I would like to quit my job, pack my backpack with my laptop, my ipod, my debit card, a few other necessities and hit the road!Really, that's what I would like to do.
I would travel by bus and by train. I would simply explore. I would visit cities and stay until I felt like moving on. I would probably stay at hostels, since they are decent and pretty cheap.
I would do this indefinitely.
I feel trapped. I want to wonder! I've always had wanderlust but lately the desire to pack up and go is getting stronger and stronger. I feel like I'm living by other people's rules.
Who says I have to live in one place? Who says I have to worry about money, I can do temp work can't I? Who says I have to pay bills every month?
Why do I need all the stuff I have? Do I need more than 2 pair of shoes, more than 2 pair of jeans? Do I need a few hundred Cd's, VHS and DVD's and books?
Sometimes I get the urge to call Goodwill and give just about all of my stuff away! Good riddance!
Can I do this? Will I do this? I don't know.
I do know that I crave a simpler life. No morning commute, no expensive internet service, no gas and electric bill!
I'd like to wake up every morning and be totally free!
Do you think this is nuts?
Do you ever want to simplify your life?
Do you get the urge to wonder?
24 comments:
oh mdc,
if this is nuts, i'm definitely nuts too...i know this urgent desire to just hit the road...especially i living situations were i just feel so stuck as if i faced a dead end...
...having the option to give it all up if i really wanted to is what keeps me going...
but what keeps me from really doing so is the fact that i would have to interact and communicate with people even more and that i would be even more dependent on their good will...
Girl, no you are not nuts. I would love to be on the bus right behind you. It gets to be too damn much sometimes. I have too much stuff. I move to bigger and bigger places with all this room and the next thing you know, it's too small. And too many responsibilities. Your plan sounds great. But I know that while you may get rid of all that stuff and obligations, other things will take their place. So, I'd suggest that before you close up shop and go, you try simplifying. Even a few things may make it better. I mean, I stopped trying buy all the music and movies I feel I gotta have. Stopped trying to read every blog, watch every TV show, see every flick. Hell if I miss it, I miss it. Frees up some time. I go through throw/give away spurts too. Just lighten your load. Then consider if you still feel that way. I feel your pain, sister.
Living a simple life would be utopia. Sometimes I think we humans just overcomplicate life when it can be so much easier.
I have Wanderlust too at the moment for Bahia in Brazil and Guadeloupe in the French West Indies.
Yes, ma'am, I sure do get this urge to wonder. . . I probably will too - right after Amber graduates from high school!
there are 2 levels here that you speak on. one is your natural environment and how we all can use simplification to better that. (we need to do that here as our living space is too small for the 4 of us.-i quit my job a little oer a year ago).
and then i feel your spiritual life is what needs to be freed. many people simplify their natural life and go through many changes in the natural and when the dust settles, they are still feeling trapped, unknowing, unsure, etc...
so having a clear view of your Whole Self is very important. many times people think the outside of the glass is all that needs to be cleaned and changed. when it is the inside that is in more discord than the outside.
crazy you are not-needing order insideand outside is what i hear that you are craving and desireing.
MDC great post and, no you are not nuts. Right now at this moment I am wishing I could walk a way from life.
I have wanderlust as we speak. England, Brazil (though I have reservations after that last e-mail convo we had), Japan, Ghana ... they're all on my list, and I'll onquer them one by one ...
I love to travel and I haven't done it as much as I should've. Last May, I went to Jamaica with my best friend and had a blast. After that trip, I vowed to travel somewhere every year forever. Last October, I went to NYC for the first time and loved it. It has always been my dream city and it was more than I dreamed it would be. Like u MDC, I've dreamed of dropping everything and just traveling the world, so no, u are not crazy.
Hey MDC,
Before I settled down, etc. I used to want a dog, a jeep and the open road!
I know some folks who do that with plane tickets with gazillion layovers.
Hmmmm what will be.....
I know one thing; I absolutely feel trapped by having to work a day job I have no interest in. Trapped is really an understatement. It is a source of despair really.
I don't necessarily feel compelled to "wander" as such but I would definitely love to have a simplified life such as the one you describe - two pairs of shoes, two pairs of jeans.
I just wish I could wander if I wanted to.
Absolutely feel trapped, though.
The reality is that I've made missteps. But I'm working on being in charge of my own life.
You ain't nuts, Mes Deux!
Years and years ago, I used to work for an insurance company, Claims - the glamor side, and a co-worker decided one day to quit his job take his motorbike and head to Europe. After a while his money ran out so he sold his bike and did little jobs as he went from one side of Europe to the Northern side of Africa, travelling. We weren't really friends so I don't know if he ever came back or if he is lying in a shallow grave somewhere near the Baltic, but to do this day I am still jealous.
"You may be struck with wanderlust today as you dream of getting up and going somewhere, and not just across town. ..."
Up there is the opening of Libra's horoscope for today via Rick Levine. When I came in here, I was like "where have I seen that word before?" And then I remembered and was like... "KARMAAAAAAAAAAAAA"!! Although I just skimmed thru the post, I'm on my way back now MDC. You skur me. AHAHAHAAAAA!!
Ok, now that I've read it I am really shurred of you. See the reason I started my Blog is... and probably the reason I am hooked on yours, Kayoz's and MDC's Blogs is...
So, I live in MD... drop by and pick me up and let's just go. We just simplified it right there by lightening the load off on whomever catches it as we fly by. AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Oh, you are singing my song!!! I've always had this urge, but rarely followed it. After college I did pick up and move - with nothing but an overnight bag - no real money or anything to Massachusetts. I stayed for 3 years, and almost as abruptly, made the decision to move back to NYC and just went with my two cats and whatever fit in my car - gave everything else away.
I got the urge to just pick up and go many times over the years and resisted it. And then I had kids and thought I couldn't do it.
But lately...lately I've been thinking it would be good for my kids. What an education for them to really see this country. To just pack a few clothes, our laptops and cameras and climb in the car and start to see what's out there.
Last week I actually proposed this idea to my husband who looked at me like I was crazy and insisted we'd be out of money before the first week was out.
I don't know. It feels like such the right thing to do - and crazy at the same time. I just know I feel trapped right now and I feel like my kids - especially the older one in public grade school - are trapped too. How awesome would it be to break free? Plus, everyone I know who had unusual childhoods like that are the most interesting people.
go to kwazul natal or south eastern nigeria
If you can do it, more power to you but as a job hunter who can't even find reliable temp work, I'd just be praising the Lord for having a job. Definitely plan some things out and have a little nest egg before you go.
I totally understand. I think that's why I love my career... as a consultant I can work anywhere! (Well... almost)
Sometimes my best work is done in my pajamas in front of my computer, sitting on my balcony. I once went go to a beachside motel for a week and allowed my clients to believe that I was still working in my NY office. Those were the days!
The idea of sitting in an office cube gives me panic attacks. Heck, I've been on a sabbatical for two years, so the idea of sitting in an office gives me panic attacks.
However, it's time for me to get back into the hustle and start working again. Sigh.
Kayoz,
The option is the greatest thing! Just knowing you can get up and go is very freeing.
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Jackie,
I know what you mean. I moved last August. I live in a bigger place but I still have too much stuff.
It's really a trap. At first you feel like you own all that stuff and then you beging to wonder if it owns you.
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Aulelia,
The French West Indies sounds so nice!
And you're right, why do we allow are lives to become so complicated. It's like a spider web, I feel entangled.
I need to escape!
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Lisa,
That's not long. You have plenty time to plan! And planning is one of my favorite parts of travelling.
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WTM,
Well said. I think I'm already on a spiritual path. That's been going on for several months.
And you're right about blending the two, inside and outside.
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JJ B,
Maybe you can take a little vacation, even if it's only for a day. :)
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Jose,
Brasil seems to be on a lot of lists. I'd love to visit the rain forests.
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Tasha,
What time of year did you go to N.Y.? Summer is the best time in N.Y. I loved walking around Manhattan at night in the summer.
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Miriam,
The Jeep and open road sounds great!
And I'm with you, flying is a pain. It can really spoil a trip.
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Baby Please,
We've all made missteps, moving to California was a big, gigantic one for me!
I know that California is a beautiful place but I feel trapped by it.
From what I can tell you are a very bright person and I think you will find your way out of your current situation. :)
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Curious,
Well it's not too late! You too can throw caution to the wind and strike out on a wonderful adventure.
That's what I'm telling myself these days. :)
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Lady Di,
Lol, okay I'm on my way!!! :)
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FL,
That would be so amazing for your kids! And for you too. I agree that would be a great educational opportunity.
I think there are organizations you can link with that will help co-ordinate lesson plans and such while the kids are travelling.
It sounds like you and I are in the same situation, standing on the edge of the pool wanting to jump in!
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Torrance,
Those will make good additions to my list of places to see.
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Gorgeous Black Woman,
I wish you luck in the job search. I've been there.
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SheCodes,
Wow I wish I could work from home. That and making your own schedule sound great to me.
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You're not nuts at all!
I love to travel and I haven't done enough of it lately. I was just talking to someone yesterday about the annual road trips I used to take with my girlfriends. Each summer, we'd plan a 10-day excursion. One year we did the Southwest; one year the East Coast; one year the South. We had a few scheduled stops: Like for the SW trip, we stayed in Santa Fe, the Grand Canyon, Vegas and Tucson. But in between we just went where the road led us. If we saw a sign for some cool museum or the "largest ball of twine in the world," we would stop. It was awesome fun and I miss it.
It's not as easy for me to pick up and go as it used to be, so yes, I do sometimes want to simplify my life. I'm actually looking forward to Blogging While Brown this summer. It will give me a chance to strike out on my own for a weekend.
Hey MDC,
I don't think your nuts......I THINK YOUR CRAZY! LOL
I have actually done what you are talking about before. It is a liberating experience when you can just pick up and go. It is one thing when you have the money to do it, but there is a different element to it when you don't. When you really don't have the means to do, but do it anyway it adds a whole different level to the experience. I went to several places with barely enough money to go there, be there, and make it back. It also simplified the trip by making it about the people more than the places.
I ended up moving to Israel because of my wanderlust that lead me here in 2004.
Have you ever considered just saving up at least a month's vacation, and about $5,000 and just going for it? If you are looking at the US it doesn't take a whole lot of money. I would suggest that you take more than a bank card. You would be surprised how many places in the world where your bank card either won't work, or there is no ATM.
Tami,
I love road trips. I used to take them in college all the time. My friends and I got quite a few tickets travelling up and down I-95! Lol
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Ehav,
I'm always saving for a trip. I also have my "bug out" money. So if I just can't take it anymore and want to move on the spur of the moment I can!
Yeah traveler's cheques can come in handy on the road.
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MDC,
Did I write this? It is amazing how many of us want to be free and yet we remained trap. In fact I will probably be purchasing a new home within the next two months - why - security I guess. I remember has a child my mom being evicted and us having to move - I stayed in 1 foster home for 10 years and that is the longest I have ever stayed in one place. Maybe I will see you on the Greyhound.
It's not nuts @ all. I am with you and I have decided to commit myself to traveling once a year. My big dream is to write for a living and just explore the world until I die.
I would be a very happy woman. I'm going to see what I can do to make it happen. I've been behind a desk for 20 years and it's time to live differently while I still have a chance.
XJ,
Congrats on getting a house. That's a wonderful thing. You can think of it as your HQ and still travel the world!
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Danielle,
It would be amazing to write and travel!
You can do it! :)
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