People have asked me what it's like traveling with my spouse full-time. They wonder how a couple can survive every minute of every day together, especially in confined quarters. Does it get old and do we ever want to strangle each other???

While the idea of being together 24/7 might seem as appealing as a root canal without drugs, it's not as terrible as you might think.

With the positive mindset and proper medication anyone can overcome the discomfort. JUST KIDDING! Screw the mindset and just get the drugs ... it works faster.

Seriously though, traveling with Donetta has been the dream of a life-time and we work well together in this setting. Sure we have arguments about driving behaviors or navigational issues or blowing the budget on beer, but marriage and relationships always has its set of challenges regardless.

It's how you overcome and adapt that makes the difference.

How do I survive traveling with my spouse?

It's a valid question and the best advice I could ever give is to change your mindset. Instead seeing it as a horrible survival situation, think about it as an incredible blessing.

If you go into the full-time traveling situation with your spouse with the idea it will suck, you're gonna have a crappy life ahead of you. And there'll be no nookie for you!

If you decide beforehand it will be an adventure of a lifetime and a great adventure, you're going to have a way better outcome. Your perspective is everything!

Let me be clear it's not always easy.

My moods can be like a death-defying roller coaster ride and there are times we need our space. But we also truly enjoy each other's company and doing life together. We work hard to make every day better. It requires love, patience, commitment, and often a good laugh.

A few survival lessons from a grunt.

I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed. After all I was in the infantry. LOL! But having been married for 30 years now and spent a majority of my time attached to Donetta's hip, I have learned a few valuable lessons ... though not always practiced.

Practice clear and concise communication.

The wrong intel can get you killed or sometimes just burst your bubble. Just because she said I look cute, doesn't mean I'm gonna get lucky tonight. Couples often think they can read each other's mind or understand what the other is saying, but this isn't always true.

Whether traveling or not, it's essential to communicate clearly with each other. Marriage and relationships will fail without it.

Avoid unnecessary skirmishes at all costs.

Going into battle may seem like a heroic idea, but sometimes it's better to lay low. Don't get me wrong, sometimes you have to defend your freedom or ideals, but fighting over how to park the truck or who cleans up after dinner should be avoided.

Pick and choose your battles as a couple. Often we let the smallest things become a war and it's unnecessary.

Work together as a team and support each other.

You need someone to have your six. This means you trust your partner to have your back no matter what and that you should do the same for them. Traveling full-time with your spouse requires you to work together as a team in order to survive.

Ensure you spend time encouraging, serving, and supporting each other because it goes a long way. Celebrate the victories and make great memories.

Don't be afraid to give it a go!

If someone would've told me I'd be traveling with my spouse full-time when I was younger I would have thought they were insane. Hell, I didn't even know if I could get someone to put up with me. Yet this has been one of the most rewarding times in my life and there are no regrets.

If you've been considering taking that leap into the unknown and wanting to travel the world, it's time to give it a go. If you have a spouse who is equally as passionate about traveling as you are, don't be afraid to do it together. A world of adventure awaits you!

We're here to help you get started when you're ready.