So many choices.
An RV means recreational vehicle. And I have learned over the last few months that there are seven different types of RVs. In a future post, I will tell you why I chose to purchase the RV type that I chose.
In this post, however, I want to address the bigger question. The deeper question that people have asked me. What led me to make this insane choice in the first place?!
On a simple, straightforward level. The answer is easy.
I sold my condo and couldn’t afford to buy anything else.
Of course, your next question then is obvious. When people voice their opinions on my life this is usually followed up with the comment of, “that was stupid thing to do.”
If I couldn’t buy anything else, why the hell did I sell my home in the first place?
I had no intention of moving or selling until the RCMP suggested it. I was pressing assault charges against my ex boyfriend. At some point in our break-up he stole my house keys. I had the locks changed but still I felt unsafe. He was friends with people in my building and his crazy and erratic behaviour on social media had me feeling worried. I felt scared and I told the police.
Since the 20+ facebook posts contained nothing that was ‘actually’ threatening. Just him calling me a cunt and a slut, all the police could do was talk to him. His admittance to ‘slapping me upside the head’, stealing my house keys and then posting out of control on rage filled posts doesn’t count for much in the eyes of the law.
His unpredictable and out of control actions had me terrified. I was worried what might happen if he saw me walking my dog down the street. He had shown no sign of self control.
“Have you thought about moving?” The police officer asked when I told him this. The question made me feel sick. What is wrong with the world?! I am the victim here and I should be the one who has to change my life? Unfortunately, I am learning that this is the way system works.
Tossing and turning that night, my sleep was disturbed by broken thoughts.
Am I really going to let him do this to me?
What was I doing with my life anyways?
Where else would I go?
How did I get to this place in the first place?
What reasons did I have to stay?
I couldn’t answer any of these questions. Except the for last one.
I had no real reason to stay. Moving was not something I wanted to do. If you know the rest of my story I was going to have a brain tumor removed in a few months. Leaving the comforts of my home before major surgery. Not having a home to come to while I recover.
Was that enough of a reason to stay in a place where I constantly felt afraid?
FUCK IT.
I listed that morning and my little condo was sold in less than a week. Unfortunately, I hadn’t thought things through.
Even with a large down payment, no debt and a good income, I couldn’t qualify to get a mortgage for much more than what I sold my one bedroom condo for. This was a choice I made in order to feel safe. This is not something I would have decided to do on my own terms.
What was I going to do? Move further out of the city? Maybe I could find a reliable friend to partner with and buy a house together? What about moving to another province all together. Or even another country?
I had been looking at RVs for a couple of years as an option for road trips. The thought of living in one full time was only on the tip of my thoughts. Then I fell down a rabbit hole on YouTube.
Families living full time in an RV while home schooling their kids. Couples wanting a different life and some adventure. Solo women taking a stand for their independence. Retired couples living the dream of traveling across this amazing country; living a dream that they had wanted to achieve for most of their lives.
It was these retired couples that had the biggest effect on me. They had lived their life the way they were ‘supposed’ to live it. Followed the rules. Played the game. Raised a family and delaying their dreams until they could retire. Holding onto the hope that they had enough money and enough health to retire and finally live the life of their dreams.
Hoping that ‘one day’ they could live out their dreams.
Life never works out as planned. And if I had learned one thing over my life. None of us have a guarantee of how much time we have left.
Traveling. But more specifically road trips with my dog fill my heart with excitement. The reason I became an automotive journalist was partly because of this passion. As a family, traveling in our van was how we spent summer vacations. I knew in my heart I needed to make some changes in my life.
Being tied down to one location. Paying a mortgage. Waiting for some guy to ride in so we could have the white picket fence. The life that society expected me to live was not happening for me.
Hour after hour. Days turned into weeks. And I kept coming back to the same question, “What am I doing with my life?”
Twice in four weeks I found myself waiting in the hospital Emergency Room. A blood clot then a brain tumour.
What am I waiting for?
It is just me and Jasper. No family around to spend holidays with. No boyfriend or husband to share my life with. My small circle of friends have kids and husbands and a separate life. So what was I actually waiting for?
What is the legacy that I want to leave behind?
When I die, what do I want to be remembered for?
After much research, I bought myself a brand new RV. A 2019 Grand Design Imagine Travel trailer. I own it and still have money in the bank. My new house has wheels. I can take it anywhere on this continent. I plan to see every single province and capital city in this great country I live in. Visiting all 49 States that are accessible by road is also on my list.
The decision was not cut and dry. It took a lot of research and a shit ton of bravery.
I am freaking the FUCK OUT as I write this. It will arrive in six to eight weeks so I have some time to figure thing out.
Oh! And did I mention that I have never spent a night in an RV? All I know about the RV lifestyle has been from google and Youtube.
This is a dramatic life change. People will think I am crazy or stupid!
People have already told me that I am both crazy and stupid.
So what do I have to lose?
