The Mrs and I were at a family event this weekend, celebrating the birthday of a niece. As we talked with various relatives, many of whom we haven’t seen since Christmas, they shared their lives and what they’ve been up to. In turn, they asked about our lives as well. And that’s where things got dicey.

First, I was a bit tentative to share our plans to sell everything we own and travel. Between now and then, about a year will pass, we need to sell 3 homes, and I will need to ensure my employer is still good with me working from home. Not to mention I need to find remote work for Rachel or convince her it’s fine to leave without having something lined up. Sharing our plans feels like... Bragging about something we haven’t done yet. It’s ambitious and there’s so much between here and there. 

On top of that, people don’t really know how to react. There are two core reactions I’ve gotten, both from family and friends; most people exhibit a mixture of the two.

The largest overriding reaction is sheer confusion. People have no basis to relate to the trip we’re attempting, no way to understand. I might as well tell them that we’re considering moving to the moon. From the logistics to the level of freedom it represents to the lifestyle we’ll live for a time, they don’t know a single person that’s ever done anything like it. 

The other, less prevalent reaction is jealousy. Despite not really having a basis to relate, most of the people we’ve shared the news with have to some extent wished they, too, could go on an around the world trip. Some have been really overt about it, some subtle (and of course some have not been jealous at all).