1111 days of nomadic life and there’s still No Space for Just in Case

No space for just in case™ began as a personal mantra scribbled on masking tape stuck to our bathroom mirror while packing up our four-bedroom home to live as digital nomads. 

What started as a way to travel light transformed into a life philosophy, one that prioritises clarity, intentionality, and living without unnecessary weight. At its core, no space for just in case™ is about freeing yourself from the mental, emotional, and physical clutter that holds you back. 

We aim to help individuals, teams, and businesses cut through the noise, identify what truly matters, and create space for joy, connection, and meaningful impact - whether that’s at home, at work, or in life.

7 t-shirts each - 1111 days a nomad

12 May 2025 marks 1111 days since we handed over the keys of our home in Greenside, Johannesburg to the new owners, and left to begin our 7 t-shirts each (7tsea) nomad/work/life adventure.

What has it been like?

1111 days. That’s how long we’ve lived out of two 23kg suitcases each, with just 7 t-shirts each. A number that looks so clean and satisfying yet holds a kaleidoscope of stories, perspectives, and moments. It’s a strange thing to measure life in days, but when you live without a fixed address, you begin to realise that days are the only currency that truly counts.

It didn’t begin with a master plan. It began with a couch, a snowy scene in a Sandra Bullock movie, and a quiet what if? What if we lived somewhere cold for a month? What if we didn’t need a fixed home base? What if we made space for experiences instead of things?

We sold our house, gave away almost everything, and stepped into a life where we carry only what matters most—literally and metaphorically. We didn’t just pack lighter; we began to live lighter. And somewhere between the airport gates and the unfamiliar streets of our first destination, we stopped asking what if and started asking what matters.

1111 days taught us that clarity isn’t something you find; it’s something you make. We found clarity in the chaos of language barriers, in the quiet moments of stillness between flights, in the radical kindness of strangers who became family for a day.

We’ve given a TEDx talk titled No Space for Just in Case™, which began as a mantra scribbled on masking tape stuck to our bathroom mirror. It became a guidepost when our daughter was diagnosed with colon cancer, a reminder that holding on tightly doesn’t bring security, it brings stuckness. It’s the clarity that comes from being super intentional that led us to design a life built on enough, not excess.

1111 days and counting. Still curious. Still asking. Still choosing clarity over clutter. And still carrying just 7 t-shirts each.

Where have we been?

1111 days have taken us across continents, through cities and seasons that rewrote our understanding of home. We have witnessed the delicate beauty of cherry blossoms in Seoul, stood awestruck before the Taj Mahal, celebrated Holi in Amritsar, and welcomed Tet in Vietnam. Each place a page in the story, each encounter a line that reframed our understanding of ourselves and the world.

But the real story isn’t just in the places. It’s in the questions that shaped us: What can we let go of to make space for what matters? What are we holding onto out of habit rather than happiness? What does success look like when it isn’t measured in square meters or possessions?

One word to describe the past 1111 days

Ingrid Lotze - recalibration This journey has been more than an adventure. It has been a recalibration of how we work, love, connect, and choose. It is a daily recalibration when things don’t go our way—an invitation to pause, adjust, and realign. We have learned that home is not a postcode but a mindset and that success is not defined by what we own, how many people report to us, or the titles we hold. Instead, it is measured by the depth of our connections, the joy of our experiences, and the courage to let go of what doesn’t serve us.

The measure of a life well-lived is not its length, the list of awards, or the applause of a crowd. It is the lightness of knowing we carried only what mattered, the freedom to change our minds, and the grace to love without conditions. It is the quiet strength of recalibration—choosing clarity over comfort, connection over convenience, and experience over excess.

Gavin Moffat - Adaptability Adaptability has been the heartbeat of our journey. I’ve learned that few plans survive the first contact with reality, but that doesn’t mean we get derailed. It means we plan lightly, hold expectations loosely, and learn to dance with the unexpected. We navigate the constant shifting of time zones, cultures, climates, and contexts. I’ve discovered that the only true constant is my ability to adjust and the resilience to do it again, later today or tomorrow.

Adaptability is not just about reacting to change, it is about embracing it. It is waking up each day curious about who I will meet, what I will learn, and how I will be tested. It is the choice to see every delay, every miscommunication, and every cultural difference not as a problem, but as an invitation to grow. I have become lighter, more agile, and more grateful. Because when everything around you keeps changing, choosing to participate fully, no matter what is the most helpful and enjoyable choice.

Where to next?

Where to next is not about a destination on a map, it’s about direction, purpose, and impact.

After 1111 days of living lighter, thinking clearer, and experiencing the world without excess, we’re taking everything we’ve learned and building something that matters. No Space for Just in Case™ isn’t just a mantra, it’s a way of being. It’s an approach that has helped us navigate uncertainty, cultivate resilience, and design a life that’s intentionally ours.

Where to next is about sharing this mindset. We are focused on growing our No Space for Just in Case™ workshops and talks, creating spaces where individuals and teams can discover how to let go of the noise and focus on what truly matters. It’s about teaching clarity, not just as an idea, but as a skill. It’s about helping people realise that the general global culture of accumulating more can be detrimental to our mental and physical wellbeing and that cutting through the clutter, thinking clearly, communicating effectively, and making decisions that align with personal values brings the satisfaction with life that we all seek.

We’re not just traveling to new cities; we’re steering a new chapter, one where our experiences become tools, our stories become lessons, and our clarity becomes a guide for others. We’re building a platform for change, a community of people who believe that less can be so much more, and a path that leads not just to places, but to purpose.

Because when you know what to let go of, you make space for what matters. And that’s the journey we’re excited to share. Eleventy-leven days a nomad - Questions and Answers

Personal reflection and lessons

1. What has been the most unexpected lesson from 3 years of nomadic life?

Health is the true foundation of freedom. When our daughter Page was diagnosed with cancer in 2024, it shattered any illusion that we could take well-being for granted. We learned that no matter where you are in the world, nothing is more important than feeling well and being able to show up for the people you love. We also discovered that adaptability isn’t just a concept, it’s a skill you build. Living without a fixed home has taught us that flexibility isn’t about giving up control; it’s about mastering it. We don’t just survive change, we’ve learned to dance with it.

2. How have your values or priorities changed since you began this journey?

We’ve shifted from measuring success in square meters, possessions, or job titles to measuring it in experiences, connection, and clarity. Carrying less and living more isn’t just about owning fewer things, it’s about letting go of mental and emotional weight. We’ve become far more intentional with our time, energy, and focus. Instead of asking, “What can we add?” we ask, “What can we let go of to make space for what truly matters?” Experiences over things, presence over perfection, and quality over quantity—that’s where we’ve landed.

3. Is there anything you wish you had known before starting this lifestyle?

We wish we had fully understood the power of no space for just in case™ before we started. It would have saved us from carrying unnecessary physical and emotional baggage. We also wish we had known the importance of waterproof backpacks because rain happens, and being unprepared isn’t a fun adventure.

4. How have you maintained your relationship and connection with each other while constantly on the move?

Radical honesty and constant communication is our secret sauce. We’ve learned that speaking up early and often, especially when it’s uncomfortable, is the key to staying connected. We create space for both independence and togetherness, allowing each other room to breathe, reflect, and grow. Sometimes that means sitting together in comfortable silence, and other times it means sitting uncomfortably in the discomfort. We have found that having the hard conversations brings us closer together.

Practical aspects of nomadic life

5. What do you do when you get tired of travelling?

We don’t get tired of travelling itself, but we do sometimes get tired of the constant low level stress rhythm. When that happens, we slow down. Sometimes it means finding a quiet, beautiful spot and staying put for a while. Sometimes it means giving ourselves permission to do nothing. No sightseeing, no exploring, just rest. We’ve learned that stillness is just as important as adventure.

6. Have you ever felt like giving up and going back to a fixed home? Why didn’t you?

No. Even in the toughest moments, the benefits of this lifestyle far outweigh the challenges. This life gives us freedom, perspective, and connection in a way that a fixed address never could. When things get hard, we remember that discomfort is temporary, but the clarity we gain is forever.

7. How do you manage your health and wellness while living a nomadic lifestyle?

We listen to our bodies. Movement is a non-negotiable, whether it’s a morning walk, a home yoga session, or a Pilates class down the road. We prioritise sleep, hydration, and balanced meals, no matter where we are. And we make time for mental wellness, staying aware of our thoughts and choosing spaces that recharge us. Wellness isn’t a destination, it’s a practice.

8. How do you manage finances and ensure a stable income while being nomadic?

We run a South African business with a mix of long-standing client relationships and new projects. Our model is intentionally designed for mobility which includes strong client communication, clear contracts, and a blend of retainer and ad hoc work. Simplicity and transparency are our financial anchors. We manage our finances with the same clarity we live by -clear priorities, minimal complexity, and a focus on value over volume.

9. What is the most important item you carry with you that you wouldn’t give up?

No travel would happen without a passport so that’s the most important item in this lifestyle. A close second for Ingrid is her sling (shoulder bag) It’s simple, functional, and comforting to know that everything she needs is safe hanging across her shoulder. For Gavin, it’s his multi-plug to keep his work powered, and his yellow backpack, it goes everywhere and everything that is needed for an adventure.

No Space for Just in Case™ workshops and talks

10. What is No Space for Just in Case™ really about?

It’s about clarity, intentionality, and freedom. It means letting go of the physical, mental, and emotional clutter that holds you back. It’s not just about owning less, it’s about making space for what truly matters. It’s about choosing what adds value and letting go of everything else.

11. How do your workshops help people find clarity?

We guide people through the clarity checklist and teach other tools and skills that offer a simple, science-backed approach to identifying what matters, question their clutter, challenge their fears, and take intentional action. Our workshops are interactive, practical, and transformative. Participants leave with a clear sense of what to keep, what to let go of, and how to live with greater focus and purpose leading to more satisfaction with life.

12. Who are these workshops for? Are they for businesses, individuals, or both?

Both. Our workshops are designed for anyone seeking clarity this includes leaders, teams, businesses, and individuals. We’ve helped people streamline priorities, teams enhance focus, and individuals find freedom from mental and emotional clutter.

13. How can people invite you to speak or run a workshop?

They can reach out via our 7 tshirts each website, LinkedIn, or email. We’re open to virtual or in-person sessions worldwide, and we customise each workshop to fit the audience and context.

Future plans and evolution

14. Do you see yourselves living this way forever?

We don’t have a finish line, but we stay open to change. For now, this lifestyle still brings us freedom, joy, and growth, so we’re continuing to explore and adventure. If that ever changes, we’ll adapt, because clarity isn’t just our message; it’s our way of life.

15. Are you planning to write a book about this experience?

Yes. It’s already in the works, it is a guide to clarity, intentionality, and living lighter. It’s not just our story, it’s a toolkit for anyone seeking a life of focus, freedom, and purpose.

16. Would you ever consider having a fixed home base again?

Maybe, but only if it aligns with our values and if it can be a base for clarity, connection, and creativity, not a burden. It would have to be a choice, not a default.

Legacy and impact

17. What do you hope people will take away from your story?

“Carry less, live more” and “There’s no space for just in case”. It’s not about having less it’s about having enough and enough is enough to bring joy and satisfaction. You don’t have to buy into the narrative you’re sold. You can design a life that fits you.

18. If you could teach one life lesson you’ve learned in these last 3 years, what would it be?

Speak up early and often. Don’t wait to say what you need or how you feel, and listen to yourself more than you listen to others. Your inner voice knows what matters.

19. How do you measure success now, compared to when you started?

Success is carrying less and living more. It is feeling like you have enough and being satisfied with life. It’s waking up curious, living intentionally, and being free from the weight of “just in case.”