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Anton's avatar

After reading this, my excuses for playing small sound pathetic. Your take on how 'the call usually arrives as an interruption, not an invitation' is the kick in the pants every would-be hero needs. That line about 'adventure being what happens while you're busy making other plans'? Tattoo-worthy.

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Benthall Adventures's avatar

Thank you Anton - I’m so glad it landed!

Sometimes I get so used to this midlife reinvention that it starts to feel… flat. Ordinary. But then I read something like your response and remember: this used to be foreign to me. A stretch. A dream.

Your words reminded me that even the most familiar path was once unthinkable. And if you ever do get that tattoo, send a pic!

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Jenn at Joy Muck Club's avatar

Yes! I love this! My husband and I had been feeling that call for about a decade. Last year, we finally sold our house and moved into our travel trailer. We've been living on the road full-time so a little over a year and LOVING it. Unfortunately for us, we aren't at a point where we can retire but were lucky enough to take our jobs with us. And being able to live wherever you want is heck of a thing.

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Lisa-Marie Cabrelli, Ph.D.'s avatar

Fabulous story, Jenn. I have thought about the idea of having home with me at all times, but can't get the husband to consider it. I'm gonna try and tempt him in a smaller trip so we can test it out.

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Jenn at Joy Muck Club's avatar

Starting with a smaller trip is a really good idea. My husband and I have always been tent campers, so this feels like luxury to us. And he was the one who got me started on the idea of living on the road, it just took about 10 years to make it happen. You can definitely rent and RV or van for a shorter trip if/when you want to give it a try.

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Lisa-Marie Cabrelli, Ph.D.'s avatar

We are looking at a New Zealand trial. We are kinda spoiled, but the idea of always being “home” appeals to me.

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Jenn at Joy Muck Club's avatar

I have a friend who moved to New Zealand about 6 years ago, she loves it. Having home with you is really nice.

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Benthall Adventures's avatar

We’ve considered RV or van life at different points in our journey but haven’t taken the plunge yet. I love that you went for it - and how incredible that you’re able to carry your work with you along the way.

That kind of freedom, even while working, is no small thing. Here’s to building a life that moves when you do!

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Jenn at Joy Muck Club's avatar

RV/van life is pretty great. Give it a try by renting one for a shorter trip if youre considering it to see what you do and dont like.

I think what you're doing is amazing! I'd love to travel more internationally. And we will. We've got two senior dogs with us, so we're trying to give them their best retirement years, and then we'll probably switch up what we're doing. But I have a feeling we'll be nomads in one way or another for a while.

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Benthall Adventures's avatar

I know it might sound ridiculous, but I had a little green cheeked conure named Disco…and I could never have left him behind.

He passed suddenly, without explanation. And now, deep down, I feel him in the ether whispering, “This is why I left. So you could go.”

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Jenn at Joy Muck Club's avatar

I think that's very sweet, not ridiculous at all. Sometimes those signs are there to point us in the right direction.

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