Looks like I’m already on my way to inspiring others to ditch the house and get an RV. This post is brought to you by a reader named Leah over at mamabearmartin.com. Here she talks about discovering my blog and putting RVing on the bucket list.
***
I remember when my husband and I were dating and telling him I wanted to live in a little hut in the woods with no electricity. I even went as far as to sketch out plans. At the time, he laughed it off and jokingly insisted he would need electricity for an air conditioner.
Fast forward through the years and I’ve dreamed of the hut (or cabin), of being a long haul truck driver and of tiny house living. This idea of more simple living progressed in my mind and I finally landed on the notion that when we retire we will travel the country living full time in an RV.
Well…
When this thought crept into my mind, I had no idea that this was something people were already doing! Who knew?
Over the years since then, the tiny house movement has steadily gained momentum due to many people desiring debt-free living with more freedom to pursue the things they truly enjoy. This movement has been bringing so many new ideas and tons of inspiration our way. My heart rejoices when I meet a kindred spirit like Liz that also finds value in small space living. Today I’m humbled to have the opportunity to be guest posting here and I’d like to share my top 5 reasons that full-time RVing is on the bucket list in the Martin household.
Adventure
The open road, the wind in your hair- who can resist? I’ve certainly been inflicted with a case of wanderlust just by reading blogs like Liz’s. The great thing about traveling in your own RV is that you and only you get to dictate the next travel destination, the number of pit stops and the itinerary once you arrive. Maybe this week you choose mountain biking in Washington state, next week is visiting Yellowstone National Park and the next week maybe you’ll be on a beach in south Florida. The beauty in RV life is that there are literally limitless possibilities for places to hook up your rig. So start dreamin’.
A Sense Of Community
One of the unique aspects of RV living is the sense of community you will find among the residents. Neighbors are friendly, welcoming and open to entertaining one another. It brings back a sense of nostalgia for me and reminds me of a time when people prioritized humans before electronics.
Experiencing Nature
What better way to get out of the city, even if only for a short time, and back into nature? While there are certainly options for parking your camper within city limits in some places, parking your RV with all its included, comfortable amenities in a silent forest next to a babbling stream is the way to go. Soak up the pleasantness of fresh, clean air and enjoy the natural scenery around you. When (if) you get bored, just clean up camp and choose a new dot on the map to wander to.
Forced Minimalism- In A Good Way
For many aspiring Minimalists, the hardest part of the journey seems to be just getting started. It is difficult for them to curate a small collection to reside in a much larger space. Many times the best way to jump over this hurdle is with a deadline that is set in stone. Moving to a smaller home forces one, like it or not, to choose what they see as necessary and valuable and to cut out anything that no longer has a purpose or no longer brings the user joy. Full-time RV living is just one example of an effective means to starting the Minimalist fire within you.
Fewer Distractions
Obviously, a person can choose to live full-time in an RV and also drag along many attention- and time-stealing distractions. However, given enough time, I feel like even the most dedicated technology enthusiast will grow curious enough to venture out of the RV door to discover what is waiting to be explored beyond the computer’s screen.
I hope you’ve found inspiration in the thoughts I’ve shared with you here, and maybe you’ve found another kindred spirit as well.
Is RVing on the bucket list for you? Or any type of small living? Share your tiny home plans in the comments below!
-Leah Martin, www.mamabearmartin.com
About Leah

Leah Martin is a stay-at-home Mama and full-time blogger at her personal blog, MamaBear Martin: Minimalism + Motherhood. If she’s not writing, you can find her wrapped in a blanket with a hot cup of tea and a good book.
My husband and I are planning to retire to an RV and explore the country too. I had a similar revelation back in the late 90’s after reading a book on simplicity. We are working on being debt-free and saving as much money as possible so when retirement comes, we can live out that dream.
Right now we get to taste a bit of the RV life when camping in our HiLo camper through the spring, summer, and fall 🙂
How fun! Hope to hear about your adventures soon!