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3 Kids, 2 Dogs and 1 Old House

LIFESTYLEPARENTINGTRAVEL

Why I’m Scared Of Living In A Campervan For A Year

8 March 2018
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Maybe scared isn’t the right word.  Maybe it’s worried.  Or anxious.  Or maybe it’s even too-used-to-her-creature-comforts-to-go-without, but that’s a flipping long word.

Either way the thought of year in the camper brings out a lot of emotions in me all at once.  It’s quite a weird feeling actually.  I can be having a totally neutral moment and feeling at peace.  Or in as much peace as being surrounded by 3 children can give you.  But one thought of heading out in Optimus and I get all the feels.

I think the predominant feeling is excitement.  At least I’m pretty sure it is.  Being able to explore the tiny little towns and the glamorous cities of South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia and Mozambique is thrilling.  We’ve never gone further than Durban together (for our honeymoon) and I’m so keen to see ALL the things.  We have such a rich and diverse ladscape and cultures across our country and I’m looking forward to experiencing it.  And to be able to share that experience with Seth and the kids is freaking awesome.  It’s going to be heck of a trip and a really interesting, waderlusty one.

But if I said that this was all that I felt then I’d be a big fat liar.

Seriously.  Packing up your entire life to live in the smallest space in the World is not easy to wrap your head around.  (At least, it isn’t for me.  Seth is pretty fine with giving up almost everything but I’m still getting there in my head.)  Thinking about it makes my body do weird things.  Like really weird.  I’m going to tell you because it’s just so weird.  Guys I get goosebumps on my butt.  Like what the what?  Who gets weird tingly goosebumps on their bottom for crying out loud?!  But I do.

But the thing is, I’m keen for the trip.  (Despite how it may sound).  It’s just this next four month phase till we leave that’s leaving me feeling like I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.

So in an effort to work through it, here are some of the things that I am struggling with right now…

Clothing and fashion and just getting dressed

Yes, I’m aware that this is hella shallow and quite stupid.  But I went to the Woolies sale the other day and I just walked out with nothing.  Because what must I buy?  I quite literally can’t take anything in the campervan that needs to be ironed to be worn.  Let that sink in.  Maybe that’s not a big deal for you, but I’m used to getting dressed up a bit to go to work.  Wearing dresses and shirts that need a bit of an iron.  Even just some of my casual T-Shirts need an iron to look decent.  I can’t take any of my nice dresses with me.  There will be no dressing up.

So basically I have to change a lot of my day to day style when we’re in there.  Yoh, as I type this I realise how petty it sounds.  It’s not like I’m some super fashionable person or anything, but I am not someone who can literally just throw anything on.  I have very specific likes and dislikes and maybe that’s something that I have to lose or just adapt to.  I even went onto Pinterest to find a casual style that I like but NOTHING GUYS – nothing!

Hair today, gone tomorrow

Another very real issue for me is my hair.  I honestly feel like this grey hair is me.  I look back at all the other colours I’ve had (of which there were many) and this is the only one that I truly love.  But how can I possibly maintain this on the road?  I won’t have my awesome Stylist from Stylebar hiding in the boot of the camper.  Unless… Hmmm.  I hope she’s not reading this so when I jump her she’s not ready for my sneak attack.

But seriously, I’m at a loss of what to do here because my only option is to let it grow out (ugh) or dye it back to my natural colour (double ugh) and I actually don’t want to do either option.  Ugh.

 

Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer

My skin is another issue.  A great thing about the camper is that we’re probably going to eat more fresh produce than ever before and less fast food than ever before, but the Skin Renewal treatments are going to be sorely missed.  I mean I was getting a patch on my cheek over this last week and one laser genesis and PDT treatment on Tuesday cleared it right up!

I’m really going to miss them while we are away.

Packing up our life

Moving is one of the most stressful things in life.  But moving with only half your stuff, having to pack half of it away while you squeeze the other half into 7.5m2 is no joke.  I know that I really should start packing but I can’t actually bring myself to do it yet.  I don’t want to see empty book shelves or walk into my house and feel even more all over the place than I already do.  But then again, maybe that’s the push I need to actually take this all really seriously.  Because we haven’t really done much.  And that makes me anxious.  A vicious circle.

Coco and Spartan

We still haven’t really found a real solution for our dogs.  All they need is a loving home for a year – we will still pay for all their food and medical bills, so the loving person looking after them will really only enjoy the perks.  They are the sweetest dogs and very well trained.  But Coco does have a bit of a seizure problem.  Which I know is a lot to ask for someone to take on.  There’s been suggestions of putting them down but for the sake of one adventure I am NOT going to be ending the lives of two beautiful animals.  It’s not even like they are old (they are about to turn 10) or sick (except Coco and her weird seizure thing).  But I get that no one wants to take that on.  I get it but I don’t know what to do about it.  Every time I look at them my heart breaks a little!

Other creature comforts

Just little things like books.  And space.  And a couch to lie on an watch Netflix.  And a room to hide in when I want a little break from the kids.  A working toilet and a full pressured shower too.  I’m missing these things already!

Why I’m Scared Of Living In A Campervan For A Year was last modified: March 8th, 2018 by 321Blog
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16 comments

Caley 8 March 2018 at 1:41 PM

Ah Cinds, these are all such valid worries – and I would be exactly the same! My only suggestion would be to try and stay positive but realistic for the next few months… It’s going to be the most amazing trip and unforgettable memories and experiences. I am SO excited for you x

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321Blog 9 March 2018 at 10:23 AM

Thank you!! Going to keep the positive mindset. I think the more we do on the camper the better I’ll feel

Reply
Juwayra 8 March 2018 at 2:11 PM

Ahhh Cindy!
As much as all of this sucks, I am so excited to hear about your journey. I’m telling everybody I know about. It’s a HUGE step and I don’t for one bit think that you’re being petty. I’m sure it will take some time to get used to. Just remember that this is a once in a life time experience. You all will have the time of your life!!!

Reply
321Blog 9 March 2018 at 10:22 AM

I need to keep hearing this – so thank you!!

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Melissa Javan 8 March 2018 at 2:34 PM

Luckily you have nice hair, not kinky which is a bit of a struggle. Sorry about that. I do think you should consider a manageable style, get pom poms and realise that you can lose pom poms (hair thingies). Your feelings are normal. We take a lot of road trips because of husband’s work but we sleep over in a house. Some times my moods range during the day, late afternoon I might get cranky because my kid has a meltdown. So basically I’m saying, it’s okay not to be okay some times on the road. Also, I’ve found myself wearing yesterday’s clothes and just washing the necessities. And then my hair isn’t combed. The realities – but you’ll be okay. Not every day is the same. And your kids will get used to driving a lot too. My toddler kind of has. Good luck!

Reply
321Blog 9 March 2018 at 10:22 AM

That is really encouraging – thank you! I’m sure we’ll find a good groove and then it will be all good!

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Charlene | High Heels & Fairy Tales 8 March 2018 at 5:28 PM

There’s a lot of serious stuff you’ve mentioned, stuff that I’d be worrying about too if we were getting ready for an adventure like this (which btw sounds super exciting and awesome)… but I can’t seem to move on from the goosebumps on your bottom! 🙈😂

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321Blog 9 March 2018 at 10:14 AM

Hahaha – it’s pretty weird hey?!

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stephanie videira 8 March 2018 at 8:40 PM

yep hear u on the fashion part 🙂 and no its not shallow ur allowed that 🙂 but just think u give up things for life experiences that ur kids are going tell ur grandchildren one day that’s a big WOW, and i would take ur dogs in a heart beat but live a little to far from u ( Nelspruit ) and are also currently living with my in-laws tell we can find our own place ( we recently moved from Pretoria ) iam in envy of the experiences you going to have and cant wait for ur journey to begin

Reply
321Blog 9 March 2018 at 10:07 AM

You’re so right – I really am so excited for the adventure – just need to get my head in the game for the rest of it haha. Ah how awesome is Nelspruit? I’ve heard good things about it

Reply
Heather Step 8 March 2018 at 9:53 PM

I think it’s normal to be anxious about a change in routine but you’re also setting out on an adventure and making memories.

Reply
321Blog 9 March 2018 at 9:44 AM

Totally!

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Debs 13 March 2018 at 1:02 PM

All these things are part of who you are, so its scary to think that all these things could change because it probs feels like you are taking away the things that make you who you are. BUT! Big but here, they really are just THINGS. We are following your journey because i can bet each one of us would LOVE to do something like this but cant, we are living vicariously through you (which maybe you know and THATS why you’re worried about your hair?!?! honestly we wont judge :)) . We love that this journey will be a real representation of life in a campervan with your kids and husband (oh my god maybe you are a bit nutty!!) so we (and im just taking liberties to speak on behalf of your readers here) promise not to judge. Its going to be one hell of a ride, and i for one am super excited to see how it goes, grey hair or no grey hair!!

Reply
321Blog 14 March 2018 at 9:43 AM

You know – you really are the best and always have just the right words that you share with me when I am going through a slump! Thank you!!!

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Ib 18 March 2018 at 8:29 AM

Hi!Was wondring what you will be doing about your kids’ schooling?

Reply
321Blog 19 March 2018 at 9:46 AM

We’re going to be homeschooling them for the year – it’s going to be interesting that’s for sure!

Reply

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