L I VI NG U N L E ASHE D challenge. Photography saved my life; it re-awoke my creative soul and gave me a new purpose. In addition to my camera, it’s just me and my dog Max traveling in “Campy” with my bike “Lucy” on the back. I decide on my daily destinations as I go, and sometimes that means I will give friends only a day’s notice that I will be in town. Most of them are used to that about me. Not planning too strictly allows me to be available for unexpected opportunities and experiences. If I enjoy an area, I am able to stay longer—like I did in Burlington, Vermont, and also in Massachusetts when I made instant connections with some
women on Cape Cod. One offered a parking space at her home, so I accepted and stayed several weeks. Each day is a surprise, and there are no expectations about what I will or won’t come across. I can’t imagine a better way to live. My plan-less nature isn’t for everyone. Planning can be essential with this lifestyle, especially at campgrounds during peak seasons, like summertime in Yellowstone, for example. I didn’t plan my visit there in July and was lucky to secure three nights when I arrived because of a last-minute cancellation. It could have gone either way, and I was open to that.
ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT LIVING ON THE ROAD? I always encourage women who express an interest in my journey that they can live on the road, too. But it’s important to consider some of the realities of life on the road before moving out of your home and into a van, trailer, RV, or tent for full-time or part-time travel. Heck, even those of you with a sense of adventure but not able to quit your job right now should consider whether nomadic life is for you and hit the road ASAP—even if only for a week.
Remember, you can’t always get what you want. You won’t have all the comforts of home. You might miss a shower, miss a meal, eat food you don’t normally eat, and do things outside of your routine. To enjoy this lifestyle, you need to be open to change and flexible in unpredicted situations. You will start appreciating things you don’t think twice about today—like where to go to the restroom and shower while living out of a tent, van, or small RV. At times, I’m unable to shower for several days in a row and, when I finally find a shower, it seems luxurious. Once, in a small Texas town, I went out to breakfast, which I rarely do. I ordered a meal and told the waiter I didn’t want meat. The meal arrived with bacon on top of it, so I reminded the waiter that I requested no meat. He answered, “That’s not meat, that’s bacon!” So, Max had a nice treat that day.
If you have to lie down to put on your pants, leave them at home. Nobody cares who designed your clothes or what you look like, except you. Function is the key. Before you pack an item, ask: Will it keep me warm? Will I have a meltdown if it gets ruined? Can I put on these pants standing up or do I have to suck in? Lay out all of the clothes you think you want to pack and take about a third of them with you. I confess: I am not a “glamper.” I pack two bags of clothes—one for summer and one for winter. I have a puffy vest that I wear almost daily, one sweater jacket, and the most comfortable pants, shorts, and flip flops. I wear the same basic outfit, and that works for me. Ditch the makeup, heels, dresses, and jewelry. You will be surprised by how much you don’t need.
Are you running away from something? Be honest with yourself and dig deep about why you really want to live on the road. If you are looking to escape something, remember that your brain is still hitching a ride with you. Driving to a new
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destination doesn’t erase your worries. As much as you move to stay busy, there will be down time when you have to confront your inner self. Remember, all of my doubts crept in, and even all the driving in the world couldn’t reassure me that I was on the right path. I still had to deal with those thoughts; otherwise, they’d keep me constant, nagging company. To discover your subconscious intentions and develop a real picture of why you want to live on the road, write down why you want to go and develop goals before you go. This list will keep you focused and remind you why you are on the journey. Is it to learn more about yourself? Visit a place you’ve always wanted to see? Climb the highest peak? Canoe unexplored waters? Hike lesser-known trails? Plus, it’ll ground you on days when you eventually do question your choice. I didn’t question my decision daily, but sometimes I sat alone at night and wondered why I was on this journey. I wrote a list of 39 things I wanted to do during my 39th year, and I checked off most of them. Having written goals lightened my mood and gave me a challenge. In the following years, I listed things I’d accomplished that year, to reflect on achievements rather than plot goals. You may head out and never experience any of these emotions— loneliness, doubt, discomfort, purposelessness. But, having a foundation and written intentions will still prove crucial.
Ditch the “honey do” list. Remember, this is your time. Don’t do something because it’s what others wish they could do or what others expect you to do. This is a commitment to yourself and what you want to achieve. Your goal doesn’t have to be big; it just has to be authentic to you. At the beginning, I pressured myself to visit all the places people suggested and blog every day. I stressed about publishing a blog so much that I forgot to enjoy the ride. I finally realized that the blogging and writing was for me, and it became a more pleasurable experience.
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