A big part of the adventure of living this gypsy lifestyle that we’ve chosen is in the unknown. We are never sure where we might be from one contract to the next and in these days of healthcare upheaval ( Mr. F works in physical therapy ), the unknown is mixed with a heavy dose of uncertainty.  A lot of where we end up is completely up to chance– when Mr. F can start, what jobs are available at that time.  It really is just a complete roll of the dice.

For a control freak like me, it involves giving up a massive amount of security.  Over the past two+ years, I’ve learned to deal with the loss of control pretty well.  There is usually a bit of a freak-out involved at the beginning, in the race to find and secure a temporary rental, packing, unpacking, etc.  Right now, I’m in freak out mode, ya’ll.  Mr. F is interviewing today for a contract in a less-than-ideal area.  But the contracts have been scarce this go ’round and although we could wait for something better to come along, we have financial goals over the next few years and want to keep on top of them.  So I’m struggling today to let go.  To let go of my fear of not being able to find a decent place to live, of spending the holidays far from family and friends, of the temptation to persuade Mr. F to turn the contract down if offered.

But that practice of letting go isn’t just a product of this lifestyle.  It’s what marriage or any relationship is about, too.  Releasing our own expectations for the greater good, what is best for both.  It can be painful at first, but hopefully each act of letting go leads us somewhere we might never have gone on our own.

All images by Artsy Forager.  See more from This Artsy Life by following Artsy on Instagram.