And how will your life responsibilities be affected by moving into the full-time travel lifestyle?

Embarking on the full-time travel lifestyle is a dream for many, but, as with most goals, there are the realities of current life responsibilities to consider. It’s more than just the freedom of the open road or seas; it’s a profound shift in daily life and responsibilities. This is the stage do dig deep into those areas of your life that will be impacted.

A crucial part of the Planning Stage is asking questions. Lots of questions. The Planning Stage is also when you focus on the big-picture.

So before you put your belongings in storage and pack your travel bags or RV/boat, let’s delve into some life responsibilities that could shape, challenge, or even enhance your travel experiences.

The Reflective Questions are included to get you started creating your own list of questions personalized for you and your situation.

Two grandparents sitting with their two grandchildren.

Caring For Your Older Family Members

For many of us, family is the cornerstone of our lives and the source of our greatest life responsibilities. Through love, shared holiday traditions and countless memories we’ve also built bonds with older family members, parents, uncles, aunts, or even elder siblings. With age, these family members often become reliant, not just for emotional companionship but also for physical care. These bonds often create a dichotomy: the yearning for travel and exploration versus the commitment to be present for loved ones. Traveling for long periods can evoke guilt, concern, and longing.

Reflective Questions:

  • In your dream full-time travel scenario, how will your consistent physical distance affect your older family members’ emotional and physical well-being?
  • Can a reliable network of other family members or professional services provide consistent care in your absence?
  • Are you prepared to handle a situation demanding immediate attention or decisions from hundreds or thousands of miles away?
A small business owner holding a welcome we're open sign in front of her door.

Owning a Location-Dependent Business

Owning a business that thrives on your on-ground involvement and presence poses unique challenges when considering full-time travel. Unlike a temporary vacation, where a co-owner or employee fulfills your role, full-time travel necessitates sustainable, long-term solutions. It’s not just about maintaining the status quo; it’s about ensuring growth, stability, and continued trust amongst clients and employees in your prolonged absence.

Reflective Questions:

  • How can your business evolve to function effectively without your constant on-site involvement?
  • To maintain business efficacy, do you need to implement systems, technologies, or personnel changes?
  • How will you ensure continued growth, address challenges, and maintain relationships with clients and partners while on the move?
Boys sitting down at soccer practice listening to their coach.

Recreational and Community Responsibilities

When you commit to full-time travel, the bonds you’ve nurtured within your local community through recreational and volunteer activities transform. It’s not just about taking a break but redefining your role and relationship with these commitments. How do you transition from an active participant or leader to someone still connected but from afar?

Reflective Questions:

  • How do you visualize your role in the local community or recreational commitments as you transition to full-time travel?
  • Can you train or mentor someone to take over your responsibilities, ensuring a smooth transition?
  • How can you repurpose your skills and passions to contribute to communities you encounter during your travels?
A young boy wearing a backpack looking at leaves through a magnifying glass.

Children’s Education

Transitioning to a full-time travel lifestyle with school-aged children raises educational questions. We’re all familiar with traditional schooling offering structured learning, standardized testing, and organized peer interactions. However, now you’re becoming a more active teacher and activity organizer. To assist you, the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) provides the legal overview you’ll need during the Planning Stage. Furthermore, know that there are excellent curricula (in a wide range of formats) and endless opportunities to connect online with other parents for guidance and support. 

Most importantly, the outside world provides an unparalleled holistic education ranging from structured (the national park Junior Ranger program) to relaxed (play dates with new friends). Integrating academic excellence with the diverse teachings from different cultures and geographies becomes a primary focus for most full-time travel families.

Reflective Questions:

  • How do you envision your child’s educational journey evolving while traveling consistently?
  • Do you need support finding online or travel-friendly schooling options that align with your educational goals for your children?
  • How will you ensure a balance between academic study and the invaluable, real-world education travel provides?
A white house with a white picket fence.

Mortgage and Real Estate Responsibilities

Homeownership, often symbolic of stability and a fixed abode, can become complex when venturing into full-time travel. Unlike a sabbatical or an extended vacation, where a return date might be in sight, full-time travel may not offer such clarity. Deciding the fate of your property, managing its upkeep, and addressing any unforeseen issues from afar become vital considerations.

Reflective Questions:

  • How do you plan to manage the ongoing responsibilities of your property during indefinite travel?
  • Would retaining, leasing, or selling your property best align with your travel aspirations and financial strategy?
  • If leasing, how prepared are you to handle tenant-related matters remotely, or would you consider hiring a property management service?
Four dogs looking down over the edge of a wall.

Pets

Pets, with their unconditional love and loyalty, are like family. But full-time travel, especially across international borders, brings up significant considerations about their well-being. Unlike a short vacation, where pet boarding or caregiving might be a straightforward solution, full-time travel demands more sustainable, long-term care, health, and happiness decisions.

Reflective Questions:

  • How would constant travel affect your pet’s health, well-being, and temperament?
  • Are there destinations in your travel plan that pose challenges or restrictions for your pet’s entry or stay?
  • If taking your pet along isn’t viable, have you considered long-term care solutions or re-homing options prioritizing their well-being?
A dental hygienist examining a woman's teeth.

Health Care and Medical Care Responsibilities

Health is wealth, as the adage goes. Ensuring consistent and quality healthcare becomes paramount, especially when embarking on a full-time travel lifestyle. Different regions or countries might have varying healthcare standards, availability of specific treatments, or even medications. Moreover, if there’s a routine medical requirement or ongoing treatment, the logistics and planning intensify, necessitating foresight and preparation.

Reflective Questions:

  • How will you ensure consistent access to the medical treatments or medications you or your family require?
  • Have you researched the healthcare standards and availability in the regions you plan to frequent?
  • Are there global health insurance plans or medical services catering to full-time travelers that you can tap into?
Four images depicting places of religious worship.

Cultural or Religious Responsibilities

Cultural and religious practices aren’t just routines; they often define our identities, values, and connections to our roots. Full-time travel exposes one to a mosaic of cultures and beliefs, some of which might starkly contrast one’s own. Maintaining personal cultural or religious practices while respecting and adapting to local norms becomes a nuanced dance, especially when these practices dictate daily routines, diets, or interactions.

Reflective Questions:

  • How do you plan to maintain and honor your cultural or religious practices during your travels?
  • Are there regions you’ll be traveling to where openly practicing your beliefs might pose challenges or require discretion?
  • How can you educate and prepare yourself to interact harmoniously with cultures different from yours, ensuring mutual respect?
A judge's gavel in front of law books and scales of justice.

Beyond the romanticism of endless adventures lies the pragmatic world of long-term legal obligations. These include ongoing court cases, business contracts, or visa and residency requirements in countries you traverse. Efficiently managing and addressing these obligations becomes a cornerstone of uninterrupted travel. 

Reflective Questions:

  • How will existing or potential legal obligations influence your travel plans?
  • Do you have reliable legal counsel or representation to manage affairs in your absence?
  • Have you considered the implications of visa requirements, taxes, or local laws in the regions you wish to explore?

Transitioning to a full-time travel lifestyle is both a transformative journey across the world’s landscapes and within one’s life responsibilities. It’s also an intertwining path of freedom and commitment, dreams and duties. By delving deep into these reflections and questions, and adding your own, you can begin to craft a lifestyle that satiates your wanderlust yet still remains anchored in your values, responsibilities, and connections. The journey is as much about understanding the world within you as exploring the world around you.