Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
Been somewhat quiet lately because well there has been a lot going on. I have taken a Voluntary Separation package from my company of 16 years and for the first time in my adult life don't have a regular job to go to every day. My last day was Monday and so far the transition has been pretty intense. I know most people who are full time have gone through this, either retiring or changing careers to self employment. Whether or not you are full timing it is a major transition in life and perhaps more so when coupled with all the other change becoming full timers brings. So I would ask you to think back to when you left your "regular job" and provide some words of wisdom. And please be kind, because I am feeling pretty vulnerable on this one.
You know I have never gone through what you are going through but hubby has. Based on watching him "adjust" - I would suggest that you treat the first few weeks, maybe a month (pick a length of time) and treat yourself to an extended vacation. I remember when you had taken some time off from your job and it was the first time you had more than a week off (hope I'm remembering this correctly). I think you will be surprised by how refreshed you feel. Give yourself permission to not think about it at all. Howard and Linda talked about how Howard was the worrier about money, but they made an agreement (at Linda's insistence) that he NOT worry for awhile - and it worked out well for them. Just seeing the pic of you sitting on that rock - don't know exactly what you were feeling at that moment, but your face and relaxed pose said "This is IT! I am chilling!" Let the relaxing begin! Shake it off!
After you chill and shake it off - I think you will find you will have clearer thoughts on your next move! And remember- you got this!
I have gone through what you're feeling and it is as if someone had died. You do actually grieve. It can feel like a loss of your identity. You miss the camaraderie you had with people. You miss the work! (Crazy, I know) Give yourself some time to grieve this change and begin to shape your new life. If you find you're having a particularly hard time go in for a little counseling. People sometimes don't work through it and can become very depressed. I wish you luck and please know you're not alone. Hope to meet you in future happier times on the road!
