The Freedom We Found by Letting Go of Our Sailing Plans

When we set sail from Belgium, our minds were filled with big dreams. We were going to cross the Atlantic, explore the Caribbean and maybe, if all went well, end up somewhere on the west coast of Canada. We’d planned it all out, thinking our route would be as straightforward as any other plan we’d made in our lives.

Now, two years later, here we are, still in the Mediterranean. We’ve dropped all our big plans, let go of the idea of fixed destinations and embraced what we never expected: a life without a fixed plan.

Here’s a look back at how our dream trip took a turn and why we’re happier for it.

The Big Plan (That Didn’t Go to Plan)

When we started out, we had this grand vision that spanned the globe. It was exciting, looking at charts and maps, working out weather windows, ticking off our lists of ‘must see’ places along the way. Every new milestone felt like a huge victory. 

In our first year we made it to the south of Italy (Puglia) and were so close to Greece that we decided to explore it, especially as neither of us had been there before. Instead of sticking to our original plan of heading west, we decided to stay and spend the winter in Crete. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions we ever made. The slower pace of life allowed us to really experience the island and Crete even gave us a special gift: our cat, Finn. For the first time we saw how rewarding it can be to just stop and really settle into a place for a while.

The Rush That Killed the Joy

The following spring we resumed our plans with renewed energy, determined to “catch up” on the route we’d set out. But this time, after a few months, something felt different. We were so focused on covering miles that we began to lose sight of why we had chosen this life in the first place. Sailing had become a task, a list of distances, deadlines and the pressure to keep moving. It began to feel like we were back in the grind we’d left behind on land. It was as if the freedom we’d longed for had become its own kind of deadline.

Finally, we reached a breaking point. We realised that we had to stop racing forward just for the sake of ‘progress’. So we made a new decision: to let go of our plans and sail wherever the wind and our curiosity took us.

Embracing the Mediterranean

So this year, instead of pushing for an Atlantic crossing, we decided to stay in the Mediterranean. We slowed everything down, savoured the days on the water without worrying about where we ‘should’ be. We gave ourselves the time to really immerse ourselves in each place, to stay longer if it feels right and to simply enjoy the journey without the pressure of reaching any particular destination.

And what a difference it’s made. We’ve rediscovered why we fell in love with sailing in the first place: the peaceful mornings at anchor, the excitement of discovering a new town or cove, barbecues on the boat after a day in the sun and meeting fellow sailors. We’re now truly experiencing places we would have missed if we’d been rushing around.

The Beauty of Letting Go

When we finally decided to let go of the idea of ‘the plan’, we realised how much lighter we felt. Sailing without a destination has made us more patient, more connected to the moment and more open to the surprises that come our way. With no fixed route, each day brings its own kind of freedom.

That’s not to say we’ve completely given up on the idea of crossing the Atlantic. Those dreams are still there, but they’re no longer our driving force. We’re keeping them loose, like options rather than goals. Maybe one day, when the time is right, we’ll cross the Atlantic. But if not, that’s fine too.

Sailing isn’t about racing to the next big destination. It’s about the places we’re in now, the people we meet and the quiet moments that only come from slowing down. By letting go of rigid plans, we’ve found the freedom we’ve been chasing all along.

The True Adventure: Living Without a Plan

Looking back on the journey now, we can see that the ‘detours’ we took were the real adventure. The places we stopped longer than planned, the winter we spent on Crete and the encounters with people we wouldn’t have met if we’d kept going. These are the memories that stand out the most.

In the end, sailing without a plan became the plan itself. It’s given us a deeper connection to this life, to the places we visit and to each other. It has shown us that the true beauty of this journey lies in the unexpected, in the days we haven’t planned and in the freedom to just be where we are.

And for now, that’s more than enough.

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We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Have you ever had a travel plan go off course and what did that detour teach you? Share your perspective in the comments or reach out to us on social media. We’re always up for a good conversation about travel and the freedom it brings!