Are you ready to make the big leap and hit the open road in an RV travel full-time but hesitant because of family and friends who aren't on board? Maybe they think it's too expensive, dangerous, or simply just not their cup of tea! We get it. Transitioning from a traditional lifestyle to one that is so unconventional isn't always easy.
The good news is that there are ways to handle hesitation when it comes to full-time RVing. This article can help you understand family concerns and provide helpful solutions. Read on as we cover how to spin your plans into positives when discussing with those close to you!
Are those Close to you not on Board with your New Adventure?
Congratulations on taking steps toward your dream of living in an RV! Getting ready to embark on this new lifestyle change can be a little exhilarating and nerve-wracking all at the same time. I am sure you were very excited to share the news of this big life change with friends and family members.
Did you get an unexpected response from any friends or loved ones when you shared your news about embarking on a full-time RVing lifestyle? I really thought that when we broke the news to our crew that everyone would be really excited for us. After all, we were getting ready to leave our old life behind and embark on one epic journey! It didn't exactly go that way, though.
It can be really surprising when you present this news and receive less than supportive or even downright negative responses. It can leave you a little confused and possibly even doubting if you are making the right decision. We have been there and know many others who have dealt with this. No worries, because we will go into why this happens and what you can do about it so that this doesn't put a damper on your plans.
Reasons why Family or Friends Might not be Supportive
The number one reason why family members or friends aren't all in on your big adventure often involves concern about your or your family's safety or even just a lack of understanding of what full-time RVing is all about.
Safety
Some people unfamiliar with RVing or living on the road may believe that this lifestyle has safety concerns. Your loved ones may worry about where you will be when you are often moving. They may also worry about your security when staying in rural areas or spending time in the woods. We even had some family members that thought staying in campgrounds could be a safety concern.
Some of these safety concerns come from a lack of understanding of the RV lifestyle. Other concerns may stem from a few isolated news stories over the years involving RVing. The reality of full-time RVing is that it is generally very safe as long as you follow everyday common sense while you travel.
With some convincing, you can show family and friends this is a safe lifestyle. Consider coming up with a check-in system to let a few people know where you are going and that you arrived. You could even consider using technology to track your location and report it to a loved one. You can also install security cameras or a Ring system on your RV to ease the minds of loved ones. In over seven years on the road, we have never had a security issue.
Lack of Understanding
The biggest reason for the lack of support in the RV lifestyle is not understanding what full-time RVing is all about. Many people don't know why someone would want to do this. Anytime someone lives outside the norm of what is considered normal by society, there may be a bit of confusion. Your loved ones may think you have lost your mind when you tell them you will be giving up most of your stuff for tiny living. They simply may not see your vision.
To help your loved ones see your vision and understand your why, share with them what you hope this RV lifestyle will look like for you or your family. Let them know why you are driven to downsize your life. Share your travel goals and the experiences that you wish to have. Hopefully, they can better understand your dream by letting them in on why you want to live in an RV.
Stigmas
Some friends or family members may associate living in an RV with homelessness or living in a not-so-nice trailer park. Depending on what their vision of an RV looks like or what a campground looks like, they may be worried that you are making a mistake. Society has placed a stigma on certain ways of living that may not be fair or accurate, but those stigmas seem to stick with people.
A solution to dispelling these myths is to show friends or family members what modern RVs look like or even the specific RV you are considering living in. Most will be shocked by the amazing home-like features in present-day RVs. Some newer RVs are almost like mini luxury apartments on wheels with full kitchens, fireplaces, washing machines, and pantries. You can get just about any feature in an RV to live in. Just showing photos or videos can go a long way to showing how nice your new RV home could be.
The same thing is true with campgrounds and travel locations. Campgrounds can be anything from dry camping for free in the middle of nowhere to high-end RV resorts with mini golf, poolside bars, and water slides. Show your loved ones some places you are thinking of staying in your travels so they can get a feel for the campgrounds. Even consider visiting a campground in your area.
If you plan to move into your RV at a campground near your home, a great idea would be to have people come by and check out your new home on wheels. Possibly seeing your setup and what the campground is like could help to change their mind.
Examples of Others Full-Time RVing
Luckily today, there are many people living on the road that share their lifestyle online. Find others full-time RVing on YouTube, blogs, or social media and share their experiences with your family. This can help them learn more about the lifestyle and why you would want to be a part of it. As a bonus, hopefully, you can also learn some tips and tricks of the RV lifestyle to help you better learn the ropes.
Sometimes it takes people a little while to come around. Hopefully, they will accept and embrace your new lifestyle over time. It's okay to be patient with yourself and them during this life transition. I know having the support of others is ideal. Just remember that this is your dream and yours only. Sometimes others won't get it, and that's okay. Don't let anyone steal your excitement or joy in this new adventure!
Looking for a new RV to begin your full-time RVing journey? La Mesa RV has an amazing selection to match your RV wishlist. Stop by and find the perfect RV to live in today!
Scott, his wife Van, and their 13-year-old daughter have traveled full-time in their RV for 8 years. They have worked and homeschooled on the road through 42 states so far. They blog about RVing tips, travel destinations, jobs for RVing, and the full-time RV lifestyle on their blogs theadventuredetour and rvnomadjobs. They are also RV content creators @theadventuredetour on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. They love connecting with RVers, so be sure to reach out to them and say hi!
