We find ourselves standing between two parts of our lives–a back foot in the midst of our past/present life and a forward foot in our chosen future life. Yet each passing day finds the balance of weight slowly shifting to the forward foot.
The back foot:
We planned on putting our house on the market December 1st, but after I forwarded our house photos to our real-estate agent another agent in the same office wanted to show the house. So the house went on the market November 21st. In the first ten days, we’ve had multiple showings and one unacceptable offer and hints there are other offers in the works.
The full price unacceptable offer was contingent upon the sale of their current home and we’re not willing to pull ours off the market for that to occur. The feedback from these viewings has been excellent with no suggested changes or improvements needed. Those in-the-know insist it won’t take long to sell…not sure of their definition of “long”…we’ll see.
Since putting the house on the market our days are filled with ensuring the house is looking its best and then vacating it for several hours at a time so others can see. When the weather is agreeable we do a lot of walking at local parks. Our dog, Maggie, doesn’t understand why her normal schedule has been so disrupted and why her bed and food keep moving to the garage.
We’ve contracted with a firm to handle the sale and distribution of all our household belongings when that time comes. We feel really good about the sensitivity and values this firm exhibits and how they approach a project such as this. When the time comes they will take care of everything with only a couple of weeks notice. BAM! We will then become instant minimalists with only what we can tow and fit…not much.
Mentally, the detachment from our old life with all its trappings is going well. We’re both surprised how easily we can let go of the things of our life — things we thought were so important not so long ago. Of course, each day has its moments of uncertainty but when we discuss these concerns together, we find they have little substance.
The forward foot:
Although we purchased our new RV a couple of months ago we have not taken physical possession of it. It’s been at the dealership awaiting our finding a suitable location to store it until our house sells or we are ready to leave, whichever comes first. Luckily we have found a secure location to park/store it that is just two miles from our house and we are scheduled to pick up the RV tomorrow. This makes it seem very, very real!
Along with showing the house, the process of cleaning and decluttering has been a process of deciding what goes with us into this new life. When the time comes it should be fairly simple to transfer over.
Mentally we’re both hearing the calling of the road and the changes which are sure to lie ahead. There’s excitement in the air and we feel positive about our choices. We know our aspirations are to be tempered by real limitations. But we want to be sure those limitations are vetted as real and not artificial–meaning are they real limitations and not ones we’ve created for ourselves or limitations others may be trying to impose upon us. We want to sanely exploit every opportunity and ability this adventure provides us.
The time is quickly approaching to set a different course, redefine life and how we want to live it. And we understand our choices might not be anyone else’s cup-of-tea. We are all different and everyone must find their own balance between life expectations and life’s realities. This choice suits Bonnie and me and we still believe the gains are definitely worth the risk.
We see living and traveling as RV full timers as a process. Our goal is to strip away the layers of years spent following the conventions of society. Instead, we hope to find, develop and better understand our truer selves–to shed light upon our passions in and for this life and to exercise our competencies and skills as we nourish a core sense of satisfaction within ourselves and how we want to live.
So who is this E. Brooks Moore guy and what have you done with Earl? ;)
Kathy and I did some traveling this past weekend and saw a number of RVs. Every time we passed one, one of us would say, “I wonder if that’s Earl & Bonnie.” Turns out it wasn’t, but it was fun to wonder.
Tom, one of these days it will be us on the road in our RV — but not until we tie up loose ends around here. Things they are a changing! :-)
To echo Tom, I too am curious about the switch to “E. Brooks Moore” – sounds a lot more formal. I notice you didn’t answer his question………
On a more serious note, I definitely think you’re on the right track. I’m one of those people who believes that rewards are commensurate with risk. Most of us live lives that are far too easy (and probably too comfortable). Safety and security, especially of the financial kind, trump the discovery of new things and new places. We don’t give ourselves the opportunity to discover who or what we really are. We take no chances. And then it’s too late. We wind up spending all our money on a “nice” nursing home. It’s as simple as that. And as sad.
So follow your own road, Earl. You’ll never regret it.
Speaking of roads, we’ll be heading west again in March, headed for Death Valley. We’ve never been there. Life on the road is good……..
I thought I had answered the post byline change…”Things they are a changing!” ~grin~
It’s an experiment. I’ve never liked the name Earl, I’ve never felt like an Earl and I can’t even begin to recount the teasing I endured growing up as Earl, but, being named for a brother of my father who died as a child I’ve felt duty bound. My middle name, Brooks, I’ve always liked so I’m playing around with it. As I said, things they are a changing.
Great news about your upcoming trip this next March to Death Valley. We hope to be on the road by then as well but you’ll be covering the miles much faster then we will. Sometime on our various journeys perhaps we can arrange for our paths to cross.
This sums it up for me, “Our goal is to strip away the layers of years spent following the conventions of society. Instead, we hope to find, develop and better understand our truer selves–to shed light upon our passions in and for this life and to exercise our competencies and skills as we nourish a core sense of satisfaction within ourselves and how we want to live.”
This idea of where’s Earl could be a theme as you travel. Posting images of you or Bonnie hidden in a scene of some of the locations you are visiting. Where’s Earl.
Monte, I didn’t realize I was writing a vision statement within this post but that’s certainly what it sounds like. Thanks for the chuckle on the “Where’s Earl” idea — I may just do that! ~grin~
My excitement for you and your adventure is growing with each visit to your blog. It sounds like you have accepted this change with relative ease which is a good sign I would say. All the best with the sale of your house. Looking forward to hearing about the RV.
Cedric, thanks! As far as accepting the change, let’s just say I’m sleeping regularly most nights again and the hardest part at the moment is waiting to tie up all the loose ends of our old life. I often think it would be easier/better if we could get in the RV and leave today but perhaps this transition period is playing a significant role making for a greater chance of success. At least that’s what I’m telling myself.
There was a slight delay in picking up the RV this week. The dealer wants to replace a set of steps they don’t feel are up to specs — which is a good thing. The new steps are on their way so we’ll wait until they can install them. When we do get it I’ll certainly introduce it here.
Your upcoming life sounds so intriguing to me and I once was contemplating a similar lifestyle, though without the big RV. I could imagine adventure around every corner and limitless possibilities. I wish you and Bonnie well and hope you are able to continue your travels for many years and hope you will continue to report your thoughts and photos here.
By the way: I don’t know if anyone has ever mentioned it but there is a great movie about a couple with a similar plan: “Lost in America” with Albert Brooks (coincidence?). Worth checking out.
Thank you, Ken! While trying to keep at least one foot on the ground we’re imagining those adventures and great possibilities as well. One thing we know for certain — if we don’t do this now we’ll probably never do it and that would be difficult to live with.
I don’t remember if I’ve ever seen “Lost in America” but I’ll try and find it. Thanks! Interesting coincidence about “Brooks”.
Like the others, Brooks, I find each post interesting as you take us along on this life changing event. Some people save this stuff for a book. But you are feeding us chapter by chapter. :-)
Thank-you, Marcus! :-)
I guess one advantage to saving the complete story to be written later as a book is you can edit each of the preceding chapters depending upon what the ending is. These post will just have to stand upon their own. I think I like it better this way — perhaps a bit more raw and honest.