We have been retired and full-timing for seven months now. I still have rush rush rush days, but it is getting much better. One of the things that seems to have helped me to slow down was the price of gas. As I started driving slower to save on gas (with a motor home that is a joke) I have slowed down other parts of my thought process.
For the first time, yesterday I sat outside in a chair and started a book. Within 15 minutes I have fallen asleep. In the past that would have been impossible.
It takes time, but it will come. Don't try to force it. Just let it happen naturally.
Why not a shorter trip? Take the pet with you and plan to come back, well when you get back. It took us a few months to really start to enjoy being retired. It's wonderful! Work into it. Don't plan on doing anything that will cause you to be in a hurry. Go shopping between 9:30 and 2:00 Tues-Thurs. Avoid rush hour traffic. Stay home on the weekends when all the neighbors are out and about. Avoid the crowds. Go to the movies in the early afternoon on a weekday. It's all about changing your schedule to avoid the crowds...
B.O.
2011 Big Country 3250TS...2010 Ram CC Laramie 4wd Cummins
15k Super Glide, Firestone Ride Rite, TrailAir Tri-Glide
Michelin XPS Ribs. Just say no to Chinese tires.
Twin Cities Mn.
We have a good friend that takes his mother with him. He also hauls a boat and trailer, and when he goes out fishing, she goes along for the ride.
We don't have a dog for that very reason. It would be unfair to leave it in a locked up trailer all day long. Our kids grew up with a dog, and we'll probably get another when we can't rV any more.
But right now we are living life to the fullest
You are trying to do it both ways, and it just won't work. You need to find a compromise
I played all my life. Therefore, there really wasn't anything to my transitioning into retirement. However, I did decide that I prefer to have a lifestyle whereby I work some, and play some. I miss my job.
Just relax, everything will work out, it just takes more time than you thought.
Willie & Betty Sue
Miko & Sparky
2003 41 ft Dutch Star Diesel Pusher/Spartan
Floorplan 4010
Blazer toad & Ranger bassboat
In regard to your trips, plan them well in advance. Plan it out and plot it out so that you spend a minimum of 3-4 days in a specific location or longer if there is more you'd like to do. Make reservations for your stays if possible. This will keep you in that spot for a specific length of time.
I've been retired for a little over 5 years now, but I'm still a bit of a hyper person. I like to exercise every morning by speed walking about 2-3 miles. I've done yoga and still take time to incorporate that into my exercise. I'm not a big hobby person, but find small projects involving yard work, fixing something up, refinish a small piece of furniture, keep my RV clean, etc.
I've also taken up reading more than while I was working. My wife reads a lot so that helps me to stop moving and sit and read. In fact, when traveling in our camper we are sure to have books with us. We might take a hike or go to the beach for a while during the day and then end up back at the camper and just read. A little easy listening music (soft rock or smooth jazz is nice) help to relax while reading too.
I've become a better cook since retiring. My wife and I take turns cooking, but I like to go onto the Internet and find recipes and jazz them up with different spices. I've learned to make a killer chicken noodle soup.
Don't get too anxious about not being in the retirement "groove" just yet. You'll find your groove over time. Some people like a regimented lifestyle while others prefer no specific rules for life. Fretting over all life's responsibilities might just tie you up in knots. Find small accomplishments daily, weekly, or whenever so that you feel you've done something of value for yourself or someone else. Volunteer your time to something that helps others, but don't let that interfer with some travel time for you and your wife.
I planned everything I did for 40 years.not any more. I don't plan anything just get in the rv and go, I stop when I want, I start when I want. I travel back roads and stop at every wide spot in the road. Strangers can become interesting friends. Look under bridges and over hills you never know what you may find.
First year we retired, we traveled 21,000 miles in 6 months. Stayed in a different park almost every night. Felt like your do 3 weeks in one week. It was rush and go. We actually enjoyed it, but the next year, spent 6 months and about half the miles. Learned to stay a week in one spot. This year we are spending 9 months on the road. Have only traveled about 4,000 miles so far and have about 2,000 miles to get home in the next month. We have learned to stay a month in one spot when we want. Have really learned how to enjoy certain areas. Have learned how to go out during the week if we want, stay home on weekends when the crowds are out. Have learned to stay home and bake cookies and take a nap if it is bad weather. We now love doing nothing when we want and going out seeing things on our time.
Time will teach you how to slow down and smell the roses. It takes a while, but it comes naturally.
Yes, when you first start it feels like you have to constantly be on the go. First, everything you want to see will be there in a couple of days so relax and slow down. Next develop an interest that will take several days in an area to do. Visit all the vineyards in the area, get the wife into cross stitch or quilting and visit all the shops in the area, search out the odd and curious sites in an area. The weird museums or sites like a working dairy farm, cheese factory or gardening center. What interest YOU? Go beyond the national and state parks, find the local interest. That often takes a few days more than just passing through. We have varied interest and to peak them it takes a few days. You can get there, just think about what you two would enjoy spending time doing.
John
"Motorcycle Jack"
Life time Good Sam Member
Blog: My RV
5th Wheel Blog
Full timing isn't "always camping". It's a different life style living in an RV.
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