More On Why We Want This Travel Life

Last updated on August 23rd, 2015 at 04:05 am

Why We Want This Travel Life

The decision to sell just about everything we own and travel for a yet to be seen amount of time is not easily understood by a lot of people. It hasn’t been easy for us to explain either. Part of my difficulty in explaining is my own preconceived notions about what people will think of the reasons I have for wanting this change, which include the many more reasons we don’t even know yet.

Confused?

Sorry. Lets just say I find it hard to put my passion for this lifestyle into words.

I can, however, articulate 2 reasons why we want to live this way:

1- To be with our son and be active participants in his growth.

For me personally, this was the sole reason I wanted to do this in the beginning. I gave to much energy to my job and I didn’t want to anymore. I wanted to give that energy to my son. Being a mom is the most rewarding responsibility I have ever had and I want to give it all I have to give.

2- “Children become what they are labeled.”

I read this quote this morning on 1 Dad, 1 Kid, 1 Crazy Adventure and it rang a bell for me. This is the other driving force behind the dream. I want Makai to be shaped by the world on his terms. Not shaped by school or anything that will force him to change his beliefs or make him conform. I want him to have the freedom to spend time every day doing things that interest him. To be with people he wants to be with and learn from people he decides to respect. I don’t want him to be judged and labeled which I think happens all the time in schools. I want him to grow and flourish unrestricted of what others expect him to be. He will determine his worth and potential not some label given by someone in education.

I read this quote of Steve Jobs at the beginning of our adventure and I think it is the essence of how we want this adventure to affect Makai:

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other peoples thinking. Don’t let the noise of others opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

I guess it all boils down to doing what we believe is the best for our son. Unschooling is part of that and travel is too. I feel the combination will give him the best opportunities for his future. Traveling has changed so many perspectives for both Rob and I and we want that for Mak too. I know full time slow travel will be hard, hell it has been hard already and we haven’t left Canada yet!

But we are all fighting for this dream together. Makai is an active participant in our travel planning. We respect his thoughts and ideas on our adventure. He is invested in this travel life because he has input and helps us make decisions. I hope he learns the value in fighting for what you believe in, fighting for a dream. We will show him that everything is possible if you follow you heart,your passion.