That’s a very interesting way of looking at it. Almost like a “memory” JPEG file where the redundant data is compressed 🙂 And like you allude to, the years are no guarantee, one of the best and worst qualities of life. Depending on how you live it.

If I on the other hand have lived in three different places, and in those had countless new adventures, my brain can’t compress the time together in one small summary, but I am forced to recall it all, and it will feel like a year’s worth of time.

In the end, I think this is crucial to feeling like one has lived a full and long life, rather than how many actual years you have.

Thank you very much Barbara. It is tough to have a concise but accurate story for a lifestyle like yours/ours. I’ve too had this problem once with immigration (Canada is always a difficult one) and now simply “live” where my passport is as far as they’re concerned. Much easier, although I do leave a business card too in case there are questions about my employment.

The changes are profound; I’m not sure if you would agree but in my case I never thought the experiences would be so far reaching in terms of my self. Despite the difficulties I too believe it is a gift worth treasuring…and sharing.

Thank you Hannah, it is tricky especially since usually friends and family want to hear what you’ve been up to more than tell their own stories they feel are ‘boring’ in comparison. But different isn’t boring, sometimes you just want to hear what’s been going on – travel or not 🙂