Why we chose sailing over normal life..?

For a long time our life looked exactly the way it was supposed to .A regular New England family at least from the outside.We often reminded ourselves how lucky we were and it was true. We had so much to be greatful for. A beautiful home ,Sophia had a big yard to play in ,family and friends around. But there was a quiet feeling we couldn't shake.We weren't unhappy we just wanted more. Somewhere deep down we knew we were making small sacrifices,trading time together for convenience ,presence for predictability and dreams for routine . For years we were watching boats in a harbor dissapear into the horizon. That was one of the moments we realized there must be another way to life. What if? It was true normal life gave us schedules and stability and knowing what next day would look like.Our plans were clear and we knew exactly what was ahead .But it felt also like this life also took things from us slowly and quietly. We had less time together. No more slow mornings where no one was rushing anywhere.We didn't feel really present with the people right in a front of us. Family time felt scheduled. Always planing the next weekend activities ,next holiday next family get together. Any kind of adventure had to be scheduled or wait for vacation time. Life felt rushed ,and something we had to prepare for instead just living it.

Sailing in Bahamas

Sailing didn't just happen to us it slowly crept its way into our lives.We started small with a lake sailing and we starting realizing we loved spending time on a water. We started spending weekends learning new skills. Whithin a couple years we had a seaworthy boat and started longer trips in Long Island sound. We Knew choosing sailing meant choosing uncertainty. What about income? Education for Sophia? what about safety? health care ,weather, storms,breakdowns and million other things that could go wrong?? Leaving "normal life" meant leaving all of this behind .We had a long conversations. We questioned ourselves if we are being irresponsible or unrealistic? We definitely didn't chose sailing becouse it was easy ,we chose it because it felt right.We wanted our daughter to known there is more to life. We wanted her top grow up to be curious and confident.We wanted her to see the world and not just read about it and not just see it on a screen but truly expierience it.We wanted her to know that life didnt have to be scheduled and things can slow down. Sailing offered us that chance.

Sophia exploring reef

Life on a boat- well life on a sailboat strips things down to their essentials. But it offers freedom.Space is limited ,water is preciouse,power must be managed.Every object onboard has a purpose. But mornings begin slowly with a natural rhythm instead of alarms.The sun tells us when to wake up.The weather tells us when to move and coffe tastes better when water is percfectly still. Days are filled with learning -not just from the books but sometimeas through trial and error; sometimes things don't go according to plan.There are repairs, adjustments in plans and challenges we never expected.But there is deep satisfaction in solving problems together. Evenings are slower we have time to talk. And stars remind us how small-and how lucky -we are.

Sailing has taught us patience and humility. The feeling of total control is an illusion.Plans change, weather shifts, things break- yet somehow life feels more grounded then it ever did on land. We've learned to measure success differently -not in things and achievements but in moments.Finding a perfect anchorage, a funny story ,watching sunsets together meeting new friends and sharing a laugh. We've learned that comfort isn't always physical but also emotional.Sometimes its knowing and feeling that you are exactly where you were meant to be.

Things we miss? Well this life is not without sacrifice. We miss family and friends.We miss easy fixes and familiar places.We miss convenience of a quick store run or a hot shower without thinking of water usage.I think there are days we all crave simplicity and "normal life" and thats ok.Missing things doesn't mean we made a wrong choice.It means we are human.Even on the hardest days we don't regret choosing this path.Becouse "normal life"will always be there -but time won't. Time spend with Sophia is a most precious gift we have. Sailing gave us a life that feels lived not postponed.It gave us shared experience instead of shared schedules. It gave us memories to share for a lifetime ,memories tied to places we have seen. It brought us a lot of incredible moments we got to share as a family.

If you reading this and have a strange feeling of maybe changing your life my advice is listen to that voice inside your head and just do it. You dont have to sell everything and sail away. You dont have to choose our path but you can definitely question what normal life is? Is normal life the only option? You have freedom to choose intentionally , choose presence with your loved onse, choose what matters to YOU. Choose life thats more aligned to your needs even if it scares you.If our journey helps you think differently about your own life, then sharing it is worth it. Sailing life helped us trade predictability for presence and that trade was worth every mile.This isn't an escape from life this is us truly living one.