So I did it. I made it through the last weekend I have to live with the evil twin before my trip!! ( Insert super smiley emoji here) I don’t think it was lucky for him, but lucky for me, he was pretty sick for part of the the weekend, so it was pretty easy to stay out of each other’s way for part of the weekend. He rode the couch and I camped out in the bedroom. ( I think I definitely got the better end of that deal.) I’m not saying it was easy. Seeing him here and not interacting in our usual way ( cuddling, talking, doing all things together, him not smoking, etc) is quite hard at times, but it is getting easier. I still miss the good twin. I would be lying if I said it didn’t sting as I watched him pack his clothes for the week including civilian clothes for when he spends the weekend with his new lady friend in Missouri and doesn’t come home next weekend. (Not that I’m going to be here, I just can’t believe how quickly he moved on- sounds fishy to me too) But still, although I didn’t think I could do it but now that I’m on the other side, I realize (again) that I am going to be okay. I’m actually rather looking forward to living alone full time again. I get ALL the closet space, permanent control of the remote and I never have to make a dish without cheese ever again.
One of the greatest coping mechanisms I have found is working on planning my trip. I now have a 3inch pink binder that is pretty full. I have maps, brochures, timelines, budgets and inspirational quotes. I feel confident that after a few more hours of hard core internet work, I can leave fully informed and be ok if I don’t have to interact with the www the whole time I’m gone.
I have also found an amazing facebook group full of woman who travel the world. And they are so smart, kind and actually lift each other up instead of dragging each other down. These women go everywhere- you name it -Bali, Hawaii, all over Europe and Africa – Canada and the USA. Basically, all the corners of the world. I’m not going to lie, some of them make the nomad lifestyle look pretty good.
I’ve started to gather things for the “big” trip and gave the back packing stove a trial run. It went well. I made fire. I still have eyebrows. I went to Barnes and Noble, intending to spend my $15 gift certificate on special puzzle books for my trip, which I found and of course a few other things, so after spending my gift card and $30 more, I got everything I needed. I’m collecting everything in a pile in the living room which is growing by the minute. I’m trying to use the love seat to confine it all since I’m not taking a moving truck but a regular sized SUV. Let’s be honest, packing light was never my strong suit. I think if I pack the car and am still able to see out the rear view mirror, I’m doing great!! Don’t worry, I’ll take a picture for you!