2017 is about to end, which means 2018 is about to start. My year. The year I’ve been planning and plotting over. The year I will leave the traditional life of working and building towards behind. Instead I will be on a journey of discovery. Literally. It sounds cliched, it is cliched, perhaps if I were a better writer I could tell the story better.
After 30 years with the US federal government, I will be retiring from that life and using the financial and emotional foundation I laid there to travel full time. I have benefited from reading about how others have made this life transition so in turn I might help you in some way.
My co-workers would tell you I am a hyper-organized over thinker. Of course I have been putting those skills to good use over the last year, trying to figure out the logistics of all this. How does one walk away from what seems like a lifetime of building and acquiring, to just let go?
House? This one’s not so hard. I got divorced a few years back and gave up my house. I’ve been a renter ever since. I can just walk away.
Stuff? What to do with all the stuff? I’ve never been a big keeper of things, so that helps. I started the winnowing process several months ago. I’ve still got a few rounds to go. Some is easy — the wear to the office clothes are all gone on the last day of work. Some are harder — I scanned my books but decided to keep the craft supplies. A handful of heirloom quality furniture pieces justify a storage unit.
Legal? The big pieces are in order — will, bank accounts. There’s still the question of domicile and the logistics of making it happen. I’m thinking South Dakota but still have to finish my research.
Social and Emotional? Oh yeah, that. At least I’m thinking about it. Plenty of people are planning to come with me vicariously, so keeping them posted should help keep me connected. I’m on the Board of Directors of Adventure Cycling Association so my intellect and skills will be engaged with that. And then there are all those ideas for “someday.” Someday is here. It’s time to take those online classes, maybe enroll in that certificate program or at least regain my French fluency. And as an introvert, I am curious to see if I will feel supported and friended within a community of mostly online bicycle and RV travelers (my modes of travel).
I will leave my job (aka retire) in June 2018. I welcome you to come along with me as I make my preparations for this life change and the full-time travel that will follow.
Joyce