You might be wondering what we are thinking as we head into the great unknown of our nomad adventure. Our thoughts swirl with possibilities, trying to picture the future so we can feel confident in our plan. Getting rid of everything, leaving our family and career, every single thing and place familiar to us and heading off to countries we’ve never been to with languages and foods that are fairly unfamiliar to us, trying to navigate the mundane tasks of daily life and transportation in these places…it’s a lot to contemplate!

It’s funny how some of our fears and excitement are more lifestyle oriented while others are tiny details. Here’s a list I made to share with you:

Fears:

• That we’ll be too exhausted from going going going

• Costing more than planned

• Not being able to sleep

• Brain not sharp enough/stress from always planning

• Visa problems

• Not being able to figure out a bus or metro system

• Empty ATM machines or our cards not working

• Luggage costs (i.e. checking a bag because even a carry-on is too big or heavy for lots of cheaper airlines)

• Major medical events, stomach issues from food, or just pain like bursitis or sore knee while living in places that are up stairs or a hill

• Bad accommodations or location

• The kids needing us or us getting homesick

• Toilets—squatty potties and bum guns

• Heat/humidity

• Mosquitos/sand fleas

• Tim’s allergies and snoring

Excitement:

• Be with Tim 24/7

• Lots of walking in beautiful places

• Feeling self-sufficient when we figure hard things out

• Feeling healthier

• The stimulation of new things and learning

• The feeling of freedom

• Conquering our fears

• Seeing places in person that we’ve dreamed about, engaging all of our senses in a way that can’t be done watching videos