Traveling with a Purpose

[Day Dreamer]

As I sit and day dream about a nomadic / RV life I think I need a purpose. Traveling with a goal(s) and destinations in mind. Something like photography, hiking/biking/skiing certain places or making a documentary of some sort (not on van life LOL) for example. 

What I don't want is to become a "van life" Youtuber. It kind of reminds me of those infomercial guys that only make money by "teaching you" how to make money. 

There are many things I want to do and see but perhaps much of feeling the need for a purpose is just easing my guilt for not wanting to live a "normal life" (and live to just work and make money). It seems to be a noble and respected thing to sacrifice a life of happiness and work a crappy job you hate your entire life. Happy people that don't live to work and kill themselves seem to be looked down upon. Go off and decide to travel and see the country and people think you're just a deadbeat or nuts (but the ain't paying our bills are they!). Do / did you ever feel guilty? 

Do you travel for a specific reason or do you just go where the wind takes you?

 

[MrNoodly]

The people in the trap resent those who aren't in the trap.

I understand that some people need a purpose. That's the way they view life, that's how they function. But after 61 years of chasing various purposes — most of them imposed upon me — my purpose now is to live without some grand purpose. Now it's just day-to-day, hour-to-hour. (However, this spring I'm helping a friend build a tiny house on some land he bought so he can retire from the nomad life.)

Society trained us to justify our actions, especially those that deviate from "normal." They want us to give them a good reason. Well, I've adopted the answer Amelia Earhart gave when she was asked why she flew planes. "Because I can."

Do I travel for a specific reason? Yes. I travel because I like to travel. And because I can.

 

[bullfrog]

You need to quit worrying about what other people think and feel focus on what you want and feel. If what other people think and feel is the most important thing in your life then that will be your focus and there is nothing "wrong" with that but it does require your time and effort to make them happy. This is probably why most nomads are single or have like minded people or pets traveling with them for company, also nothing wrong with that. Only you can decide what makes you happy. There are lots of different ways to live, you just have to pick the one that makes you the happiest and the amount of time you want to attempt to spend it that way.

 

[Matlock]

I spent the first 4 months traveling to touch base with relatives that I had heard of but never met. I collected memories and took photo's to share with everyone, with permission, and traveled 6300 miles. Connected with 83 new to me relatives.
Nothing better than pulling into a sleepy little town at 6 AM and finding a Maw n Paw diner on main street. Asking if they knew of or ever heard of a family by the name of...... that should live around here or once did, and have them say sure, but you need to sit for a bit, enjoy your coffee and your second cousin will be in for breakfast directly.

I've made it a habit to stop in small town USA diners ever since. Some awfully nice people out there.

Relax and you will find a pace and a place that fits your style.

 

[highdesertranger]

I have a purpose. LOL I dig holes. highdesertranger

 

[MrNoodly]

I have a purpose.  LOL I dig holes.    highdesertranger

Should we nickname you Gopher?

 

[MrNoodly]

I spent the first 4 months traveling to touch base with relatives...

Whereas I tend to detour around places where I have relatives.    Some families are better having less contact.

 

[JD GUMBEE]

Idle time often brings about Vipassana-like results.

If you keep the smartphone from "dinging" every FB update, prompting you to pick it up 45 times a day...most find their mind clears itself and the inner truth surfaces. Building rock stacks and contemplating cactus variables is peaceful time.

A LOT of people get stressed out about the whole trip in one serving and get hung up on "hitting every ______."

In retrospect, I wish we had been much more "take the journey as it comes."

We ended up having more fun seeking land and homes for sale than what we had planned.

Closing off the outside world for a week at a time proved supremely valuable.

When you start forgetting what day it is, THEN you will have more of a real idea how to spend your free time.

It sounds like some kind of magic spell, but it isn't.

You see if this is not true.

Maybe a clever way to say all this is: "Taking off on a nomadic adventure will make a new person out of you. That new person will decide what to do with their time."

 

[MrNoodly]

If you keep the smartphone from "dinging"...

Mine is on airplane mode most of the time, or off.

 

[Day Dreamer]

You could volunteer through different organizations. One that I recommend is Remote Area Medical. I've done three three day clinics with them. They have many free clinics around the country every year and would probably be ok with overnite parking. I spent two nights at the last one I did in Panama City, Fla. They feed you. Meet lots of like minded people. Free T Shirt!
ramusa.org

Guy

I have thought about mixing in some volunteering. I was actually thinking I could assist in national disaster recovery and clean up (floods, fires, etc.). That would be both exciting and fulfilling. 

Then I could outfit my truck all emergency vehicle like LOL.

 

[Day Dreamer]

I spent the first 4 months traveling to touch base with relatives that I had heard of but never met. I collected memories and took photo's to share with everyone, with permission, and traveled 6300 miles. Connected with 83 new to me relatives.
Nothing better than pulling into a sleepy little town at 6 AM and finding a Maw n Paw diner on main street. Asking if they knew of or ever heard of a family by the name of...... that should live around here or once did, and have them say sure, but you need to sit for a bit, enjoy your coffee and your second cousin will be in for breakfast directly.  

I've made it a habit to stop in small town USA diners ever since. Some awfully nice people out there.

Relax and you will find a pace and a place that fits your style.

That sounds amazing! I also thought about visiting friends along the way but I'm sure most do that?

 

[Day Dreamer]

I have a purpose.  LOL I dig holes.    highdesertranger

I've been "digging myself into a hole" my entire life. LOL

 

[Day Dreamer]

Idle time often brings about Vipassana-like results.

If you keep the smartphone from "dinging" every FB update, prompting you to pick it up 45 times a day...most find their mind clears itself and the inner truth surfaces. Building rock stacks and contemplating cactus variables is peaceful time.

A LOT of people get stressed out about the whole trip in one serving and get hung up on "hitting every ______."

In retrospect, I wish we had been much more "take the journey as it comes."

We ended up having more fun seeking land and homes for sale than what we had planned.

Closing off the outside world for a week at a time proved supremely valuable.

When you start forgetting what day it is, THEN you will have more of a real idea how to spend your free time.

It sounds like some kind of magic spell, but it isn't.

You see if this is not true.

Maybe a clever way to say all this is: "Taking off on a nomadic adventure will make a new person out of you. That new person will decide what to do with their time."

I totally get that. I used to backpack in my 20s, before cell phones existed. 

Shinrin-yoku

 

[B and C]

I have a purpose.  LOL I dig holes.    highdesertranger

I thought you washed rocks.  LOL  I guess you have to dig the hole to have rocks to wash.

 

[B and C]

Purpose? I have to have a purpose?

When I was out, I went where I thought I might want to see. Spent a lot of time alone in some nice scenery. I did try to stay in pleasant weather too which meant driving aways too. I would go a little ways out of the way to see friends. I am not a total hermit.

Biding my time waiting to get out again.

 

[Day Dreamer]

BTW I'm not a fan of rock stacking in the wilderness. It disrupts nature and is a form of graffiti. Please don't.

 

[B and C]

I would stack rocks to help me find my way back to camp but not just for the sake of stacking rocks. You know the old three high with one on the side pointing the way to go.

 

[dellaterra]

Day Dreamer, what a gift to see your post this morning, as I was having similar feelings. To read someone else express them eased a bit of anxiety for me. I notice that much of your post was laced with the word "feeling" and that is what is going on here. Some feelings of unease. So, I want to say thanks for sharing and bringing this up. None of us was raised for this lifestyle and it is an unusual path. I have come to think of it as a particular calling. I too, feel the need for more purpose, but I think of it as sensing that I still have something to contribute. I have resolved that I want to document some of the beautiful things still left in America, before its all plowed under for suburbs. I have been amazed and surprised by beauty during the short time I have been on this path. For me, writing and photography are my how I hope to convey an alternative to the vast walmart wasteland that I see encroaching everywhere. I also think that doing something concrete and physical are a great soother of disquiet and anxiety. So yeah, volunteer or get a little job in the forest, stack some firewood or help out on an organic farm. Stay busy in body and mind. It has worked for me. PM me if you want to share some more ideas.

 

[maki2]

Some people are forever major goal oriented. Sounds like you are that type.

 

[closeanuf]

I remember Steve Martin in the movie The Jerk.  He had a "special purpose".