How Life from The Road Changed Me.
It's amazing how a change of scenery can improve your mental and physical health.
It’s been four years now since Donetta, and I took a massive leap of faith to begin our unconventional life on 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 together in such close quarters day after day — especially after all the heated debates about what to bring or how to organize the truck for the trip. 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 OnlyFans. Even then, there were no guarantees of 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 so many 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 that 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, drowning 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 that experienced 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 of traveling. We could see it, taste it, and smell it. It was our destiny. And I knew my only hope of escaping my darkness was to leave Oklahoma as soon as possible.
Then one day, a glimmer of light appeared.
Despite the pandemic's onset 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 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 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 of drawing or painting whatever our heart desires is also invigorating. There are no rules or expectations to adhere to. You can go wherever you want, and it 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 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, we still face daily challenges. 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 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 time with a woman I love, and she 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, when people ask about our unconventional lifestyle, I tell them the pandemic was one of the best things that ever happened to me. While I get some quizzical looks, I mean it.
It was because of all that darkness that I was finally able to 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.
