I don't "stay" in places.
I belong to them — temporarily, intentionally, respectfully.
Through housesitting and sailing, I live a life built on exchange.
I care for homes.
I care for animals.
I crew on boats.
I show up fully.
In return, I'm given something far more valuable than
accommodation:
I'm given trust.
This is not free travel.
It's earned access.
When you exchange value instead of money, something shifts. You're no longer a consumer. You're a contributor.
You see places differently
As a contributor, not a tourist, you experience authentic life
You move more slowly
Without the pressure to consume, you can truly be present
You listen more deeply
True connection emerges when you engage with care and intention
This way of living has taken me across countries, oceans, and communities — without the exhaustion of constant consumption.
Belonging, I've learned, isn't about staying forever.
It's about showing up well.