Happily Homeless...In Monterey

Nearly two months ago I shared our story of how we sold our 1,700 square foot home to buy a 200 square foot RV. This is our dream turned reality of living minimally so we can travel full time nationally and internationally. For the past couple months we have been parked in a simple, unscenic lot as we tie up our remaining commitments and contracts in the area. This has been a good test to see how we would adjust to living small and simply. Will they be able to do it? We know many have been thinking.

The response to our plans of living small and dreaming big has been met with a variety of responses. From support, encouragement, and enthusiasm to doubt, cynicism, and even sarcasm:

"Soooo...you're going to like...live in that?"

I flash a smile that only those who dare to dream understand, and respond:

"Why, yes! Yes we are!"

The truth is, there definitely have been challenges, but not the ones many would anticipate or think. For us, downsizing brought a great wave of release; an exhale of heavy burden and responsibility. We share space quite skillfully and take pride in our tiny space which only fosters intimacy. But of course there has been stress, which takes form in the minutia of planning. The itinerary for our trip across the country this summer looks like this:

Utah, Nebraska, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. That's fourteen states in just eight weeks!!! There are a lot of moving pieces to put into place and coordinate with friends, family, and work in each state as we are traveling.

Mix into the minutia of the itinerary is the continued process of tying up loose ends with our careers and relations we have built these past three years in the making. It has been an emotional process of letting go and we have been working tirelessly in the midst of it all. Sydni is giving up her career in management and the security of a consistent salary. I am releasing my place in the yoga community...my roots, my influence, and the relations I have spent years watering.

We are exchanging the safety of the known for a life of uncertainty. It doesn't take long to see how impermanent all things are and how quickly the world moves on. We have been surprised by those who have been there along the way as well as those who have not. Leaving brings out strange responses from people you love that are not always easy to interpret or understand. There is a lot of emotional processing that perhaps we weren't expecting.

Needless to say, one month in with still one month to go before setting off on our new life on the road, we needed a reminder of what we were doing and why; some confirmation of our dream to keep us excited to that finish line. Besides, we really needed to test our little house on wheels within safe distance before traveling the entire country with such little experience. So we headed to Monterey.

This small adventure was exactly the medicine we needed to come alive again and reclaim our vision. It was validation for all we dared to dream and worked so hard to achieve. Being parked in one place as we checked items off our to-do list has been emotional and exhausting. It appears by this trip that the hardest part of this living has been cutting ties and embracing the unknown despite all the planning. But once we hit the road, the living part is not only easy...it is everything and more than we hoped it would be. Even our pets were excited and relieved. Just the act of being on the road helped us reconnect with the feeling of being free...which is the entire point of this life we are choosing. Sydni got to rip off the bandaid of driving our home on wheels safely; something I already knew and had full confidence in her bad-assery. 

Side-story: I am not yet allowed to drive our RV. Perhaps it has something to do with crashing a car on top of a cluster of mailboxes when I was sixteen. But my favorite joke is to text her when she's at work with something like: "Hey! Taking the house for a spin. Be back in twenty!" I die every time. I think she's laughing, too...on the inside. 

Not only did we make it to our destination without a hitch, we set up our home up in its temporary destination in record time. It is an amazing feeling to know that you have everything you need and that your back yard can be anywhere at anytime you decide. 

California has some of the most magnificent coastlines. Most of my fondest memories of Sydni and me have been our impromptu roadtrips overlooking the sea. For both of us, it is our way to reconnect, be present, and release. We relished in the calm pace of our days. Early morning practice followed by leisurely breakfasts. Long walks along the coastline, quiet conversation, campfires, and slow cooked dinners. This was our opportunity to simply BE without timelines, commitments, stress, or worry. Every moment we spend this way validates the way of life we are choosing. 

Of equal fondness, ironically, was our trip back. Because we had our house on wheels, we were not in any hurry. We pulled over every chance we could get to take in another majestic view...to breathe in the fresh air again, and again. Each beach along the way embodied a different character or story.

At one location, it was cold and windy, so we parked right up to the beachline and watched the kiteboarders dance across the waves with their parachutes billowing in the sky. We sat at our diningroom table and enjoyed a leisurely lunch with views of blue sea and sky; taking the crisp breeze blowing through.

​Afterward, we laid down for a little rest before our journey would commence. From the vantagepoint of our bed it looked as though we were floating in the sea. Truly we feel we are living the dream. This life is meant for living...experiencing...surrendering...and enjoying all its wonderous offerings. And though we may face a million unknowns and a lot less security, we know that we are living our life fully and together in a way that holds great value and meaning. 

The countdown is now just over a week before we set off across the country. We are ready. The road is calling. We are eager to create new experiences and memories; to explore new opportunities. We know there will be challenges along the way. Not everything will go smoothly.

​Sydni and I have shared more memories in the past year and a half than most people experience in a lifetime. We have demonstrated our resiliency. I am eager to experience all this life has to offer with her by my side. That is truly more than I could have ever hoped or dreamed. 

I will be documenting our travels along the way...as well as exciting projects I will soon be announcing. Coming to a state or city near you...stay tuned. Namaste~