I’m not sure my family ever really thought I was having a midlife crisis when we hit the road, because I have had the adventurous spirit since I was 13. It was expected, rather than something out of the norm.
More about that in a minute.
For you, though, it may be different. You may have worked at a job for 20–30 years, built a house, raised children, and bowled in the weekly league. But now you are telling everyone that you are selling the house and buying an RV.
Of course, they think you’re having a midlife crisis. But there are things they may not understand.
We get bored with doing the same things decade after decade. We did the things we were taught, such as getting a mortgage, securing a good job, and raising a family.
But now the family is off on their own journey.
It is now your job to teach those who think you have lost your mind why you want to hit the road and explore.
You’re not running away from life; you’re running toward it. This new vision is all about living intentionally, not escaping.
Do you relate?
The reality is that you will see them more often, especially if they live in different zip codes. You can now park near them for weeks instead of rushing in for holiday visits.
This is your chance to model courage—showing them it’s never too late to pursue dreams and that security doesn’t always mean staying still.
Now back to my 13-year-old self…
I say that my family knew of my adventurous spirit because at 13, a friend and I hopped on a Greyhound bus in St. Louis and took it all the way to Daytona Beach, Florida. I still don’t remember having any fear.
But my parents surely did!
They say our brains don’t fully develop until we are in our mid–20s, so you can imagine how many times I worried my parents over those years.
My telling them we were selling the house, buying a travel trailer, and moving to Alaska was no big surprise. And, eventually, they moved up from Florida to share the big adventure with us.
I rubbed off on them.
There is no need to wait until midlife to live your dreams. Life is happening now all around you. Get out and embrace every moment.
More essays by Sandi:
- The secret to feeling like a tourist when your RV view stays the same
- Why doing RV chores isn’t so bad
- Downsizing for a 19-foot trailer and the adventure of a lifetime
- Trains were my father’s gift—and now they’re mine
- The art of socializing as an RVing introvert
RVT1232
If you sell an appreciating asset (house) to buy a depreciating asset (RV) does that work out well for the long term?
Exactly. An RV is a machine for transferring money from you to Big Business. And visualize depreciation as $100 bills coming out of the tailpipe.
It’s a recipe for future disaster for a lot of folks that I meet.
When challenges come like failing health or the end of part-time work, how are they going to get back into the housing market?
RV Travel should do more explanation and less promotion. It is turning into an influencer rag, just like the ones putting it out of business.
I agree up to the last paragraph.
The article was “flippant” at best. It certainly had no balance as to the seriousness of the topic.
That said, I have never seen an overall RV news source as “realistic” as RVTravel. Lots of published tales of woe regarding the RV industry and lifestyle. If anything, many would accuse RVTravel of being too negative!
If I read you correctly, I agree, “To each his own”. Some work to plan for the future. Others live for the future, as they know the future has its own plan. No regrets either way. “Best laid plans of mice and men – BUT then again…..” Some view RVTravel one way and I guess I may view it another way.
I can relate-I started work at 5 yrs I0 months old- age you had to be to get work permits in VA I worked about 30 hrs/wk, was on the honor roll &active in several clubs & service groups. Managed a coffee house at the Methodist church on Fri+ Sat nights After closing I’d sometimes drive up to the mountains in VA & MD, other times I’d drive into Georgetown DC It was Haight Asbury East
Eastern Airlines ran a shuttle between NYC & DC 6x daily. Sometimes I’d buy a ticket & hang out in Greenwich Village. I’m sure now I caused Dad(single father) many worries. He actually cursed me once “I hope you have a daughter who makes you as worried as you make me” His curse came true and extended to his granddaughter, as she had a daughter who did the same thing. DD apologized to me once & I told her to pay it foreword I love travelling. The June after I bought my RV I planned a nbound trip to Newfoundland. Sumner after that, to Quebec. Next Blue Ridge mountains.