New Here Again :)

[MindyLee]

Good morning folks. :heart:

I actually joined this forum 2 years ago, and then life kind of got in the way of my nomadic dreams for a while. I'm back, though and more committed than ever to a radical lifestyle change.

When I first joined, my plan was to purchase a small RV or vintage camper for trips now (while my kids are still youngish) and to then solo full-time in a van once they're grown. These days I'm wanting to take them on the road for more than just short trips, but that may still be where we'll start.

For myself, later when it's just me, I'll definitely be doing the van thing. At least, that's what appeals to me at the moment. Either way, time or rigs aside, I am all about boondocking, enjoying nature, exploring and living mostly off the grid, so those are the areas I'm researching again now.

This time around I started a blog about all this, because I feel like that will a) help me connect more with you amazing folks who are already doing this and b) writing about it should help keep me motivated and moving forward, particularly in those times when life does try to derail our plans.

Writing is one of my hobbies, so I thought it went nicely hand in hand with working on these goals.

If you'd like to check it out, it's here:
Gypsy Rising 

Looking forward to getting to know as many of you as possible, as you all definitely inspire me!

 

[Wabbit]

Hi MindyLed, welcome back! Lol I have been here maybe 2 years to, I was expecting to be on the road a year and a half ago!!! Sad to say, still waiting on life, lawyers, and settlements. Boo! There is always a bright side to be found though. I haven't found it yet, but I have been assured there's a bright side too everything! Best of luck to you!

 

[cyndi]

Welcome back to the CRVL forums, MindyLee! There's more than a few families out on the road, learning about life and the 3 Rs. Theire is a whole community. I think it's a great ioption and will provide your family with cherished memories and hands on learning that few experience.

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[MindyLee]

Hi MindyLed, welcome back! Lol I have been here maybe 2 years to, I was expecting to be on the road a year and a half ago!!! Sad to say, still waiting on life, lawyers, and settlements. Boo! There is always a bright side to be found though. I haven't found it yet, but I have been assured there's a bright side too everything! Best of luck to you!

Thanks! Hope everything works out for you soon! Sometimes things don't go the way we want but still work out for the best in the end

 

[MindyLee]

Welcome back to the CRVL forums, MindyLee! There's more than a few families out on the road, learning about life and the 3 Rs. Theire is a whole community. I think it's a great ioption and will provide your family with cherished memories and hands on learning that few experience.

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started.   We look forward to hearing more from you.

Thanks for the warm welcome, Cyndi! Love your Adam Savage quote, btw...it is one of my many mantras!

 

[DannyB1954]

The difference between in-laws and outlaws is that outlaws are wanted.

I read your blog. You say the house does not make you happy. I believe that no material thing ever will. Every item has advantages and disadvantages. I would think if I just had this or that, then I would be happy. I would earn whatever it was, and as long as I was grateful for the item, (person, place or thing), I was happy. As soon as the disadvantages surfaced, the gratitude left and took the happiness with it. So for me happiness is contingent on gratitude.

Saying to myself if I just had this or that then I would be happy amounted to I refuse to be happy until I get what I want. I don't pretend to know what is the right path for you to take, but if I can help you with whatever you decide is right for you, I would be happy to help.

 

[akrvbob]

Mindy Lee, I so totally get where you are coming from!! Once your eyes have been opened to the lies of the standard "party line" we are all taught from childhood, remaining in it becomes unbearable! Even worse, raising your children to believe that BS would be unthinkable as far as I am concerned.

I completely encourage you to follow your dreams and to change your life!

However, your situation is remarkably complicated so extracting yourself from it will not be easy. For your kids sake you have to be very careful and secure their future. Obviously the big issue is money, how much to get started and where will it come from in the future. I'm sure these are issues you have given a lot of thought to.

Of course we know nothing about your life so we can't offer advice, but as you formulate a plan and need information to make decisions we are here to share our vast store of experience and we want to do everything we can to help you make your escape, for your sake and for your childrens.

There are some here who still wholeheartedly believe in the "party line" and they will share their ideas as well. But that is a good thing because we can always use a counter-balancing of ideas.

I strongly encourage you not to give up on your dreams, for your own and for your children's sake, but at the same time you need to proceed with caution for them.

Starting with short trips and progressively making them longer seems like a very good strategy.

Do something every day, no matter how small, to move you toward your ultimate goal. And of course I'm sure you have lots of BIG things that need to be done as well--just plug away at them steadily so you can see the progress and be encouraged. As a home-schooling mom you can also be taking steps now to get your kids ready for the changes coming.

Maybe start teaching them minimalism now and demonstrate it by not buying anything new unless 100% totally required, and selling everything you can--putting it in savings to finance your future.

I wish you the very best!!!
Bob

 

[MindyLee]

Saying to myself if I just had this or that then I would be happy amounted to I refuse to be happy until I get what I want. I don't pretend to know what is the right path for you to take, but if I can help you with whatever you decide is right for you, I would be happy to help.

Thanks, Danny. I used to do that same thing, tell myself "Oh I'll be happy when...."  (insert any generic life goals you like) But that philosophy has gotten me nowhere except stuck in my current situation. In the last couple years I have learned a lot, one thing (finally!) being that "things" won't ever make me happy. Also, that while I'm working toward a better life, I still need to find as much happiness in the here and now every day, and live as much as I can right now. My kids are a great help with this, and spending time teaching them and exploring where we can and so on is a huge blessing.

I'm sure I'll be sharing lots of my decision making here with you guys, and all input is appreciated!

 

[MindyLee]

Mindy Lee, I so totally get where you are coming from!! Once your eyes have been opened to the lies of the standard "party line" we are all taught from childhood, remaining in it becomes unbearable! Even worse, raising your children to believe that BS would be unthinkable as far as I am concerned.

Thank you so much for all the encouraging words, Bob! You have inspired me so much over the last few years, with your blog and this forum and your YouTube channel. In fact, watching your videos about other folks and how they're doing this really reignited my inspiration to escape. Seeing such a vast array of possibilities really got me going on this again.

It IS a complicated situation and I've spent many a restless night mulling over options and the careful steps that must be taken. There is a basic plan in my head that involves things like getting out of debt (ugh) and cultivating more road worthy income. I work as an artist now, but that is unpredictable so other solutions must be found for any long term road life. In the meantime though, cutting debt is #1, then getting a rig (something as small as possible but that the 3 of us can stand) and beginning to camp locally and developing our "road legs" as a friend of mine calls it.

Looking forward to making new friends here and learning all that I can in the meantime!

 

[Theadyn]

Hi and Welcome Back!!