Dingfelder
Well-known member
MG1912 said:After one year on the road as a fulltime nomad, I have decided to “quit.” As I wrote at the outset of this journey, I did not know how long I would continue van life when I started my trip, and I wasn’t holding myself to anything. I made the decision to retire early last year, and one of my top goals was to not hold myself to things – to let things come and develop as they would...
All this may sound like a “goodbye,” but I don’t think it is. I definitely feel retired now after a year of not working and with no plans to work again in the future, but I know I am still young in many people’s eyes, and I don’t know what the future holds. I’ve changed my mind in the past, and who’s to say that I won’t end up on the road again in the future?
Financial insecurity is a real thing, and can feel like a monster that haunts us, perhaps all our lives. I can understand the turmoil that put you through.
You're right that everything is a trade-off, with an opportunity cost ... so you can moan about what you can't do or appreciate what you can ... probably a bit of both is the most natural thing in the world. I know I do it sometimes; I'm no hero. It sounds like you missed your family and the activity surrounding them. What a wonderful thing that you have places to be where one after the other there are people who appreciate you. It sounds like you made a good choice for yourself. And like you enjoyed and appreciated your earlier choice to try the van life. That takes guts, resolve, and a spirit o adventure!
And now, if you're moving on to something else, I hope you enjoy it just as much. There are so many ways to enjoy life. Wasn't it wonderful that you explored such an unusual and different one for a while, have the tales to tell, and now probably appreciate those nice long hot showers and close family more than ever?