I'm freaking out about actually leaving!!!

[Gaunt Dusk]

I'm also freaking out about most of those things, I don't have a lot of attachment to my things so I'm not as worried about all my stuff but I'm freaking out about other things. Like moving out and what if the van breaks down and I don't have enough in savings to replace the engine and would really prefer having that amount before moving out but that's just not feasible. It would be feasible within about 4 months of living in a van probably though. Maybe 5 and how am I supposed to know if the van will last that long? It's scary.

Also 52 is not old Iggy that's like middle aged, you've still got like 30+ years. Well over half your current lifespan. If you've got half your lifespan left to live then maybe you're old. Give it 8 years.

Anyway, these feelings you feel are totally normal. I'll be honest; Fear Is Rational! It's our innate reaction to things to keep us from doing things that could hurt us. However, we don't know what the unknown holds so fear, while legitimate, soetimes needs to take a backseat to your happiness. Well behaved people rarely live happy lives I bet. Don't get me wrong, there's the oddball or two but life needs adventure and excitement. It needs risk and it needs to come with the understanding that fear is a useful tool for assessing possible risks. Take as many possible maneuvers as you can to get rid of those fears because they're just your brain trying to help you be prepared for the risks, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't take those risks, just that you should prepare for them.

Am I sounding wise? I feel wise now.... wiissdooommmm!

 

[cyndi]

Seems like a good time to mention the book, The Gift of Fear.

The thread about the book can be found here: https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?tid=2679&highlight=gift+of+fear

 

[caseyc]

Well, sh#t, I'm 49 myself. But people tell me I look more like 35-ish. I act more like 20 something half the time. My decision making ability is more like teenager material at times. But I feel my age whenever I don't get enough sleep and feel like cr@p, haha! I'm also feeling my age from just the grunt of it all doing the same ol' different day routine. Blah!

Honestly, I really don't think I could have done this in my earlier days. Why? Cuz I was too busy trying to climb the ladder of success, accumulating more than my Jones neighbor, and bedding women left and right. I would have had a hard time trying to do all those tasks while in a van, haha!

But now that I'm older, I have a new appreciation for living life more simply and to be happy and grateful with the things I have without trying to always want more. My new saying in life that I live by is "work harder or want less". Since I don't want to work harder like I used to in my younger years, therefore I choose to want less.

I'm learning to live life happily with less. Less is better. Less means less stress and maintenance. At least that's what I keep telling myself, haha!

 

[storm6398]

I am feeling a whole lot better about my decision now. Getting rid of my "stuff" is a lot harder than I thought it would be but its getting done. Now it's just a matter of deciding where I want to head first. Want to be in Albuquerque for the balloon festival but until then?? Thanks for all the encouragement.

 

[GotSmart]

I am hitting the road tomorrow morning. I have sold and given away most of my stuff.

No solar panels or controller.

A 300 W inverter that appeared from somewhere.

I will find what I need on the road. I cant stay here with my kids...

Freakout? On the road to calm down.

 

[storm6398]

Glad you are on your way!

 

[akrvbob]

I recommend staying in the Colorado Rockies until the Balloon Festival. Especially Leadville or Ridgway CO. It'll be cool and then when the fall colors get going it is very pretty.

Once it's too cold to stay in the Rockies, I'd got to Moab Utah. One of my favorite place anywhere!
Bob

 

[storm6398]

I lived in Boulder as a kid so re-visiting Colorado sounds like a great idea. Utah is on the agenda as well - the Great Gallery in Horseshoe Canyon is something that I really want to see.
Thanks for the info!

 

[Fearnoevil]

So I started reading this thread because even though I'm at least 2 years away from being ready to leave, I'm already having some freak-out thoughts as I start building my bus. I'm already hearing those voices of doubt as to whether this is really such a good idea, why am I spending so much money (even considering drawing on my 401k savings to build it), etc.

Then I read what Tucson wrote, "..if you're going to jump off a cliff, just do it." And that made me stop and think, and as I did I realized that there was definitely some wisdom there. I know that for me, in the current situation that I find myself, that I know what I have to do, and in fact there's no stopping, no turning back, I have got to do this. And as that realization began to crystallize in my head, this thought came to me. I thought I'd share it with you (it's a little weird, but then so am I, lol).

Quote for today: "Don't look before you leap. Especially if you don't have a choice. Just jump. And if you can manage it, hum a little tune on the way down. It might not help, but it will certainly make others think how courageous you are. And isn't that how we'd all like to be remembered?"
;?D