The United States’ Independence Day and full-time RVing go hand in hand because both represent a type of freedom that you just can’t get anywhere else.
Celebrate American Independence on the road!
As an American, you can cross state lines without intrusion into your personal life (unless you do something illegal, of course, in which case, all bets are off!).
When you’re a full-time RVer, you can change your residence as often as you change your underwear. Keep in mind that “residence” is different than “domicile,” which is a whole other blog post about full-time RVing and choosing a state to call home. I’ll get to that subject eventually.
As an American, you have the right to be ambitious, lazy or somewhere in the middle. The foundation of this great country is built on personal responsibility and if you choose to embrace that concept, you can have the life you dreamed of.
What a great country!
When you’re a full-time RVer, you also have the right to lead a laid back life. Without a tidy suburban home that forces you into a job that will pay for it, you won’t have a Homeowner’s Association telling you that your lawn needs to be cut, your house painted a certain color or your car needs to be parked in your garage.
The two identities have such common parallels, only they exist in such different universes. One will keep you part of the mainstream as you lead a “default life” filled with mortgages and daily commutes, while the other propels you far away from the typical American lifestyle.
The reason so many aspiring full-time RVers struggle with following their dream is the uncomfortable nature of being outside the norm. How absolutely un-American to want to work less and enjoy life more! It takes an extra dose of oomph and fortitude to take that first uncomfortable step, but once you do, odds are pretty good that you will experience a life-changing exhilaration that you can’t buy with credit cards or seven day tropical vacations. As soon as many full-timers enjoy a taste of it, they find it hard to go back.
A famous author whose name now escapes me, once said that the true meaning of freedom is waking up in the morning and deciding how you’re going to spend your day. I hear that a traditional retirement is just like that, but so is full-time RVing. When you’re not spending your healthiest, youngest years chasing down money, material things and someone else’s definition of success, you get to enjoy the “golden years” today, instead of putting them off for some day that may never arrive.
As you celebrate this July 4th weekend, I hope that you are living in the spirit of the life you’ve always dreamed about. And if you’re not, maybe it’s time to take the first steps to create it. If your dream life involves full-time RVing, you’re already in the right place to get started. Watch my blog and my monthly RV Life column “On the Road for Good” for tips and inspiration to get you pointed in the right direction.
Rene Agredano and her husband, Jim Nelson, became full-time RVers in 2007 and have been touring the country ever since. In her blog, Rene chronicles the ins and outs of the full-timing life and brings readers along to meet the fascinating people and amazing places they visit on the road. Her road trip adventures are chronicled in her blog at LiveWorkDream.com.
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