I lived on a 42 foot sailboat for over a year. Here’s why the lifestyle didn’t work for me. – Elinformelocal.in

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My boyfriend, my dog ​​and I lived on a sailboat for over a year.casey hawkins

  • I lived on a sailboat full time. but after a year, my partner and I decided to buy an apartment.

  • Simple activities like showering and grocery shopping became much more difficult.

  • I learned a lot living on board, how to appreciate the simple things in life.

In March 2021, my boyfriend Greyhound and I began living aboard a 42-foot sailboat. By August 2022, we had moved back onto the land and into an apartment.

In the years before moving aboard, I dreamed of our nomadic lifestyle, but after a year of sacrificing hygiene, stability, and family time, the wanderlust had faded.

Simple day-to-day activities like showering and grocery shopping turned into complicated endeavors. We spend a lot of time and energy just maintaining our basic needs.

So our decision to return to earth was ultimately the result of these challenges, which took a toll on me physically and emotionally.

Limited water led to limited showers

Although I consider myself low maintenanceboat life pushed my hygiene needs to the limit.

When sailing, especially to remote locations, we had a finite amount of water that we could carry. So we minimize showers to conserve it and instead take “salt water baths” in the ocean.

Since soap doesn’t lather as well in the ocean and salt sticks to skin and hair, I was never able to feel truly clean.

I went a month without showering with fresh water, and the heavy layer of salt and grease in my hair made me feel uncomfortable and self-conscious.

I longed to establish a daily routine

Grocery shopping could be a hassle.casey hawkins

At first, find the most convenient grocery store and a good running trail was part of the adventure, but constantly feeling oblivious to our location became exhausting. I was relieved when we stayed in one place for a week or more so we could establish a routine.

And instead of feeling excited about our next destination, each departure made me sad because it left this new familiarity behind.

Traveling every few days allowed me to become more adaptable, but I continued to have anxiety about accessing the resources we needed.

Homesickness was harder than I expected

I missed my family and friends.casey hawkins

I always knew that leaving my friends and family would be a challenge, but I was surprised at how sudden waves of homesickness washed over me.

While picking up an ice cream, I wanted to share it with my dessert-loving nieces. And I longed to be with my best friend when I tried local hot sauces.

After missing a year of birthdays and holidays, I am now taking every opportunity to make memories with the people I love.

I still learned a lot, and the experience was worth the challenges.

Living on a sailboat has helped me appreciate the simple things in life.

Since I moved into my apartment, showers are available and groceries are easily purchased and stored.

I’m grateful to carry memories of beautiful beaches and diverse cultures, but I’m also looking forward to our next chapter on land.

Read the original article at Well-informed person

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