Examining My Travel Fears

My wife recently shared with me the inspirational story of Hannah and a Donkey (Seaside Donkey). The team traveled all across Wales, living simply, and determined to make a point that we need very little to survive.

The video below is a short narrative of their journey, which appears to be going to be made into a book and film. Please take a moment to watch it below.

For me, this is such a moving piece of inspiration. I get up in the morning, get myself and my family ready for the day, head off to a dreadful 8-5 job that I loath after spending 4 years in an “elite” school to get trained for the rest of my life, and come home to enjoy my family. Then there is the daily monotony of laundry (my wife does this job for the family) and cleaning and putting away toys, and realizing we are surrounded by just too much stuff.

Watching Hannah’s video gives me inspiration to live simply. To abandon a house (or two), sell vehicles, get rid of extra stuff, and take in life out of a backpack. I know my family would love it, at least lots of aspects of it.

However, fear holds me back. There, I admit it. My whole life I was trained to do something productive with myself. Go to school, get an education of higher learning, get a job, and live the American dream. I have it, and there is no return receipt.

Having to provide for a family is a very real thing. It was one thing when I was a single guy, able to pick up and travel on a whim, with very little responsibilities back home. However, once a wife and kids, and a larger mortgage, and bills come into play, we get loaded up with having a duty to perform.

Is responsibility bad? No, but is it a requirement to bear us down? Do we need this much stuff to surround us and make for happy lives? No.

So what is stopping us? Fear, I suppose.

My wife and I have both said, that after visiting Hawaii, we would both pick up and move there tomorrow. So what is holding us back? Fear of losing the familiar. Fear of losing access to family. Having grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins within a short distance is a necessity for holding up this mountain. Could we survive someplace else without family? Sure, but we do not think it would be the most ideal situation, as family adds a tremendous amount of diversity to children’s experiences, how they are loved, and taught to view things through a different set of parenting skills.

So looking back at Seaside Donkey, should we all consider trekking out on a similar journey? What is holding you back?

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Source: Mrs. InACents