Health
Better eating habits
In our small camper, on the road and at rest, there will be more pressure than ever to watch our diets, both for money's sake and to maximize our health and energy. (Dental and healthcare costs are a big hit to the piggy bank.)
Short of being out in the woods, fast food will always be a temptation when you haven't forsaken the practice of eating out altogether, (how about some videos of factory farming to adjust your appetite?) But the ease of preparing food without heat can push you just as easily toward a whole foods, plant-based diet. Less baking and frying can mean more fresh greens and less overprocessed meat.)
More time outdoors
I used to complain about the weather during winter, always talking about how many great activities I would do as soon as it was warm out. Then I noticed I spent most summers sitting inside, too, talking about how many great activities I would do, just as soon as I could plan a good day to go camping, or get some friends together for a basketball game.
I came to realize was that my life was unconsciously aimed at home, and like many others, a lot of my time became devoted to seeking home comforts, or being on the computer, (not good for my back!) or getting tied up with small tasks around the house, such as cleaning or organizing my troves of stuff! I came to feel comfortable only while being at home, and yet not ever truly comfortable when I was there!
The truth is that there was an imbalance in my view of home and comfort. When your dwelling is just a little camper or tiny house, your whole idea about your space changes, and you come to appreciate space and property a lot more for what it is. Now I don't just live in my room or house. I camp in the woods and grass. I fall asleep under the stars or on the beach. My home isn't just a box to contain me from some horrid outside wilderness. It's my den to return home to after seeing the beautiful world for another day. That shift of view made a huge difference for me.
Mental health
People underestimate the effect of being around so many other people all the time. It makes me wonder how city folk can stand it!
Not to say humans aren't social creatures or that it's wrong to dwell in cities- and not to say it can't get lonely when you're away from your hometown, or friends and family...
But whoo! there's something to be said for setting out and getting away from who and what you're used to and being on your own. The sense of freedom and even rejuvenation is exhilarating, and you'll take that back with you when you go back, along with a thousand new lessons and experiences.
There are risks. But if you take the right precautions, you can limit the amount of emergencies and disasters that can traumatize or demoralize you, and which have made the majority of society perceive it as "too risky" or otherwise not worthwhile to get out of their rented spaces and make use of our's country's roads to travel these beautiful lands. There's a whole continent just waiting for you to explore. What are you doing here??
Freedom
The freedom that comes along with busting away from the rat race really can't be explained, it can only be felt, because it is an experience unique to each individual. What would it mean to you to have a totally open schedule instead of your 9 to 5 job? What would it mean to you to cut your bills down to a fraction, or to be able to get up each morning and decide anew Where You Want To Go?
For some people, that level of freedom is actually very scary. There's a lot about the "rails" in life we ride that makes life easier to get through, but are we really so afraid to challenge our own status quo that we'd sacrifice our adventure of a lifetime so we don't miss out on more money, (and bills) or sitting around at home groggily waiting for the next workday?...
Not everyone who lives a normal American lifestyle sees their situation so drearily, but there's a lot that are fed up with the lifestyle that seems almost enforced on everybody. So, to those of you who are unsatisfied with your daily routine: why don't you get up and do something about it? What do you have to lose?
If you're anything like me, it's not much. I'm in my early 20's with an active and supportive partner. I make most of my living through freelance computer work, a lot of which can be done remotely or on the road, and I'm always looking at new opportunities for making money. No kids, no debt, either. What's keeping me here? Am I really going to be building something better sitting here while most of my income goes to rent and house bills? Will I spend more time educating myself while I'm distracted by schedule demands and home pleasantries like TV and video games, or when it's just me, my partner, and the earth and sky?
Beyond that, what you might really want to ask yourself is, what do I have to gain?
A little bit of travel taught me that adventures go a long way and memories last a lifetime. Not everyone can do it right now, but as for me, I'm hitting the road!
Grit
Grit is the strength and determination to keep working and moving even when things get tough, and I believe it will be an important result of me and Brooke's coming journey. I realized that where I was in life wasn't working and I had to change something up if I wanted to keep growing as a person.
It would take a big jump to break out of my mold, though; I have an uncanny ability for making myself semi-comfortable wherever I find myself, so why move at all?
By choosing to take a big step, I'll be put in a situation that will require a lot more out of me than I'm used to. Like Sun Tzu cornering his soldiers to fight to the death, so is it when you step out of your comfort zone. You'll be surprised to find yourself adjusting to new feelings and new challenges and remembering, Hey, I'm a human. I'm supposed to be experiencing this.
It's okay to be uncomfortable.
It's okay to be scared.
It's okay to be unsure.
It's not okay to not live life to the fullest.
Find your fullest life and live it.
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