Full-Time RV Living

Today is the First Day of Our New Life

updated on 16 Comments on Today is the First Day of Our New Life
First day of our new life and it is a bit of a mess.
Unpacking

Our First Day

We have joyfully embarked on the first day of our new life, settling into our Grand Design Reflection 5th wheel—our new abode! The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity, but we’ve made it through with flying colors. Most of our move-in day was dedicated to transporting the last bits and pieces from our three-level house into the cozy confines of the RV. It was an uplifting process to declutter and simplify. We had to make thoughtful choices about what to keep, what to part with, and what to tuck away into storage. Finding the perfect spot for each item felt like a puzzle to solve. Embracing this minimalist lifestyle is incredibly challenging!

We established our initial campsite at the Big Sioux State Recreation Area, located in Brandon, SD. This location is a mere four miles from the residence we recently left. Over the course of the forthcoming week and a half, this will serve as our home as we adjust to our new circumstances.

In embarking on this significant transition and adjusting to our new life, we conscientiously opted to remain within a familiar vicinity for the first month. The intent is to mitigate the potential for overwhelming adjustments. As newcomers to RV ownership, we face a steep learning curve, despite exhaustive research undertaken. The lack of hands-on experience is obvious.

This article may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All recommendations are my own and am in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative.

Our New Life

During this period of acclimation to our new life as nomads, we maintain proximity to our social and professional networks, including family, friends, and the RV dealership — a strategic choice to ensure a safety net is in place. In the event of unforeseen complications, these resources enable us to address issues swiftly. This approach is our safeguard, effectively serving as a contingency strategy.

Today marks the beginning of a significant chapter in our lives. We’ve taken a decisive step towards living authentically, casting off the traditional expectations of society. Our journey across the nation will lead us to destinations long yearned for. Upon arriving at the campground with our new mobile residence in tow, I was struck by an unexpected realization: despite our plans and current setting, I found myself uninterested in camping that day. It was too late to change my mind and turn back now.

After years of research and months of planning and preparation, we sold our home, bought an RV, and I quit my jobs. We were ready to embark on our new adventure of traveling. This had been our dream for so long. But instead of feeling ecstatic and overjoyed, I felt “meh”. Fear and doubt were setting in. Did we make a huge mistake? What if our fantasy turned into a nightmare?

We have packed and moved everything in one day, and we feel drained in body and mind. This is the start of our new life and the transition phase of our adventure. We have left behind our familiar lives and embraced a new way of living. This is not a vacation, but a change of lifestyle.

About Author

Hello, my name is Kayla, and I'm a registered nurse from the Midwest. My husband and I have celebrated 20 years of marriage and are parents to two children. Our eldest, who has special needs, faced challenges in a traditional school environment. After exhausting all our options to support him, we chose to take a year-long break from society. We sold our house and most belongings, purchased an RV, and set off on an adventure across the United States. This year of travel allowed us to grow both individually and as a family.

My son and I both grapple with ADHD. I was unaware of my condition until it was pointed out by my son's psychiatrist during our first meeting. The most significant challenge I face with ADHD is communication. In one-on-one interactions, I manage fairly well, but when I'm nervous, upset, or deeply engaged with the subject, my thoughts become muddled, and my speech turns into a jumbled mess. Adding to the complexity, I have an INFP personality type according to the Myers-Briggs chart, which means I often find myself nervous, upset, or deeply passionate. To deal with these communication hurdles, I tend to fall back on silence, keeping my thoughts to myself.

Blogging has reignited my passion for storytelling, with travel as my muse, and helped me find my voice. Despite the irony of being a storyteller who struggles with verbal communication, I've found my voice through travel blogging and newsletters. This has allowed me to express my true, authentic self—a goal that has long been elusive. I extend my heartfelt thanks to all my readers for giving me a platform to be unapologetically me.

I would love to have you follow along in our journey as we navigate RV life, homeschooling and discover amazing places across the country!

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16 Comments

    1. Thank you! We are definitely still in the adjustment phase. Slightly better adjusted, but still adjusting.

  2. I had no idea you had been dealing with so much! No wonder you wanted a change. I pray this is everything your family needs to build bonds, memories, and grow. I’m excited to keep up with your travels.

    1. Thank you!! Part of the reason I wanted to start a blog was to bring awareness to many of the challenges regarding children with mental health conditions. More to come on that topic. He has so many people who love and care about him and asked that I keep them updated on how he’s doing. Both kids transitioned to RV living very well.

  3. Keep blogging Kayla! I think you might have a knack for it by what I have already read. Cool that you are living the dream. Cannot wait to read your future blogs and how your adventures are going. Wished I had the guts to do this when I was younger.

    1. Thank you so much! Learning how to build a webpage and blog has been another learning curve. I very much appreciate all of the support!! More posts to come!

  4. What an adventure….will follow you to see how it all goes.we love you all are and always here for you. Arv

  5. Colton and Kayla, keep the blog posts coming!!! You two are remarkable!! Will PM Later. Dawn Koehler 😘

  7. A blog! How fun! Enjoyed what I read so far. I’ll try to remember to check in to see what you guys are up to.

  8. Your my first blog to read. I am feeling confused about Rylen situation , so a private message Id like to hear from you. I look forward to reading all of your blogs, your a great writer

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