Note: This is a guest post by Julie B. Rose.
It was July 24, 2020, my 35th birthday. My realtor called me at 9 a.m. with an offer from a couple that wanted to buy my 1,600 square foot house in Phoenix. It was the first showing of the day. Did I want to accept it?
In that moment, I had to decide: was I really leaving home ownership and stability behind? Was I really going to purge all my life’s possessions… in exchange for a life on the road, living nomadically and traveling North America with my dog – the opposite of what a single, never-been-married woman was “supposed” to be doing?
I accepted, and thus began the process of liquidating 35 years of belongings and items accumulated during 15 years of living on my own.
- I kept only the things that I could fit in my SUV that I would need for the foreseeable future on my perpetual road trip.
- I deposited a few things I didn’t have time to deal with or couldn’t sell in a closet-sized storage unit.
- And everything else — 98% of my former life — was sold, consigned, bestowed, or donated in the weeks before I started my new life.
I’ve been traveling ever since, in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, never staying in one place longer than a month. Here are some things I’ve learned in that time.
1. I had to be mindful of all my belongings; space was a luxury.
When you’re living out of an SUV, you learn real fast what you like and need, and I used even less than I thought I would.
There was clothing I never wore, or wore so infrequently, it wasn’t worth bringing with me. I wore the same three pairs of shoes all the time, despite having a dozen pairs with me for different occasions or climates. I couldn’t collect new items on a whim because I didn’t have room for boundless additions. Everything I owned was being stored, organized, and carried as I traveled from place to place, so it all had to serve a true purpose.
2. Living nomadically and traveling actually cost me less than when I lived a traditional life.
Finances is probably the #1 excuse for a lot of people who say they could never live nomadically. But in checking my records, and comparing 12 months of spending while I owned my house and 12 months of spending while I was traveling all across the U.S. staying in hotels and Airbnbs — I actually spent less traveling. And when I think about it, this makes sense — when I stayed in hotels and Airbnbs, utilities were bundled in and household items like dish soap and paper towels were included. When I was a homeowner, I was responsible for not only my mortgage, but electricity, internet, real estate taxes, household items, and maintenance and upkeep. Those costs are steep. And naturally, I bought less because I didn’t have a house to fill up.
3. I never missed the things I gave up.
Once in a while I look back at photos of my former home or where I’m wearing certain clothing and I think, “I wonder where that actually ended up!” but it’s a fleeting curiosity, not a wistfulness — and it feels like a lifetime ago. Out of sight out of mind is real, and I am much happier having given it all up than I would be paying to store it or dragging it around with me. Anyway, no decision is truly irreversible — sure, I gave up my citrus juicer, but it’s not like I can’t buy another one if I really need it (and as much as I like lemon in my hot water, the verdict is still out on whether it’s an essential purchase).
4. I truly embodied the experiences > possessions mindset.
My spending shifted in a big way. I had some incredible meals. I went hiking and sailing and wine-tasting and horseback riding. I didn’t want to collect things, I wanted to collect memories. And that meant I had to have some hard conversations with my family in advance of Christmases and birthdays where I told them: “Please don’t buy me anything. I don’t have the space nor do I want to be weighed down by anything else I did not consciously choose.” This took the wind out of the sails for some of my loved ones who really relished the act of gift-giving. My family had to get used to the new me.
5. I don’t relate to everybody, or rather, not everybody can relate to me.
On that note, some people did not understand. My pursuit of happiness looks much, much different than theirs, and it’s counter to the programming we’ve all received during our lifetimes living in a capitalist, commercialist Western nation. Some even took my journey to downsize, minimize, and to live simply and travel as a personal affront to their consumerist habits!
I’m single, and a lot of single men I meet can’t relate to me either. They are locked into the traditional life, the endless make-money-spend-money-and-collect-stuff cycle. They admire me, but they don’t want to be with me. I’m a wild card.
Still, even if I’m an anomaly, I like being a shining example to people out there — that material things, appearances, and status — do not automatically equal success and happiness. There is another path besides the one we’ve all been told to follow, and it starts with being true to yourself.
6. The material things may be gone, but I held on tight to my memories.
There were sentimental items that I tossed. There were items with meaning and history that I gave away or donated. There were things that I loved but simply had no use for or place for. But what cannot be taken from me is my memories. And the fact that the physical, tangible item is gone doesn’t mean the meaning and the memory went with it.
Summary
I cleaned out my storage unit in November 2021, and sold and gave away a lot more of what I had stored. I took a photo of the contents of that storage unit, now stacked inside my SUV, and posted it with the caption: “This is my life… my life reduced.” A follower commented, “Don’t you mean… your life maximized?”
That commenter was right. Having less has made my life bigger. Having less has allowed me to travel full-time, visit my 50th U.S. state, spend six months exploring Mexico, and late summer, I’ll travel to Eastern Europe. I may wear the same three pairs of shoes, but I have seen and lived more in two years than many people live in their lifetimes.
I am pretty detached from the material world, but closer than ever to knowing myself and living in the moment. I relish my days, which are filled with doing things that I love. I feel like I am a child again, connected to the earth, to playtime. I’m curious and I love to learn, and I am lighter, looser, freer than ever. My life is big, and I’m grateful.
***
Julie B. Rose is a full-time nomad and minimalist who travels the world with her dog Penny. She shares her experiences at juliedevivre.com, where she aims to inspire and empower positive lifestyle change. You can also find her on Youtube and Instagram.
It’s interesting that you saved money staying in AirBnB’s and hotels. I wouldn’t have thought that. Maybe my husband and I will consider doing this after we sell our home:)
What a wonderful way to live. I have a gazillion questions. How did the ideas to sell your home and travel originate for you. What made you decide to go for it. How long had you thought about it and how do you plan and prepare for such a significant change of living. My biggest curiosity is how do you afford to do this? Most people have daily jobs so they can make the money they need to survive. Did you save up for most of your life? Do you find jobs along the way? Do you have an online job perhaps?? Did you win the lottery?? Lol. I have always dreamed of living out of some type of mobile vehicle and travelling the world. I see now it can be done. But how?
Hi Cheryl! Thank you for the questions. Here are a few entries on my blog that I think will answer them in depth. :)
https://juliedevivre.com/2022/03/28/the-three-mantras-i-adopted-that-inspired-me-to-leave-my-traditional-life-behind/
https://juliedevivre.com/2022/02/18/i-looked-before-i-leapt-how-i-spent-the-last-4-years-getting-ready-to-quit-my-job-and-travel-the-world/
https://juliedevivre.com/2022/01/12/privilege-luck-or-choice-how-im-able-to-do-what-im-doing/
https://juliedevivre.com/2021/12/04/upping-the-ante-im-36-and-im-retiring-temporarily/
https://juliedevivre.com/2021/10/31/my-worst-financial-mistake-ever-saving-money/
Take a dive and let me know if you have additional thoughts :)
All good questions, Cheryl! If you dig deep enough, I think you can find the answers on my blog… but I’m also working on a “Frequently Asked Questions” blog update so I hope you subscribe or check back to my site within the next week. :)
First, I love the request that you made to family and friends to not buy you things since you only want to have what you “consciously chose”. I will try that approach with my family!
Second, the statement that you’ve lived more in two years than some love in their whole lives is pretty judgmental and shortsighted. You could spend your whole life in the same town/house and do plenty of living. Being part of a community, raising a family, or just living nearby family, working with people in person are things that create a full life of living. You don’t have to travel the world to “live.” Most people don’t, a very small percentage of people leave the country they were born in, while you are very privileged, don’t look down on others for not having the same desires or privilege.
Thank you for your perspective, Ariane. I thought about it… but I still think many people are not living their life according to their own wants, interests and passions… they are trapped and controlled by appearances, status, materialism, and others’ expectations. For this reason I will double down on what I said, especially since I’ve heard this feedback a lot from readers themselves. And I don’t look down on it, I just consider it a reality of society, unfortunately. Maybe it will or is changing!
I loved reading about Julie’s revelations in her life. It rings true in a lot of ways…..In 2019, after my mother (father & brother-all in 2019) passed, I gave my notice at work and retired at 62. After many years of downsizing & adopting a minimalist mindset, I sold my house & gave away two 8×12 storage units, hauled possessions to Goodwill & the remainder to neighbors. I moved out of state to live in a camper for 2 1/2 years after that. You learn what’s important & what you can live without. I now live in a 336 sq.ft. cabin in a rainforest & I have never felt so free from possessions & love where I live now. My basic needs are met. My life is full of the memories & making new ones, too. I do not miss my “things” or previous lifestyle….keep moving forward….
Thank you for sharing Julie Rose’s journey. I hadn’t heard of her before. I follow lots of people living ” nomadic” life styles and it makes so much sense.
This is a super exciting post to me Julie! I love that you have been able to let it go and travel! I would do that in a minute if I could get my husband to come with me lol. I especially liked the point that you spend less traveling than owning a home! That is awesome! Simplicity is everything. The less you own, the less owns you.
No doubt travel affords life changing experiences and wonderful memories. With each trip my wife and I take, we return more worldly and refreshed. But alas, I find in my fifth decade that I cherish my home, studio office, library, local friends, doctor, dentist, etc. I too am a minimalist with a pared down wardrobe, decluttered home, etc. But for me, I prefer having roots and the security of a paid for home versus a life of nomadic wandering and some of the stresses of airports and travel. Kudos to you for living life your way!
at 74 i had the best of both worlds. my clients paid $600+ per hour to hear me talk and come visit them on their expense account. i had one firm business rule…casual dress. if pushed i actually i gave them an upgrade option to see me dressed up. i only owned one summer suit and one winter suit for years and a few ties. i had one long cashmere coat for the winter travels and one raincoat. nothing now but about 6′ of casual clothes 4′ of memories in our warm texas climate. but no website now for at least 5 year since our old office sold.
I found out the number of clothes I needed when we lived and traveled in a 28’ motor home for 2 years. If I had to do it again here’s what I’d take. I realize I wear casual clothes 95 % of the time.
6 Jeans,- 3 different washes, black, white, navy
1 pair black knit pants
6 shirts,-2 white, black, blue stripe, red LS silky, pretty blue 3/4,
6 tees, (2 tank) (2short sleeve) (2 long sleeve)
1 black turtleneck
3 pair of tennis shoes. Black, white, blue
1 pair black loafers, one pair black flats, small heel in neutral
That would take me anywhere I wanted to go.
Third layer—- One black blazer jacket, one blue cashmere cardigan, For warmth—one white quilted jacket and one windbreaker. Denim jacket
A trench coat in tan and rain boots, maybe leopard
This would work. With some small, colorful accessories like scarves and pearls to dress up.
White tee, white jeans, blue cashmere cardigan with neutral heels with pretty scarf is fine for casual events.
Or it could be black knit pants, black tee, red blazer with dressy flats and pearls or scarf. Take me to any restaurant or the movies. This is 33 items. Should fit In the overheads and closet.