The Gentle Chapter

Hardest Personal Goal (DP#42)

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For sure getting out in a van has been the hardest and seemingly never-ending goal I have had.

Being in the beginning stages of this goal, I have already witnessed the stress this is going to cause. We have already had to decide on what we are keeping as far as clothes, utensils, necessities, etc. The objects we own have been sifted through several times already just to be able to fit in a small, enclosed space. As somebody who struggles to let go of things, I have learned pretty quickly what is actually a necessity, and even some things we thought were necessary are not. We have taken multiple trips to my mom’s house and Goodwill already which has been physically exhausting as well.

On top of getting rid of material things, we are also having to get our house cleaned and touched up in order to appeal to buyers. That has consisted of finishing out the baseboards, crown molding, flooring, painting, caulking, you name it lol We have also had to make the decision to hand our dog over to my mom. We will miss her for sure but she would be absolutely miserable in the RV since she gets car sickness out the rear-end. She would have not only have my mom’s dog to keep her company, but also my niece, who she loves as well. She will be fine thankfully.

After we eventually sell, for hopefully a decent price, we will really need to decide what direction to take. Either a van that we would build out ourselves, or an already built and set up RV that would be more expensive up front but less demanding on us. We have found several potential options, all of which require traveling out of state to get the best deals. The van option would take a while to buy everything required for electricity, water, etc. and then building it out from scratch ourselves. I have never been hands on like my husband has, so this part really causes me anxiety since I feel so far out of my comfort zone with being a builder, carpenter, electrician, plumber, etc. lol

Ultimately, whatever is going to happen, will happen. I know if God allows it, we will find the perfect rig for us that fits the lifestyle we want. It is just a matter of taking one step at a time and putting our faith not in ourselves or the housing market or any other what-if scenario. We will get there eventually with the right amount of determination, stubbornness and hope lol

7 responses to “Hardest Personal Goal (DP#42)”

  1. observationblogger Avatar
    observationblogger

    I also am the least bit practical person. My brother is the complete opposite. A helicopter technician – hands on totally. I’m the dreamer – artsy fartsy one who serves almost zero purpose Haha.

    The questions which beg about your intended Van expedition…How long do you see yourselves doing this open road adventure and how will you support yourselves financially? – if you don’t mind me asking.

    Reply
    1. Ashley Kittrell Avatar
      Ashley Kittrell

      Lol that is kind of how I would feel if I wasn’t watching my niece. My sister works in a nursing home, so it feels like she has the more meaningful job as well.

      We plan on being in the van for as long as it takes lol Our long-term goal is to buy some land for homesteading somewhere in the country and buy chickens, cattle, that sort of thing. While we are in the van, we are still going to be watching my niece, we will just do it at my mom’s house. My husband is going to dive into his photography, and we both have some creative projects to pursue to hopefully turn into a form of income. If all of that goes into smoke, we can always go anywhere and find temporary or part-time work so we have plans and back up plans lol

      Reply
      1. observationblogger Avatar
        observationblogger

        But you caring for your sister’s daughter while she works is nothing to scoff at. That’s requires a lot of work and energy.

        So you will be off on a never ending Van escapade, with a bit of homesteading and baby minding thrown into the mix hehe. Not to mention the option of finding work here and there. Sounds like the good life — and living by the KISS principle (“keep it simple, stupid”) — is truly commendable in this rat-race, consumer-obsessed day and age.

      2. Ashley Kittrell Avatar
        Ashley Kittrell

        I appreciate that! It’s very common for those who are in childcare to be looked down upon especially compared to those who are in health care, particularly teachers.

        That is the plan! Luckily my cousins are starting out homesteading, and they have a few cows already and just got a pig so we will be taking a whole lot of advice from them. The agriculture sector is big in Texas for sure so we will are not short on resources. It just takes the moolah lol This life can definitely be hectic, but it beats out the consumer heavy traditions of society.

      3. observationblogger Avatar
        observationblogger

        That’s nice you have your cousins on hand in case you will be needing any advice. Yeh, I always imagined ‘agriculture’ would be huge in Texas. I have to ask, what do pigs provide on a farm apart from ‘Oink oinks’. Excuse my ignorance.

        Yeh I imagine farm-life would be a lot of hard work, but very fulfilling and self-sustaining and potentially lucrative – right?

      4. Ashley Kittrell Avatar
        Ashley Kittrell

        Pigs are typically used for breeding and for meat. Depending on how you want to make the money. My cousins use their pigs strictly for meat. Depending on how big it is, you could make that ham last a good long while, and it is even more delicious! There is also a desire to show pigs at the stock show and rodeo up here, but you typically need to know people or have some money for that lol

      5. observationblogger Avatar
        observationblogger

        Thanks for the breakdown on why people farm pigs. Ham tastes good, Pork tastes good! Oink oink.

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● About Me

Hello! I am Ashley and I simply love to read, and hope you do to!
I am currently 28 years old and living in the state of Texas, USA.

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