You’re lounging solo in front of a beautiful sunset with no interruptions, no people, and no stress. “I did it,” you think. “I’m finally free.” But days later, a strange unease bubbles up. What time is it? You wonder. What was that noise? Why do I keep bumping into everything? Was living an RV Life a terrible mistake? You cling to your camp chair as the feeling grows, because by then you’re certain: if you let go– you’ll float away.
Today I’ll explain why this happens to full-timers and what you can do to stop it.
“I dwell in possibility.”
Emily Dickinson
Go ahead. Turn off that alarm clock. Binge-watch shows in your pj’s and sleep if you want; no one’s watching. You’re a nomad now and in control every minute of every day.
I ditched a traditional life and headed for my first boondocking spot four years ago. As I drove, I felt deep coils of tension begin to unfurl. Freedom was finally mine and I intended to relax–but then something unexpected happened.
I began to feel disconnected from the world. Untethered to time and place like I could literally float away.
Seriously. I kept twisting my feet into the ground. I had to hold on to something solid. I couldn’t figure out what was wrong until I learned that for many full-time Rvers, this type of feeling is normal.
One nomad described this to me as a “nagging feeling of uncertainty,” like she forgot to lock her front door – even though she didn’t have a house anymore. She had to hold her keys to feel better. Another said he lost his balance a lot during his first year, and couldn’t “get his legs under him.” He chalked it up to constant motion, but later realized he was too distracted to be agile. A third described reliving distinct memories from the past down to the temperature and smell.
For each, these feelings emerged as their initial excitement began to fade. They were alone, with nothing to distract them except their own thoughts and anxieties. They had the freedom they craved, but couldn’t enjoy it.
I describe this as the Freedom Vortex.
People who live traditional lives with a stationary job and home are insulated by intrinsic boundaries. We (in theory) spend eight hours at work, eight hours at home, then eight hours asleep. We work Monday through Friday. We return to the same house every night and shop at the same stores and our behavior is seen through the cultural lens around us.
Boondockers don’t have these boundaries. They are free to choose a structure that works for them, but this freedom comes with constant change.
Let’s face it: change is hard, even for nomads.
Kierkegaard said, “freedom is possibility,” but freedom is tricky.
Dr. Shahram Heshamt, an economist who studies how people make decisions over time, says “when people realize they are actually free to choose in a situation, it creates anxiety…because deciding means being changed. We resist change because change is loss even when it is in our best interest.”
Nomads may feel this anxiety more acutely because they often give up everything they know to drive into unfamiliar territory with new places, new experiences and new friends. That’s a lot of change to deal with at one time.
But let me tell you now: full-time RV life is worth it. Every growing pain, every adjustment, every moment where you might second guess yourself is worth it. But a period of adjustment is necessary to thrive.
Here are 8 strategies that help (and I learned every one the hard way).
- AVOID MONOTONY
Without external stimuli, we turn inwards. All our problems seem enhanced. It’s probably just the wind outside, but we fear it’s something sinister. We have long conversations with ourselves or obsess endlessly about past events.
The good news is, nomadic lives don’t have to be monotonous. Travel. Focus on the changing scenery and weather. Nature is never boring.
- PLAN YOUR TRAVEL
When you feel isolated or down, remember this interesting tidbit: when prisoners in solitary confinement learn their sentence is almost up, their mood lifts in anticipation, even before release. This happens to me every time I start to plan my next trip! Need help? Jump into a Facebook group and ask others about their favorite spot!
- LEARN SOMETHING NEW
The Harvard Business Review found that learning something new reduces stress. Replenish yourself by learning as a form of respite, not as work. There are a ton of free resources to learn something new only; to get you started, here are 25 sites for free online education.
- MOVE AROUND
Studies show just 5 minutes of exercise reduces stress and frustration. If you watch my YouTube channel, you know I start everyday with a kitchen dance party! It gets my blood flowing and puts me in a great mood.
- GO OUTSIDE
Nomads are lucky; we get to go outside. Every morning, I try to go outside and intentionally plant my feet on the ground and connect to nature. It reminds that the cycle of life goes on, no matter what.
Don’t be a shut-in. Sunlight and darkness trigger the release of hormones thought to fight depression. Plus, sunlight provides Vitamin D. Just 15 minutes of moderate sunlight reduces stress.
Good news! Nomads get to chase the sun!
- SOCIALIZE
Yes, RV life can be social! How much is up to you. Visit friends on social media or online games. If you want to meet new people, try groups like Sisters on The Fly, Xscapers, or RVingWomen. Or, find a tribe. Many nomads travel full-time with big groups of people.
- HAVE A DEDICATED WORKSPACE
It’s counter intuitive, but many working nomads experience burnout. Like everyone else working from home these days, it’s tough to unplug when your home and office are in the same space. Find a place to put your work away, even if that is just in a box. It’s okay—it’s still there. Tell it to be a good boy and you’ll be back tomorrow. Then shut that box.
- FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE
After all, you have freedom. You are one of the few people in human history that has been given this gift. Think about how rare and lucky you are. Sure, there will be bumps in your road, but freedom allows you to pause, decide how to respond and choose to focus on the positive.
After all, you are no longer stuck. You are in control.
Need more resources? Check out these two books! Pssst: BE A NOMAD CHANGE YOUR LIFE just went on sale for $2.99!
All good tips. There is something about planning that works well for me. Merely having a trip to look forward to can reset my mood button immediately.
Yes! It’s one of the best things about going full time. Thanks, Randy!
On May 17th, I broke my leg in a stupid accident. That incident turned out to be the catalyst that changed my life completely. No longer able to get outside or drive I realized what I had been doing daily, before the accident, was just as soul crushing and boring. I promised myself when I could walk again, I would change my routine. In the old days, I’d walk the dog, straighten the house, work in my home office, eat dinner and crash in front of the TV. It was time to rethink how to live. Within a few minutes drive of my home, in every direction there are tons of open spaces and parks. Why not plan an outing every day? Now, each morning it’s the first thing I do. I pack up the dog and head out to explore. It takes a little more time out of my day, but what it reaps in health for both the dog and myself, isn’t measurable. I’ve also begun to close the door to my home office when I’m finished for the day. And, I’m learning to paint and speak Spanish. I’m not a nomad, but your column rings true for those of us who are stationary. Routine is a killer of your spirit and your health. Try something new whenever possible. Thanks Robin for all of your good ideas.
Love your great advice. Girl Campers is also a great resource and it costs Nothing to join the groups. Look on FB an Instagram.
Janine Pettit heads it up.
Im going to print this out bcuz it applies to far mpre than just nomaders. A lot of this applies to people still in sticks & bricks whose lives have changed so there iare no real external parameters, no external criteria as a guideline for the next step. They’ve retired from a job that while maybe over-consuming was important to them or provided some dependable structure. Others have lost their jobs and are adrift, scared, uncertain. Many spiritual and/or human potential motivational folks are emphasizing the flip side of COVID iforced solation as a time for turning inward to our deep, true selves. Those sounds that start to sound sinister are a choice one is making, the cogitating over the past “mistakes” is a choice as well. As a society we have been almost hypnotized into running from, finding distractions for all those deep inner places where we stuff down old pain, We over-eat, buy a new toy, drink, get overly busy, throw a dinner party, find a new lover… ..anything to distract from things deep inside. But when u lose all ur usual anchors or hiding places or obsessions, workaholism, and when even the newness of running away into nomading thinking that ur “life situation”, ur soul-eating job and ur new outfit don’t ease the existential pain, so maybe running from those will free you and they dont bcuz u r still looking for relief from deep inside stuff thru outside sources , u r still stuck with craving oranges and, at most, fonding apples. So going within, touching Nature with deep awareness, meditating and quieting ur constant mental chatter and self judgment or ur next trip/escape, that’s what COVID is forcing us to do. We must sit with the acts of systemic violence towards people of color. We dont have the luxury of being outraged for a few days and then returning to the politics or boredom or enjoyment of our job.
The same thing happens to nomads and it’s what u have described here bcuz no matter where u go, there *you* are and the biggest advantage of nomading is that they have easy access to Nature in the raw which helps heal the deep inner core from which we all run whether we r on the road or not. When we find peace, Presence and acceptance and gratefulness even for Life’s tough lessons, then what u have described here will be ameliorated…and in truth, it’s not by planning ur next destination. It’s by knowing u can find inner peace, stop cogitating/reliving, find Peace & Perfection inside you, not in where u r.
I have both of your books. Excellent resource and so well researched.
Everyone should get these books ?
Thanks for all your hard work to gather all the content you so lovingly put in every video!
I used to be a working sorta nomad with my husband who passed away in 2018. I had drove semi with him in USA and Canada for 13 years. I only missed seeing Hawaii,Alaska and P.E.I. I love the open road, seeing new scenery everyday. I have worked in Alberta for the last 5 years, and I’m now on disability with COPD for a year now.
You answered my questions about cpap machine,
Living in Canada, I need to find more information for travelling insurance now. Still have to sell sticks and bricks, buy what I need to go on a holiday with my pickup. So I can save money to buy a better vehicle, so with covid all have to stay in Alberta for now. I look forward to someday to travel to USA again. Beautiful highways, rest areas and at least some of the places I couldn’t get to in a semi. I would like to go to the woman’s group and RTR gathering someday!
You always brighten my day, and help me to think of how to organize what I need to.
God Bless you and keep you safe as you travel, and be in nomad feedom.
Thought for you to ponder; How many people do you inspire everyday?
Thanks so very much for inspiring me! You and Bob Wells have added the spark of life back in my heart again!
I will always be grateful,
I have been following you for years and love your e books. I am an older lady that travels solo with the RVING WOMEN Group. I wanted to tell you how I use the toilet that came with my Class C Leprechaun. I can’t be bothered with all these fancy, expensive toilets. so only urine and water from my sink after I wash dishes goes into to the black tank. For #2 I make sure there is no water in the bowl and place a paper cereal bowl from the Dollar Store to collect the depost!!! The Paper bowl gets folded and put in a Jumbo Pet bag that comes in a roll of 450 from Amazon. That goes in a 30gal metal container with my dogs smaller poopbags outside. After all you are going to end up seeing what is in the toilet of your choice, Well, I,m a nurse!! So don,t look! I also want to tell you how I manage my other water. I put a small bucket in the shower to capture as much of the water as I can which gets poured into a 10gal container. When It is full I use it to wash my clothes in one of those little handy solar twin tub washing machines that I love to use with washing crystals so I can let the water out on the ground or to water bushes when boondocking. I said I was a nurse so no way would I ever put my clothes in a laundromat machine. I use store bought drinking water so ,I don,t run out of fresh water from my 40 gal tank. I do love a good shower!! I have an induction top. I discovered the fridge uses very little propane. I would rather use my furnace than the Mr. Buddy that goes through too many little canisters. I have one just in case. The air fryer works on solar which NOMADS should have. I have lots of other tips and tricks if your interested
I went big and I am not going home!
I made the decision to go full-time! I am a 57 year old woman, who was diagnosed with Graves disease last year, I worked hard on getting that disease into remission. Then I bought a 2020 44′ toy hauler- Cyclone and used Ram 3500 dually. I only pulled a little trailer one time in my life.
I learn by doing so…I took my new rig for a 3000 mile spin from AZ to Idaho via California to pick up my sister along the way to go to my nieces wedding. (Yes, I watched a lot of YouTube videos on how to drive it, hitch and unhitch,etc.)
Wow, what an adventure ! There were lots of bumps, with one mistake at a gas station which damaged my rig. The trip was harrowing and stressful and I was frigjtened out if my mind! We drove along the 5 up through Shasta and Mt. Hood. Google took me over a pass in the Sierras near from Grass Valley to and RV Park call Dutch Flats (Highly recommend them if you have stay the night! $20/day if no hookups and they. Right of the 80, behind a gas station. They have all the amenities. All the closer RV parks were booked and the fairgrounds were closed due to the Covid.) The drive was a narrow divided road with blind curves where there was a mountain on my right and I had to swing out wide, hoping no one was coming in the opposite direction. There was no turn around and I had to get through it. I was tired and thought I might get stuck up there, but I did it!
I have never felt so alive!
Wow, I am so excited when I go fulltime in 2 months! Yes, the rig is in the shop, so I had to delay one month.
I got some fun compliments at gas stations along the way, from women and men. One backhanded compliment by a male who said “You are braver man than me, pulling that behemoth!”
The only thing that will keep tethered closer to cities is the need for high speed internet due to my job. I can hardly wait for Starlink! I am commenting on your blog, Robin because I have obsessively watching your videos since March and I was looking at motorhomes. Then I got to the part when you went with a 5th wheel! (A 5th wheel never entered my thoughts) That resonated with me, because I wanted my office separate from my living space. I also have a Peloton bike that I would like to keep, so a toy hauler fit the bill. The outdoor patio which would be the frosting on the cake for me! I also have 3 dogs as well, so the patio will give them a place to sun themselves. They loved the trip because they got to for lots of walks and new smells.
I want to thank you for your great videos, books and blog! You were an inspiration! You go girl! I alwayz look forward to your Sunday Morning View Q!
Thanks Robin just when my spouse is going thru anxiety issues your email comes thru with suggestions and support. God work’s in marvelous ways.
This is excellent information. I have flagged this article so when I am able to become a nomad I will refer back to it. Thank you for all the great content and work you get together for all the nomads now and those of us looking forward to becoming one.
You’d think, being a species as non-specialised as we humans have evolved into, we’d roll with change a little easier than we do, but it ain’t so. 🙂
Hi Robin. Thanks for your inspiration. I’ve been following you and a couple of other full timers for a couple of years. A couple of weeks ago an opportunity to sell our house came up and we decided to go for it. Now it’s a whirlwind of buying a new truck and a new Solitude (same model as yours) and moving out of our big house. It’s been hard to not get overwhelmed. Your upbeat videos and inspiration are appreciated. Maybe we’ll cross paths one of these days.
I’m not a full time nomad, but I have moved around and uprooted quite a number of times, all for good purposes, and all by choice. That dizzy, disconnected feeling is a familiar one. Your description of it as a “freedom vortex” is perfect. I love your eight strategies! “Go outside” and “learn something new” are my favorites. Here I go to check out the 25 online education sites … . Thanks so much, Robin, for your dedication and your impeccable research.
As always you spoke directly to me. Thank you so much for your help. I appreciate all you do
What a great post. I think for myself, the freedom to choose also adds the anxiety of possibly making the ‘wrong’ choice.
I so NEEDED this. I’ve had major change after major change in the past few months. My life has been turned upside down. I haven’t even started my nomad life yet but I’m experiencing this. Thank you, so much.
Hi Robin,
Two years ago I committed to becoming debt free, which I achieved. With that, I realized I could change my life so I began to plan my FT RV adventure, thanks to finding you and others. I’m happy to report I’ve sold my house and bought the RV. My job wants me to delay retirement and work remotely. More money for me, yay! So, thank you for all you do and the help to achieve this life.
I’m planning on hitting the road in a few weeks when my solar is installed. I’ll know I’ve made it when I meet you on the road someday, lol.
Be well!
Darlene
I am sooo disappointed that these books are only on Kindle. If they ever come out in print I’d happily buy both!
Hi Jane, I know I know! BUT I do this because they are frequently updated and I want you to have the latest info. Please know you don’t need an ereader/kindle to read them. You just need the kindle app on your mobile device or on your laptop. Hope this helps.