Having Trouble Switching To RV Lifestyle?
Thinking about Jumping into RV lifestyle can be a HUGE descision for some people. On top of downsizing and many other physical tasks to prepare you for your transition, you also need to prepare your mindset! Some people will swing into the RV lifestyle at full blast and not look back or think twice, while others will have a ton of “what-ifs” going on in thier minds that could prevent them from taking the leap.
It is not uncommon for emotional fears or anxieties to set in before or even after you have moved into your RV. Some people may break down, cry, curse, throw things, or revert back to sticks and bricks living when they think they made the wrong decisions. Taking deep breaths and re-evaluating can get you back on the path forward. In this article I will discuss a few emotional responses fulltime RV’ers sometimes experience.
1 – Imagine you are all settled in your cozy brand new RV, all the boxes unpacked with every item in its place, cute RV dĂ©cor hung on the walls, a refrigerator full of all your favorite foods. You are relaxing sitting on your comfy RV sofa watching Netflix on your nice big RV television. Looking around, everything is what you imagined it would be like once you were fulltime in the RV, but then something hits you. HARD! You question to yourself, “Oh No! What Have I Done? What was I thinking?” “I am NOT normal!” “Should I have made such a HUGE move?” This is when the realization really sinks in that you Finally made that big transition.
First off, questioning yourself like that or experiencing a panic attack over the thought is completely normal! Whether you are full time traveling or simply stationary, these questions are bound to arise. You grow accustomed to regular homes and apartment living and what comes with it. Now that you have decided to take a route that is not considered “normal” and live in a home on wheels, just know that you are not out of your right mind once you start to second guess your decision. Deep breathing and remembering the “why” you moved in to your RV will help you calm down, relax, and get back to your new RV lifestyle!
2 – Society likes to tell us we need material things. A LOT of material things! We purchase unnecessary stuff too often for various reasons and allow it to collect and build up in our homes and sometimes we let those possession become a part of us. Everyone who has transitioned to the RV lifestyle knows that the act of making the move equals downsizing!
Sometimes we get emotionally attached to our things and when we let them go it can have us feeling down right miserable. When it is time to downsize and you are faced with the challenge of getting rid of stuff, you are going to have to suck it up and start thinking logically! You absolutely can not transfer everything from house to RV and expect everything to be peachy. It doesn’t work like that. You need to realize that some things you use to own no longer serve you purpose and perhaps give it away to someone who could get more use out of it than you. Getting rid of some of your things may seem overwhelming and detrimental to your health, BUT you will adapt to the more minimalistic lifestyle faster than you think.
3 – Announcing to everyone that you’re packing it up and swapping your old lifestyle out for a new one is an exciting thought! You expect everyone to be giddy and happy for you and most definitely understanding of your new venture, right? …WRONG! This is about as far off as the east is from the west.
Part of the emotional struggle we RV’ers go through is the fear of what friends and family will think of us. Of course we would love it if everyone we knew understood our desires to downsize, go travel, or leave a smaller foot print on this earth, but it just doesn’t happen that easily. It can sometimes be down right sad and depressing that friends and family will look at us side ways and wonder if we should seek medical attention fast! One thing you have to understand is that this is your journey, not theirs. You are following YOUR heart, trailing YOUR path, and owning YOUR life! At the end of your life, it’s the opportunities you don’t take that you regret.
4 – Buying a house in a neighbor with homes that are in a very close proximity is not my cup of tea. If you are reading this article then I am pretty sure it is not yours either, however their is an oddly comforting feeling of knowing every corner and grove of your own neighborhood. The familiar comforts of your surroundings can give you feelings of your “safe place” that can always be returned to.
Depending on how you look at this last emotional struggle to RV transitioning will depend on how you feel about it. On one hand it can be a huge advantage to the RV folks traveling because they constantly get to see new places! However, their will be some that will absolutely loath constantly bouncing from place to place. Moving in itself is said to be one of the biggest set ups for an anxious person to suffer. This particular emotional struggle for many will take some time, especially if you have decided to be full time travelers. Going back to the first point made, remember to not forget why you started this venture. Start finding ways to keep busy and not focus on new surroundings once you arrive at a new destination. Give yourself some time. Pick up the phone and call a friend to chat if you are feeling over anxious about a new surrounding you may be in. ( Except the ones who called you crazy for going RV fulltime, don’t call them!)
Everyone is different and some will go through mixed feelings after taking the leap to full timing. These feelings can leave you in a tizzy and make you start second guessing your decisions. In time you will adjust to this new found lifestyle and wonder why you had not done it sooner!
Best of Luck to Everyone taking the leap to a Full Time RV lifestyle! Check out my YouTube video about my personal emotional struggles that I went through!
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