How We Sold Everything to Travel the World: A Step-By-Step Guide

Have you ever felt like your life isn’t the one you dreamed of? You’re not alone—we’ve been there too. With stable jobs, a dream house on a picturesque property, and a comfortable lifestyle surrounded by family, it seemed like we had everything. Yet, deep down, something felt misaligned. We craved freedom, adventure, and a life truly dictated by our values and dreams, not societal expectations. So, we took the leap. We sold everything, left our careers, and set out on a journey to discover what truly fulfills us.

If you’re dreaming of doing the same, here’s our step-by-step guide based on our own experiences:

1. Dream Together—Open the Dialogue

Before making radical changes, you and your partner must be fully aligned. Schedule intentional conversations, journal together about your ideal life, and permit yourselves to dream without limits. Getting on the same page emotionally and mentally is crucial. It anchors your vision and makes it actionable.

2. Get Clear on Your Financial Situation

This step is practical but essential. Review your finances thoroughly:

Create a detailed monthly budget.
Identify potential income streams while traveling.
List assets you can sell (home, vehicles, furniture).
Build an emergency fund for at least six months of expenses. Clarity here provides peace of mind and the security to leap boldly.

3. Decide How You’ll Work & Monetize

To maintain long-term travel, you’ll need sustainable income. Reflect deeply on your current skill sets and passions:

What skills can easily translate into remote work?
What excites you enough to sustain long-term engagement?
Research how others in similar niches monetize their skills (content creation, freelance, consulting).

4. Educate Yourself & Develop Your Skills

Before fully transitioning, invest time in learning:

Read books, attend webinars, or enroll in courses relevant to your new venture.
Connect with successful digital nomads and gather insights.
Sharpen and certify your skills to increase your value and confidence.

5. Stick to the Plan

Change is exhilarating but challenging. Maintain accountability:

Schedule regular check-ins to track progress.
Stay adaptable but remain focused on your core goals.
Celebrate small victories along the way to maintain momentum.

6. The Fun Part: Craft Your Travel List

Dream and research extensively about your destinations:

Determine your travel style (Airbnb, camping, house-sitting, luxury).
Plan initial routes considering climate, safety, budget, and community.
Engage your whole family in deciding locations to foster excitement and inclusivity.

Real Talk—The Ups & Downs

We believe deeply in authenticity. Selling everything and traveling is not without challenges. Family distance, emotional goodbyes, logistical hurdles, and uncertainty are real parts of the journey. But for us, the possibility of creating a life of true alignment, abundant happiness, and meaningful experiences outweighed every discomfort.

Ultimately, we embarked on this adventure not only for ourselves but to show our daughter that life is boundlessly full of potential, and nothing is impossible with dedication and passion.

As historian Daniel J. Boorstin said, “The courage to imagine the otherwise is our greatest resource, adding color and suspense to all our life.”

If you’re considering your own leap or have questions, we’d love to connect. Follow our journey, share your dreams, and let’s inspire each other to live the life we’ve always imagined.

Life is too short—too magical—to settle for less.

Warmly, Kristin & Family