The Real Life with D & J
We didn’t wake up one day and decide to be “influencers” or “gurus.” We woke up realizing our house was full of stuff we didn’t need and our calendar was full of obligations we didn’t want.
Somewhere between a missed train in Italy and a cluttered garage in the suburbs, we realized the American Dream was actually just a lot of heavy luggage. So we dropped the bags. We kept the experiences.
We realized the American Dream was actually just a lot of heavy luggage.
We are Dawn and Jeremy(D & J). This isn’t a highlight reel of perfect sunsets. This is the real life. It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s complicated. But it is ours. And we’re figuring it out as we go.
Why We Don’t Stay Put
You know that feeling when you land in a new city and realize you have no idea how the transit system works? That panic? That is where the growth happens.
We travel because comfort zones are where dreams go to retire. Exploring the world isn’t just about checking countries off a list. It is about the grit. It is the exhaustion of a long flight. The confusion of a language barrier. The moment you finally connect with a stranger over a shared meal.
We don’t just visit places. We try to live in them. We let the world change us. It’s hard work. But it beats sitting on the couch.
Capturing the Quiet Moments
We carry cameras because memory is a fickle thing. Photography forces us to slow down. It makes us look at the light. It makes us notice the wrinkles on a shopkeeper’s face or the way the fog rolls off a mountain.
We don’t take photos to make you jealous. We take them to tell a story. Sometimes that story is beautiful. Sometimes it is stark. But it is always honest.
The Art of Letting Go
Minimalism sounds trendy. In reality, it is terrifying.
Getting rid of your stuff feels like erasing parts of your past. We struggled with it. We second-guessed it. But then the house got lighter. Our heads got clearer.
We found that when you stop focusing on acquiring things, you start focusing on acquiring peace. We trade possessions for purpose. It’s a daily practice. We still slip up. But we keep coming back to the simple truth that less really is more.
How to Join the Conversation
This blog is just one part of the story.
If you want the raw, unfiltered conversations, you need to listen to the Current Thoughts Podcast. We share the arguments about directions. The philosophical debates at 2 AM. The deep dives into what we’re learning. That is where we really let our guard down.
If you want to see the world the way we see it, come hang out with us on our YouTube channel, The Real Life with D & J. We take you along for the ride.
If you want the writing that feels a little too personal for the open web, subscribe to our Substack. That is where we share the essays and updates that need more room to breathe. No algorithms. Just us.
We aren’t here to tell you how to live. We are here to show you how we live. Maybe it sparks an idea for you. Maybe it gives you the courage to book that ticket or donate that box of old clothes.
We are glad you are here.
— D & J