1 Pre Departure

Updated: May 30, 2022

Step 1: Shoot, I own a house.

When the time came to consider what to do with my townhome, I had plenty of ideas.

Idea 1: “I’ll AirBNB it. Isn’t that what all the cool kids are doing?”

This plan worked out well for a while but it tied me down in ways that made trying to get out to see stuff harder than necessary. I think this was my way of testing the travel waters, (note to self: “It’s ok to soft launch your big ideas.”)

Once I went all in on my plan to make this not camping trip adventure as unattached as my business: a laptop, a dream, and some wifi,

There were really only two things to consider:

Idea 2: keep it as a rental

Initially I liked the idea of having something to come back home to, and began the process of searching for a respectful renter. After only two weeks with no success in finding the right renter, I prayed about the decision, talked it out with some of my neighbors, and made my decision.

Idea 3: burn the ships

I decided the best thing to do was to sell it. The real estate market has been on fi-yah the last few years and houses have been selling for crazy over asking amounts. This made it apparent to me that something I’ve joked about over the last few years had finally manifested itself. I’d finally had enough. I was ready to sell it all and move to the beach! And that’s exactly what I’m doing, selling the house and everything in it.

Step 2: Get rid of everything you own.

Probably the absolute hardest part! We tend to tie a lot of our self worth to the things we own.

There’s a lot of emotional attachment to owning the four walls you call home. Over the last few years however, I’ve seen some amazing things happen as the hospitality and generosity of others has allowed me to spend more time away from home.

I did pack up a few boxes that I’m keeping at my parents’ house, but that’s about it. Everything else was either sold or given away. Freeeeeeeedom!

There’s this really weird thing that happens to people as they reflect on their entire life’s belongings. These inanimate objects suddenly attach themselves to a whirlwind of emotions. My mind drifts to the memories I’ve associated with these items. Who gave it to me. My financial investment. The time I’ve spent working so hard to afford them.

As I look ahead and say goodbye to it all, what keeps me from feeling the flood of loss is the knowledge that out there in the world is a network of amazing humans who the Lord has placed and will place into my life (yes I’m praying for you fine folks daily). Loneliness cuts deep when you live alone. It’s easy to feel as if you don’t matter. So you can lean into those feelings or get outside of just yourself, reach out, and connect with others.

Talk about weird attachments…

I bought this bottle of Strawberry Hill Boone’s Farm Wine (if you can even call it wine) when I moved to Amarillo, Texas at age 21 in 2005 (that makes me 37 right now if you’re wondering).

I had a cool wine holder and Boone’s Farm was all I could afford. Plus it made me laugh and reminded me of growing up country. This bottle has been with me through all the growing up and self discovery of my 20’s and 30’s.

But it’s just a bottle. And not even a good one that will taste better with age! It doesn’t have to represent me or my past. #lettinggo

I debated pouring it down the drain as some kind of ritualistic good-bye, but my good friend Annie (pictured) said she’d take it. Maybe I’ll see the bottle again. Maybe it will move on to other shelves or end up in the dump. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t matter. It’s just a bottle. And my life is WAY more than a bottle of Boone’s Farm.

Step 3: Peace Out Beaches Here I Come

The Lord has blessed me by expanding my network in abundance and the offers to “make a stop at our home along your way” have made me feel seen and loved. None of this would be possible had I not made the effort years ago to visit family and friends testing the travel waters, and to broaden my reach of the people I’ve allowed into my life.

I packed everything I need in a couple of suitcases and set off on January 22, 2022.

Here’s to the adventure,

Megan “Un-attached” Giles