Traveling with a Purpose

[Day Dreamer]

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.

Glad it hits home with others, thank you!! It's basically fear of the unknown along with trying to undo 50 years of conditioning.  It takes a while, I suppose.

 

[WanderingRose]

I think that if you have the luxury of being able to travel the country long enough, it can become more aimless wandering than exploring.

When you lose your life partner, the nature of travel changes, as well.

At least a periodic destination and purpose can provide some structure to time on the road.

Doing some volunteer work gives one a chance to perform something physical needing extra hands, or to help those less fortunate.

If we are able to travel for pleasure, and are not struggling desperately to survive at this point in our lives, and I’ve spent my time in that barrel, all the more so.

Purposeful travel can be a good thing.

 

[RoamerRV428]

it is all about you and your personality.

I am more reclusive and don't give a flying fig about anything or other's opinions or what society says I should be doing at whatever point in my life etc.

My personality says when I hit the road I want more privacy than I have now I don't want to volunteer or be in a group or need any special purpose. I ''feel'' no call for this at all. Never did. I control my lifestyle exactly how I want it to be controlled, then I also fly by the seat of my pants when travelling cause it is wonderful for freedom to allow you to do just that. A 'trip' with say 5 days to 'see it all' and back to work etc has to be more controlled to get all you can out of it for most people, me, I don't see 5 days of having to do something, I see those 5 days of me being free doing much of nothing as I want to do and avoid people as much as I can

it boils down to you and you alone. what makes you happy and do you want to add more goals into your life on the road or whatever floats your boat. it is nothing more than what you want to do and what makes you happy. if you add more onto it at that point you are missing the whole point of life truly. do for you and your life and let the journey begin, make your own path as life intended it should be

 

[MrNoodly]

...it can become more aimless wandering than exploring....

Or it becomes returning to your favorite places.

I think staying in one place for long periods can become aimless in a different way. 
"Why are we still here?"
"Oh, I don't know."
"What are we going to do here in the near future that we haven't already done several times?"
"Oh, I don't know."
"Is there any reason not to move on?"
"Oh, I don't know."
That was my building-dwelling life.

 

[michaelwnoakes]

I started by getting a book titled Road Trip USA from Amazon. By the time you complete all the trips (with maps) in this book, you will have seen a lot of this beautiful country and figured out what is right for you.