People often ask me why I live the lifestyle I do, and my easy answers are:

• Its very financially efficient
• I travel the world
• I experience new places and spaces, cultures and countries
• I always meet new people and develop on-going relationships
  
• And the list goes on.

I am on the way to really understanding why I do what I do.

David Mead in the podcast above summed it up rather perfectly when he was talking about two different leadership styles and the types of environments they promote. Well I love being part of, and extending, a community of people who promote "Trust and Co-operation" rather than  being part of an increasing worldly standard of "MisTrust and Self-Interest".

​A community and lifestyle that takes responsibility rather than passing it on and blaming others, or inventing new rules to punish. Being part of a community, and then showing others through our attitude and actions, how the currency of "Trust and Appreciation" is a very tangible and valuable commodity and a worthy cause to pursue.
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So for me to start  articulating a why statement it would go something like this:

To inspire people to trust and appreciate others so that they may change their minds about the world.

Now of course this reflects our long held values of "Seek not to change the world, but choose to change your mind about the world" ACIM, and "You must be the change you want to see in the world." Gandhi, as well the others stated on our website.
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So the task of this blog and challenge was to write down the reason "Y" I live this freedom lifestyle and I feel the statement above makes a good start.

I would also suggest it is a great exercise for those who are thinking of starting the International House & Pet Sitting Lifestyle. Because there are many different types and ways of doing it, and in my opinion developing your "Y" will give you a great head start into the style you want to adopt.
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Well I really enjoyed that exercise and I trust it is helpful to others who are persuing or living the freedom lifestyle.

​Just Liven what's Given

Cheers

Gavin

jillgavhousesitters.com

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“This blog post is in response to Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge Day 2”

#10DBC   #freedomplan

I was watching a movie last night and a line out of it was of particular interest "It's not really about obtaining freedom, it's about what you do when you have it!".

The reason for the interest is because in my case its been not much. For so long it was all about obtaining financial freedom, time freedom, spiritual freedom, and all the other freedoms that I was told I needed to have to achieve ultimate happiness. It was this search that made life interesting. It's why we started International House & Pet Sitting, sold all our stuff and traveled the world. All in the name of freedom and what it represented to us.

It was why we did all the programs, seminars, online courses and workshops. We wanted what was being sold a life where you have the money, time, health and resources to do whatever I wanted when I wanted. However what I was not ready for was what happens when I got it! 

​You see I never really thought freedom in these areas was actually possible so the question of what I would do with it never occurred until now. It was only when I came across "Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge" that I explored what is stopping me from living a life of freedom.

The answer is nothing! I have it. I am living it.

I have all the criteria I had set (or was set for me), to live a life I and many others had only dreamed about. Time freedom - Check, Financial freedom - Check, Spiritual freedom - Check, Health - Check, Relationship - Check, Check, Check, Check ... 

For me the freedom lifestyle (as I had defined it), was a wonderful motivating goal but after living it for a few years, a really boring destination. Everything that was bright and shiny became same old same old. Yes I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, but it's just 'That"... knowing what I want!

So the question then remains what next? If I truly had a lifestyle of freedom then why do I feel a need to do something else? And herein lies my reason for undertaking this blog challenge.

Its about expanding my view of what I thought a freedom lifestyle was all about. Because after living my version of it for some time now, I have realised it's not just about achieving those things then sitting back and enjoying the fruits of my labour. There is something more, and my challenge is to find it.

I suspect it's about switching focus from trying to achieve something, to actually giving back and living in the joy of freedom, however at this point I have no idea how that looks. I'm sure as I progress through this challenge it will all start to become clear, but for now its just noice to get some clarity about were I am at and how to move forward.

As always I am open to your ideas, thoughts and input so please feel free to express them below.

Just Liven what's Given

Cheers

Gavin

jillgavhousesitters.com

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“This blog post is in response to Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge Day 1”

#10DBC   #freedomplan

A photo tour of the highlights in ​Royal Park Rajapruek Chiang Mai Thailand.

This park is missed by many people visiting Chiang Mai, which is a pity as it is worth the visit and gets you out of the hustle and bustle of the town.
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Other parts of the gardens which are not featured here are the corporate and international gardens. While not as nice as these sections it is worth taking the time to see them.
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​Part of our International House Pet Sitting lifestyle is to immerse our selves in the culture of the places we visit. As part of that in Penang we took a trip to Kek Lok Si, a Buddhist temple in Air Itam in Penang. The temple is reported to be the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia and commands great view of the surrounding area.

​The complex is on many levels with the highlights being a seven-storey Pagoda of Rama VI with 10,000 alabaster and bronze statues of Buddha, and the 30.2 metres tall bronze statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy.

​Enjoy our photo tour of Wat Pha Lat:-

​This is worth the visit if you are out and about in Penang.

​Reviewing the Lifestyle of “International House & Pet Sitting” is based on my life experience over the past five years and highlights the areas I believe to be most important.

If you like the security of having your own home or similar then this lifestyle is not for you. We sold all our assets and have not rented anywhere for five years. This makes it really challenging when asked for a home residential address by bureaucratic systems that don’t understand some people choose to be address-less. So our motto is “Houseless But Never Homeless”. Additionally we are on the move a lot. We prefer sits of around 1-2 months and depending on what’s next it can be a new area, state or country. We have stayed in million dollar water front properties, beach shacks, in cities, suburbs and rural areas.

Pros

• So much cheaper to live with no ownership or renting costs
• None of the regular hassles associated with ownership or renting
• Visit new areas, states and countries

Cons

• Have no security of a guaranteed place to live
• Have no real fixed residential address
• No place to store stuff or vehicle

International Lifestyle House & Pet Sitting is in the people business. If you don’t like people then think seriously before adopting it. The simple fact is this lifestyle only works by building relationships with all types of people, and when I say all, I mean ALL. This lifestyle teaches us how to be OK with all personality types and see the world from their point of view. We get to appreciate there is more than one way to look after a house and pet, and we are constantly mixing with people, who up until now, we may not have.
Pros

• Opens up your view of the world
• Meet new people and make new friends/connections
• Learn to accept people as they are

Cons

• Living in confined space with strangers
• Accepting others habits and routines
• At times limited personal space

​Must Love Animals

Yes there are some house sits without animals, however there are many more with them. We love all types of animals and they are a big factor in the sits we select.  If you don’t love animals then think seriously about whether this lifestyle would suit you. Over the years we have had so much fun looking after all types of animals with many types of personalities. Additionally it is usually us that fit into their routine rather than the other way around so being flexible in the way things are done is a necessity.
Pros

• Enjoy playing and being with animals
• Learn more about different types/breeds of animals
• Enjoy time with animals without the full-time responsibility

Cons

• Leaving the animals you grow to love
• Dealing with animals behavioral issues
• Changing your routine to fit into theirs

As the old saying goes “the only constant is change”. Well that's it for our lifestyle. Developing and maintaining a constant routine is next to impossible, and this applies to all areas of our life. Eating, sleeping, activities, working, you name it and it usually varies with each sit. Because we travel with two backpacks only we can’t take our juicer, pillow and other things we are used to, so making do with what’s available is a necessity. 
Pros

• If something is not working for us it is sure to change soon
• Get to try a variety of new things and ways of doing them
• Opens up new opportunities by removing comfort zones

Cons

• Hard to develop a routine, both physical and mental
• Finding a favourite food, place, pet, etc. then having it taken away
• Always adapting to new circumstances

This lifestyle is not for everyone, in fact its probably not for most. however if you feel that

• Being of service is more important than what's in it for me
• That people, relationships and pets are more important than money
• Collecting experiences is more important than collecting stuff

Then it just may be right for you.
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​As House and Pet Sitting becomes increasingly popular and mainstream there are some very definite segments developing. Just some we have noticed are:

• Local Paid House & Pet Sitting
• Travellers House & Pet Sitting
• Savers House & Pet Sitting
• Vacation House and Pet Sitting 
• Grey Nomad House & Pet Sitting
• Expat House & Pet Sitting
• And the list goes on

These are just some examples of the different ways people are using House and Pet Sitting to compliment their lives and enhance their lifestyles.
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Then there are those of us who have decided to embrace House and Pet Sitting as a lifestyle. It is a way of living that allows us to travel the world, make new relationships, embrace and appreciate new cultures and continually experience the best of human nature.

Over the years we have been asked many questions about this lifestyle, and with this post I shall endeavor to answer some of the popular ones.
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For us yes. We have sold our own properties and no longer have a home base. At some stages during the last five years we did have a camper van.
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Basically we get invites from home owners around the world who want us to live at their home, maintain it and look after their pets while they are away. The invites can come from many places such as our website, dedicated house and pet sitting websites, social media etc. Once we accept an invite we travel to the property, meet the homeowners and pets and undertake the sit. When the homeowners return we generally move onto the next sit. Ok yes, there is a little more to it than that, however essentially that's it in a nutshell!
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With our style of house and pet sitting the homeowners do not charge to stay at the properties and cover utilities. We do not charge for our services and pay for our costs such as: 

• Transport
• Food
• Activities
• Other Living Expenses

It varies with each sit and the requirements of the homeowners. In general most include:

• Maintaining the property and surrounds. E.g. house, garden, pool etc
• Ensuring safety and security of the property and pets
• Looking after the pets. E.g. Walking, Feeding, Medicating, Playing, Loving etc
• Regular up dates to homeowners
• Mail collection, sorting and forwarding as required
• Bins and rubbish collection
• Other basic tasks as required by the homeowners

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No. We have done sits with no pets where the homeowners just wanted us to maintain and keep the property secure. However we tend to accept more with pets.
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We are in our sixth year of full-time sitting. With 43 house sits, 144 animals looked after, across 4 continents and 14 countries.
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​Apart from traveling the world and making new friends both human and furry, International Lifestyle House & Pet Sitting allows us to live a life based on our values of Trust, Appreciation and Gratitude. In a world increasingly based on money and what’s in it for me, we have found this lifestyle allows us to be of service to others and accept the intangible (but more important) rewards of mutual appreciation and gratitude.
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Cool hey, we loved them all :-)

As for the properties we have looked after everything from beach shacks, to multi million dollar properties on the water. We have House and Pet Sat in the cities, bush and beaches of the world, and will continue to do so.

Ok now for 5 years with of fun facts and stats:
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