After a year on a sailboat, my partner and I decided to move into an apartment.
Simple activities became more difficult.
Living on board taught me how to appreciate the simple things in life.
We started living on a sailboat in March of 2021. We moved back onto land and into an apartment.
After a year of sacrificing hygiene, stability, and family time, the wanderlust had worn off.
Simple activities like showering and grocery shopping became complicated. Maintaining our basic needs took a lot of time and energy.
Our decision to move back on land was the result of the challenges that wore on me.
The boat life pushed my hygiene needs to their limit.
We were limited in the amount of water we could carry. We took salt-water baths in the ocean in order to conserve showering.
I wasn't able to feel clean because soap doesn't lather as well in the ocean and salt sticks to skin and hair.
I didn't have a freshwater shower for a month and the salt and grease in my hair made me feel uncomfortable.
Finding the most convenient grocery store and a nice running path was part of the adventure, but it became tiring after a while. When we stayed in a place for a week or more, I was happy.
Each departure made me sad because I was leaving behind a familiar place.
Traveling every few days gave me more flexibility, but I still had anxiety over access to resources.
I knew it would be difficult to leave my friends and family, but I didn't think it would be so hard.
I wanted to share my dessert with my niece. When I tried local hot sauces, I wanted to be with my friend.
After missing a year of birthdays and holidays, I'm embracing every chance to spend time with my friends and family.
I have found living on a sailboat helps me appreciate the simpler things in life.
Since moving into my apartment, I have easy access to showers, groceries, and storage.
I'm grateful to have memories of beaches and cultures, but I'm also looking forward to the future.
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