Does everyone know the now popular TikTok sound by Paul Scanlon?
"The gap between what your soul loves and the amount of time you spend doing it, will be the size of your unhappiness."
I'm sure if you haven't heard it by now, you will sometime soon. Now, I'm not a person who really enjoys motivational speakers but every now and then, they get it right!
I'm a full time mama. 100%. I have two absolutely amazing kids who are wild little souls and I know they got it from me. I miss being who I am, outside of being a parent. So as of this summer, we are saying screw public school. Forget a 9 to 5 job. To hell with living in a city full of strangers.
We are heading out! I don't want to be unhappy. My soul lies somewhere in the mountains, that I know for sure. I want to spend time traveling, exploring and learning how to be in love with life again. I want to teach my kids this too.
I already have people who have lit into me saying all kinds of bullshit. "You can't take your kids out of public school, what about an education?" "They have to have a stable life!" "What will your kids think of growing up as gypsies?!"
Uhh, well. I'll ask my kids and they'll be honest with me. We talk about goals and dreams all the time. Stable is a matter of knowledge. They have plenty of friends and family who they know are always there for them and they're pretty happy with that. Oh, and as to their education? We have this amazing resource all around the United States, called Libraries. If there's something they want to learn about, I will download 15 books and we'll go find somewhere where they can experience it.
Now, I'm not some granola, hippie, all natural mom. I like my chickie nuggies and the world will burn if you touch my coffee. No hate to granola moms, y'all seem to have it working for you and I'm legit impressed. I don't have that much patience.
But I love nature, I love my kids, I love animals and honestly, really hate being stuck in the city.
My kiddos are my world and I love them to pieces. So, I want to do the best I can for them. Does that mean we're gonna buy a house? Probably. Do we want property? Absolutely. But I talk to my kids like they're adults. They understand that these things take time, effort and the biggest pain; money. They're okay with it.
They tell me they want to go see the mountains in Tennessee. Done, lets go! "Mom, I wanna go see the lighthouses on the coast!" Let's go!! All these things, all the time together, the memories, the photos, the laughter, even the temper tantrums are gonna become a part of their lives in a way very few others can claim.
They tell me they want land, and horses and chickens. Done, done and done! But as an adult, I have to remind them that to have those things, we have to step back from traveling. It will take more planning, someone to take care of the house and the animals while we are gone, and then there's a time limit as well. They're okay with that.
I think that's what makes the biggest difference for me. Are we flush with cash with some fancy RV? Hell no. We drive my truck and pick a hotel or we set up a tent and have a campfire. But it's all worth it to see them excited and happy and worn out by the end of the day, with a new store of epic memories and stories in their heads. So long as they know that I'm always there for them, to encourage them, tease them, play with them, and teach them to be strong and brave... I don't think I could ask for a better life with my kids.
I work remotely from my laptop or phone. I do a ton of different things and those hours I spend working while they sleep, make my days the best thing ever because that means I get to be with them. It means I'm tired, I'm always in need of coffee and my vape, but I know it's all worth it.
I hope you join us on this crazy journey of 2023. I hope you laugh with us, cry with us, and we can be a a bit of an inspiration to remember we only have one life. We have to live it.
See ya later
-Amie and The Boys