Over the past couple of months we packed up our home sorting through each item to determine what to keep or put into storage as we move in to 35 foot RV. We are not sure how long we will be in the RV as we search for our new home.
It has been exhausting. So, many decisions and choices. Finally the moving trucks arrived yesterday morning I was looking forward to being done, yet dreading ... well, you know moving. By last night we had two places that were not set up to inhabit. We had to pick one or grab a hotel.
Deciding to forgo a late night hotel stay, last night we spent the first night in the RV, the only thing that felt familiar is my Memory Foam mattress we shoved. pulled and pushed into small bedroom of the RV. As we tried to settle in while moving boxes from one spot to another, I admit, I had an anxiety attack and I cried a little. I mean just a little.
After a sleepless night of tossing and turning, worrying and being convinced that I had wrecked my life. I work up this morning still feeling anxious and upset the buzz of anxiety ringing in my ears. I was convinced that I was not going to be able to feel comfortable for a long period of time in the RV. The storage situation was feeling over whelming and boxes sitting on every surface in the new RV, were just a few of the anxious thought I had. I was not feeling happy with the decision to "camp" for a while to take pressure off of our house shopping experience.
After feeling sorry for myself for a bit I decided to try to solve one perceived problem at a time. I sent a few more boxes over to storage, bought a smaller coffee pot, and gave myself permission to be a bit uncomfortable while I adapt. I figured out how to setup the hotspot on my phone so that I can use my computer while we wait another week for a high speed connection.
By dinner time I got over my fear of lighting the stove burners and was able to make a nice dinner. I will pick up an outside barbecue tomorrow and I found myself mentally decorating our lot space. I still haven't figured out how to organize the small food pantry and I have spices poked in strage quarters. There is still much to be done.
Tonight, I am feeling up to the task, and a little bit like I am having an adventure!
I think I will survive.
Moving is always super stressful so I feel your pain. I once had to help a friend pack and load up their whole house in a night because they were being evicted the next day. We got it done but the whole thing sucked pretty hard lol.
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That sounds terrible. Yeah, we still have a week to clean the old house and there is a bit of a commute also. I do want to fast forward a bit.
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It must be really difficult to pack your entire life @whatsup
I can only imagine how you and your partner must be exchausted
Yours,
Piotr
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All new beginnings begin with great anxiety, as familiar order is replaced with chaotic potential. Embrace the potentialities of a creative chaos, as you mourn the death of order. All order is in decay from the moment of its construction. Now you can renew and revivify, bringing new life into being.
I wish you joy in your endeavor @whatsup!
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It is all about framing I expect. Many people will say you are living the dream with the freedom of the RV life :)
Careful where you put the cayenne pepper as it might sting a little.
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lol, that's funny, I may never find the cayenne pepper.
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It will find you!
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I remember a variation of what you're doing from years back, and it's unnerving and not much fun. We lived in a school bus we'd converted from "bus" to pretty swank RV/tiny house... but two of us, + four cats + 2 small dogs in a tiny space was... tricky.
After a while, you settle in, though. It's like living on a boat, except you're on land... which means you can get out and walk around every now and then... MUCH better than a boat.
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I actually almost considered once moving into an RV or a tiny house so I would not have that much space to clean. This has its advantages. Have you seen the HGTV show Tiny Houses? Great tips on how to survive. Check it out:
https://www.hgtv.com/shows/tiny-house-big-living
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The funny part of that is the reason we sold the old house is it was too big both inside and out for 2 empty nesters who don't entertain often.
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Now that is funny! The joy of change. I was an empty nesters once before my son returned and decided it was too hard to live on his own.
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Good luck! I've only ever moved twice in my life. I don't know if I ever want to do it again. lol
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I know that you are in your RV because you are house shopping, but do you have the freedom to roam around a bit until you make your decision? I have an aunt and uncle who lived in an RV for a year. The closed up their home and decided to visit all of the continental states in the US. Their memories are priceless. This may not be in your plans depending on job committments but you can dream and explore to reduce your anxiety level. This too shall pass. I was told by a friend when trying to accomplish an overwhelming task. "Do you know how to eat an elephant? One bite at a time." :)
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We are a couple of years away from having the freedom to really travel. I think I would love to do a similar journey, and we will keep the RV even if we buy a house or property.
You are very right about the elephant. One bite at a time keeps me in the solution.
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Well as I see it, it took you just a short while to get the coffee situation sorted so yeah, you're a survivor! As I always think of you as the 'voice of reason of Steemit' I know you will settle in and make that RV see things your way lol.
Looking forward to more tales from the mobile side and congrats on starting a new phase of your lives. The biggest plus will be the no pressure house hunting!
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Morning number two is starting off much better. I think this could be fun. I know there will be some uncomfortable adaption moments, but I've managed to let go of much of the fear. I now realize I can cook in it. Coffee is working out okay. I shall survive.
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Perfect! The cooking and coffee situation is resolved so yes....yes, you will survive!
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I was wondering for a bit, but it seems I will! :)
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There is nothing so stressful as moving. You will definitely survive it. You are already solving problems. It is an adventure. You probably won't do this exact thing ever again. Store up memories. Your lifestory is richer for this, and everything you experience in the future will feel more full and flavorful, by comparison. From my limited knowledge of you, noone is as adaptable and as tough, able to acknowledge the misery of present circumstances, then overcome them. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and you have already taken that step, so onward and upward. Best wishes.
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So many thoughts.
The RV thing is temporary while you look for a house? I've thought about RV living before because then I could keep being a nomad but I'm not sure if that's really what I want or not. I think I would have some of the same anxieties as you.
Keep in mind it's temporary.
Good for you for giving yourself permission to be uncomfortable for a while. I think it's normal and ok and you have a good head on your shoulders. Really looking forward to seeing how you adjust and everything.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who is afraid of lighting stove burners! lol
There are a lot of kitchen organizer videos for how to organize when you're living in an RV on youtube (maybe dtube or dlive too) so you could try to check that out maybe?
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We are still deciding whether or not to stay in the RV, if we found the right property we might purchase something now, but I've always had some desire to travel, and our kids have moved to other locations. We have started to wonder what is keeping us here now.
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Brave decision. You'll like it.
You get yourself a perfect topic for a daily steemit blog.
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Rv living is one of those dreams I've had, though I planned it to be some temporal holiday living. Just a few weeks at a time. I'm sure it's not gonna be too bad so you will survive to tell the tale. Besides, after fully settling down it will be more of fun.
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haha, it's a tiny bit bigger than that one. However that is how it feel right now!
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PS - why I'm watching Bitcoin cash rather than bitcoin:
https://steemit.com/bitcoincash/@chron/a-quick-look-into-todays-dark-web--the-increased-adoption-of-bitoin-cash-within-it-
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When I shifted houses last year it was a sentimental moment. 20 years in the previous place!
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I put t-shirts, socks, underwear, and smaller clothing, into 2 or 1 gallon ziploc bags (or even 1 quart bags), and these can be used as packing material to cushion more fragile stuff or to fill up excess space in the box, since the box should be level before you seal it. Not too full (or it bulges and is uneven) and not full enough (because then it can cave in when other boxes are put on top). Since you have to pack clothing anyway, why not use it as the packing material for fragile things?
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best place to go to for boxes is a Barnes and Noble. They always keep broken down boxes in their receiving room.
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I understand completely how you are feeling! A few years ago, Brian and I sold everything and moved into a 40 foot 5th-wheel. It felt cramped and weird in the beginning, but truthfully, we both came to love it! It's cosy (not cramped :), but the trade-off is knowing that you could pick up and move today if you wanted to. Freedom, or at least a better illusion of it :)
I just finally realized that I really didn't need all of the kitchen utensils and stuff in our house and managed to live perfectly fine with less.
I had to laugh about the mattress! We also got rid of the terrible one that came with it and fought to get ours in there!
Good luck and enjoy your adventure :)
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Wow, we are still debating whether or not to buy a new house locally or live in the RV for a couple of years as my husband is close to retirement. If we were near each other I'd be taking you out for coffee and asking for tips about how to adjust, etc.
I am glad to hear you are enjoying it and I woke up more comfortable this morning.
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Coffee would be nice, wouldn't it :)
I think it was a bit easier for me because we had a big house, sold it and downsized to an apartment, then the RV, so I adjusted to smaller sizes in baby steps. My husband ended up on a medical disability (cancer), and we lived in Vancouver, Canada, where it's very expensive. Medical bills were quickly adding up, so the move to the RV was a practical and financial one, although both of us enjoyed camping etc., but full time is a whole different beast. Last year however, after downsizing so much, we sold/ got rid of almost everything and came to Mexico to live out his days, however long that may be; it's been a year so far and our fingers are crossed for much longer. Just today we were reminiscing about the rainy nights and how cozy our little unit was with the fireplace; we'd sit and listen to the rain drops on the roof :)
I'm glad you are more comfortable this morning, but if ever you have any questions or anything, feel free to shoot me a message :)
Oh, and by the way, we started in the rv with a big dog and two cats haha You should check out rwedegis and his wife, swedegis here; they live and travel in their RV full time...with three big dogs!!
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You are just stepping outside your comfort zone which is where all progress and many memories are made.
Relish and celebrate it!
When it feels like you are falling, it is hard to realize the chains that have been broken from your feet.
Tackle this adventure like a champ and keep posting your perspective. You never know who you will inspire through one of the changes they are going through.
STEEM on.
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I am sure you will.
You can see it as one long camping trip!
Good luck with house hunting!
Cheers,
Peter
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Nothing like some sleep, a cup of coffee, a little bit of time, and relaxing into "this is how it is now" to switch things into do-able.
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I am moving on May the 20th and have barely packed at all! 😂
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I am just moving today and thank you so much for your great post, so inspiring and fun! Great hacks! You two are adorable! <3
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My husband is a mover and it was downright painful to hear you say to pack up clothes inside of the dresser. Usually those things are heavy enough without the added bulk of so many clothes. Otherwise, the other tips are all helpful and definitely would make moving easier if you had no idea where to begin :)
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I hope you find a place soon.
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Change is a Constant, so enjoy the changes in your life, they always teach you something new.
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you will survive for sure ;) all the best hahah not easy
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I moved 2 months ago and after loading the truck I was using the ignition stopped working due to a key being broke off inside it already. Was so stressful stabbed the truck ended up just sleeping on a bare hardwood floor and like everything I owed including electronics got rained on.
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