How Life from The Road Changed Me.
How Life from The Road Changed Me.
It's amazing how a change of scenery can improve your mental and physical health. I'm so glad and thankful we leaped into the unknown!
It’s been four years now since Donetta and I took a huge leap of faith to begin our unconventional life from the road.
I remember the first day we got in our pickup truck and headed out west from Oklahoma. We had no clue how this crazy-ass adventure would turn out or how far we’d even make it on the journey.
We didn’t know if we could survive living with each other in such close proximity day after day — especially after all the heated debates about what to bring with us or how to organize the truck for traveling. We’re both pretty stubborn when it comes to our way of doing things!
Would Donetta smother me with a pillow as I slept?
Then I wasn’t sure if we’d be able to keep making any money aside from becoming truck stop hookers or selling fetish travel videos on Only Fans. Even then there were no guarantees for income.
Would we end up broke while living in the truck down by the river?
Doing something like this with no real plan could be an epic success or a colossal failure. There are so many variables to consider and a lot of things that could go wrong.
Would we ultimately regret our decision?
A raging dark battle.
A year before the pandemic, and our liberation from home ownership, I was feeling very suicidal.
The depression and stress in my life became so crippling, death sounded better than living. And if you know me, the idea of dying is NOT an option; I’m the guy who wants to live forever!
Yet I sat there shrouded in a tomb of pain, suffering physically and mentally so much it was becoming unbearable.
My secret love affair with WebMD started to consume my life because I never felt healthy. I spent endless hours with my friend Al Cohol to help me drown my sorrows. And I struggled with the financial noose around my neck as it slowly began to strangle me.
There are a lot of reasons I faced such darkness and it wasn’t the first time in my life to experience it.
As I looked at my pistol one day, I knew I desperately needed a fresh start.
Or face the alternative.
A glimmer of light.
Donetta and I had spent years talking about our dreams for traveling. We could see it, taste it, and smell it. It was our destiny. And I knew my only hope for escaping my darkness was leaving Oklahoma as soon as possible.
Then one day a glimmer of light appeared.
Despite the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, the housing market for sellers was insane. So we put our home of 14 years up for sale and within hours of our listing we had over a dozen offers. The next day it was SOLD well above our asking price!
We simply could not believe it.
But then happiness turned to sheer panic as we realized we’d officially be homeless in 30 days! There was a lot to deal with before getting the hell outta dodge. Saying goodbye to people, packing what we needed, and selling the rest of our belongings was stressful — but so worth it.
A new beginning.
Staring at a blank canvas is overwhelming for many artists. Looking at the empty space can be paralyzing as they try to figure out what’s next. They know they must create, but they also don’t want to fuck it up.
Yet the possibility to draw or paint whatever our heart desires is also invigorating. There are no rules or expectations to adhere to. You can go where wherever you want to go and this is exciting.
That’s exactly how I felt the day we were finally able to leave.
When you’re looking at the open road and know you could go anywhere you want, it’s a little scary but also thrilling.
The idea of creating a whole new story for myself was incredibly liberating. I was beginning to feel a happiness and joy I hadn’t felt for a long time.
Life still wasn’t perfect but it was getting better each day.
A life that has been completely changed.
Even though the initial concerns we had about traveling have been overcome, there are still challenges we face on a daily basis. There will always be the potholes, detours, and breakdowns along the way.
But even with the unknowns I do know this …
Besides my children being born and getting to experience that, I’m the happiest and most fulfilled I’ve ever been in my life!
Every single day I wake up thankful for the opportunity I’ve been given and do not to take any of it for granted.
Every single day I smile because I’ve been able to do what so many people will never get to do in their lifetime.
Every single day I get to spend my time with a woman I love and who loves our life as much as I do.
Every single day I take it slow so I can truly enjoy the gift of life and do my best to not worry about what I can’t control.
So often I tell people who ask about our unconventional lifestyle that the pandemic was one of the best things that ever happened to me. While I get some quizzical looks, I mean it.
It’s because of all that darkness I was able to finally see the light.
The chance to explore the world has completely changed me and opened up new ways of thinking. I feel like I’ve won the lottery.
And if you want the same, I hope you get to experience it for yourself. You deserve to find your happy place too.
