When most people say they’re going on a sailing sabbatical, I think they mean they’re taking a sabbatical from “the real world” and going sailing. Well, our “real world” has been sailing – and it’s been grand! (but, like any lifestyle, it’s not without it’s “other side of the coin“.)

As young cruisers – and not independently wealthy young cruisers – we’ve decided to take a wee sailing sabbatical. That is, taking this season off to recharge our batteries, both financially and otherwise.

We’re excited to have an income and solid financial future again – one that Suze Orman, my mother and I would all approve of.

And, we’re SUPER excited to have normal, down-time, regular opportunities to see friends and family. Some of the best-friend time I’ve experienced in my life is those “boring” trips to Target to get toothpaste or chats with my girlfriends while we fold clothes on her bed. I’ve missed those times and am really looking forward to being present for them.

Also, even though we’re not travelling on the boat right now (I’m actually typing this on the boat, which is now more of our coastal weekend cottage), we are still travelling.

In lieu of travelling to “exotic” places, we’re thrilled to join our friends in DC for their wedding this month.

We’re also able to visit my father, my amazing step-mother and my truly amazing 93-year old Grandmother in California.

 

And, we were able to see them AGAIN when they came to Austin when they come out to see us for Thanksgiving.

None of this would likely be possible if we were “out there”.

Also, while 3 years of travel can sound AWESOME to some, it’s also a lot of work (even while traveling with our home, there’s still the matter of where the home is). And, we got a bit “travel weary” after a while and stopped appreciating the newness of everything. Truthfully, we wanted some old familiar back in our lives – at least for a while – and we think  taking a break is a-ok (luckily, these guys agree and that makes me feel smart ;). Not only has it been important to give myself permission to walk away from “a yacht in the Caribbean”, it’s been important for me to recognize that just because I can do something challenging (like finding a new place to lay my head each night), doesn’t mean I have to.

Speaking of which, we came back into Austin and dove right into some amazing, challenging and demanding work. That ended, and I dove right back into my old consulting work (which involved taking on multiple clients at a time – often times at a “we needed you yesterday” pace). And, the pace of it all + my can-do work ethic compromised my health & well-being and I’ve ended up sick & tired.

Sadly, this isn’t a new place for me. I’ve definitely been a bear caught up in “the glorification of busy” trap. As a campaigner turned consultant there’s definitely always been a push to squeeze even more out – before the looming, un-moving deadline of Election Day, or whatever deadline seemed equally as (self) important. I went along like this for a long time. And, I would get sick & tired from doing all that + all the “other stuff” which actually made my life whole (being a “good” friend, sister, daughter, wife and 90’s woman). In 2008, I was so sick & tired that I actually had to go to the doctor – a rarity for me. Luckily, he’s a great one who considered my whole heath when giving me the following diagnosis: “I’m not giving you drugs, I’m prescribing you rest and this perspective: remember, Laurie, that ‘The cemeteries are full of indispensable people’“. Best.prescription.ever.

Luckily, I’ve finally landed in a great role (Operations Manager) with a great organization (a mental health project within the University of Texas). I get to put my logistical skills to great use for a do-gooder project I believe in while reaping some great benefits with some great people = win/win/win!

And, D, K & I moved out of the RV park* (*just a few super-generous friends + 150 feet of extension cords) . . .

into a little cottage near our old house in the ’04:

Even though we’re indoors now (the water comes straight to your house!), we still wake up to nature with this great view from bed:

We’re happy to be where we are and happily figuring it out (still).