a vehicle instead of getting something newer (no car payment, lower insurance). I downsized my living space (less in utilities). Bare bones was not the objective. Yoga classes, the gym, eating out (I'm never going to be interested in cooking), and the upkeep on my hair are all necessary to my mental health. I still buy books but use the library more. Just the mental questioning of purchases made a drastic change in the flow of my money. To quote Marie Forleo, or more precisely, her mother, "Everything is figureoutable."
Honestly, I'm also acutely aware of time running out. No one knows when they're going to die, but in the best of circumstances, there is an expiration date. There will always be reasons to not go but really they're excuses. If you want to, you do. Someone once pointed out that crackheads never say they can't afford drugs. While it's a bit over the top, it resonated with me. I want to. If not now, when? Let the adventure begin.
Comments