In Search of Discomfort and Rewilding
On a sustainable surfing safari in Southern California, Part III (Final)
Being on the road sharpens the understanding for what really matters in life. The essential everyday needs take center stage (food, sleep, safety, and social) and when satisfied, focus can shift to self-actualization.
Structure and self-management is important, as is understanding the fundamentals of designing new habits. It’s not a vacation but a new form of work-life living and lifestyle, aligned with our individual needs and dreams.
Instead of taking care of your house, you’re taking care of your car that needs to be reorganized and cleaned daily. If you pack smart and light, meeting the requirements of your daily activities, it evolves into an important ritual.
Food, clean clothes, and sand goes in. Food packaging, dirty clothes, and sand goes out. Batteries need to be charged for multiple devices, supplies needs to be restocked, and the wetsuit dried out in between sessions.
“No expectations. Ask nothing, expect nothing and accept everything, and life is very well.” – Anthony Hopkins
This is when it really pays of having fewer better things. Gear of real quality that is made to last, that can be fixed and repaired if broken, regularly cleaned, and easily maintained on the road. Own less, live more.
During this trip I only had to buy two new things: an USB-C car adapter and bike chain lube. The charging is three times faster now than with the USB-A adapter which means a saving of four hours every day for the iPad Air.
I also resold two clothing items (a wind breaker and an athletic sweater) from Outerknown that I realized I didn’t need, and replaced them with a pair of jeans and a pair of surf shorts with old and new gift certificates.
My approach has always been to go as light as possible and then discover my true needs along the way. Use what you have until it no longer serves, then replace and upgrade to free up time, attention, and creative energy.
To give you an idea what I’ve brought and packed into the Mini Cooper S Clubman 2013 for an almost three week surfing safari in Southern California here is the inventory list: