Top 10 Tuesdays: Top 10 Things we DON'T Miss about Land Life

Rasmus, chilling at anchor off Carriacou.

Living on a boat is not without it's challenges, that is for sure.

But you know what?  Living on land isn't all that easy either if you're a dreamer like Scott and I.  While there is no "utopia" and everything has a yin to the yang, here are few of the things we do not miss about life on terra firma...

1. The busy-ness.  When we lived on land I don't think a day went by when we didn't feel rushed.  We burned the candle at both ends, had plans virtually every night, and never actually sat back and relaxed.  We definitely do not miss this one tiny bit!
2. Television.  It rots your brain.  Seriously, it does (except Modern Family, that is pure brilliance).  Do you watch Fox News?  There is a very interesting story out about the viewers.  Believe it or not, you are actually learning less than if you watched no news at all.  Yikes.
3. Fast food.  I'm not just talking about McDonalds and Subway.  I'm talking about the freezer and most of the middle sections of the grocery store.  While I lament about cooking aboard, I do love that we are eating predominately natural and organic foods free of all the crazy ingredients that seem pretty inescapable in so many 'modern' foods these days.  That said, I still love a frozen pizza and turkey sandwiches and will definitely indulge in both when we get home!
4. The laziness that convenience fosters.  I have this love/hate relationship with modern convenience.  I think on one hand it is incredible, and on the other it is detrimental.  I love doing laundry in a washing machine and love being able to drive to the 24 hour CVS if I need something urgent.  But really, we as a species are getting lazy.  I am guilty of it too.  I've written extensively on this subject before and you can see my thoughts here.  Regardless, this is something we don't miss and we enjoy our little balance of convenience and hard work that a life afloat affords.
5. The status quo.  I've never been one to go with the masses.  Ever.  Just check out some of the pictures of me when I was a little girl, it began that early.  Nope.  No thanks, I'll pass!  I cannot even begin to imagine what my life would be like if I followed all the rules that I was supposed to.  I certainly wouldnt' be here, that is for sure.
6. The nagging need for more.  Not going to lie, I have the propensity inside of me to be a material girl.  When we lived on land and I went to Target (for example), it got to the point that Scott made me write a list of exactly what I needed so I didn't show up at home with $250 worth of 'stuff' when I ran out to "get more hangers".  I mean, that little faux leather ottoman was on sale and it looked sooo perfect in the living room...  Yeah - there is literally no room for this mentality on a boat.  If we don't need it, we don't have it.  Period.
7. The weather.  Sorry to rub it in Northerners, but I don't think there is any place on earth that is as awful as Chicago in the winter.  Dark, gray, dreary, freezing...BLAH.  I have always said my mood directly correlates with sunlight and the Caribbean is suiting me just fine, thank you very much!
8. Traffic.  I honest to God think traffic is psychologically damaging for most people.  I feel horrible for those individuals who have no other choice but to commute for hours during a day to get to their jobs.  I think we're breeding unhealthy minds on our nation's jammed up highways.  I don't miss it.  One bit.  Speaking of traffic...
9. Driving.*  I don't miss driving.  Sure, a car would make life easier from time to time - but walking and taking busses is a piece of cake down here.  I probably walk at least two or three miles a day just running errands and, while it does take a little longer, it does a body good. 
10. Living with more than we need.  As I mentioned, I am a bit more materialistic on land.  I like nice things, a nice place to live, dining out.  It is so easy to get caught up in over-consumption and I think many of us live with significantly more than we need.  Did I need 40 pairs of heels?  No.  But I had them. Does a baby need an entire room full of toys? No.  But many have that and more.  Sure, our boat has some nice things in it and we are by no means living as basic as others, but for the most part - we are living with what we need and life is just so much more simple and clear because of it.

Love,

Brittany & Scott

*I read this list to Scott, who agrees with everything but this one.  He actually does miss driving.  But he's also never been pulled over for "driving with intent to kill" so...(it was reduced to reckless driving).