It’s dawning on me now the significance of what I am planning to do in giving up my home to live in my car. I really need to begin preparing. But what’s to prepare, really? All I need to do is buy camping gear and get rid of everything I own. Then, when the last day arrives I’ll put the dogs in the Prius and deliver the house-key to the landlord and we’re off, away without a single backwards glance. Never looking back.
I’m pretty sure I’ll begin my new life in the desert, out at Siberia ghost town, where I am known. I’ll set up a little camp among the creosote brush, down below the sunlight and starlight and out among the winds. I’ll make a safe little enclosure for the dogs, to keep us three safe outdoors—I’ve never seen a coyote or rattlesnake at Siberia, though I know they are there, and I gotta keep my two little boys safe.
I should fall into my new life routine within a week or two. It might be a little lonely at first, but that feeling always fades—never lasts. And then I can move on to someplace else. Maybe I’ll stay in the desert until the weather gets too hot, and then move north like a goose. And if I own next to nothing then I can just sleep in the car and live nearly anywhere outside of town where there are no homes—in places along quiet country roads, pulled off to the side, tucked away, sight unseen, like I did when I lived well in my car as a teen. And then at dawn I’ll go back into the town to sit and work all day from a shady park bench or maybe under a canopy I’ll erect by the car, or even from inside the car if I need to—something I’ve already done before. It works.
And if I get weary of the road then I’ll whip out my phone and use the Airbnb app to find the dogs and me a nice temporary little home, a place to stay that allows pups, where we can live for a day, or a week or a month—however long we need to recover our footing, get civilized and clean, forget the road for a bit, rest and find our balance and peace.
And then someday, after six months or so, I’ll give up this life on the road. I’ll call my boss to say it’s time. And then I’ll drive to Riverside to go one last time into the office, to turn in my work computer, hand in my office badge and say all my professional goodbyes. And then I’ll drive to the airport to put the dogs on a plane to Japan where they’ll join my wife, who will welcome them to our new home. And then I’ll come too, just as soon I’m done—I’ve just a few more things to complete.
And then I’ll visit my friends and family here to hug them all and say “thank you” and “goodbye” and “it’s been great”. And then I’ll give to charity all my camping gear, and then I’ll dump everything else in the trash. Ah, that’ll feel good. To once more see all my possessions piled up in the trash. Nothing left—or very little at least. Let’s hope this time it all doesn’t come back.
And then I’ll sell the Prius for a loss to anyone who wants it. And then, on the day before I leave, I’ll take an Uber to Huntington Beach for one last swim at Lifeguard Tower 18, where I’ll sit alone on the sand after my swim is done, with my one suitcase and my airline ticket to leave. And I’ll think a little, and then I’ll not think a lot, and then, I’ll watch the day set and fade and be gone. My last day here is begone.
My final night in the USA will be spent at the Hacienda Hotel on Sepulveda Blvd by LAX—a place where some harmless old memories still live. And then next day, I’ll go to the airport and board a plane around 8:30 AM and I will leave. I’ll fly away again like so many times before, always saying goodbye to lives which are over and done and complete. Never overstaying my welcome. Always hearing my cue to go. And if I’m strong, very strong, I’ll go away without ever looking back—not a single backwards glance as I go.
☀️ THE GOOD LIFE CREED ☀️
The Good Life Meditation serves as a daily compass, orienting me towards personal objectives and principles essential for a purposeful existence within an indifferent universe. Further your understanding of The Good Life by visiting my website, GoingAlone.org, or delve into my book Going Alone—hardcover recommended. Get a signed copy here. 📚✍️
🎯 OBJECTIVES: 1. Be Always Ready to Die ☠️ 2. Make Good Use of Time and Resources ⏳🛠️ 3. Develop Good and Sound Life Principles 📜🦉 4. Cultivate Good Emotional Reactions 😌💡 5. Perform Good Actions 🤝✅ 6. Recognize True Limits and Opportunity 🚪🔍 7. One Thing Slowly 🐢🧘♂️
8. Maintain Balance ⚖️
📜 PRINCIPLES: 1. Principle of War ⚔️ 2. Principle of Reason 🧠 3. Homunculus 👤 4. Anchorhold ⚓ 5. Home of Good and Evil 😇😈 6. Principle of Purpose 🎯 7. Atomic Principle ⚛️ 8. Principle of Nature 🌳 9. The Pirate Ride 🏴☠️ 10. Principle of Maturity 🌱➡️🌳 11. Social Principle 🤝
12. Principle of Family 👨👩👧 13. Public Speaking 🗣️ 14. Temperance 🍷➡️💧 15. Life Will Not Go Well ⛈️ 16. The Horror Show 🎭😱 17. That Which Must Be Borne 🎒 18. The Feast of Offal 🗑️🍽️ 19. Distraction 📵 20. Agency and The Great Indifference ⚙️🌌 21. The Best Seat in the House 🛋️ 22. The Restless Man 👣 23. The Path of Wildness 🌲🛤️ 24. The Great Life Adventure 🗺️ 25. The Risk of Avoiding Risk 🎲 26. Sin and Damnation 😈🔥 27. Complete Oblivion 🕳️ 28. The Season of Philosophy 📚
29. Scriptwriting 🖋️📜 30. Bullseye Aim 🎯 31. The Uphill Climb ⛰️ 32. Arena and Utility 🏟️🔧 33. Nothing IS enough 0️⃣ 34. The Principle of Fun 🎉
35. Being Ready 🚀
🌄📚🚶♂️ Kurt Bell is a passionate explorer, dedicated family man, and author of books such as "Going Alone" and "No More Looking Out For Number One." Born in America in 1964, he integrates Stoic philosophy into his physical and philosophical journeys. Today's venture on The Path of Wildness embodies this harmonious blend of exploration and mindful living. While Kurt savors these moments and looks forward to future adventures, he remains ever prepared for life's end, ready to depart without a single backwards glance.
🌐 Website: https://goingalone.org
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/softypapa
📧 Email: dinnerbytheriver@gmail.com
👍 Support my endeavors on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/softypapa
My name is Kurt Bell
Learn more about The Good Life in my book Going Alone
Be safe... But not too safe.