Tag Emotional Journey

I didn’t know when we packed the car in the summer of 1988 that I’d still be feeling that trip all these years later. Aviva and I had a plan, a route, some maps, and a stretch of time to see the country before everything else kicked in. What I didn’t realize then was that those weeks on the road with her would reroute everything. That trip, that time, changed how I see the world, how I live, and how I love. It made movement feel like home. And lately… I’ve stopped moving.

We stayed in motels, pitched the tent, crashed with friends. We argued. We got lost. We listened to Bad Company’s 10 from 6 and UB40’s Labour of Love far too many times. But somewhere between New Orleans and North Dakota, I caught a glimpse of something I’ve been chasing ever since, the road itself. The feeling of motion. Of being untethered. Of becoming someone new a little more with every mile.

That trip didn’t just show me the country. It opened the door to a version of me I didn’t yet understand and she kept holding space for that version long after the trip ended. Through years, through changes, through life. Her presence shaped the way I move through the world, and even now, she’s still with me.

Although she wasn’t still by my side, her voice, her way of seeing things, her humor… it’s all still in me. She’s still with me. That trip didn’t just show me the country. It showed me who I could be. And she was the first person who made space for that version of me.

And now that I’ve stopped for a while, I realize how much of her is still in the way I move.

I know where I’ll be going next. But for now, I’m here. Sitting still-ish. Remembering. And grateful for her, and the road she showed me.

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The Evolution of My Van Life Journey

While I may not be embarking on van life as a completely new journey, the decision to embrace it full-time indeed marks a distinct chapter in my ongoing adventure and my life. Van life, in its part-time form, began with the purchase of my first van during the pandemic. The world threw us an unexpected curveball, and like many, I found myself adapting to remote work while comfortably residing in my apartment. It was during this time that the seeds of van life were truly sown.

Testing the Waters: Part-Time Van Life Adventures

Initially, my van life adventures consisted of shorter trips, typically lasting three or four months on the road, interspersed with brief returns to my apartment. These interludes served as a way for me to test the waters, to see if the nomadic lifestyle truly resonated with me. During these journeys, I explored fascinating places like the Field of Dreams in Iowa, marveled at the vastness of the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, and strolled along the iconic Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge. However, it wasn’t until I embarked on my epic Arctic Circle roadtrip that everything fell into place.

A Profound Decision: Transitioning to Full-Time Van Life

As I journeyed through the breathtaking landscapes, something profound happened. The open road stretched endlessly before me, offering solitude, reflection, and countless moments of awe. I found clarity amid the quietude, and as the miles passed beneath my wheels, a decision took shape in my mind. When I return from the Arctic Circle, I’ve decided that my apartment, with its four walls and familiar comforts, will no longer be a part of my life. Instead, I’ll embrace the essence of van life fully and wholeheartedly. This means letting go of some of what I’ve accumulated, everything that has tied me to a stationary existence. While I’ll keep cherished remnants of my past life with me in the van, there won’t be a storage unit, and I’ll simplify my possessions. It’s time to fully commit to the boundless freedom that van life offers, knowing that I’ll carry the memories and treasures of my past while embracing the possibilities that lie ahead.

Preparing for Full-Time Van Life:

Over the four months following my return from the Arctic Circle, I’ll be on a mission to sell everything, each item a stepping stone toward a lighter, more intentional way of living. Join me on this journey as I share the process of shedding possessions, the emotional challenges, and the liberating feeling of embracing van life with open arms. As I prepare for this significant shift, I’ll also be tackling practical questions, such as how to manage mail, ensuring a smooth transition to a life on the road. This is where it truly begins, a deliberate choice to live life on my terms and follow the road wherever it may lead.

Stay tuned for updates, insights, and the unfolding of this transformative adventure. The van life journey is about to take a significant turn, and I’m excited to share it with you. And if you’re interested in buying anything, well, I’ve got quite the inventory to offer!