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Had a minor identity crisis today. Was starting to go through my clothes and had a little meltdown trying to figure out who the next me is and what she needs in terms of wardrobe. Talked to Johnny about it, but have found most guys just don't understand this particular problem.
Right now I'm not sure if I'm going to be working when we're on the road and if I am, I'm not sure doing what. Part of me says I need to figure that part out and then deal with the wardrobe pare down, but reality says it's going to have to evolve. If I want to join him on the road in January, there's barely enough time to get the house ready to lease and keep up with my current work.
I'm pretty comfortable with the times when we're traveling. Just not sure what I'm going to do when Johnny is working for a few months at a time. One of the things I've considered is doing some workkamping when he's working. Not sure if we can make that happen since his work location will determine the workkamping options. I'm also considering going back to consulting -- which means I need a "professional" wardrobe.
Wondering if anyone else experienced this sort of identity crisis and if so how did you deal with it or how do you continue to deal with it?
The other part of me just needed to vent a little....
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Carol
Carol Kerr Welch
Wife to Jeff, "Mom" to Chuy; Retama Village Resident
Ckerr wrote:Talked to Johnny about it, but have found most guys just don't understand this particular problem.
I understand completely! Just ask my Jo. :)
Paul
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Paul and Jo Fulltiming since September, 2010. Visit us at http://mlordandmlady.blogspot.com/ 2011 Keystone Montana 3455SA 5th Wheeler / 2010 Ford F-350 Crew Cab Lariat 4X2 SWB Our geocaching name at http://www.geocaching.com/ is M'Lord and m'lady
Nothing disparaging meant about the wonderful men in our lives. Johnny is wonderful about it.
I think it's partly that other than not coming home to the house and me being there full time when he's working, nothing much will change for him.
For me, I'm giving up my career and leaving the place I've lived the last 20+ years. Giving up the house isn't that big of a deal for either of us. But I've supported myself (and an ex-husband) since I graduated from college. Since I'm not really ready to "retire" -- whatever that means --I'm just not sure who I'm becoming...
Perhaps Jo can give us a hint how she's negotiating the new waters?
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Carol
Carol Kerr Welch
Wife to Jeff, "Mom" to Chuy; Retama Village Resident
Ckerr your feelings are valid and yes you will probably evolve as the lifestyle progresses. One thing that will probably dictate is the amount of storage space you have. SpaceBags can be one solution. They are wonderful for rv storage limitations.
If it were me in your situation, I would focus on things that can be mixed and matched. Things that give you several different outfits. And don't forget the shoes! They can take up a lot of room also, so I would choose shoes that can go with several outfits as well.
I hope that helps a little. Oh the thrill of being able to choose the new you!
I think I understand. When culling out clothes, I initially thought, "What if I need a good suit or dress?" You know, something professional.
My situation was a little different from yours. I left the corporate world many years ago. The attire for managing self-storage doesn't require heels, stockings and a suit.
BUT! I was reluctant to give up the few "nice" things I had. I came to realize that my current life then and the upcoming full-timing life were totally different. The last time I used one of those outfits was at my Mom's life celebration in 2007!
A girlfriend got a lot of my clothes, including those "nice" ones.
As Linda suggested, try to have things that mix-and-match. My "dressy" clothes now are jeans, nice blouse/sweater and a jacket. I did keep two skirts - a blue denim and a nicer but casual black one.
Accessories help - scarves and jewlery can change the tone of an outfit.
Shoes were no big deal, as I gave up the high heels ages ago. I do have some "dressy" flats, though. Dressy compared to boots, moccasins, sandals, etc.
Space bags are great, as suggested. You might keep one or two outfits if you think you'll really need them and can later cull those out if you find you don't use them.
Perhaps look at it like this - how do you envision your new life? How do you see it and yourself?
Have fun with it!
Cheers, Betty
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1 Scotsman, 1 Texan chick, 1 Lhasa Apso/? & 4 bicycles Set Sail in June 2010 2010 Montana 3585SA HE Ford F350 diesel 4x4 SRW Full-timing blog: Phoenix Once Again Check out My Reiki Web Presence
Thanks for the empathy, helpful suggestions and some of you just for making me laugh...
I'm trying Betty's suggestion to envision the life I want to live...
Reality is that while we are going to live in the RV fulltime, I am not ready to retire and in no way can afford to. So partly I guess it's a matter of figuring out just how much income I need to generate and how much time I want to devote to doing it. Of course if I could figure out how to be comfortable with Johnny being responsible for generating the income all of this would be a moot point. Just can't quite get there no matter how much he encourages me to... Maybe one day...
If I go back to doing some consulting, I can probably work about 30 days a year and live a very comfortable life. That means having some professional clothes in the wardrobe. And truth is I wouldn't mind doing that much consulting. It's when it becomes fulltime that I start to hate it.
If I do some other sort of work, I could stick with a more casual wardrobe, but I'd also have to work a lot more hours/days/weeks to generate the same amount of inccome... So much to consider...
Someday I'm sure it will all become clear and then it will all change! Isn't that the way life is?
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Carol
Carol Kerr Welch
Wife to Jeff, "Mom" to Chuy; Retama Village Resident
This is coming from a guy so take it with a grain of salt.
I was considering what I would be taking with us when we start this adventure in a few years. I own 5 suits, numerous dress shirts, slacks, ties, etc. Other than that, I live in either jeans and polo shirts or shorts and tee shirts or a combo (depending on the activity).
In my mind, I think I have narrowed down what I need to have to go on the road considering that I will be retired but I may need to "dress up" occasionally.
3 Suit Coats 5 Dress Shirts of different colors 5 Ties of different styles 5 pairs of Slacks 3 pairs of Jeans 5 pairs of Shorts 7-10 Polo Shirts 7-10 Tee Shirts (bombing around types) 5 Tee Shirts (for the aforementioned dress shirts) 1 pair of Loafers for the suit. 1 pair of Tennis Shoes 1 pair of Sandals 1 pair of Golf Shoes.
That's it. Can go formal or just plain ol' relax. Doesn't take up much room.
Once again, this is a guy's perspective.
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Dreaming and doing the homework necessary.
Looking at: F-350/Ram 3500 type truck, possibly an Airstream or a smaller 5th Wheel.
However, there is still time to change the configuration, just a plan.
Thanks for a guys perspective. It looks like you have a good workable list. You might consider adding swim trunks and a jacket...
I particularly appreciate your inclusion of golf attire!
I think for me it will be easier ot just keep working what is in the closet down to an amount that will fit in the RV than to start with a list. Or maybe it's a list of activities and then check that against what's left in the closet.
Now that I say that I think it's more a question of what are the activiites than what are the clothes
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Carol
Carol Kerr Welch
Wife to Jeff, "Mom" to Chuy; Retama Village Resident
This is an EXTREMELY casual guys list. 6 pair jeans,1 pair slacks,14 t-shirts(including my favorite that says"This is as dressed up as I get") 1 dress shirt,a few pair of shorts and some sweats.Also included is the appropriate under wear changes.Light jacket in case I haven't moved south fast enough.
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RVing probably not a reality any more.It was a good time while it lasted.
The jacket and the swim trunks weren't included but on the main list along with the socks and underwear. Actually had to make sure because when you said that Carol, I really had to think about that!
Figure with what my list has, I can go formal, semi-formal, business casual, casual, golf mode or just "flat out relax" mode and only take up about a third of the closet and two drawers tops. The DW gets the rest cuz it's easier for guys!
After some time on the road, sort as necessary!
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Dreaming and doing the homework necessary.
Looking at: F-350/Ram 3500 type truck, possibly an Airstream or a smaller 5th Wheel.
However, there is still time to change the configuration, just a plan.
First the things I knew I wouldn't be taking - wedding dress, etc.
Next put aside the items I really liked and wore a lot.
From that bunch, evaluated what did I really wear? Funny how we wear pretty much the same stuff, with variations, much of the time.
Christmas sweaters? Only had a couple but hey, add a Christmas scarf to a black shell under a red jacket sweater and voila! Christmas outfit!
Functionality was the next thing, so we're back to the mix-and-match idea. Black shell under a jacket is versatile.
Then it was space and weight. Bulky sweater vs lighter one? Weed out sock drawer and lingerie items.
Next, stuff it all into the drawers and closet in the rig! Teehee!
A friend told me about space-saving hangers at Bed, Bath and Beyond. I found mine at Wal-Mart. They have a felt/cloth covering so clothes don't fall off and they are very skinny. They do work!
We also put those hanging shoe/item canvas hanging shelf/compartment units in the closet. That adds more space for things that would otherwise go in a drawer. Very cool!
Space bags for the winter stuff, should the weather ever actually change into winter. (Can you tell I'm tired of summer????) We'll rotate that out as needed - summer stuff into the bags when the winter clothes come out.
Three and a half months on the road and we've already tossed out some clothes.
Cheers, Betty
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1 Scotsman, 1 Texan chick, 1 Lhasa Apso/? & 4 bicycles Set Sail in June 2010 2010 Montana 3585SA HE Ford F350 diesel 4x4 SRW Full-timing blog: Phoenix Once Again Check out My Reiki Web Presence
Sorry guys, here in South Texas, we are pretty casual. I cannot remember the last time I wore a tie, much less a sports jacket. Work is usually business casual (very casual). My travel attire will most likely be jeans and casual shirts, polos; shorts and tees. Maybe one dress outfit just in case. If I need to get real dressy, I can always rent a suit.
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Jerry & Carol Pearson (+ fur babies) FullTime since 2012 04 Winnebago Adventure, 06 Grand Marquis www.waggintailsrv.com
Carol, I think I did mine a lot like Betty.......kept on downsizing until I could make it fit. It wasn't easy. I don't have a lot of really nice stuff but I got a "thing" about shoes and hoodies. My two biggest anxiety times were the clothes and my very large but useful "junk drawer"(still not really sure why the junk drawer?) anyway........nothing beats the freedom from all that stuff! Like the others said just look for the new you!
Thanks Everyone for your perspective and encouragement! Tomorrow I'm back to closet cleaning after my little hiatus in AR.
The flat covered hangers are great! I had bought them from HSN when we first got this 5th wheel 3 years ago. They really keep the clothes from falling off the hangers and they take less space.
Only problem is that I found out Johnny has completely used every single hanger and ALL the closet space! Had a little meltdown about where my stuff is supposed to go and he promised to pay attention to what he actually wears and narrow things down before I come back in a couple of weeks.
Anyone else sharing RV space with a male clothes horse??? LOL Good thing I love him a bunch!
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Carol
Carol Kerr Welch
Wife to Jeff, "Mom" to Chuy; Retama Village Resident
Another vote for the Racerguy list, looks like mine. I guess it makes a difference if you play golf which I do not. I have suit coats now in my S&B home and unfortunately the only time I break them out is for funerals! Other than a wedding, if there is a social function that requires a suit coat, I'd just rather not attend!