How Do You Stay Inspired?

[MindyLee]

This has been on my mind lately so I thought I'd put it out there.

When you are/were working toward a future mobile life, how do you (or did you) stay inspired and keep yourself motivated?

For me the best inspiration is making concrete progress with my debt reduction, which is my Stage 1 plan. Working on my art feels even better than usual now that all the funds from it are dedicated to this cause. I'm also actively researching mobile income possibilities and making some plans to start some of them in the first of the year.

Secondarily, making progress doing other things that will need to happen helps too, like clearing out useless junk, spending more time in nature with the kids, etc. After that, I do little things, like research, reading mobile blogs, and listening to music that stirs my wanderlust.

I'd love to know what you guys do/did to keep your dream firmly in your sites and your feet pointed in that direction.

 

[Yogidog]

After three years on the road, then one and a half off, in house while helping my mom die, after that I felt I was getting stuck there. So much to do get out of house. So I joined forum. Starting a captains log is what kept me on track. When I wrote it I did it, got ideas from others, when I posted things that would never work people let me know! Keeps me humble, in reality and on track. Wishing u good fortune on your journey!

 

[MindyLee]

Thanks, Yogi...I've been thinking of doing the Captain's log thread too. Can I link to blog posts from there, or is that a no no? I was thinking a snippet of each of my progress posts, then a link for anyone interested in reading more.

Or is it preferable (for readers) to just post an update there?

 

[Yogidog]

I now do what u are saying the snippet in captains log and pics in blog because I couldn't post pics from iPad on captains log.
I believe for many being directed to a blog is not something they perfer enough just to come to one site. I use the blog mostly so my kids know where I am. If I want people here to read it I put in captains log

 

[Yogidog]

I may be speaking only for old grumpy people like myself on blog. I know Michelle got alot out of reading yours

 

[MindyLee]

That's great, a nice slice of inspiration, thanks! :heart:

 

[Queen]

I'm "on hold" with my mobile plans since we just moved back to IL from a crappy situation in FL. We have to sell the condo in FL before we do anything else, so once that's gone we'll (step 1) get rid of the Subaru and get a truck, the (step 2) get a little camper and start setting it up as we please. I would prefer a van but I am not solo so the small camper (most likely a Casita) is our compromise.

I'm really visual, so my inspiration comes from seeing amazing pictures shared by the people here and on various blogs. I've been a lot of places, so seeing others pics takes me back, I can smell the air and see the stars... just lets my mind be free for a little while.

 

[MindyLee]

I'm visual too, for my last big goal I put up an "inspiration board" with pics that motivated me and looked at it often. I should do that again!

 

[jimindenver]

The little light at the end of the tunnel that says I can be free. Using the time waiting learning, planning, preparing...dreaming. it keeps me so inspired that i would pack it up and leave tomorrow if I could.

 

[Queen]

Be sure to check the last few pages of Van Tramps log, they will take your head to magical places!!

 

[waldenbound]

What keeps me inspired? Well, getting geared up for one. I've built a bed, kitchen cabinets (its' actually a garage organization tool cabinet), 5 gallon buckets that's the washing machine, and a 5 gallon buckets that's the privy, Yeti Tundra 65 cooler. I got my mobile kitchen stocked, some bins packed, and I'm getting quick drying clothes and jackets. I'm sort of/mostly "packed" right now. Just have to get rid of the stuff that's not going. As in, fill the future van, drive to the dump, heave the stuff over the side.

Gee, I just need a van now. That will come next year, (got the flooring picked out, cork, sitting in the closet.)

One thing I do on days when I really need to get pumped up is watch Without Bound, American Nomad, plus study Google maps of all the places I want to go.

 

[MrNoodly]

I don't need to "stay inspired" in order to accomplish things I REALLY want to do. On the other hand, if it's something I need to do but don't particularly want to, then it's a struggle to keep motivated.

Too many people end up convinced they need to follow certain paths and accomplish certain things that family, friends, the culture or whatever insists they should want. But deep inside, often unrecognized by themselves, they want something else. So to keep on the path others want for them, they have to use self-motivation tricks. But if they were following their own path, motivation wouldn't be an issue.

 

[Bast]

I understand the need to stay motivated. I feel trapped. by debt, by responsibilities, by my job and the need for money even by my health. I do have a plan and should b free by June 2020. I do need to keep motivated. I need to convince myself that it is possible.

 

[MindyLee]

Bast, yep that's more or less my feeling too...trapped. I do believe this is all totally possible, but there are times when it feel so far off that it's hard to stay focused on my goals, most of which are long term.

 

[Queen]

Don't forget to live in the short term. I've been where you are (the debt scenario) and it's so difficult for all good things to be in the future. I bought some hiking poles and started going for hikes in the state park that's about 45 minutes away. It got me out in nature and let me get better at walking with the poles (needed for my bum leg). It wasn't much, but it was here and doable.

 

[Zizzer_Zazzer_Zuz]

My problem is not staying motivated about moving to a mobile life. My problem now is staying motivated doing all the stupid mundane day to day crap that I'm trying desperately to get out of.

 

[ArtW]

I'm more or less in Bast's situation, trapped by debt, joib, etc
This forum helps me keep motivated

 

[MindyLee]

I think many, many folks feel this way these days, Art. Not just aspiring vandwellers but the population in general. It's hard to get out of the cycle BUT I do believe 100% it doable and that I WILL do it.

This is, for me, where inspiration comes in...when I start to feel overwhelmed by it, it's the little things that keep me going.

 

[MindyLee]

Don't forget to live in the short term. I've been where you are (the debt scenario) and it's so difficult for all good things to be in the future.  I bought some hiking poles and started going for hikes in the state park that's about 45 minutes away.  It got me out in nature and let me get better at walking with the poles (needed for my bum leg).  It wasn't much, but it was here and doable.

These are wise words! I always tend to get bogged down in depriving myself now for something good later and that's a mistake. One, because if I feel deprived I won't stick to my financial goals and two, because living only for tomorrow is a bad idea. Tomorrow isn't promised, and I don't want to waste my life living only for the "someday I'll be happy" thing...so we have to find a balance there. It's tricky but your example is perfect. :heart:

 

[MindyLee]

My problem is not staying motivated about moving to a mobile life.  My problem now is staying motivated doing all the stupid mundane day to day crap that I'm trying desperately to get out of.

Yep, I feel ya! I deal with a constant does of BS all day long every day. this I another reason inspiration is important to me, so I don't get dragged down by other people and situations. If I can listen to a song that inspires my wanderlust and look at a few beautiful scenery pics...I'm find again and the BS doesn't bug me as much.