My husband and I had had it. We were done working forty-plus-hour workweeks, hardly seeing each other, and battling house and health issues. We’d quit our jobs, sell everything, and travel the country in an RV–a dream come true! We overly prepared, except for how to actually cope with full-time RV living.
RV living can be a dream life. But it’s also a massive adjustment and can be truly transformational. With a master’s degree in counseling psychology and as a change management coach, I know that transformations, while exciting, can be overwhelming, too. My goal is to help prepare you for the emotional challenges of full-time RV living–a journey that is less explored, but no less important than the exciting sides of this lifestyle.
Click here to receive your FREE copy of the Full-Time RVer’s Emotional Journey Guidebook – Your Guide To Thriving On The Road.
If You’re Anxious, You’re Normal
The first few months of RV living were really difficult. I left a perfectly good job, missed my family, and felt ungrounded. I had at least two panic attacks even though I was still having fun.
In psychology, this is called “Tension of the Opposites”; experiencing opposing emotions at the same time. It’s a myth that if you’re sad, depressed, or anxious there’s something wrong with you. Good news–you don’t need to feel guilty if every day isn’t filled with pure joy. It’s okay, you’re human.
I adjusted after about six months, but not without another panic attack and some serious soul searching. So I started a Facebook group, partly because I was lonely, and to address the emotional journey of full-time RV living. More on that below.
Why Full-Time RV Living Can Be Hard
Living a full-time travel lifestyle can be awesome. Once you adjust and relax into it, it’s pretty rad actually.
But, expectations butt-up against reality.
YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook can make everything look like a dream life. Some people might think all their problems will be solved.
The images are real. People are camping in awesome places and seeing stunning sunsets. They are living a life they’ve always dreamed of, and they know you can too.
But what you might not see, is that the next day their black tank exploded, the hot water heater broke (again), or they had an argument with their spouse about the same stupid decade-long issue.
Or like today, when the refrigerator panel blew off the side of our coach on the highway.
It’s real life, not a vacation. But it looks like a vacation so your expectations might be skewed. That’s what happened to me. When our bedroom slide failed the first month on the road and it took another month to get it fixed, it was a real dose of reality.
If you choose this lifestyle you’re going to see beauty like you’ve never seen, meet people, try new food, see sunrises and sunsets. That’s all going to happen, but not without some “tension of the opposites” along the way. Here are some of the challenges and tips to cope with them.
1. Giving up your home (and stuff)
In the Full-Time RVing – Emotional Journey Facebook group, a member wrote, “The For Sale sign went up on my house today. I’m so excited and yet so compelled to go stand in front of it at the same time!”.
Letting go of a home, especially if you’ve lived in it for a long time, is difficult for many people. If you’re sentimental and raised your kids there, decorated and filled it with memories (aka stuff), then this can be one of the most difficult aspects of the process.
Tips:
Cut yourself some slack. This is a huge change and you’re likely going to experience intense emotions. But also put a process in place to methodically purge and declutter. I wrote a dedicated article on the topic of reducing emotions while purging. Click here to read more.
2. Leaving friends and family
This one is a doozy and there’s no easy fix.
Thanksgiving came within four months of us being on the road; so did my second panic attack. I was distraught about being away from my family. I also felt like a really bad daughter, niece, sister, etc. And it doesn’t help when your family members plead, “When are you coming home? Just park the RV in the driveway. You’re in Utah, can’t you just pop over to California?” Ugh, total gut-punches.
You can’t just run out for a quick lunch with friends anymore either. And phone calls just aren’t the same.
Here’s a scary scenario–a family member gets sick, like my step-mother who was diagnosed with cancer just five months after we left. You can read more about that here. It’s actually an uplifting read, I promise.
Tips:
Obviously, you can call, text, and email your loved ones. But it can be harder than you think if you don’t get yourself on a schedule.
On Thanksgiving, I skyped with my family so we could see each other. We’ve had friends and family come visit us on the road, too. There aren’t easy answers to this because everyone is different. But remember to go easy on yourself, you’re likely doing your best. As my step-mother says, “Guilt is a useless emotion.”
3. Losing your identity
You were somebody in your old life. A co-worker, church member, CEO, etc. Sure, you’re still some of those things, but it’s different. The roles and routines have changed and maybe so has your identity.
I was a corporate trainer, coach, and manager. I played those roles for twenty plus years. When I left my job, I lost a part of my identity, and sadly my self-worth, too. It was a wake-up call when I realized how much my self-worth was tied to my job. I’m still figuring out how to define myself, but it’s becoming more comfortable.
Alcohol ink painting I painted while feeling emotional in Moab Utah.
Tips:
It’s okay to mourn the loss of who you were. Practice self-compassion and say nice things to yourself like, “It’s okay, I’m going through a transformation. I’ll be fine on the other side.” Take it a step further and you can create a new identity. For example, I’m an artist, which is hard to say and accept but is actually a true statement. Like I said, I’m still working on this.
4. Navigating relationships and loneliness
We lived a 1,700 square foot home and worked in an office every day. Now we’re in 250 square feet where we can’t avoid eye contact for more than 3 minutes. It’s one of the hardest adjustments to make.
Kids can add even more complexity (so I hear). Privacy, alone time, and intimacy can be a challenge. I can’t really ‘cry me a river’ when my friend Bryanna Royal lives with her husband, four kids, and a dog in a 28-foot travel trailer, can I? It’s all relative, but still.
Solo travelers have their own set of challenges. It’s a lot of alone time and self-reflection when you’re solo unless you want to be around people. Then you can always travel in a caravan, which many of my friends do.
In all of the above scenarios, loneliness is a reality. You can still be with others and be lonely. Often, my husband and I only have each other. That sounds more romantic than it is. Sometimes I threaten to get my own “autonomy-vehicle” also known as MY RV. But mostly I kid…mostly.
Tips:
Communicate early and often with your significant others. An RV is like a pressure cooker–if you don’t address an issue, that energy is going to fill that entire tiny space really quickly.
Join a virtual community and have conversations with others. With entire online communities dedicated to nomadism and full-time RVing, it’s easier than ever to build a nomadic community. And you can do cool stuff in person too, like attend convergences or volunteer together for a project like Habitat For Humanity. Check out this article on three easy ways to make friends on the road.
Don’t feel guilty if you want some alone time. Some people need that to recharge.
5. Managing physical space
Moving into a small space can be a real shock, especially if you’re used to a lot of room. My husband complains about repeatedly kicking the same corner of the sofa.
But eventually, you get used to the space, just like you do in a home. It starts to feel normal and sometimes bigger than you need. This happened with a number of my friends who downsized into smaller RVs. Check out this article on the going tiny trend.
Tips:
Keep only what you need and purge the rest. You can maximize storage with RV hacks and establish processes to help things run more efficiently and smoothly. When all else fails, take a vacation from your RV. Just like regular life you still need those, too.
6. Losing familiarity and conveniences
I miss Trader Joe’s. And baths–I really miss a hot bath on a cold day. You compromise when you live in an RV, but you benefit in so many other ways. Still, it’s worth mentioning that another impact is the loss of familiarity and conveniences.
For example, I used to shop at Trader Joes every Sunday. Now, I mostly scope out Walmarts, because we can park there overnight for free, but often because that’s all there is. Occasionally we’re in places where a reasonable grocery store isn’t even available. Or things will break on the RV and we can’t just run to the store to pick up a part.
These things are annoying, but like everything else, you adjust.
Tips:
Remember that one of the reasons you chose this life is for the adventure. Sure, I liked my Trader Joes, but that was an experience that was all too familiar. I longed for the challenge of finding new places and being in unfamiliar environments. That’s how we grow. Just be sure to plan in advance if you go to remote places. Take plenty of food, water, and beer…I mean soda.
Also, slow down. If you move too fast you’ll burn out mentally and physically. Slowing down will allow you to recharge and get more familiar with an area.
7. Dealing with other intense emotions (also known as being human)
It’s confusing when you wake up sad, anxious, or depressed and you don’t know why. The sun is shining, you slept well, dreamed of unicorns and rainbows, yet you just aren’t yourself.
This is normal and going to happen on occasion. I don’t typically judge human emotions as bad or wrong. I believe they serve a purpose in our lives and can lead to more joy if we work with them, not against them.
That said…
There’s a distinction between “normal” human emotions and clinical mental illness. I’m not qualified to offer a diagnosis or treatment for mental illness. I will offer though that RV life probably isn’t going to cure mental health issues. If this is something you should address, then I encourage you to seek professional support and contact a virtual counselor. Click here to see options.
Don’t feel ashamed or ignore it if you experience prolonged, intense emotional challenges. Like I said, I had panic attacks in the beginning and know how important self-care is, especially when you’re in a transition.
Tips:
Practice self-compassion and self-care. Implement tactics to relieve stress and tension. Meditate, go for a walk, practice daily gratitude, journal, or do other creative activities. Take a bath…shoot nope, no bath for you. How can you incorporate some of these practices into your daily routine? If you need additional ideas, sign up below to receive The Emotional Journey Guidebook – Tips and Exercises to Navigate the Emotions of Full-Time RV Living.
*Note to content creators: If you’re a blogger/vlogger trying to make a living from your journey, be aware that that pursuit might add another layer of stress to your full plate. I’ll address this in a future article, but for now, try to cultivate patience for the process. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
For additional resources on this topic, Check out Drivin’ and Vibin’s article on Adjusting to RV Living.
Join The Emotional Journey Facebook Group
Sometimes I can sound a little dark and cynical. I’m not. I’m a realist and come from a place of compassion and understanding. I know some RVers who gave up RV living and I don’t want that to happen to you.
Hopefully, you found some helpful tips to cope with some of the emotional aspects of full-time RV living. If you’re looking for a place to connect with others and share your journey, click here to join the Full-Time RVing – Emotional Journey FB group.
Have you experienced some of these or other emotional challenges? What do you do to cope? Leave a comment below.
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Camille, thanks for your tips. They are really helpful! There have been plenty of times that we have experienced the same issues you are addressing here and it’s so nice to know that I am not alone.
Hey Julie, yes I think much of this is common for a lot people. I’m glad it made you feel less alone 🙂
Great article at a perfect time for me as we’re just starting our full time journey. This cracked me up – “where we can’t avoid eye contact for more than 3 minutes”. 🙂 We’re learning that one of always seems to be in the way of the other no matter where we go.
Hi Brenda – yeah that’s so funny. Every time I go to get something from the bedroom, Bryce just happens to need something at the same time. Then we’re both bumping into each other and I’m always like “timing!” just pick a different time. I’m glad you enjoyed the article and good luck on your journey!
Great article, Camille. Love the tips and can hear the compassion. Looking forward to sharing this!
Ah thanks Liz. I try to be compassionate most of the time. I wonder if Bryce would agree? 😉 Thanks for sharing.
Nice article Camille. You are very right about the change in identity issue. I did not go through it as a result of going full-time rving but for other reasons and I am now watching a dear friend go through this too. The facts are it is very confusing to think you are one person one day and then actually be a different person another day. Whether you planned it or it was a surprise I don’t think anyone is really ready for the identity challenge. In hindsight almost 5yrs later as I reinvent “me” I’m still unsure sometimes but I am really coming along. On the days that are tough I just remind myself “to just take one step at a time and keep moving forward”. Some days are slow and some days roll along nicely but reinventing myself is a process that is going to work out just fine! The silver lining is that I now spend a lot more time in my RV, yeah me!
Hey Denise thank you for reading an sharing about your reinvention process. You bring up a good point that wether you choose to reinvent yourself or it happens to you, it can still be difficult. Your comment about taking it one step at a time resonates with me. Sometimes I’m too eager to picture my ‘new-self’ right now. Half the time I don’t even know what that looks like! Glad that you are enjoying your RV journey. See you on the road!
Camille,
Also comments and tips. So on the mark.
BB and I look forward to visiting with the two of you on the road. Were finally hitting the road some the rest of the year.
Be safe and Happy Travels!!
Hey Larry – I hope that you and BB are well. I was thinking about you guys the other day and wondering if BB got her new website up and running. Happy to hear you’re hitting the road. I look forward to meeting up again.
One of my most difficult tasks is keeping our faith alive on the road. As full time seasonal work campers moving every 3-6 months makes it difficult and challenging to make friends and then to say goodbye not knowing if and when you will return. Not all communities have your church denomination available. We find we have to work most weekend’s and holidays.
To fill the gaps we keep our faith alive by making time for Bible reading and study, praying for friends and relatives, keeping a prayer journal and a record of prayers answered.
We watch various ministries on television, download podcast sermon’s, and faith related blogs. I’m even taking free Ministerial courses.
I download free inspirational books and commentaries, and when I can’t sleep, I fill my mind with heavenly thoughts that ease the loneliness and silence the uncertainty that easily befalls this life we have chosen!
Full-time now for five years and loving it!
Blessings
Hi David – I’m glad that you brought up faith on the road. I know that for some people this too has been difficult, especially when a church or religious community was such a huge part of their lives. It sounds like you’ve found ways and resources to keep plugged into your faith. If you haven’t found this resource yet, then here’s one more. It’s called AnchorPoint and is run by my friend and fellow full-time RVer Maury Robertson. He’s a minister and offers online content. Here’s the link https://www.facebook.com/anchorpointministries/. Thanks again for reading and hopefully we’ll meet on the road.
Great article, I have to share this with my DW. I am not full time, but I have had those panic attacks, not full on panic attacks, but still one of those, what am I thinking? Selling your home, living on the road, is that not one of your fears to be homeless and now you are thinking of selling your home…. I am retired military so not having a permanent fixed address is normal, moving every year, was normal, I grew up with a gypsy mom that moved us every year or so (I would have sworn the FBI was after us just kidding about the FBI thing). So its in my blood but after getting used to and accustomed to my home, painted and decorated as I like and feel at home I feel that tug in both directions one that says, the adventure is waiting, but wait its not all adventure, things happen, tires blow out, slides fail, engines break, accidents happen, it would be so much more safer to just stay Home! but I also see that there is so much more to experience and see, and I can’t do that from Home! Hope to some day meet you on the road. The Flamingo Moon Campers!
Hi Russ (and Flamingo Moon Campers-I just love this name!). I know I already responded to you on Facebook the other day, but want to say again that I appreciate you reading and commenting, and I’m so happy that this content resonates with you. Yes I certainly hope we can meet on the road!
Excellent article and I’m gonna be honest…. I gave up on the RV lifestyle before I even started because I realized the loneliness factor of a solo RVer was going to be too much for me. Maybe someday and when I have a gf/wife but for now I’ll live vicariously through you all. In the meantime, I’ll continue to promote connection and emotional health which is my day job… and I love it!
Hi Kevin,
I’m glad to hear you like this article. I thought of you when I wrote it, and how you were prepared to hit the road and then decided it might be a bit lonely. I also know how important the topic of emotional health and connection is to you, so it means a lot that you found this article valuable. Maybe you should take a few mini-trips and try out some convergences to see what the lifestyle is like? And you might even meet you future partner. It happens to people all the time 🙂
Camille, thanks for writing this and getting me thinking. Yes, we’ve been on the road now (full time) for over a year and we’re making adjustments and learning as we go. We were in a RV park in Austin for about 6 months before getting on the road. We met several good friends and worked on building life-long relationships. Then we left them. And moved on to a State Park for 6 months, both of us building relationships at the park and in Fredericksburg – like all long term relationships with people, it took time and energy. Then we left them (and hope to be back later this year). Now we’re in a new place, a National Park, with very few people around and working on getting to know people and building new relationships again. I’m feeling indifferent, shy and non-communicative. Is it that my ‘building-friendships muscle’ is a little tired? I don’t know but I’m tired and we’re in a good place for a rest. Thanks for creating some space to think about this. Bert and Lupe
Hey Bert thank YOU for reading it! Say hi to Lupe for me. In the beginning of our journey, we went almost four months before really meeting anyone. I underestimated how hard it was to make friends especially when you move all the time. The Xscapers convergences and RVE Summit were lifesavers for me. I talk to RVers almost daily now online. While it’s not the same as being in person, it feels like I have people with me and almost everyone responds to DMs within in minutes! Anyway, keep me posted on your travels and experiences. Maybe we’ll cross paths and can hang out again.
Thanks so much for addressing these issues. After 3 1/2 years – sometimes my emotions still surprise me. Hardest part is that it’s hard to talk to “previous life” friends, as they are usually like “what do you have to complain about? You are living your chosen dream life”. They cannot (or don’t want to) understand, which is hurtful and frustrating and can cause rifts. I tried not to take it personally, just chalked it up to “they don’t get it” I’m sure I wouldn’t get it if I were in their shoes.
My family is happy for us, including our kids, but my husbands brother (the only family he is somewhat close to) is not. It is sad others impose their idea of what life should be onto the people they love. Bill calls him and they will be on the phone for an hour and I never once hear Bill talk about what’s going on with us, which means his brother didn’t ask. I know it hurts his feelings and there isn’t anything I can do. When we see him, his first question is “when are you going to stop doing this?” I just give my man a big hug.
Anyway – sorry to go on and on – thanks again for being there!
Hi Kelly – oh boy you hit on like 5 things that I could talk a lot about. I bet almost all RVers can relate with your experiences regarding friends and family “not getting it”. I think sometimes our friends and loved ones don’t ask questions, not because they don’t care, but they aren’t even sure what to ask or maybe feel like they can’t relate. Plus it’s easier to stay in patterns. You, we have broken some patterns but not everyone is on our journey. Not making excuses, because believe me I get it. But trying to see all sides whenever I can. Anyway, thank you for reading and commenting. It means a lot <3 Camille
It’s a bit relieving that we are not so far apart or alone in feeling these things. The whole eye contact thing….oh yeah!! It actually makes us laugh about it.
I think even the strongest couples will have their challenges. But I also know that our 35 year marriage has grown more in the last 4 years than the 31 prior. I sincerely don’t think that would have happened pre-RVlife.
We both “have our moments” and we allow each to have them. I just thank God we arent syncing rose together! LOL
Your blog piece, I think, resonates with a lot of us. Seeing someone outside of our marriage put these in print actually tells us that we arent as strange or alone afterall.
Thank you for writing this, Camille. It truly says it all. Every person and every couple needs to read this before seeing on a journey like ours.
Hey Lisa thanks for reading and getting a good laugh too. I was hoping some people would chuckle a few times. I agree that our marriage has grown too, despite some of the “annoyances”. I think the annoyances are what make us grow actually. Britt Densford from RV To Harmony likes to call couples in an RV “The Crucible” (a metal container that melts stuff when hot). That’s similar to my pressure cooker analogy. Its why I think RVing can be transformative–and not just for couples. Anyway, thanks again for reading. I’m looking forward to reading your article next :).
Thanks for the reality check Camille! I left central NY in mid April for my maiden voyage in my Casita camper. Heading to Florida for a couple weeks.I’ve been planning for 2 years my goal to full time . The first night I wake up to a chewing sound which I couldn’t determine if it was outside or inside the camper. It was inside, a mouse in a storage compartment under my bed. I travel alone which is fine but I was missing my friends. By the third night in Virginia I’m ready to head back. Why am I doing this? I must be nuts. Then I break the grey water pipe coming out of a gas station on to the road, fortunately it had been dumped. The camp site is in Tenn. in the Smokey Mtns but 40 min from Lowes. 3 trips to Lowes (3rd times a charm it’s said) later I have it fixed. So I want adventure and I’ve got it and I admit it can be mentally and emotionally challenging, but after reading your article, I’m still human. We get in to routines and comfort zones and it’s a challenge to make changes. For some more difficult than others. This lifestyle is so not me in many ways but I’m committed and I feel once I’ve developed a routine I can enjoy the ride!Others have faced these challenges and more but I made it to Florida and will be back on the road next week to NY for the summer. Thanks again 🙂
Dave I had to laugh reading this. I know none of it was fun for you, but like seriously it could be any of our stories. We’ve all had such similar experiences in this lifestyle it’s crazy how universal they are. Anyway, I feel your pain but it sounds like you see the benefits and are sticking with it. Yes, routines will help, and your growth in this experience will keep expanding. It’s like magic–one day we wake up and this lifestyle seems ‘normal’. I’m wishing you smoother days ahead.
Camille, this is just what I needed to read right now. I went to post in the group and it caught my eye. Even though I feel sure I don’t know the half of it yet, what you wrote resonated with me in several places. “Tension of the Opposites” in particular.
I say a lot that life is a mixed bag, and I mean it. Yet sometimes I only want the highlight reel. Or maybe not even that much drama.
Over the last few days as we’re closing out our house I’ve actually recognized that I’m both apprehensive and excited. Like, I’m feeling the feelings and I’m OK with it. Then today I dug into a box that dredged up long-buried memories. My mind was working hard to turn even the positive ones into negatives. Yeesh.
Thank you for giving me good food for thought, right before bedtime. And also for all the funny/lovable photos you and Bryce stage. Love you crazy kids 😀
Hey Teresa-I’m so glad you found this article valuable and that it even made you laugh! What’s a bunch of deep emotional stuff without some laughs right? I think the phase you’re in is one of the hardest in this lifestyle. Caught between two worlds, old and new identities swirling around. And dang an old box of stuff or photos will put someone right over the edge. But I’m excited for your next move and seeing you on the road, and laughing about this in 6 months from now. <3 Camille
Camille,
Thank you so much for writing this. Having just started out on this journey, reading this feels like a good reminder that we can do the “homework” we’ve been doing for months to prepare for this life, but there will be things we have to just LIVE & learn about as we go!!! I mean when making a total lifestyle change is a massive undertaking & we shouldn’t anticipate it to be all easy or all smooth (it’s ok to hope for some easy & some smooth, right?)
Change & risk is essential to a fulfilling life journey that you actually grow in, I think. We have to push through the discomfort of the unknown & resist the urge to go ‘back to the familiar’ before we get where we’re going!! We are creating new versions of ourselves & that is scary. And many of us are also living with another human (& some w tiny humans too) that is going through their own process with this at the same time in an extremely small space!! WTFudge, right?? It is so great to have you say it’s more good than bad …. that it IS transformative and worth it! But it’s also great to be reminded that it’s still real life and there’s challenges just like before… Just a little different! LOL
Thank you for the encouragement and honesty. Thank you for the laughs!! But mostly thank you for taking the time to share a bit of the “new you” … you seem to brought along some wisdom & an ability to impart that to others that need to hear it! I hope we meet on the road someday in the not so distant future!!
Hi Melissa–thanks for reading and commenting! I’m happy to hear that this post resonated with you. It seems to have resonated with many people, and you never know when you put something out so personal and revealing how that will be received. I think we’re all kind of in this together, and so many of us can relate to each other’s journey.It sounds like you’ve had your own trials and tribulations too. But overall, it’s all very much worth the effort. <3 Camille
My husband and I are getting out of our comfort zone! Selling house buying RV (tiny house)? on wheels is how I’m looking at it. We are both on disability.i feel that it will allow us to see the country.i plan on getting good Sam road assistant.after two years if we don’t like it . We can move to our favorite place.who knows. Getting class C. Thank you very much for your help
Hi Bobbie it sounds like you are right in the middle of process. That is an exciting and sometimes overwhelming time. Once you get on the road you’ll have the time of your life!
This is such a great post and I can relate to several of the challenges, especially anxiety. It’s crazy because I had never experienced anxiety before – at least not to the extent of when we first hit the road. At first I didn’t even realize it was from moving into the RV, but figured it was all the other changes going on as a result. Meditation definitely helped get me through it and has continued to help me in so many other ways. Thanks for sharing such a great post that I’m sure will help others that are about to hit the road full-time!
Hi Katie – thanks for sharing. Wow you never experienced anxiety before–that’s amazing! I can imagine how confusing that must have been then when it happened. And it’s frustrating when you don’t know where it came from either. Im glad to hear that meditation helps you. It helps me too when I’m diligent about it. Thanks again for reading and I’m looking forward to meeting up on the road sometime! Camille
Great affirmation of what I eent through 2 years ago when we went full time…good read, thanks
yeah it seems to be almost a universal experience doesn’t it? Thanks for reading Mary 🙂
Wow. It’s great to read others comments in conjunction with your article. I am not on the road yet but will be (if I don’t chicken out) when I retire in 2020. All kinds of anxiety and dithering about whether I should put some furniture in storage or sell it all or, do I wanna tow a car around or what? Do I want a Class A or C?
And too the recognition that I will be quite alone with my canine friend – if I think I’m isolated now…well…
I have been “divorcing” myself from my work identity over this last several months. It’s been happening so naturally but I guess that’s what happens when you hit your limit on “career” and just want it to be over ?
I don’t really think I will chicken out but a lot can happen in 2 years.
✌️
Hi Carol thanks for reading! Lot’s of people talk about “chickening-out” but somehow make it work. I know several solo-travelers, mostly women, who travel with pets too. You can always caravan with others when you want company. That’s one of the great benefits of solo travel. I really relate to the divorcing from your job thing too. Best of luck and see you on the road!
Nice to hear your comments. I am in high energy, learning mode and if this happens, my plan is for next spring or summer. I am excited and scared. HATE leaving my family which i have done before when i was a traveling nurse, but looking forward to a new Book in my life …. definitely not a new chapter. This will be a whole new world. Like I said, exiting and scary both. Best wishes for your learning and decision making!
Hey Carol you are in good company. So many people share the experience of excitement and fear at the same time. And luckily you can make new friends on the road too, if you want!
Thanks for sharing those challenges but what if someone lonely like me? I am an ex-army person and lost my parents 25 years ago. I never tried to tied up in family bonding and used to pass the way lonely. I have had my only friend RV. Never felt lonely after being a vandweller. I am enjoying my journey and hopefully I will end myself into my VAN.
Hey Jon thanks for sharing your journey. I think solo travel really fits a lot of people. In my 20s I backpacked alone for 6 months and I really enjoyed it. I’m happy that you are enjoying your journey and being a van dweller. Safe travels and maybe we’ll see you on the road.
Great article, Camille. I met you briefly at the RVE Summit this past year and appreciate the community being fostered by you an others! We are still a few years away from being full timers, but reading all we can to prepare. Looking forward to our journeys!
Hey Renetta – yes I remember! Thank you for checking out our content and commenting too. Glad you are absorbing everything now—it will definitely help you when you make the leap. See you on the road! -Camille
This article was dead on. My hubby & I live in our RV full time -18 months now but the one hard thing for me is no real separation of home work & relaxation. My husband is a home inspector in the Charlotte NC area so our kitchen table is all work. Some days I miss having a home so bad I just want to break down & cry but then I remember we have no yard work, our RV payment + rent is cheaper than a house. The best part we can just hook up & change location in about 45 minutes. We have been told it’s much more enjoyable when you don’t have to work but can actually travel. It’s a good thing but it’s goid to hear others have those “days”.
Hi Dawn thank you for reading and commenting! Your experience is really common. I think people don’t talk as much about the challenging aspects of RVing, perhaps we don’t want to be seen as ‘whiney’ since we’re living our dream life. But that doesn’t mean we don’t miss aspects of how we used to live—like all of the things you listed. Luckily, there’s a very supportive community out here who “gets it”. Hopefully we’ll meet on the road! -Camille
This is such a great article and we’ve been through all of those feelings and more experiencing the camper in the shop shock..(almost two months) although we haven’t gotten into our camper full time. We R in house selling process. ? our situation is a little different as we have a farm to call home No house tho. We will be putting a small little house den there also, that we can lock and take off any time we want. We can have a few memories there and a little more space to roam when we R home…We are retired AF and have been down many adventures, this is a very exciting time for us because 2 of our 3 boys are far away and spread out over the US.
Hi Sharon- thanks for checking out the article. This one seems to have resonated with a lot of people. There are so many relatable things about the transition. And it sounds like you are right in the process. I hope everything goes smoothly and I look forward to crossing paths on the road.
This is such a great article and we’ve been through all of those feelings and more experiencing the camper in the shop shock..(almost two months) although we haven’t gotten into our camper full time. We R in house selling process. ? our situation is a little different as we have a farm to call home No house tho. We will be putting a small little house den there also, that we can lock and take off any time we want. We can have a few memories there and a little more space to roam when we R home…We are retired AF and have been down many adventures, this is a very exciting time for us because 2 of our 3 boys are far away and spread out over the US.
Hi Sharon – oh we want a little farm too! That sounds like a perfect blend of both lifestyles. Now that you are further into your journey, I hope you are having the time of your life and enjoying every moment, visiting your boys and having adventures. Thanks for reading! -Camille
I am So Thankful to come across this article. In less than 30 days my family (husband, 2 tweenagers, 2 dogs) are going to hit the road for 15 months & every single point you made helped me feel connection.
It IS such a weird emotional space to be in—>>>excited about the journey, almost mourning what we are leaving.
thank you for helping me feel less crazy, and Not alone.
God bless you.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Bobbie. I’m so happy you found this article. Knowing and understanding the range of emotions you may experience, and giving yourself grace, will be a huge help on your journey. Best wishes as you head out on what will be an incredibly fulfilling experience for you and your family.