Mental and Emotional Preparation for Our Full-Time Travel Adventure
Preparing to leave behind everything familiar isn’t just about packing bags—it’s about preparing your mind and heart for the journey ahead. In today’s blogpost I’ll be sharing the emotional and mental challenges we’ve faced so far, how we’re overcoming fears, and how we’re preparing ourselves and our young children for the big change.
“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”
When we decide to make a big change in our lives, it’s not just about the physical act of packing up our belongings and moving to a new place. It’s a deeper process that requires us to let go of our ‘normal’, the safety nets we've built, and the comfort zones we've clung to for so long.
Often, we hold on tightly to the life we’ve planned, the path we believe we should follow, and the identity we’ve constructed over time. But when we embark on a new journey—especially one as significant as leaving behind everything familiar—we must be willing to release those attachments. In doing so, we open ourselves up to the unknown, to new possibilities, and to a life that might be even more fulfilling than we ever imagined.
A year ago, we would never have imagined taking such a bold step! The thought of making such a huge change, both physically and mentally, would have seemed way too scary. But here we are, fast forward to now, and we've made incredible strides in our personal growth. We're finally able to see the bigger picture and all the amazing opportunities that change can bring.
Letting go of the life we planned is an act of faith, trusting that what awaits us on the other side of the journey will be worth the uncertainty and the challenges. It’s about preparing our minds and hearts to embrace whatever comes next, knowing that true growth and discovery often lie beyond the boundaries of our comfort zones. Campbell’s words remind us that the life we’ve been waiting for can only begin when we have the courage to leave the old one behind.
Facing the Fear of Leaving Behind Security
Although our life felt comfortable and stable with steady jobs, a familiar routine, and a safe home, everything changed when I lost my job. Suddenly, the security we took for granted was shaken, and the financial hit felt like a brick wall. It was tough, especially since I wasn't in the right mental space to jump into something new right away. But looking back now, I’m grateful for that shake-up. It pushed us out of our comfort zone and played a big part in our decision to try something new.
The idea of leaving behind the security we once felt was daunting, especially for Jordan. But after countless conversations, weighing our options, and really detaching ourselves emotionally from our home, we found the courage to step into the unknown. We had a lightbulb moment where we realised that while security is important, it doesn't have to mean staying in one place or owning a house. In fact, that kind of security can sometimes trap you, preventing growth and new experiences—something we definitely fell into. Now, we know that our true security comes from being together as a family, no matter where we are.
The Fear of the Unknown
I've been a teacher for 12 years, sticking to the same routine day in and day out. Change has never been easy for me—hard to believe, right, given this crazy adventure we're about to embark on? I've always thrived on routine and feeling in control of what’s happening in my life, so letting go of that has been a real struggle. The anxiety of not knowing what the future holds kept me from making this leap for so long. But if I’m being honest, I’m not happy with our current routine. We barely spend quality time with the boys, and our lives feel like a constant rush from one task to the next.
Lately, I’ve felt this strong urge to let life guide us a bit more and to release some of that tight grip on control. I've started to accept that uncertainty is just a natural part of life, no matter how much we try to plan and prepare. I believe this adventure will help us all learn to embrace that uncertainty. Now, instead of letting fear hold us back, we’re choosing to see this big life change as an exciting part of our journey. We’ve reframed our anxiety into excitement for the endless possibilities that lie ahead.
Concerns About Finances
Right now, we're not too worried about our finances for the year. We've learned that worrying too much can change our mindset, and honestly, we’re already dealing with financial stress in our current lives. We’re not bringing in as much money as we used to, which has been tough. We’d rather use the equity from our home for something exciting and new, rather than just sitting on it and paying off a hefty mortgage.
I’m actually thrilled about clearing our debts and starting fresh. I’ve always enjoyed budgeting, and managing our finances has been a bit of a struggle lately. I’m eager to get into the nitty-gritty of budgeting for our new life on the road and will be sharing every expense and financial detail with you throughout our journey.
While there’s naturally some doubt about how we’ll sustain our lifestyle long-term, we’re comfortable for at least the first year. We’re also excited about exploring income opportunities while we travel. Initially, we planned to travel for a year and then come back to start over, but the more we talk about it, the more we think we’d love to keep this lifestyle going if we enjoy it. That’s why we’re diving into the world of remote work. It’s something I’ve explored for years but never quite made happen. Now, we’re serious about finding online jobs that will support us on this adventure.
Navigating the Logistics
I've always loved the idea of homeschooling our kids, but in our current life, it just wasn’t practical. As a primary teacher, I’m confident in my ability to teach them, but we’re aiming for a very relaxed approach to their education. I’m a big believer in letting curiosity guide their learning. That’s actually one of the reasons I fell out of love with teaching in the traditional system. I found the strict structures of UK schooling a bit overwhelming. Even though the curriculum in Wales has recently moved towards a more child-led approach, implementing it in a mainstream school was tough. Large class sizes, limited resources, and constant data pressures made it challenging. I always felt we were pushing kids too hard, too early, and I don’t want my own children to experience that.
Navigating visa requirements has been one of our big to-dos. As UK citizens, we don’t need a visa to travel around Europe, but we do have to be mindful of the 90/180 day Schengen rule. To manage this, we’ll keep a close eye on how long we spend in each country and make sure to leave Europe when needed, whether it’s to explore the UK or travel to a non-Schengen country. It’s definitely something we’ll need to plan carefully while we’re on the road.
We’re also aware of how lucky we are with the NHS back home, so we know we need to dive deeper into healthcare options while traveling, especially with our young kids. We’ll be making sure we have the right insurance to keep us covered and will research each country’s healthcare system as we go along.
Embracing a Growth Mindset
Adopting a growth mindset has been key for us in facing our fears. Instead of seeing challenges as roadblocks, we’ve started viewing them as chances to learn and grow. It’s a work in progress, but we’re proud of the strides we’ve made.
As someone who’s struggled with mental health issues like anxiety and depression, I’ve worked hard to shift my mindset. Through self-help books, podcasts, and other tools, I’ve learned how to manage my thoughts and become more resilient. It’s not always easy, but building up this toolkit has made a big difference in how we handle change.
The Impact on Our Children
When we first began contemplating this big life change, one of our most pressing concerns was how it would affect our children. This wasn't a decision we took lightly, and it involved numerous conversations and considerations about their well-being and future. Here’s how we approached the subject and what factors we took into account:
Our boys are still young, and while they might not fully grasp the magnitude of this change, we knew it was essential to address their emotional and psychological needs. They thrive on routine and familiar surroundings, so uprooting their lives was a significant shift. We wanted to ensure that this transition was as smooth and positive as possible for them.
To help them feel included and excited about the change, we involved them in the planning process. We talked to them about our new adventure, showing them pictures of the places we plan to visit and explaining how this journey will allow us to explore new cultures and make unforgettable memories. By framing the change as an exciting adventure rather than a disruption, we hoped to spark their curiosity and enthusiasm.
While we’re embracing a new way of life, we understand the importance of maintaining some level of stability and routine for our children. We plan to establish new routines that will provide a sense of normalcy amidst the change. This might include regular family activities, set meal times, and consistent bedtime routines, which will help them feel secure and grounded even while we’re on the move.
It’s natural for our children to experience a range of emotions during this transition. They might feel excited, anxious, or even apprehensive about leaving their friends, family and familiar environment. We’re committed to providing them with emotional support and reassurance throughout this journey. Regular family check-ins, open conversations about their feelings, and creating opportunities for them to stay in touch with friends and family will be crucial in helping them adjust.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this adventure is the opportunity for our family to grow closer and create new experiences together. We’re looking forward to exploring new places, engaging in different cultural activities, and making memories as a family. This shared journey will not only strengthen our bonds but also offer our children a unique perspective on the world.
As we prepare to embark on this transformative journey, it’s clear that mental and emotional preparation has been just as crucial as the logistical planning. Our decision to step out of our comfort zone and embrace a life of travel has been driven by a deep-seated desire for change, growth, and new experiences.
As we continue to share our journey, we invite you to follow along and stay updated on our latest adventures. We’ll be diving into more details about our experiences, challenges, and triumphs in upcoming blog posts, videos, and updates. Stay tuned for more, and thank you for being part of our adventure!
Feel free to reach out with any questions or comments, and we look forward to connecting with you as we embark on this exciting new chapter of our lives.
