Here we go my first official blog post about why did we choose RV Life and why living in an RV year around with our family was the right choice for us. I was so excited to get this blog started and then I found myself scared, nervous and intimidated. How ironic. I have been going back and forth on the first post and this is what held me back.
I decided to make this first post about why did we choose RV life?
So Why Did We Choose RV Life?
I had a friend at the time tell me a few weeks before we made our decision that her and her family would be doing this for the summer and I immediately started thinking OMG she is so lucky! I remember one of my first reactions was telling her that she was going to have way less to clean and more time with her family plus more time to grow her business (since we were in the same line of business at the time).
I’m going to paint you a picture of where we were living in at the time…… At this point we were in a large 1,800 sq ft home, huge backyard, 800 sqft man cave in a nice neighborhood in college park, Florida in an extremely central location in Orlando. Our house was beautiful and yes we had made so many memories in it so what happened is probably what you are asking?!?!?!?
We ended up going on a last-minute getaway with my in-laws in their new RV for the weekend and even though we were in a tiny 300 sq ft space all weekend with my in-laws, brother in law, and 3 kids we all had an amazing time! I had gotten a taste of how quick it would be to clean up a smaller space and head to the pool or just hang out with the kiddos and I honestly was hooked! We created so many memories that weekend as a family that we were inspired to go look at RV’s the day after we got back.
Time to Get Rid of the Junk
We went home after looking at RV’s all day and spoke about living the RV lifestyle full time and traveling. We immediately decided to do a yard sale that Friday to see how it went. Needless to say, our first garage sale was a HUGE success.
We couldn’t believe all the stuff we had accumulated over the previous 6 years of being together. On top of that – people were loving all of the clothes we hadn’t used or worn in years.
After our first weekend of garage selling, we decided that we were going to get rid of all this stuff that was weighing us down. We wanted to travel ant this stuff wasn’t helping. It was a 6-week process of sorting, selling and donating almost every single item we owned! It has been the most freeing experience of my life.
I had many people think we were crazy but I honestly could care less what anyone had to say. I had this crazy gut feeling that this was what my family and I needed. We would be able to create more memories and live more adventures.
Little did we know at the time of our decision that we were not the only ones traveling with our family.
Picking up Our RV AKA Our Home on Wheels
We picked up our RV two weeks after picking it out. The day we brought her home we were beyond excited. I immediately began making it our home. We continued garage selling for 4 more weeks right until the last weekend.
We decided not to rent a storage unit because we both knew that we would save a bunch of stuff that we didn’t need. Finally, the last day in our large downtown house arrived and it was very bittersweet. I walked the home and made a video to cherish those memories so that I can share it with the kids when they are older.
Hitting the Road Full Time
July 2nd, 2016 we hit the road and it has been nothing short of amazing! The last 3 weeks we have seen more sunsets as a family than in the last 3 years We have been to more beaches together than in the last 3 years!
We have created so many more memorable memories together. Every day is an adventure, every day feels like a new blessing. It feels incredible that our 440 sq ft home feels so much more like our home than the oversized house we were living in and missing out on what matters most.
Now I am not too busy cleaning for over 2 hours every day and then feeling too exhausted after cleaning and working my business to spend more time with my babies. Now I clean our house in maximum 20 minutes (I must add it looks fabulous in that short time) and I work my business and I still have plenty of time to take my babies to the pool, the beach, go for a bike ride or just hang out with them.
Bye Bye Junk
We have officially gotten rid of all the junk that weighs us down in life and have simplified to only have our necessities. We are now focused on spending time together and collecting experiences day in and day out. We have met so many amazing people on our adventures that have loved hearing about how we became a full-time RV family.
Our parents have been able to come visit us and create memories with us as well in different beach areas in Florida and have been able to spend more time with their grandkids than before. Daddy has been able to enjoy his passion whenever he wants to fish and has caught tons of delicious fish which we have been able to enjoy together during dinner.
Was Our Decision to Sell Everything and Move Into an RV and Travel a Little Crazy?
I can see why people thought we were because, when I say it out loud it does sound a bit extreme. It has been some of the happiest days for us. I have never felt so fulfilled and accomplished in my entire life.
When I envisioned having a family this is what I envisioned for my family.
- I envisioned spending time together every day (not being exhausted from going to clock in and out at a job)
- I envisioned enjoying each others company as much as possible
- I envisioned teaching my kids that what matters in life is not a bunch of stuff
I have never felt better about spreading love, hope and positivity everywhere we go.
My Hope
I hope that I can inspire many others to simplify their lives a little more and live adventures every day. Maybe living in an RV year around isn’t for you but you can take a weekend and go through your items and clothes. Donate or garage sale anything you haven’t used in the last year.
I promise you it will feel very freeing.
My hope for you the one reading this is to dig deep and find what makes your soul come alive. My soul comes alive when I think of the following:
- Being an adventurer and not be tied down to one place
- I want to be the one that raises my children and teach them life lessons by example
- Travel as a family all year long not just once a year
- Give back to those less fortunate
- Inspire thousands of others to dream a little BIGGER
I look forward to taking you on our #1stClassRVadventures through my blog posts.
Have a fabulous day! TTYS
-Your Adventurous friend Sandra
Check out our post where we share our first trial run in our RV
**Note: This post was originally published on July 8, 2016**
