Big Changes to RV Life in 2025

Continue Full-time or will it become a part-time thing?

So many full-timers are scaling it back and buying homes. The trend of the nomad life is quieting down. It’s been five years since the pandemic that spurred the RV craze. As predicted, some are finding it’s just not for them. It does take a bit of moxie to live life on the road. It’s not for the posh at heart. And that’s okay. My words of advice: If you want to do it then do it. Don’t wait. You can always go back to sticks and bricks living.

For me, I still desire to travel in my motorhome. I like the lifestyle. It fits me.

I have started this month’s blog three times. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to share a life change. But I couldn’t wrap my thoughts around any other topic.

Last year my husband passed away. 2024, is a year I am glad to say goodbye. The last six months of the year were difficult. His health started deteriorating and it was aggressive. Not one for doctors, he refused to get medical treatment. I disagreed, but it was his wish. I had to respect it.

Finally, in the fall he said, “I think I should go to hospital.” We went and the diagnosis was Cancer. The cancer had taken over his body. He was Stage 4, terminal. They wanted to transport him and run a bunch of tests. He refused. He didn’t want to live his last few months in a hospital and sick from all the drugs and tests. He said, “It’s not going to change and what does it matter where it started?” I have to agree with that logic. He wanted to live his last few months or days in his home, with his family. And he did.

They confirmed what he already knew. He knew this would happen, heavy smoker, didn’t eat right by dietary standards, and didn’t exercise. But here’s the thing. He lived his life how he wanted. He did it his way. He knew he would die young, and he did at 60. I can never fault a person for living by their rules.

I cared for my mother and my brother in their final days. The coroner said I was a seasoned caregiver. 🙄. Nonetheless, I am a strong person and the type that I do what I have to do at the moment. But with Wolf, it was the most difficult situation I have ever had. There was no help. It was me. It was hard and exhausting. It was heart-wrenching to see him in so much pain. All I could do was try and make him as comfortable as possible. And nothing worked.

Ever the British gentleman, he was always polite with Thank-You’s and understanding. I was doing the best to my ability. In his last few hours of life, I was giving him water through a straw and he said, ” Thank you Boo-boo. Thank you for taking care of me.”

I was talking to a friend about this wonderful man who came into my life unexpectedly. I couldn’t explain our relationship in words. He was everything to me. This friend said, “he was your person.” That summed it up for me. He WAS my person, and I will never have that again. Ever. We had 13 years together. It wasn’t always perfect; it wasn’t always happy. But our life together was always the priority.

Through all of this, I am glad we took the plunge to travel full-time when we did. I quit working the office life five years ago and I am the happiest person for it. We had some epic adventures during our travels. It wasn’t about checking off 50 states on the map or driving all over the country. It was about spending time in different locations. Experiencing other places like living at the beach, or in the mountains. Seeing in person vast desert landscapes that pictures don’t do justice. We visited a few National Parks and a Wildlife Sanctuary and saw up close wild animals.

Wolf loved Sea Otters. We ended up at a miserable campground in a Marina over Labor Day Weekend in 2023. One thing that made the stay enjoyable was a family of Sea Otters that ran around the boat launch area. That was the first time he had ever seen a Sea Otter up close and in person.

The second time was our visit to The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone Montana. This was the first time we both had seen a wolf in person.

We talked about the great adventures we experienced. The last few days of his life he said he wanted more time to do more things together. But it wasn’t in the cards as they say.

What’s next for me?

To tell ya the truth, I can’t say. For now, I plan to continue life as a nomad. He wanted me to stop and stay near my kids. He didn’t want me to be alone. I did promise if it was too much, I would stop. Well, take it to a part-time thing. I love to travel around too much to completely stop. Who knows, it might be boring as hell without him. It might be too much, but I have to try and see how it goes.

Living tiny is definitely my preference. I like the simple life, why over complicate things. It’s too stressful. I miss him every day. I am learning to live as one. Which is a challenge. We are foodies and my first grocery shopping as a solo was nerve-racking!

I have an incredible support system. I couldn’t have gone through any of this as his 24/7 caretaker without the help of my children. They were amazing! We have wonderful friends here at our winter spot. They stopped by for short visits with him. Brought him food, although he didn’t have much of an appetite. And they came by to see if there was anything I needed. I appreciated their kindness. That is one thing I love about the RV life. People do look out for each other.

I am moving forward in this new chapter of my life. I am not a griever or someone who hangs onto what I cannot control. Life will throw you a bunch of curveballs when you are not expecting or planning for them. It’s life, it happens. Celebrate life and live your life as you want to live it. Not for others, or trends. Live it the way you desire.

Until, next month. Happy New Year and I wish you all the best.

Teresa