Another great piece of writing. My wife and I left Australia during the Scamdemic and have been touring in our motorhome ever since. We remind each other almost everyday that although we don't have much money we have three of the most important ; HEALTH FREEDOM AND TIME. These are things one comes to find out later in life ( we r in our 60's) that are PRICELESS.
I'm curious if you are traveling the US? Yes, health, freedom and time are priceless assets, more valuable than money. True living and enjoying life over sitting around doing nothing but going to visit the doctor all the time. I'm happy for you and your wife and I miss you much joy and happiness.
I've had a fortunate life. But yes, I know from people close to me that careers, finances, families, and health can crumble surprisingly fast for reasons out of one's control.
I grew up without stable parents, grandparent, and living situations. A lot of my life has been unstable and living on the edge. I know first hand that the floor you are standing on can crumble at any time, any place. Sometimes you start it, sometimes it has nothing to do with you, you are just a casualty of the event.
I think stability happened for me when I turned 30. I bought a house in a not great neighborhood, got married five years later, and my husband and I have decided what is important, necessary and what is marketing. There are no world tours, boat tours, train tours and the closest I get to touring the countryside is grocery shopping. I am trying to figure out my life at 66 and what I want to do next.
I have for the most part deleted the doom scrolling, and have started canceling many of the subscriptions as they aren't adding to my life. I can't control wars, inflation, election processes, or choosing a good candidate for office. I think we are on the cusp of a great change of a variety of factors that make our life as stable as it is now. tomorrow, who knows? we will talk about prices, scams to avoid, cheap eats, medicine, and resources we can access.
We are stronger than we think, if it all crashes down we will reach out to one another, look after one another, and build strong communities. It is how we will survive. Get a couple of journals to keep track of the days, what is happening and what life is like. It will be interesting.
We are “on the cusp of a great change” but that “change” will not be immediate, will be years in the making, and likely we will not reap the full benefits of the change in our lifetime. It took us a long time to get to this point, and the unraveling will take as long.
The important thing here is to support these ‘changes’ in the best way we can, with loving kindness, acceptance of others who aren’t on perhaps the same path or thinking as you are, and help others in whatever small ways you can. Whether it be a kind word, a compliment , a gesture, to let people know you see them and appreciate them.
Given current world events, technology in everyday life, the grid failing whether by natural disaster, hacker, or terrorists, we are a bit closer than you think. Forgot to mention economics in play and the USA losing allies rapidly, AI Technology, and job loss which isn’t on anyone’s radar unless it’s your job.
Beautiful Carol! Thank you for this one! Yes, even the people we love can disappear. I think the experience of those who we love dying, and leaving due to challenges of their own, mental illness for example, or addiction, can really destabilize that floor! But it is true for me that holding my own strength, growth, trust, and being empowered inside my own action, whatever I want that to look like, can be the port in any storm. I’m glad you’re here writing! I’m watching the sun stream in my van window right now and it’s good to read your pieces, so thank you! Judi
Well, thanks for asking! I don’t live in my van full time. I live on a sailboat and the weather in winter is such, that one needs to get off the boat. Also, when our youngest child began going to college when I still had to drive her, I bought my van and put a sewing room into it so that I would have something to do while I waited for her to get out of class. Now, I spend every day in my van during the day, but only sleep in it to go camping for 1-10 days at a time, depending on the weather. What have I learned? That I miss having a piece of land to live on and that hot running water is one of life’s greatest gifts. Also, that I love the freedom my van gives me to travel at will, with everything I need. And it is great fun when the sun comes out at the seaside and I can open the doors and sew right then and there. Or take a nap. Or make a cup of coffee. I love it!
Right now, I'm running a small business and caring for my mom. Its a lot of responsibility. So I fantasize about the next phase of my life, and one of those ideas is to move into a van an explore the US. The other is to spend a year visiting the world, staying in Airbnb in each place ideally for a month. Doesn't that sound wonderful? I travel about once a year now, for about 10 days, and I enjoy (and prefer) solo travel and the independence that provides me, but I do occasionally feel lonely. I'm not always comfortable striking up a conversation with a stranger. So I was relating to Carol.
That’s a lot, and I can understand thinking and imaging what fun thing you might like to do next! Almost 2 years ago now, we bought an ancient house in Sicily in need of repair and we have been going back for 3 months each winter as we can afford to, and working on it. So boat life, electric van life and Europe. I think your idea of traveling the world is a magnificent one! And yes, I am so grateful to Carol for her writing here! I like traveling alone some too, but also enjoy the company of my husband and young adult daughter a great deal! It’s fun being an old lady though and spending time with myself, after taking care of so many for so long!
It's terrifying how easy it is to fall off the edge here in America, especially if you are a single parent. Payday loans put you in debt for the rest of your life, an increase in your apartment’s rent and your homeless, no health insurance and your dead.
Increasingly, it's almost impossible to get yourself pulled back up.
I feel this. Thanks for sharing. I felt after years of climbing the corporate ladder we got too comfortable. The whole make more spend more. I feared it could all go away. I worried about the crash out of a layoff or what it looked like as we grew older. It’s a big reason we decided to move to France where we could live more comfortably on a modest budget. Get back to our roots of not overspending and have most bills planned and accounted for. I know it’s not so easy for most and can be hard to share openly.
IMHO maturity has led me to know that stability has a way of needing constant re-creation through life. Especially if one is adventurist. I will add that keeping God in the picture is immeasurable for he will quite often assist and with a surprise platform!
Mine was medical issues. That put financial strain and decreased daily functioning. All this put a strain on my marriage. It failed after 23 years, 2 kids and out first grand child. My life is sooooo BIG now 🧚🏼♀️💖✨‼️
also, in the shift, it is humbling to realize that somethings - some BIG things are so out of your control.
Yes, and when some big things are out of your control, then it's time to admit it to yourself and move on. Don't you think?
Another wonderful piece by someone who knows her stuff.
Thank you for sharing your experiences Carol with such heart and humanity. 💕
Another great piece of writing. My wife and I left Australia during the Scamdemic and have been touring in our motorhome ever since. We remind each other almost everyday that although we don't have much money we have three of the most important ; HEALTH FREEDOM AND TIME. These are things one comes to find out later in life ( we r in our 60's) that are PRICELESS.
I'm curious if you are traveling the US? Yes, health, freedom and time are priceless assets, more valuable than money. True living and enjoying life over sitting around doing nothing but going to visit the doctor all the time. I'm happy for you and your wife and I miss you much joy and happiness.
👏💯
I've had a fortunate life. But yes, I know from people close to me that careers, finances, families, and health can crumble surprisingly fast for reasons out of one's control.
I grew up without stable parents, grandparent, and living situations. A lot of my life has been unstable and living on the edge. I know first hand that the floor you are standing on can crumble at any time, any place. Sometimes you start it, sometimes it has nothing to do with you, you are just a casualty of the event.
I think stability happened for me when I turned 30. I bought a house in a not great neighborhood, got married five years later, and my husband and I have decided what is important, necessary and what is marketing. There are no world tours, boat tours, train tours and the closest I get to touring the countryside is grocery shopping. I am trying to figure out my life at 66 and what I want to do next.
I have for the most part deleted the doom scrolling, and have started canceling many of the subscriptions as they aren't adding to my life. I can't control wars, inflation, election processes, or choosing a good candidate for office. I think we are on the cusp of a great change of a variety of factors that make our life as stable as it is now. tomorrow, who knows? we will talk about prices, scams to avoid, cheap eats, medicine, and resources we can access.
We are stronger than we think, if it all crashes down we will reach out to one another, look after one another, and build strong communities. It is how we will survive. Get a couple of journals to keep track of the days, what is happening and what life is like. It will be interesting.
We are “on the cusp of a great change” but that “change” will not be immediate, will be years in the making, and likely we will not reap the full benefits of the change in our lifetime. It took us a long time to get to this point, and the unraveling will take as long.
The important thing here is to support these ‘changes’ in the best way we can, with loving kindness, acceptance of others who aren’t on perhaps the same path or thinking as you are, and help others in whatever small ways you can. Whether it be a kind word, a compliment , a gesture, to let people know you see them and appreciate them.
Given current world events, technology in everyday life, the grid failing whether by natural disaster, hacker, or terrorists, we are a bit closer than you think. Forgot to mention economics in play and the USA losing allies rapidly, AI Technology, and job loss which isn’t on anyone’s radar unless it’s your job.
That’s just what is happening on the surface, that we are being allowed to see. What matters is how much one buys into the facade of it all.
The 24/7 doom and gloom/fear factor that they want us to pay attention to, and fall for.
I’m not buying into any of what they are selling.
“…we are a bit closer than you think”…to what may I ask?
This is song is more along the lines of where I’m at these days..
https://youtu.be/rsAk1nNoErM
I love your perspective.
Beautiful Carol! Thank you for this one! Yes, even the people we love can disappear. I think the experience of those who we love dying, and leaving due to challenges of their own, mental illness for example, or addiction, can really destabilize that floor! But it is true for me that holding my own strength, growth, trust, and being empowered inside my own action, whatever I want that to look like, can be the port in any storm. I’m glad you’re here writing! I’m watching the sun stream in my van window right now and it’s good to read your pieces, so thank you! Judi
Judy, I've thought about living in a van one day. Was it by necesity, or a sense of adventure? And what have you learned from the experience?
Well, thanks for asking! I don’t live in my van full time. I live on a sailboat and the weather in winter is such, that one needs to get off the boat. Also, when our youngest child began going to college when I still had to drive her, I bought my van and put a sewing room into it so that I would have something to do while I waited for her to get out of class. Now, I spend every day in my van during the day, but only sleep in it to go camping for 1-10 days at a time, depending on the weather. What have I learned? That I miss having a piece of land to live on and that hot running water is one of life’s greatest gifts. Also, that I love the freedom my van gives me to travel at will, with everything I need. And it is great fun when the sun comes out at the seaside and I can open the doors and sew right then and there. Or take a nap. Or make a cup of coffee. I love it!
That's awesome. Thanks for your response 😀
You’re welcome! What are your thoughts on van living?
Right now, I'm running a small business and caring for my mom. Its a lot of responsibility. So I fantasize about the next phase of my life, and one of those ideas is to move into a van an explore the US. The other is to spend a year visiting the world, staying in Airbnb in each place ideally for a month. Doesn't that sound wonderful? I travel about once a year now, for about 10 days, and I enjoy (and prefer) solo travel and the independence that provides me, but I do occasionally feel lonely. I'm not always comfortable striking up a conversation with a stranger. So I was relating to Carol.
That’s a lot, and I can understand thinking and imaging what fun thing you might like to do next! Almost 2 years ago now, we bought an ancient house in Sicily in need of repair and we have been going back for 3 months each winter as we can afford to, and working on it. So boat life, electric van life and Europe. I think your idea of traveling the world is a magnificent one! And yes, I am so grateful to Carol for her writing here! I like traveling alone some too, but also enjoy the company of my husband and young adult daughter a great deal! It’s fun being an old lady though and spending time with myself, after taking care of so many for so long!
Enjoyed your post. Thanks!
It's terrifying how easy it is to fall off the edge here in America, especially if you are a single parent. Payday loans put you in debt for the rest of your life, an increase in your apartment’s rent and your homeless, no health insurance and your dead.
Increasingly, it's almost impossible to get yourself pulled back up.
Rebuilding your life at any age is daunting.
Praying for you.
I feel this. Thanks for sharing. I felt after years of climbing the corporate ladder we got too comfortable. The whole make more spend more. I feared it could all go away. I worried about the crash out of a layoff or what it looked like as we grew older. It’s a big reason we decided to move to France where we could live more comfortably on a modest budget. Get back to our roots of not overspending and have most bills planned and accounted for. I know it’s not so easy for most and can be hard to share openly.
IMHO maturity has led me to know that stability has a way of needing constant re-creation through life. Especially if one is adventurist. I will add that keeping God in the picture is immeasurable for he will quite often assist and with a surprise platform!
Mine was medical issues. That put financial strain and decreased daily functioning. All this put a strain on my marriage. It failed after 23 years, 2 kids and out first grand child. My life is sooooo BIG now 🧚🏼♀️💖✨‼️
My biggest fear honestly
The idea of stability leaving quietly is truly haunting!