This morning I awoke to a brazen email from someone telling me “I sure would like to do nothing my whole life and have a whole bunch of people give me a bunch of shit for free but I live in the real world where I actually work for the things that I have”. No need to post this person’s identity, to troll them, or publicly shame them, although I do picture myself giving them a verbal slap in the face, but this simple sentence made me see that although our lives are very public (on Facebook and the blog) there are still some HUGE misconceptions about how we are living.
Our lives may be way off-the-wall compared to “the norm”, I mean how many people live on a sailboat and then throw themselves into building an eco-home in the mountains!? But none of this was handed to us on a silver platter. Although I would love to be sitting on my yacht sipping mimosas with the hubby while the nanny chases after our monkeys, it simply isn’t so. A peek behind the curtain will show you what our OZ is all about…it’s not always rainbows and butterflies.
HOW DID WE GET HERE? To get to where we are now has required a lot of work and a lot of sacrifices. I have written a post about our money situation so I won’t go over that extensively again, but will try and keep it short and concise so that people like Mr. Opinionated above can get a GENERAL idea. Eben worked really hard for several years doing a somewhat “regular” job. With his money he put some in savings, he bought a house, bought a car, and bought a small boat. When we were married and had our first kid we decided to continue on with our dreams of travel, so we sold the car, used our savings and went to said small boat. Having a sailboat meant we could travel without the expenses of regular flights and lodging in every destination. We continued doing this until our savings were too low for comfort. Then we sold the house and continued sailing with that money. Then, when that started running low Eben started picking up random jobs, helping other boaters. We even stopped sailing on two occasions to go back to work so that we could continue on with this lifestyle.
AND NOW? That brings us to today, where yes we are embarking on a new journey of building something on land, but this may come at the cost of having to someday in the near future sell our sailboat to be able to do so. It has also meant that Eben has had to leave our family for a month long period, (for the second time in the last 4 months) to do some work to get our bank account to a point where we can sustain ourselves while trying to attempt this build. We may not do 9-5, but he sure does put in the equivalent amount hours away from the family to make money for us. And I would like to put anyone next to Eben while he is working and see if they could keep up to him, I doubt it, he is a multi-talented, hard-working machine. Our finances are NOWHERE near retirement levels, we have just chosen to use what we have and see what we can make happen. This may be different than the whole “work and save up” mentality, but it’s what works for us.
Boating is not always glamorous
1st Side note: we are cruisers, not yachties, and cruising is just as much about work and sacrifices as it is about beautiful locations and sailing experiences. Boats are constantly in need of work, living in 41ft of space with a young family is not always easy, but again, it’s our “unrealistic” life (which only 2% of people live) and we like it. Yes there are drinks/sundowners, yes there are days where we choose to do nothing but enjoy life, but that’s not all we do, most days are work intensive.
Endless projects on a boat…yes that is sweat through his shirt.
WHAT ABOUT THAT FREE SHIT? Anyone who attempts to run a blog (and the social media attached to it) as more than just a part-time hobby can tell you that it is no walk in the park. Eben and I don’t argue often, but some of our bigger arguments have been about the amount of time that I invest into this facet of our lives. Sharing our lives with the online world is a full-time job. The amount of time I/we invest in writing blog posts (writing this one alone has taken me 3hrs and that is without revisions/editing still to do!), taking and editing pictures daily, running four social media sources (FB, IG, Youtube, Pinterest), posting updates online, reaching out for sponsorship collaborations, keeping up a relationship with sponsors, fulfilling sponsorship agreements, answer emails and comments from followers (which I am vigilant about staying on top of), answering questions for articles to be published on other outlets, etc. etc. has me sitting behind a device (laptop, cellphone, camera) for a large portion of my day. To the unknowing eye it may just look like I am on the computer, addicted to FB or something, but no, most of the time it’s work I’m doing. Yes I get to do this in my pyjamas while sipping coffee, with no makeup on and am not accountable to anyone, but so does anyone else that works from home. The only difference is that I don’t get paid an hourly wage! Eben often says that if I were being paid for the amount of time and work I put in, I would be able to buy all of the things that we get sponsored. Instead of a salary, we have chosen to pair up our skill-sets and knowledge with companies in exchange for product. I get paid in stuff.
Beautiful location, yep, working on my phone, yep.
2nd Side note: Maybe one day I will write a post about the process of reaching out for sponsorship requests, since I have been asked for it, but have been putting it off because it would be a long and extensive post.
I don’t get to sit online all day in peaceful bliss, like if I were alone in an office, my office is often the dining table, where I can be reached and interrupted by my other duties on a very regular basis. Breaking up all of this blogging stuff is the fact that I am also 50% (Eben being the other half) running a home and raising two adventurous little girls. In my hands I not only hold the responsibility of their care and safety, but I have also taken on their education. Parents, and teachers, are both full-time jobs, one of which gets a salary. So now I have 3 full-time jobs, parent, teacher, and blogger, all of which I do not get paid for, but I can see how this could be misconstrued as me “doing nothing my whole life”. This is just one of the choices we have made to live this crazy life of ours.
This post may come across as me justifying our lifestyle, which it is, but it also a peak into the not-so-picture worthy side of our lives. We do sometimes post pictures of the hard work Eben puts in and the homeschooling we are doing, but the fact is even when we do post them the amount of “reach” that those get are far less than the ones of beautiful beaches and sailing. People just gravitate towards those and skim over the rest, which is fine, but don’t assume that the skimmed parts doesn’t exist. To be able to experience those beaches and destinations there is A LOT of sweat and tears that go on in the background.
3rd Side note: (ie Eben comes to my defence): Free shit wasn’t the original purpose of the blog and there is a major difference between free and sponsored hence why the English language created 2 separate words. I’m gonna tell all the Olympians that you think they sit around all day hoping Nike will give them “free shit”. See where I’m going with this? When you are good at something and work hard for it, you get noticed. Anyway Genevieve started this blog to keep in touch with family and document our time. Then that led to sponsorship because people learned who we are and trusted our opinions on things, and businesses value that. People think she may just be asking and begging which shows that they don’t understand that major corporations actually have a budget for peer to peer advertising. Some even have a labeled “blogger division”. When someone says that the way we are living isn’t the “real world” they just may be stuck in the past and are missing out on all the “real world” possibilities that someone with motivation and ingenuity can reach.
We are fully aware we aren’t living the normal life. So when people use that as an insult I can only laugh and say “thank you, I’m glad it’s noticeable. And you should try it sometime. You might find yourself almost as happy as me!”
I find you guys to be an inspiration! It’s very obvious that your family works very hard to make it so that you can truly enjoy life and time together. Anyone that doesn’t recognize that is a small minded miserable human who probably hates nature and puppies.
LOL!!! Your comment made me laugh this morning a “human who probably hates nature and puppies”!!!!!! Thanks for the support and the laughs.
Keep doing what you are doing life really is for living and you are teaching your kids to do just that 🙂
David .
I think one of the best parts of all of this is showing this lifestyle to our girls, teaching them to work hard for what they want and they can (most likely) make it happen. And if it doesn’t pan out, working towards it was still exciting and a learning experience.
Hats off guys. We know all too well about sacrafice and slog to follow your dream!
Even now I’m back in the kitchen for a bit to help secure our finances before we push out after our dream again.
Such is life.
And it’s your life no one elses. Who wants to conform? Look how most people live their lives of discontent.
Rock on! \m/
Thanks Scott. I’m glad you guys are still moving towards yours too. I was doing geography with the girls the other day and telling them about my time in NZ and my eldest asked if we could bring them there one day!
Ugh. So sorry you have to deal with people who don’t get your lifestyle, and who are critical/abusive. I live in a tiny cabin on a farm in B.C. with my husband and 3 kids, and we get people judging us all the time, so I can sympathize! I’ve followed your blog for a while now, and honestly, I’m so impressed by everything you and your family have managed to accomplish! Living an alternative lifestyle has taught me that most people just don’t get how much work it is. It’s much easier to judge someone else’s lifestyle than it is to make decisions about your own life and take responsibility for making those things happen, especially if it involves sacrificing things that people think they can’t live without. Best of luck to you in your new endeavour!!
Thanks for the support Sarah. Where exactly in BC are you? We will be setting up shop in Golden, building something off-grid for ourselves. It’s a new and fun adventure, which will allow us to be closer to family and friends, and have a place in Canada to call home whenever we come back from other destinations.
We’re living on my in-laws land on Galiano Island at the moment. Like you, we’re thinking of building a house here, but we’re also considering buying land in the area. We’ve been here a year, and we really appreciate having family close by. Since most of our family is in Ontario, we’ve done the cross-country drive several times. Golden and the Rockies is always the highlight of the trip!
It must be quite stunning where you are too though. I was born in Vancouver and lived in the area until I was 3, but other than one quick visit back to Vancouver in my early 20’s I haven’t seen much of that area and the pictures always look beautiful.
I’m glad you shared this. People have no idea! We’ve had multiple friends and acquaintances ask us if we are independently wealthy, at which point I’ve had to excuse myself while I break into hysterical/delirious laughter. This unconventional lifestyle is hard! We do travel to cool places, but we work A LOT and much of our work doesn’t come with an immediate paycheck. And like you, we’re doing multiple jobs at the same time: homeschooling, blogging, posting to social media, teaching online (me), freelancing (Trent), and making sure that our rig is taken care of. We’re often totally exhausted at the end of the day. We love it and wouldn’t have it any other way – but it is NOT easy!
exactly, the adventure is work too. Yes it’s a different kind of work, but work none the less, and it is a “job” we have chosen because of the inherent benefits. Keep on working strong towards what you’re doing, our 2% need to represent!
While there may be a small minority who are resentful and narrow minded about the life choices, you have made, I can assure you that the majority of your followers have amazing and sincere admiration for the sacrifice and dedication you make in order to enjoy freedom. It is there for all of us, and thank you for sharing. Ignore the naysayers and keep doing your wonderful thing. Perhaps some day your sharing will inspire Mr. (or Ms.) grumpy pants to spend more time chasing his own dreams than sniping at yours. Peace, love, tolerance and the ability to ignore those who hate.
It’s so true Matt, peace, love, and tolerance. And I do really hope that Mr. Grumpypants doesn’t feel so grumpy towards life his whole life, because there is so much out there to enjoy and everyone should have the chance to…sometimes that chance just requires certain sacrifices, but ends up being totally worth it. Cheers.
Genvieve – you really shouldn’t need to justify to anyone the choices and sacrifice that you and Eben have had to make. Everyone with any intelligence will know that certainly there are many sacrifices that you have had to make to follow your hearts and live your dream. Some people are just angry and bitter – incapable of seeing reality – ironic.
Thank you Angie. Many people only see what they want to see, and our lifestyle is so different that sometimes wrapping your brain around it can be tough. I get that. We won’t let it slow us down because we are loving what we are doing, how we are doing it, and what our girls are learning from it. Even the Live Different opportunity, that was not a money-making endeavour for us, but it came from our hearts and desires and was something that was very worth doing. Would most people have dropped their current lives to do six months with a non-profit, probably not, but the things we learned, the people we met, and the connections we have (with people like you) was worth way more than a rich salary.
Viva y’all!
Gracias. Will do
Jealousy sure makes you nasty. Keep up the hard work and love life. Thumbs up guys!
Thank you, we’ve got too many fun plans on the go to let one harsh comment get us down. And have had so many more positive ones since.
Yours is not the first blog that has had to discuss finances and life style because of the comments from jealous or rude viewers. If there is any fault it is with the viewers who have a small view of the world. Good luck with your new house
Thank you. By putting our lives “out there” we are putting ourselves under the scrutinizing eye of the public, some are just a little less understanding than others. Thanks for the encouragement.
Keep living and working your dream!
Thank you, we will!
If whomever left you that post that inspired you to write this was to work as hard as you perhaps they could live the life they appear to be so jealous of.
Yes maybe by trying to walk in our shoes for a bit might change his mind about how we’re “sitting around doing nothing”
Great post! Often people are ignorant of what it takes to do what you and your family are doing with your lives. I say, “Carry on! You’re doing well.”
Thanks, not going to let this guy slow us down! 😉
My little family of four (Dad, Mom, 2yo Isla, and 5mo Hobie) will be making the jump in the next 2-3 years. We have loved your blog. And it is the posts on the work and the homeschooling that we have valued the most. So excited to see your next project launch.
once you make the jump those two things will become a major part of your lives too. It’s hard, but it’s worth it. I’m glad you’re enjoying the posts and if you guys have any questions about it all, feel free to ask.
Where there is a will, there is usually a way. No one is going to hand you the life you want. It takes work and bravery to take that road less traveled. There is a reason only a few take that step – it’s hard. And any thoughtful observer will keep in mind that a life viewed through the lens of digital media alone is inherently distorted and often appears more glamorous than the reality. Thanks for sharing the view from behind the curtain. Best wishes on your next adventure!
Yes everything gets distorted through the lens of social media, including our lives. We are enjoying our path, our documenting of it, and are trying our best to show every aspect of it.
I KNOW how hard it is to blog and post on a regular basis. it is very time consuming and not just a matter of ripping off a few paragraphs. LOTS of research goes into those posts and paragraphs. And the pictures! It is tough to constantly have a camera at the ready and remember to use it. And; it’s tough to be the photographer because you can’t just enjoy yourself and have fun. You have to be ready to document! Anybody who denigrates what you do; has no idea. Sponsored and free stuff is your reward for working soooo hard! Keep on doing what you do; the vast majority of us love you and appreciate you sharing so much of your life with us.
Awwwww
People always say things to me like “wow I wish I had your life” etc etc and I never want to sound ungrateful but I also feel compelled to explain that “it takes a lot of hard work to have this much fun.” I’m excited to follow your new adventure. We have done both the sailboat and the Eco-cabin, just in the opposite order, and now we are doing a little of both at the same time. I’m really working on getting a blog up and running and you are a major inspiration!!! As in I really don’t know how you do it all! Keep on keeping on ✌️
It’s a ton of work, but I really enjoy it, so it makes it fun. If ever you get pics of your cabin up on the blog let me know, I’d love to see it!
Great post! Well said. And, as a frequent reader, it was refreshing to hear directly from Eben too! Although I am surprised he found the time to write with all the lounging around he does all day everyday 🙂 I am glad you both posted your perspectives. Good luck with everything!
“although I’m surprised he found the time to write with all the lounging around he does all day everyday”!!!! Epic!
In “the south” we just say, “bless his heart”, because when people don’t get it then there is no amount of explaining that will enlighten them. So exciting to see all your life re-think. I responded when you asked for opinions re: boat vs. land. So glad you are doing a bit of both until it becomes clearer.
I admire your life (and your smoking hot hubby) and its a shame some people are hateful jerks. Will be watching this new adventure!