In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been feeling that my life isn’t going the way I had hoped.
Vandwelling, for me, has turned out to be just an alternative, if movable, address, not a life purpose.
That has been a bit of a letdown, to be honest
I thought I’d be traveling all over North America, visiting friends and soaking up all the nature wonders I could find, blogging about it all as I went. But constant travel is tiring. And expensive.
I’ve been realizing that I like — and need — routine, familiarity.
That’s why I keep coming back to my old neighborhood in San Diego. I know my way around. I don’t need to waste time finding organic food markets or the best places to spend the day or night.
When I am in unfamiliar territory, I have an awful time getting back into a productive routine. It feels like everything has been turned upside down. Again.
Here, I can wake up in the morning, walk the dog, eat breakfast, and then drive to a beautiful spot to relax, reading and writing while Scout naps at my feet… pretty much the perfect day, wouldn’t you say?
I still want to take off and explore — just not all the time. But I think I want San Diego to be my home base for a few weeks or months in between adventures. (Until I change my mind, of course.)
Does change affect your productivity too? What’s your home base?
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Well, I guess I’m not one of “we all” – I don’t need or want a home base. I’ve NEVER wanted or needed one. I’ve been chomping at the bit since I was probably 3 or 4… my mom can tell you stories about my early adventures away from our “home base.”
To me, if I can find my way around town without resorting to the map app on my iPhone, I’ve been there too long. Way too long. When I go back to a town I’ve been in before, and it *feels* like I’ve been there before, and truly I *have* been there before, everything in me wants out. Out of town. As quickly as possible.
This winter, I’ve spent more time in one place than I have in about 7 or 8 years of being portable. It’s driven me crazy. I’m bored more often than not. I’m gaining weight. I’m lazy. I sleep more. (Or at least, I feel like all those things are me, whether they really are or not.) And that “one place” I’ve been in has not even been one city/town/state/country. It’s the Southwest, including but not limited to Baja, San Diego, southern California, southern Arizona.
I love how we’re all different. We all don’t need the same things in order to be content with our lives. In fact, if there’s one thing I’ve noticed out here on the road, it’s that each of us needs something that someone else might not. I love our diversity <3
Lois and Ed, I wanted to say more about “home base” not necessarily meaning the same thing for everyone, but a certain puppy was tugging on the leash so I hit Publish before I was truly finished, lol.
I have places I can call “base camps” in WV, ME, NC, FL, TX, CA, OR and to some degree, SD. Most of them are places I may only want to take a break at for a week or two to do some minor van repairs or mods, get rejuvenated, plan the next direction I want to head. The WV location is what I probably consider the “home base camp” since I have my storage units there, a place to work on my van and all my tools. But, if I’m settled for too long I get antsy.
I love meeting up with people, learning their stories, checking out the local scenery, towns, history, natural wonders and learning as much as I can about whatever seems interesting to me. I’ve had an interesting and pretty exciting career as an entrepreneur in the recording (audio and video) industries and in the book publishing industry. I’ve been to all kinds of interesting places including walking on the Great Wall of China. I’ve had all kinds of interesting experiences like nearly crashing in a hot air balloon through a stand of 125+ foot pine trees in New Zealand. I’ve met all kinds of interesting people including recording and national touring artists (when I was doing live sound or on recording projects.
My life has been diverse, full and fulfilling. But, now I’m also living free. No strings attached. No one to answer to. No schedule. Just live, love, laugh and be freer and happier than I’ve ever been. I’m meeting an entirely new and different culture of people – people who have chosen an alternative lifestyle of freedom, however they define it for themselves. The stories are priceless.
Who can ask for any better life than I’ve lived, but I’m a designer original, just as each of you are as I meet and learn about you.
I have to agree with just about everything Lois said in her reply. Both you, LaVonne, and Lois and the others I’ve met through your and other associations have made my life so much richer. I wish this for anyone willing to step out and find out what’s out here.
Cheers!
I live between both worlds.I feel stable with that for now.I think we all need a “HOME'” base.For some it’s Q some a friends driveway. I thing you are right traveling is a lot of work and expensive. You full timers make it look glamorous. I know first hand stealth is a lot of work.I still want that someday. For now maybe you just need home but I would bet I’ll see ya in Q in Jan.
Oh, I’m sure I’ll be in Q next winter, though I don’t plan to spend much time at RTR. The last one was too crowded for me.