Greetings from the road!
Modeled after an 8-day countdown I shared on Facebook as it was happening (in 2017), here’s the highlight reel of my 8-day Nomadic Living Countdown.
To say that there was a lot involved in planning for such a major downsizing, would be an understatement. Going from apartment living, to my boyfriend, dog, and I all moving into a 20 foot RV was no. small. undertaking. (Spoiler alert: One year later, we upsized to a 27′ Airstream.)
The process required very real focus and attention to downsize, organize, pack and prepare for our Nomadic Living Experiment. And we did it all in 60 days!
We were motivated and up for the challenge.
While Nomadic Living is not for everyone, a growing number of people are redefining home and embarking on a location independent way of life.
Can you relate to feeling a degree of restlessness?
Is your heart longing for adventure and newness?
Perhaps you’ve grown accustomed to the same-old-same-old: taking the same route to work, to the gym, to the grocery store … going to the same places, with the same people…
While routines can provide comfort and stability, they can also cause your mind – and your life – to go into autopilot.
Whether you choose to hit the road or not, you don’t have to settle for status quo expectations and life on autopilot.
With just a few small powerful shifts, you can create a life you can’t wait to get-up-and-out-of-bed-for-in-the-morning. As my gift to YOU, I created this FREE Dream Acceleration Strategies video training – made with love and behavior modification know-how so that you too can start taking steps today to create a life you love. 😉 Claim it now and get started today to fast-track your dreams. (You’re welcome.)
Here’s the synopsis of my 8-day Nomadic Living Downsizing Countdown:
8 Days From Nomadic Living: A Downsizing Micro-Glimpse
With the downsizing and packing process well underway, I paused to catch my breath. This bag of tea is a micro-glimpse of my process. I went from an abundant tea selection, with many boxes of tea stacked in my kitchen cabinet, to one single consolidated zip-lock bag. With just one week to go, I spent an entire Saturday sorting and clearing “everything kitchen”. Tea was one of so many things I needed to sort through from my kitchen, but bit by bit… it got done.
7 Days From Nomadic Living: Moving Sale
The 7 day count-down! After sorting, sorting and more sorting … I had set aside my final few irreplaceable items for storage (original art, family photo albums, for example). I posted a moving sale sign by the elevator in my building. It listed the last of the things I had yet to sell. (Much of it sold. Whatever was left, I donated.)
6 Days From Nomadic Living: Decision Fatigue
I find that the most difficult decisions to make are often the ones that don’t really matter but that you need to make anyway. Do you agree? I was definitely feeling decision fatigue as I made countless micro-decisions … which pots to pack …. what spices to take … which socks … which kitchen utensils … toiletries … etc.. etc… and, even more daunting for me was deciding where each item I wasn’t taking was going … sell? recycle? donate? … and if for sale, for how much? … where and to whom?
You feel me? I was knackered. I put out a call for some positive juju and energetic support as I sorted through the stuff of downsizing. While super excited to simplify and have less – I won’t sugarcoat it – the process of getting there took a lot out of me.
But, one decision at a time, I did it. And I’m SO glad I did.
5 Days From Nomadic Living: Giving Love Away
With just 5 days remaining, I hit a turning point. I went from battling decision fatigue, to surrendering.
Instead of wanting to sell things, I wished I could just beam it ALL to donation. For starters, I gave ‘Love’ (and a few others items) away. I delighted in doing so, as a metaphor in motion. Really, isn’t that what it’s all about? I literally gave “LOVE” for free and it felt good. 🙂
4 Days From Nomadic Living: Farewell Pistachio!
With a sense of nostalgia, I sold my little Fiat who I had named Pistachio. I bought Pistachio 2.5 years prior, just days after moving to the DC area. Fun to drive and cute as can be, I loved being able park in spaces that no one else could fit in.
One time, a man standing on a nearby curb watched me parallel park and stood on the curb clapping for me after I fit into an incredibly tight parking spot. I bowed when I got out of the car. 🙂
Pistachio and I also took to the highways, on road trips south to Florida and north to Rhode Island. Here I was, just days from Nomadic Living, and it was time we parted. Farewell, Pistachio … and thank you! Maybe I’ll see you on the road.
3 Days From Nomadic Living: We Put The Cart Before The Horse
Here’s a quick story about when Carl and I went to the RV dealership and purchased our “condo on wheels”. While learning about the weight of the unit, the towing info, etc., the sales guy asked, “What do you drive?” and in unison we answered:
“Fiat” “Prius” !
Maybe you had to be there … but it was a funny moment.
Here we were, looking to buy an RV with two vehicles that obviously weren’t going to tow it.
That day, we purchased our (starter) RV travel trailer and drove off – in the Prius.
With a ‘Sold’ sign in the window, our little RV was awaiting our return to pick it up.
In other words, we literally put the cart before the horse! Arguably not a rational logical move but, hey, not all good decisions are rational decisions.
We put into practice what, in coaching with my clients, I refer to as ‘Quantum Leaping a Dream’. By, quite literally, putting the cart before the horse, we took a big ol’ leap of faith. We dove into the deep end and teamed up to do something that neither one of us had done before.
Our decision to put the cart before the horse, ensured that we would figure out what we needed to figure out, and gallop our way back to hitch our cart. And that’s exactly what we did. We sold our Fiat/Prius. And our little RV got it’s horse.
*** What Quantum Leap are you dreaming up for your own life? What dream is stirring within YOUR heart just waiting for YOU to leap?
I’d love to hear all about it. >> Go here to claim a complimentary session and let’s explore the possibilities together!
2 Days From Nomadic Living: See You Later
Any friend who helps you carry boxes and drop stuff off at Salvation Army, is the real deal.
Just a few weeks after moving to the DC area, while out salsa dancing, I met Laura. We had chatted briefly between songs. When later that night she saw me leaving, she yelled goodbye, waving vigorously at me from a balcony. I knew then and there, we’d be friends. A few weeks later, we went for a 3-hour kayak conversation (much more talking than rowing) and it was a friendship made.
Just 2 days away from nomadic living, Laura came over and helped me move. I gave her the grand tour of our 20′ condo on wheels, and we ate take-out at the dinette table. We also took this “see you later” selfie (no goodbyes).
I’m so glad our paths have crossed. And I know they will again. True friendship transcends time and space.
1 Day From Nomadic Living: How Long Things Take
Carl and I spent our last night in the almost empty apartment after a busy day of too many tasks to name, all on the heels of a late night out dancing (we, too, met on a salsa dance floor). We accomplished a lot that day and sleep felt like a true reward.
After months of planning and preparation, it was exciting to be less than 24 hours away from the kick-off of our nomadic lifestyle. Knowing that by this time tomorrow, we’d be fully moved out of the apartment and starting on our RV living journey, was definitely exhilarating.
Big life changes are rarely made overnight. They take time and they require planning and preparation.
Generally speaking, the bigger the change, the more planning and preparation is needed. But, how long?
How do YOU determine how long things will take?
As a rule of thumb, I find that when it comes to getting big, daunting tasks and projects done …. things take exactly as long as you have for them.
Knowing and learning to trust this, is a bit like having a superpower.
We did it in 60 days. Once the deadline was set, we got to work, trusting that the time we had was exactly the time we needed.
A favorite personal mantras of mine is “Time expands for me.” I tell myself this (on repeat, until I believe it) especially when I’m feeling like the time I have is shorter than the time I need. And, lo and behold, it all gets done.
On the eve of this great new adventure, having certainly wondered and felt concerned about whether we’d pull it off and get everything done and ready to go in time — I went to bed feeling confident, a knowing in my soul: we got this.
What about YOU? How long do things take?
Do you find that things take as long as you have for them?
How do YOU ensure that tasks and projects get done, done well, and efficiently?
One of my favorite testimonials we’ve received about our Nomadic Living 101 Program is this:
“Thanks to Nomadic Living 101, the start date on my dream of living a nomadic RV lifestyle, has been bumped up … from 5 years, to next April!” – Jody Held
I love helping people surprise themselves and make their dreams come true much faster than they had anticipated. 🙂
November 5th, 2017: The Nomadic Journey Began
Farewell apartment 207 – and thank you. Onward and upward!
Now, several year in to this lifestyle, we see no end in sight and get to help others live it too!
Curious? Learn more at www.NomadicLiving101.com.
xo
I wanted to sign up for the free session but then realized I had to check the box saying I wanted to pay a coach $350 a month to be able to get the free session.
So that means the session is not free. I was disappointed.
Hi Jeannie,
The free session is free and can be claimed at http://www.sessionwithtara.com.
I welcome the opportunity to “meet” and explore how we might team up to powerfully create the transformation you are looking to create in your life.
Connecting for a free session does require that you acknowledge this statement to be true for you: “I’m looking to hire a coach. I am able and willing to invest $350/month to do so.” If investing in coaching isn’t for you right now, then it doesn’t make sense for either of us to spend precious time connecting and exploring how we might work together. If something changes for you and you find yourself ready and able to invest in this way, please know that I’m here and more than happy to connect with you at that time.
In the mean time, here are some no or low-cost resources that I recommend:
(no cost) If you haven’t already, be sure to claim my special video training “9 Simple Powerful Strategies to Accelerate the Realization of Your Dreams” >> https://tarasagecoaching.com/dream-acceleration-strategies/
(no cost) Join my Dream Acceleration Strategies group on Facebook where I regularly share tips, tools, and resources for dream acceleration. >>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/dreamaccelerationstrategies/
Buy my book “Are You Pregnant With a Dream?” for $15. It’s a whimsical, detailed guide that offers numerous tools, breakthrough exercises, inspiration, and personal narratives to support every phase of bringing a dream to life. >>> https://tarasagecoaching.com/order-taras-book/
Wishing you all things good.
Most sincerely,
Tara Sage
Great topic! We are also in the first stages of purchasing a camper to go on an adventure to purchasing our own 20 acre ranch. I think the getting rid of the unwanted (okay still somewhat wanted) stuff is the hardest part. So far I’ve taken two small closets of clothing to be donated with a few left to go. Good luck on your journey!
Hi, I too am on a 5 year plan (retirement) to RV living and have a question. After buying your 1st RV, how did you learn to operate it and drive it?
Thank you,
Rose. 🌹