Things I’ve Learned

I realize we've only been gone for a few weeks, but, this being a whole new way of life, there is a learning curve. You try to prepare for it, and if you're lucky enough to be able to have some of the creature comforts of home, it's a pretty easy transition. That being said, here are some of the things I have learned along the way.

A boat is a VERY small space. I'm not just talking about storage, although we will get to storage later. You really have to like the person, or people you are with on the boat. And not just like them, but also be able to tolerate their habits, quirks, neuroses, even the way they breathe. Lol. It's very hard to find alone time and space. I feel very lucky, not only do I love my husband dearly, but I like him a lot as well. We are able to do things together and apart, so we don't tend to smother each other.

Now let's talk storage. There isn't much of it. You have to prepare yourself for lightening the load of your life. Anything that is not completely necessary must go. It doesn't matter how many clothes you have already gotten rid of, you still have way too many. All of your Knick knacks and dust catchers gotta go. There is very little wall space for things like pictures or clocks and such. Every piece of your life that you have collected to this point must be scrutinized to determine if it falls into that categorie of Necessary. What I've learned is that not much qualifies. What I've also learned is that it is incredibly liberating to free yourself of excess stuff. When it comes right down to it, it's the people in our lives and the memories we make together that mean everything.

But, a girls still gotta eat. Meal prep is a challenge at times. I've been used to fixing a home cooked dinner every night, since we had 2 large refrigerators/freezers that were always filled to capacity. I now have 2 dorm sized fridges and 1 same size freezer, plus a small ice box. Refrigerated real estate is a premium. One fridge is dedicated to beverages, so I really only have 2 small fridges now for cold items and vegetables. Not too much fits into the freezer. It will only fit about a weeks worth of meat, plus a few frozen veggies and pizza rolls. That would be fine if I was able to go to the grocery store every week, but out here that is not always available, so you have to plan carefully. If you are used to eating nothing but fresh food, it will be a challenge. Canned foods have become my friend. What I've learned is that most condiments that one would typically find in the fridge do not need to be refrigerated. Kind of our rule of thumb, if it doesn't have dairy or egg, it's not in the fridge. So far no one has died, so there's that.

As nice as luxuries like a dishwasher, microwave, blow dryer/curling iron are, they aren't necessary. At least you don't realize they aren't necessary until you wake up one morning and can't remember what it was like to have one. There are a few appliances that I can't live without. My washing machine. And yes it dries, but it takes a lot of electricity and water, and my clothes dry faster on the line. Second is my ice maker. It died this week and I am struggling with drinking enough water because I hate lukewarm water. We are working on trying to fix this one or find a new one somewhere. Problem is, Amazon doesn't deliver to "New L'attitude, Anchored at monument beach, Georgetown, Bahamas". I'm pretty sure they would just laugh if I put that in the shipping address. My instant pot is vital. I can do so many things with it, and it replaces several other things that I have used in the past. Lastly, my coffee maker is a must. For obvious reasons. What I've learned, there are many luxuries that many people think are necessary, that don't make life any easier or more fulfilling

So where has this gotten me so far?

The short answer.....to a much happier, simpler life, not bogged down by the day to day. Every day is what you make it. I love the life we have made for ourselves. My hope is that you all love the lives you have made, just as much!