ISO alternative future

[emrylle]

I have everything a normal person could possibly want... big house, great family, enough $$, and true friends.  So why am i so viscerally stricken with wanderlust? I thought hiking and backpacking would help, and it does... being outside makes it better for a while. But as soon as i get home i start planning the next trip. Society's classic definition of success has become so absurd in my eyes, and i find myself noticing admiring the alternative people. The ones who've escaped their inherited paradigm and become fully and truly themselves. 

Do i have the courage to do this? I want to. I have to wait until my kids are grown, 4 or 5 years until my youngest is off on his own adventure. Until then i'll lurk and learn, and practice living in my suv on backpacking trips. How did you guys get started?  Is this really an option?

 

[crofter]

Welcome to the forum!
-crofter

 

[JDub]

I'm with you... I have everything I need, and a good chunk of what I want. Why wouldn't I be happy? Problem is, I'm not, I'm always dreaming of "over the hills and far away"... Itchy feet I guess.

Welcome.

 

[bullfrog]

I was that way very young and had to work 30 years to be able to get back to this lifestyle. Fortunately my wife and I had the same goals. We managed a house and that life with vacations while we raised kids. Once they were gone I still had a couple years till I could retire and have almost enough to start our journey. Second year was a little rough as the emergency fund got very low but we recovered by finally finding easy good enough paying jobs we liked in areas where we wanted to be. It has just gotten better since now 15 years. We are hoping to go back to full time on the road in another 3 or 4 years for a year or two if our bodies hold up.

 

[emrylle]

I was that way very young and had to work 30 years to be able to get back to this lifestyle. Fortunately my wife and I had the same goals. We managed a house and that life with vacations while we raised kids. Once they were gone I still had a couple years till I could retire and have almost enough to start our journey. Second year was a little rough as the emergency fund got very low but we recovered by finally finding easy good enough paying jobs we liked in areas where we wanted to be. It has just gotten better since now 15 years.

FIFTEEN YEARS?!?!  Wow!! i'm really impressed that you and your wife do this lifestyle together. I've been lurking nomadic lifestyle for a while now, I have my van conversion all planned out in my head (minus the technical details-so glad i found this websight) But I haven't brought the subject up with my husband yet. I'm kinda afraid he'll think I'm nuts. Please don't be offended... I in no way want to disparage nomadic people... it's just that we are so heavily entrenched in the traditional rat race. I just don't see the value in it anymore. There's so many places I want to go, but I can't because we put every dime we make into this property. I mean it's nice when I'm here, but I always want to be somewhere else.  Sorry, I guess you figured this out many years ago, it's just a totally new thought process to me.  I was beginning to think there was something wrong with me. I'm so happy to find a community where this is celebrated and encouraged.

 

[emrylle]

I'm with you... I have everything I need, and a good chunk of what I want. Why wouldn't I be happy? Problem is, I'm not, I'm always dreaming of "over the hills and far away"... Itchy feet I guess.

Welcome.

Glad to know there are other people out there who struggle with 'the American dream.'  I thought it was just me. It's so validating to know that others have this inborn need to wander and explore also.

 

[RvDreams]

Welcome to the CRVL forums emrylle! To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips, Tricks and Rules" post lists some helpful information to get you started.

Most of our rules boil down to two simple over-riding principles: 1) What you post should provide good information (like your introductory post), and 2) Any response to someone else's post should make them feel glad they are part of this forum community.

We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[bullfrog]

You have to enjoy solving problems and be honest about your needs. With two people it takes more space than with one. If you can’t make it with minimal stuff just expand or change to get the room you need. It really is all about you and what you truly need. This life is about more than sitting in a van all day, it is about where the van can take you.

 

[nature lover]

Emrylle - welcome to the forum. It’s great to have a few years to plan and prepare. You can take the pressure off the desire by doing some part timing. Part time in is the best education you’ll get. you’ll learn what you need and what you don’t need, what you can do and what you can’t do. And that part timing will give you a chance to slowly introduce your partner to this lifestyle.

“Do I have the courage to do this?“ I ask myself that all the time but I’m doing it. Every day I think I’m a fool for trying (hampered by all my problems that go with my life) and in the same day I thank God that I have the ability to live this lifestyle. So I’m torn back-and-forth. Those of you who have your Health, a decent income, and someone to share the adventure with are truly blessed. I said this before on another post “sitting still and wishing made no person great, the good Lord sense to fish in, but you got to get the bait.” I’m not saying jump in without preparing yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually. But I am saying that I waited until way too late to start this adventure. I waited till my health failed to the point where it makes it much more difficult thing to do. I truly hope you find what you’re looking for. And you are in the right place for encouragement and information. If I had it to do over again I would have been on this forum back when I was part timing and preparing to go full-time but was tied to other things. Be active in this forum forum you will find kindred spirits, lots of ideas, and friendly support when you need it. And sometimes a kick in the butt reality check.