We receive messages every day. From people who dream of leaving everything behind. Of changing their lives, traveling, slowing down, finally feeling free. People who deeply feel that there is something more than their current daily life. A simpler life, truer, more aligned with who they really are.
As for me, I chose to leave everything in 2019. Since then, I've been a full-time nomad, living on my sailboat and exploring the world around me. This lifestyle has become my daily life, with all the beautiful things it brings... but also its challenges.
Between the moment this dream is born... and the moment you take action, there is often a huge gap. A gap filled with doubts, fears, questions... and above all, unknowns.
Because we see a lot of the dream. The perfect images. The landscapes. The freedom. But we talk very little about what actually happens once you take the leap.
And yet, that's exactly where it all begins.
So today, I want to share with you what I wish I had understood before leaving. Not to discourage you. But to help you see things more clearly. Because when you better understand the reality... you are much better prepared to live it.
1. You won't feel free right away
We think that freedom comes instantly. That as soon as you leave your old life, you feel light, aligned, exactly where you're meant to be.
But in reality, the first few days — sometimes the first few weeks — are much more like a period of adaptation than a feeling of freedom.
You have to rebuild a routine. Find your bearings. Understand this new rhythm of life. And that takes time.
For me, the obligations and old routine were replaced by navigation and learning to sail. Since we knew nothing about it, my routine was quickly replaced by all the new things I had to learn.
However, I realized how little time in my old life was actually dedicated to my passions, to what makes me happy, and that was a huge weight lifted: finally, I had time.
Freedom is not an instant click. It's something that develops. That is built through experiences, adjustments... and discomfort.
2. You will doubt… more than you think
Even with all the conviction in the world, there will be times when you will wonder if you made the right choice.
Moments when you look back at your old life with a certain distance... and sometimes even with a little nostalgia.
And that can be unsettling.
But what you need to understand is that these moments are not a sign that you made a mistake. They are simply a reflection of the change you are experiencing.
Changing your life also means accepting to go through periods of uncertainty.
3. The first few weeks are often the hardest
This is the period when everything is new. Where every action requires effort. Where you no longer have your automatisms.
What was simple before sometimes becomes complicated. And what was complicated... becomes even more complicated.
You are constantly adapting.
And that's exactly why this phase is crucial. Because if you get through it... you develop an incredible ability to adjust to any situation.
4. You'll realize you had more than you thought
By simplifying your life, you gain perspective on everything you had accumulated.
Objects. Habits. Obligations.
And you realize that many of these things were not essential. When you have a big house, you accumulate so many useless things! When I started selling everything, I felt a huge sense of well-being, because everything you own demands your time and maintenance: you have to take care of it.
When you give away or sell your belongings, the interesting thing is that you don't feel a lack. On the contrary.
You often feel lighter. More space. More clarity.
And then, your way of consuming changes completely. You take the time to analyze much more before buying something. Do I really need it? Is what I'm buying good quality and will it last a long time? Do I have space for this new item?
Your decisions become more conscious... and much more aligned with the life you truly want.
5. The unexpected becomes the norm
If you're someone who likes to control everything... prepare yourself.
Because in this lifestyle, things change constantly.
A plan can be overturned in a few hours. A situation can evolve without warning. And you don't always have the choice to adapt... you MUST adapt.
This is even more true on a sailboat. At sea, the weather decides. You can plan as much as you want, but if conditions change... your plans change too.
One of the biggest lessons we learned over time is to stop setting deadlines. We arrive when we arrive. Because you're never safe from a breakdown, a shifting wind, or a rising sea. And trying to foresee everything only adds unnecessary stress.
At first, it can be unsettling. You feel like you're losing control. But with time, you understand that it's not a weakness... it's a reality to accept.
And slowly, it becomes a strength.
You develop an ability to let go, to adjust quickly, and to navigate uncertainty with much more calm. And that's a skill worth its weight in gold.
6. Some relationships will change
Changing your life also means changing dynamics with the people around you.
Some people will have difficulty understanding your choice. Others will project their own fears onto you.
And sometimes, without even realizing it, certain relationships will drift apart.
You also have to be realistic: by leaving, you are no longer physically present in people's lives. You miss moments, events, small daily occurrences. And that has a real impact on your relationships.
This is one of the reasons why I prefer to return to Quebec every year. To see people again, reconnect, take the time to be present... even if it's only for a short period. It's a way to maintain these relationships more easily.
In parallel, you will also create new connections. Bonds based on common values, on a similar vision of life.
And those relationships... often have a different depth.
7. You will learn to live with less... and love it
At first, it might seem difficult: Less space. Less comfort. Fewer possessions.
You might even feel like you're making a sacrifice, depriving yourself of certain things you were used to. But very quickly, something changes.
You realize that this "less" actually gives you more: More time. More presence. More freedom.
You spend less time managing, maintaining, and taking care of material things... and much more time truly living.
You also learn to make do with what you have, to be more creative, simpler in your daily life. And instead of feeling a lack, you often feel a form of lightness.
Little by little, you completely redefine what is important to you. It's no longer what you possess... but what you experience and who you are!
8. You won't always feel like you belong
Even in a life you've chosen, there will be times when you question yourself.
Moments when you feel lost. When you wonder if you're really where you should be.
And that's normal.
Because finding your place is not something fixed. It's something that evolves with you.
There's also a reality that's rarely talked about: when you travel constantly, you're always the foreigner. You arrive in countries where you don't know the culture, sometimes not the language, and where you have no bearings. You observe, you adapt... but you don't always feel "at home."
You can experience incredible moments, in beautiful places, and still feel a certain disconnect. As if you were just passing through everywhere... without really belonging to one specific place. And with time, you realize that this feeling is part of the journey.
Because your "place" no longer becomes a fixed location. It becomes something more internal. A sensation. A balance that you build no matter where you are.
Over time, you understand that "feeling at home" no longer depends on a city, a country, or a familiar environment. It depends more on your state of mind, your comfort level with the unknown, and your ability to create your own bearings, even if temporary.
Your place is no longer an address. It's what you feel inside you.
And the further you go, the more capable you become of recreating that feeling... no matter where you are in the world.
9. Freedom demands more discipline than you think
When there's no more imposed framework, no more obligatory routine... everything rests on you.
And that's often a shock.
Because freedom is not the absence of structure. It's about creating your own structure, and that requires discipline. Consistency. Responsibility.
No one will tell you what to do, what time to get up, when to work, when to rest. There are no more external constraints... but that means you have to become your own framework.
And if you don't, you can easily get scattered, lose your rhythm, or put off what's important.
So it's up to you to create a routine, habits that suit you and are healthy for you in the long run. To feel good, aligned... and at your best.
Over time, you understand that true freedom isn't about removing everything... it's about consciously choosing what you put in place. Your habits, your rhythm, your priorities.
It's a freedom that demands maturity.
And the further you go, the more you realize that this discipline you develop... is what allows you to fully enjoy this life.
10. Money remains a reality
Changing your life doesn't mean money disappears, but your relationship with it changes.
You make different choices. You prioritize differently. You become more aware of what you spend... and why you spend it.
You start asking yourself more questions: is it really worth it? Does it bring me something real? Is it aligned with the life I want to create?
You also learn to live with more financial flexibility. There are times when everything goes well... and others when things are tighter. And you have to be able to adjust, adapt, without panicking.
And most importantly, you realize that there are many ways to create value. That your time, your skills, your experience can be transformed into income, even outside a traditional framework.
It requires thinking outside the box. Experimenting. Adapting. But it also opens up a lot of possibilities.
11. You will truly discover yourself
When you remove everything that filled your days before... all that's left is you, and that can be confronting.
You face your fears. Your limits. Your deepest desires. Questions you may never have really taken the time to ask yourself.
Without distractions, without routine, without constant obligations... you can no longer really avoid this confrontation with yourself.
And at first, it can be unsettling. Because you realize you don't know yourself as well as you thought. Or that some things you thought you wanted... no longer suit you as much.
But that's also where something very powerful happens.
You learn to understand yourself better. To listen to what you truly feel. To make choices that are more aligned with who you are, and not with what is expected of you.
And quietly, you reconnect with a version of yourself that is truer, more assertive... freer.
12. Fear doesn't disappear
You might think that once you take the leap, fear disappears, but no. It just changes form.
At first, you're afraid to leave. Then, you're afraid you won't make it. Then, sometimes, you're afraid of losing what you're building. Fear is always there... it evolves with you.
And that's normal, because stepping out of your comfort zone inevitably comes with fears. If it were easy, everyone would do it. So yes, you're going to face that.
It reminds me of the crab that has to change its shell to grow. As long as it's comfortable in its current shell, it stays protected. But at some point, it becomes too small. It becomes uncomfortable. And it has no choice but to leave it.
The problem is that when it leaves its shell, it becomes vulnerable. It is exposed. It no longer has that protection that reassured it. It must go through a period of discomfort to find a new one, bigger, more adapted to its growth.
And that's exactly where everything happens.
Because this discomfort, this fear... it's not a sign that you should retreat. It's often a sign that you are growing. If you stay in what is comfortable, you stay in what is known. But you don't progress.
With time or wisdom, you learn not to let fear decide for you anymore.
You move forward despite it. You make decisions even when it's not comfortable. You understand that fear is not a stop sign... but often an indicator that you are stepping out of your comfort zone.
And with time, you develop a form of confidence. Not because you're no longer afraid... but because you know you're capable of getting through these moments and adapting, no matter what happens.
13. You become much more adaptable
With time, you develop an ability to adjust that becomes almost natural.
You find solutions quickly. You adapt to situations. You learn to make do with what you have, rather than with what you would have wanted to have.
At first, it can be unsettling. You're often out of your comfort zone, confronted with the unexpected, forced to adjust without having all the answers. But by experiencing it repeatedly, you develop reflexes. You become calmer in the face of uncertainty. More confident in your ability to find solutions.
You stop worrying about every problem... and you start to see every situation as something you are capable of handling.
And this skill doesn't just stay in this way of life. It follows you everywhere.
You become more resourceful, more resilient, more autonomous. You trust your abilities more, even in situations you never imagined experiencing before.
And with time, you realize that this adaptability... is probably one of the greatest strengths you develop by daring to take the leap and realize your dreams.
14. Nothing will be perfect
And that's probably one of the biggest lessons for me.
Because we often wait for everything to be perfect before acting. The right moment. The right conditions. The right plan.
But the reality is, nothing ever is.
Something will always be missing. There will always be uncertainty, doubt, an unresolved detail. And if you wait for everything to be perfectly aligned... you might be waiting a long time.
With time, you understand that action doesn't come after perfection. It comes despite imperfection. You move forward with what you have. You adjust along the way. You make mistakes, you correct them, you continue.
And often, it's precisely in these imperfect moments that you experience the most genuine, most memorable things.
It's by accepting that everything will never be perfect that you finally give yourself permission to truly move forward.
15. You will never be the same person again
Once you've experienced that... you no longer see the world in the same way.
You understand that there are other ways of living. Other ways of thinking. Other realities than those you grew up with.
You realize that many things you thought were "normal" are in fact just habits... or choices you had never questioned.
And that changes everything.
Because once you've opened that door, you can't really go back. You can't pretend not to know that something else exists.
You become more open, more aware, but also more demanding about the life you want to create. You tolerate less what no longer suits you.
And even if your path changes, even if your life evolves... you always keep this openness within you.
An inner freedom that no one can truly take away from you.
Conclusion
The truth is, leaving everything is not a perfect act. It's a leap into the unknown.
A leap filled with doubts, fears, unforeseen events... and moments when you wonder if you made the right choice.
But it's also one of the most powerful experiences you can have because beyond the landscapes, moments, and memories... what changes the most is you.
Your way of seeing life.
Your relationship with time, money, others.
Your ability to adapt, to trust, to move forward even when it's not clear.
You learn to live with less, but to feel more. To let go. To accept imperfection. To understand that discomfort is part of the journey.
And most of all... you realize that you are capable of much more than you thought.
It's not a perfect life, but it's a life you choose.
And sometimes, that's exactly what makes all the difference.