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Post by freeleighusavansquad on May 6, 2022 22:43:46 GMT -5
Hello, I am new to the board. I have been lurking for a long time but never posted until now. I left a mentally, psychologically, spiritually, financially abusive relationship in California. I decided to let go and let god and people paid my way to get across the country to meet my old flame that i always thought I would marry. Along the way I learned what it was to be Free and Brave and Independent in America (although I was gratefully dependent on the kindness of the most beautiful Americans I met along the way. I never knew what it was like to be an American until I took this trip! I was looking at the freedom fighters in the Ukraine and they sparked a fire in my heart and I took off and god got me all the way across the country with the help of my precious fellow Americans. I was never at a gas station longer than 20 minutes! The further out of California I got the lower the gas prices were (it was 6.00 a gallon when I left and people still helped me at that praise God praise them and let my grateful heart ring out for all of the world to hear. Without them I would not have been able to make the choice to become fearless. My soulmate got quarantined with COVId when I got there. And his mother gave me an angry phone call to leave him alone. I was going to stay around in New York to wait for him but God told me to go back. When I was in ok I realized I was near two special relatives I had not seen in a long time. The Van is doing great. I have been making do with feeding the dogs on little plates I have or cardboard or even a pencil box to hold the food  ! My niece is doing my laundry right now (she can’t have visitors where she is , otherwise I would be doing my own of course. It’s very little I just left with what I had. I am thinking about setting down roots here or five hours from here where my friend lives and has a room for me. I have a trade and can work anywhere in America and even online. I left every single problem and issue behind and went out on the open road. The question is where do I stop? I want to do van life, I really do but everybody in my family is telling me it’s not feasible. But I just did 7000 miles without any money and they have no experience so I should rely on myself right? This is related to squalor in that when I live in a home I cannot manage it, it is too much for me. But In the van I can handle it. It’s wonky but nothing gets too out of hand because it can’t . I’m a minimalist. All of my laundry fits into a grub hub delivery bag (I do that too). Not sure if this is byways because it’s about van life or if it’s an introduction to me and my van Jesus Peace Turtle. I’m thinking it’s an intro so I’m going to copy and paste and move this and that’s how road life is, you go with the flow. I find myself and freedom and the love of God on the open road and I never want to get back down to earth. Am I just a dreamer? I didn’t have all these negative thoughts til I started talking to my family and my friend said those are my shadow people the people who don’t feel I’m ok just being me. If you look at the name I chose you can probably tell my true heart. I hope it’s ok to be here even if my home is my vansion! I’m excited to come out of lurkdom and to talk to you! Sincerely Free Leigh, the lady whose middle name means meadow but she never saw a meadow til she was 40 and had a midlife crisis and drove across the country and said oh I think this is a meadow!  I was happy! I might go back to Buffalo even if my guy doesn’t want me. Screw him I’m free to travel throughout America! I have family in Buffalo too lots of family. I forgot to see Niagara Falls. Any advice is humbly welcomed and may God bless all of you! |
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Post by freeleighusavansquad on May 6, 2022 22:46:39 GMT -5
Oh also want to add that when I hit Texas it hit me that it was very unlikely he got quarantined the hour I got there and I think he got cold feet! That’s an important part of the story!
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Post by peaceandfreedom on May 7, 2022 0:09:08 GMT -5
Welcome, freeleigh, glad you found your way to us. I have traveled a lot by myself, too, over the years, so I know about the glorious freedom of which you speak, tho I’ve never lived on the road. I think you will figure out what you need and want to do, as you go along. Meanwhile, enjoy the trip, stop where you want, and remember to breathe! And let us know how it is going!  |
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Post by Arid on May 7, 2022 2:56:09 GMT -5
I love that expression: "vansion!"
Arid
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Post by freeleighusavansquad on May 7, 2022 8:35:57 GMT -5
Thank you peace and freedom and arid. I’m about to try a fifteen minute vansion cleaning and see what gets done (maybe the whole thing???!?! ) I’ve always used that in houses but not the van but will do so just in camaraderie with my fellows. so happy to be here. I think I’ve answered my own question over night, everything in me says van life van life van life and the only thing not saying it is my family and they’ve always had a completely different outlook on life than me. I can be free wheelin if I want to be. but the cleaner the better |
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Post by Nael_C on May 7, 2022 13:26:00 GMT -5
Hello and welcome! I think it's great that you have managed to be free and be on the road to somewhere while seeing so many different new places! I wish I could do it! Van life vote from me!  |
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Post by joyinvirginia on May 7, 2022 16:56:29 GMT -5
Welcome Leigh! Best wishes on your journey!
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Post by def6 on May 9, 2022 13:01:56 GMT -5
Hello and Welcome to our group. Congratulations for hitting the road and making it with God's help and the help of kind strangers. I've always wanted to live the way you have...as free as a bird. I hope you have continued success on your life's journey. Yes! Van life is one way to live minimally because you have to.
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Post by creativechaos on May 14, 2022 19:29:39 GMT -5
Welcome Leigh; I always loved the little bit of traveling i did. i hitchhiked all over the west coast when i first got out here and was dumped by some guy i barely knew.. i will save that story but i lost everything but the pack on my back - which added to my hoarding difficulty. it was the best thing that ever happened to me though. that is when i saw how good and kind most people are. it restored my faith in the goodness of humanity. i loved camping and hitching. i was 25 then. now i am 69 and i long to do what you are doing! i would take the back roads since i am a terrible driver who has never been on a freeway or driven in a city.
Like you, I can't manage a home. i have lived in the same spot for 41 years. i felt so free and happy traveling. i don't know if i would have forever - but that is the beauty of your having a van. when you get tired, just stop. when you start itching to travel again, just go. If van life and travel makes you happy, that is your answer right there. I was happiest when i was on the road. i never felt freer or lighter. it's settling down and all that ownership (hoarder, not minimalist, me) that bogged me down. wishing you the best, whatever you decide. trust yourself - that is who you will be with all of your life. do what makes you happy. trust in your higher power - i am not a religious person but i do believe that whatever that force is that is our higher power, the entire design of the universe is for us to be ourselves, be free, be happy - however that looks to each of us.
hugs, cc - who longs for a road trip!
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Post by itsybitsy on May 14, 2022 19:33:21 GMT -5
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Post by creativechaos on May 14, 2022 19:35:50 GMT -5
aw thanks, itsybitsy! how sweet to come here and see that! hugs!
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Post by coffeeaddict on May 15, 2022 10:41:52 GMT -5
Welcome, I'm new to the forum too.
If I were you I wouldnt be in a rush to decide.
Some people that wouldnt work for, they like having a plan. Some people are happy to live in the moment. Neither is right or wrong.
The van sounds great.
I'd look on it as a vacation for now while you clear your mind and enjoy today.
In time you might decide your van is perfect as a long term home.
Or you might miss being in a home that will make the decision for you.
I'm so proud of you for getting away from an abusive partner, that takes so much bravery.
After going through that I think you shouldn't feel under pressure to make long term plans.
Heal for now.
Lots of love xx
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Post by hedy on May 20, 2022 9:58:40 GMT -5
Welcome Leigh; I always loved the little bit of traveling i did. i hitchhiked all over the west coast when i first got out here and was dumped by some guy i barely knew.. i will save that story but i lost everything but the pack on my back - which added to my hoarding difficulty. it was the best thing that ever happened to me though. that is when i saw how good and kind most people are. it restored my faith in the goodness of humanity. i loved camping and hitching. i was 25 then. now i am 69 and i long to do what you are doing! i would take the back roads since i am a terrible driver who has never been on a freeway or driven in a city.
Like you, I can't manage a home. i have lived in the same spot for 41 years. i felt so free and happy traveling. i don't know if i would have forever - but that is the beauty of your having a van. when you get tired, just stop. when you start itching to travel again, just go. If van life and travel makes you happy, that is your answer right there. I was happiest when i was on the road. i never felt freer or lighter. it's settling down and all that ownership (hoarder, not minimalist, me) that bogged me down. wishing you the best, whatever you decide. trust yourself - that is who you will be with all of your life. do what makes you happy. trust in your higher power - i am not a religious person but i do believe that whatever that force is that is our higher power, the entire design of the universe is for us to be ourselves, be free, be happy - however that looks to each of us.
hugs, cc - who longs for a road trip! Dearest creativechaos - I am always so happy to hear from you, even though it breaks my heart to read that you are unwell in any way. Please forgive me if the question is indiscreet or stupid or thoughtless, but... why not return to life on the road, taking Tarzan with you? (Obviously, I mean buying a van, not hitchhiking.) OK, so you take the back roads, if need be. : ) Would it really be unfeasible - or the difficulties associated with it really that much worse than living in your current home, felling "bogged down" and unhappy? We only live once, I am told. 💜 May you be blessed in everything. Much love to you and Tarzan.
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Post by ClimbingPyramids on Jun 4, 2022 6:49:47 GMT -5
Hello everyone and welcome, freeleighusavansquad! Your writing is inspiration to me. I particularly admire your thoughts on the Ukrainian freedom fighters and your brave journey across the country. Feel free to PM me if you are travelling through to Buffalo. I am just a couple minutes off I-90 and would be delighted to meet you and provide some support (fill your tank, do your laundry, provide some meals). I wish that there were more opportunities for this tremendous, loving community to have more than mere online interaction (although I realize that it is the preferred interactive method for many people). |
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Post by Arid on Jun 6, 2022 14:55:37 GMT -5
Yes!
I've made a friend IRL (in real life) from this board.
We live 2,000 miles apart; so, I've only been able to meet up with her twice.
However, I talk with her on the phone at least once a week, and we exchange letters, notes, small gifts, etc. quite often.
I really value her friendship.
Arid
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