What happened to me when I went car less
When I got rid of my Volkswagen Jetta in 2014, I was excited to live the commuter life in Chicago. Looking back on my decision, I feel like it was preparing me to become a full-time traveler and a minimalist. It was soon after that I decided to be a travel nurse. Since then, I’ve depended on bikes, buses, Lyft, planes, trains, boats, vans, and even my trusty longboard to get me around. Using my two lovely (once crocked, thanks to my twins big head laying on it) feet has forced me to slow down. It’s made me a better planner, an intentional consumer, and an admirer of slow pace living to name a few things.
Like many of us, once I graduated college, I got my first job and the next five years of my life zipped by like a getaway car (pun intended). I was always busy whether I was at work or on my days off. I was preoccupied with to-do lists and errands that needed my constant attention. I think it was the ease of getting around that made my life busier. When I moved from the suburbs to the city of Chicago, I no longer needed my car. The car payment, scarce parking, and the stress that comes from driving were not helping me live my best life so I decided to sell my car. Don’t get me wrong; sometimes I miss having a car, but I’ve gained a lot since I got rid of it. Since then, it's been a slow process of intentional living, building my savings account, and having the freedom to get up and go anywhere I want.
Being car-less also has its challenges and for me, it happened when I was living in Rome. I told myself that I’d only use public transportation to get around. The first day I couldn’t last for more than 30 minutes before hailing a cab and asking him to get me to my destination in my broken Italian. So, I swallowed my pride and decided not to be hard on myself. Using public transportation is cheaper, but sometimes it just doesn't work out or it's not the best option. So when I find it difficult to use public transportation I just opt for a taxi or Lyft.
People ask me how I can manage without a car as a travel nurse. I'm here to tell you it’s possible. And I'll even share 8 valuable lessons I've gained when I decided to go car-less. I've lived and traveled in Chicago, Dallas, Austin, Boston, Bangkok, Banff, New York, Paris, Rome, and Puebla Mexico in an affordable manner. If you're determined enough, you can find a way. Hope you slow down and enjoy wherever you are using public transportation, sharing a ride with a buddy, or using your two lovely feet to get you around. I can sense mother earth thanking you already!
