(Note: I have a really slow internet connection, so can’t upload pictures. I wanted to fill this one with pictures of all the animals I’ve seen so far, but that will have to be it’s own post. I’ve seen more than you can imagine!)
A few days ago, Kari posted a comment asking me if there is anything I miss from the stick home lifestyle now that I am fulltime in my motorhome. I’ve been thinking about her question a lot, so thought I’d write a post about it.
As a general theme, I realize that the things I worried about losing weren’t a big deal and that the things I’ve gained are.
These are a few of the things I thought about:
Hot Baths?
This might sound funny, but the thing I worried about most was not being able to soak in a hot bath. It was such a deeply engrained, end-of-the-day (and water-wasteful) ritual, that I was even Googling for portable bathtubs!
Now, I still wouldn’t mind being able to take a hot bath, but have realized that at the end of a long day, when I’ve hiked a beautiful trail, watched and listened to wildlife, scoped out waterfalls and mountain ranges, or even just listened to wild rain and wind while hunkered down in my motorhome, I am no longer so desperate for something to help me unwind.
So, I would not trade my national park forays for a soak in a hot bath!
Television?
Television was another daily habit that I was a little worried about. I was kind of a news junkie, but after an uncomfortable weaning period, don’t miss it at all. I had no idea how much stress that was adding to my lifestyle, so getting a break from the 24 hour news cycle is an unexpected boon.
RV Maintenance?
As expected, I have had some maintenance issues with my RV (some new ones that I need to post about), but, again, they hardly register on my stress scale. With my house, recent maintenance included a new roof from hail damage, a rat infestation I couldn’t conquer, a tankless hot water heater that wasn’t working , a dead tree, etc., etc., etc.
So, for me, moving from my house to my motorhome has meant less maintenance. Also, it feels so self contained and manageable, unlike a big old house.
Favorite foods and restaurants?
I haven’t got the food thing down quite yet, so haven’t been eating very well. In general, I think struggling with that is a good thing, as having my favorite restaurants removed means I’m starting to develop a strange new impulse to prepare food!
But, like the other things, the prospect of going back to my favorite Thai restaurant doesn’t even come close to the joy of driving through the Rocky Mountains eating another peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Feeling safe?
Not to be confused with being safe, which I feel pretty confident I am. My issue is that I can get irrationally fearful. It has come up a few times, usually when all alone in an empty campground. I just remind myself that another morning is going to come without anything bad happening, and ask myself how much sleep I want to lose over it this time….
I think it is a good thing for me to have to push through.
Things?
There isn’t one material thing that I miss. In fact, after getting rid of so much stuff, I realize I still have too much and am planning another big throw away/give away. The prospect of doing so feels as good, if not better, than the last time!
So, overall this move and trip have been both fun and challenging. I’ve cried many times, but the thought of going back into a permanent house sounds absolutely terrible.
I’m not suggesting that I won’t ever want to have some kind of home base, I just know that right now I am on the move, continuing to simplify, and loving it!
I think about you guys a lot while I am driving. I hope you are doing well.
Take care,
Jennifer
9 Comments
Isn’t it incredible how little you really need to be happy once you have a chance to really be out in the the world as it is.
Jennifer … Good for you!
What a wonderful post! You have described exactly the way that we still feel (except for the food and safety issues) after 16 years of fulltiming. It’s not something that can be adequately explained to the uninitiated. Not a single one of our non Rving friends and relatives understand why we don’t want a permanent house!
Wow Jennifer!
Somehow stumbled across your blog the other day.
Then spent the whole workday reading it from the begining!
You’re now my favorite, slightley off-kilter, RV’ing blogger! Can’t wait to read you each am.
Take it from a guy who drags his ass to work every morning, wishing I could jump in my “A” and cruise away – you are one unique interesting young woman. You’ve got the guts to take life by the horns and steer it in the direction that makes you happy.
Wishing you all the strength and very best wishes!
Hope you don’t mind but I’ll be riding along from now on!
There have been times in my life when I’ve acquired too many things, made life difficult by getting over involved in complex situations and relationships, become overly attached to activities and/or places, and just generally made a mess of things. There’s pretty much nothing I hate more than that feeling of being bogged down by the STUFF in my life, both physical and emotional. Sometimes life tries so hard to TRICK us into THINKING all that stuff makes us happy. To remind me of what *really* keeps me feeling good, I have this hanging on the wall near my front door where I see it every time I come home:
http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/1336/cimg1608i.jpg
Jennifer, those are exactly the same things I think about when I think of missing this house. And the things I think about NOT missing!
I too, am a news junkie. But in time, I am sure it will be fine.
Thanks for sharing, nothing compares to being free and on the road, that I can agree with for sure!
I wish my house would sell, then I will be right behind you!!!
great post! I don’t miss too much from my house/apartment days, but I do miss a few things….
1.) a place to garden
2.) being able to cook easily and experiment with recipes (and use my blender for green smoothies!!)
3.) the convenience of a shower at any time/running water
4.) having a place to stockpile survival stuff (basically food, gasoline, kerosene lanterns, ammo, etc)
This post is beautiful… I have been reading your blog for a month or so now, and my guy and I are in the works toward an RV life ourselves, your fears are similar to some of our own. Thank you for making sense of them <3
The PB&J sandwiches made me smile. Are you channeling my 10 yr old? He’s on a particularly long PB&J kick right now…sometimes for 3 meals a day!
I totally relate to everything you’ve said here…except the bath thing maybe, I’ve never been good at sitting still for long. But the stuff (and the readiness to purge more!) and the fact that the few things I miss/missed pale in comparison to what we’ve found in return…so true.
super happy 4 u! can’t wait 2 follow suit!!