For most of you who follow my work, you know how passionate I am about traveling. A year ago I decided to watch a show on Netflix called "Minimalist" (If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it), which got me thinking, Do I really need the big house with the white picket fence filled with things I don't need? And my answer was, NO! Those "things" aren't what make me happy, they're not what I need to survive everyday life. They're simply just things. Traveling is what makes me feel alive. Being on the road, seeing new places, and meeting new people, that is what I love and live for.
For years I've held on to everything, like somehow it was going to make me happy when I looked back at it. Let me be the first to tell you, those things aren't what make life worth living. Living your life, making memories, and experiencing new things, thats what makes your life amazing.
Why had I held on to so much from my past, and why wasn't I thinking more about my future?
After watching this documentary about two men who live the "minimalist" lifestyle it got me thinking. I could do this! Why am I not doing this? I'm constantly traveling for my photography career, to and from Bend to see my family who lives 3 hours away, and back and forth from Portland to Tillamook for my kids. Hell, most weeks I would only be home 1 or 2 days a week. I spent more time sleeping in my car traveling than I did at home. What was the point of spending $900 a month for a place I didn't even really spend time at. I could use that money for so many other things. Thats when I decided to buy something I could live and travel in.
For months I did research about living on the road. Do's and Don'ts. What to buy, where to park, how to survive... Most people called me crazy for even thinking of doing something so ridiculous, even though to me, it was anything but. It was a dream come true, to be as free as a bird. Wake up somewhere new everyday, and getting to explore the world we live in. They were worried about my safety, where I was going to shower (least of my worries), where would I go to the bathroom... the questions were never-ending. Even though I didn't know every single thing to tell them, I knew I would eventually figure it out. That's what life's all about right, trial and error.
One month before my lease was up on my house, I bought a utility trailer. And I'll be the first to admit, it's tiny haha. I'm not gonna lie and act like it's going to be perfect, its definitely going to take some adjusting, but I honestly couldn't be happier. My dad and I built hardwood floors, a platform bed with storage, and I stained all the walls the perfect color to accent the grain on the wood.
Next week will be my final week living in an actual house, and as amazing as its been, I'm looking forward to seeing where this next chapter of my life takes me. I hope you all continue to follow me on this journey, I'm planning on doing a lot of traveling and soul searching in the next few months, so stay tuned.
