The adventure begins.

But before it could, I made a series of life-changing decisions.

I left a company that bears my name. I retired from a forty-year career. I sold my house. I sold or donated most of my possessions, including my car, and stored the rest. I said goodbye (temporarily) to family and friends.

In 1967, psychiatrists Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe developed a scale for stressful life events. All of the above are on the list.

I must remind myself that I willingly volunteered for this makeover.

I got no bags and baggage to slow me down.
Well, I’m travelling so fast my feet ain’t touching the ground.
Travellin’ light. Travellin’ light.
Well, I just can’t wait to be with my baby tonight.

Cliff Richard and the Shadows

To maximize my mobility, I plan to travel with two bags only, both carry-on. Keeping everything within my reach will, hopefully, reduce the possibility of theft or lost baggage. Fully loaded, the rolling backpack weighs around twenty-three pounds and the zip-off daypack thirteen, for a combined thirty-six pounds.

Here’s my packing list:

Preparing for an adventure of the magnitude I have in mind will require radical changes to every aspect of my life. Leaving the company I own. Selling my house. Living with less.

To help with planning, I put together this checklist. It has taken most of a year to complete. Feel free to let me know what I forgot.

Purging possessions

• Rent a storage locker for the household items I want to keep until I return.
• Find Mac, my cat, a temporary home.
• Sell the car.
• Cancel all subscriptions.
• Hold a moving sale of unwanted household items.
• Donate whatever is left to charity.
• Buy tenant’s insurance to cover stored items.

Selling the house

• Make updates and repairs to improve its appeal to potential buyers.
• List and sell it.
• Cancel utilities and property insurance.

Leaving my company

• Plan for transition with my partners.
• Finalize the buy-out agreement.
• Inform staff and clients.
• Clear out my desk.

Planning finances

• Set up financial planning and automatic fund transfers.
• Set up bank accounts with accessibility from Europe.
• Close any unneeded accounts and credit cards.
• Contact credit card companies regarding travel plans.
• Reserve safety deposit box for important documents.
• Set up online document and password storage.
• Meet with accountant regarding future tax filings.
• Share access to financial information with kids.

Obtaining health care coverage

• Buy international health care coverage.
• Complete annual medical screenings.
• Get any necessary vaccinations.

Setting up communications

• Set up a mailbox.
• Buy an inexpensive unlocked phone for limited use.
• Set up new tablet with apps, including email.
• Set up this blog and hosting.
• Notify family and friends of my new contact info.

Planning the sabbatical

• Plan the initial itinerary.
• Book lodging and transportation.
• Make sure passport is up to date.
• Buy travel insurance.
• Obtain Global Entry Program approval.
• Update Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
• Buy a GPS device or download map apps.
• Renew international driver’s license.

Packing

• Make a packing list. Cut it in half.
• Include passport, proof of insurance, vaccination certificates, driver’s license, health-care card, spare passport photos, airline tickets, and lodging confirmations.
• Back up documents online.
• Build a medical kit.
• Fit everything into two carry-on bags.