I’m not sure my family ever really thought I was having a midlife crisis when we hit the road, because I have had the adventurous spirit since I was 13. It was expected, rather than something out of the norm.
More about that in a minute.
For you, though, it may be different. You may have worked at a job for 20-30 years, built a house, raised children, and bowled in the weekly league. But now you are telling everyone that you are selling the house and buying an RV.
Of course, they think you’re having a midlife crisis.
But there are things they may not understand.
We get bored with doing the same things decade after decade. We did the things we were taught, such as getting a mortgage, securing a good job, and raising a family.
But now the family is off on their own journey.
It is now your job to teach those who think you have lost your mind why you want to hit the road and explore.
You’re not running away from life; you’re running toward it. This new vision is all about living intentionally, not escaping.
Do you relate?
The reality is that you will see them more often, especially if they live in different zip codes. You can now park near them for weeks instead of rushing in for holiday visits.
This is your chance to model courage – showing them it’s never too late to pursue dreams and that security doesn’t always mean staying still.
Now back to my 13-year-old self…
I say that my family knew of my adventurous spirit because at 13, a friend and I hopped on a Greyhound Bus in St. Louis and took it all the way to Daytona Beach, Florida. I still don’t remember having any fear.
But my parents surely did!
They say our brains don’t fully develop until we are in our mid-20s, so you can imagine how many times I worried my parents over those years.
My telling them we were selling the house, buying a travel trailer, and moving to Alaska was no big surprise. And eventually, they moved up from Florida to share the big adventure with us.
I rubbed off on them.
There is no need to wait until midlife to live your dreams. Life is happening now all around you. Get out and embrace every moment.
