Boris Badanov
Active member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2013
- Messages
- 26
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Seriously, I'm going to have to be extremely selective about who I talk to be about my van dwelling plans. So far I've been told "You're on the slippery slope towards homelessness", "You're putting your future at risk"', "Think of the danger!", "What happens when you get tired of it?", "No one will take you seriously!" and my favorite (and most hurtful - from my sister), "Why can't you just lead a normal life?"
It's very disheartening and even though I have a rational answer to almost every objection they raise (I HAVE been doing my homework), I am still met with skepticism, doubt, derision and shock. I feel like a social pariah.
I'm a smart woman. I worked for over 30 years, making good money, walking the mainstream walk, dancing the dance that was expected of me. And I was miserable. 4 years ago I had an epiphany, dropped out of the rat race, got a job I love that pays very little, and became one of the working poor. I am lucky enough that my job provides excellent health care. But I can't justify my rent any longer, I hate the feeling of being trapped by that crushing monthly payment, and I want out. My Mom is 89, lives in assisted living in Northern Florida and I can transfer jobs to be near her in her waning days. When she passes, I can go anywhere I wish because the company I work for is nationwide. Van or camper dwelling is the closest I'll ever come to owning a house and it's mobile!
Why would folks be so appalled and horrified by my choice? I figure most of them are projecting their fears all over me though some have asked questions and raised points I will have to work out. But "Alarm Bells" are going off, "Immediate apprehension" is over-taking my friends and family, and I have to say it's kind of getting to me.
I'm sure many of you have experienced something along these lines. If you have any advice (besides "shut the hell up" which I figured out for myself), or support, I'd sure appreciate it. I want this; I want it badly and I can't let the bastards get me down!
Thanks for listening.
Boris/Monica
It's very disheartening and even though I have a rational answer to almost every objection they raise (I HAVE been doing my homework), I am still met with skepticism, doubt, derision and shock. I feel like a social pariah.
I'm a smart woman. I worked for over 30 years, making good money, walking the mainstream walk, dancing the dance that was expected of me. And I was miserable. 4 years ago I had an epiphany, dropped out of the rat race, got a job I love that pays very little, and became one of the working poor. I am lucky enough that my job provides excellent health care. But I can't justify my rent any longer, I hate the feeling of being trapped by that crushing monthly payment, and I want out. My Mom is 89, lives in assisted living in Northern Florida and I can transfer jobs to be near her in her waning days. When she passes, I can go anywhere I wish because the company I work for is nationwide. Van or camper dwelling is the closest I'll ever come to owning a house and it's mobile!
Why would folks be so appalled and horrified by my choice? I figure most of them are projecting their fears all over me though some have asked questions and raised points I will have to work out. But "Alarm Bells" are going off, "Immediate apprehension" is over-taking my friends and family, and I have to say it's kind of getting to me.
I'm sure many of you have experienced something along these lines. If you have any advice (besides "shut the hell up" which I figured out for myself), or support, I'd sure appreciate it. I want this; I want it badly and I can't let the bastards get me down!
Thanks for listening.
Boris/Monica