This is your shrink speaking...

Actually, I've often wondered what effect life on the road permanently has had on people's personalities and character. I have a feeling that after a year or two on the road I'll be a different person in many ways... perhaps more outgoing, less prone to anxiety, more adventurous, maybe even more caring and generous towards other people. I'd love to know what some of the more experienced GNs have to say about changes they may have undergone as a consequence of the nomad lifestyle... and how those changes compare to the kind of person they were prior to hitting the road.

Also, I'd be interested to know if friends and relatives have remarked on any changes that may have occurred. I'm looking forward to responses with great interest (and curiosity).

Oh a trip back home for xmas did have everybody saying how well we looked, so i guess it must rub off on our physical looks as well, not just mental, but also could have had a lot to do with the great Qld tan we were sporting. Lol my best friend said i looked 10 years younger, even letting my hair go grey. Lol

freehazzas wrote:

---

I am def more laid back and open to meeting new people. Less stress as well and i prob have more patience than i used to have.
I still dont tolerate fools and idiots and prob have less tolerance for kids as now we are nomads we dont want kids around, full stop.
But over all we are happier, healthier and like to keep it all simple. We rely on nobody but ourselves.

---

 Personally I think the comments about no kids allowed is a shame. I noticed some other older people have the same view. I never ever want to be in that same boat.  I never want to forget the joy and pleasure children give, Please don't get so set in those ways that we lose tolerance with others be they children or anyone of any age. Another thing, if w we end up sick and frail it will be those children that will have the 'pleasure' of nursing you  

What a shame freehazzas . Children are precious . I couldn't imagine what our lives would be like
without our grandies , but each to their own I suppose
Cheers

I do not aplogise for not wanting kids around. We chose not to have our own kids, perhaps thats why we have been able to retire and travel full time in our 40s, so not having my own, i detest having to put up with other people kids miss behaving, non respecting brats on my travels. Each to their own.
We have made our own provisions for our old age looking after not to have to rely on family. I dont think its a shame at all. This is our life and ours to live for us, not other people. All you peopl that take it for granted that your families are going to be there in your old age to look after you, sorry many of you will get a big shock when push comes to shove.
The ammount of older people we hear complain as they have to go home to look after the grandkids while their kids go on hols over seas ect, um how many of those trips did you get, who looked after your kids all the time. Ill bet you did and your still doing it when you should be enjoying whats left of our lives.
Now to me thats a shame.

JMO.

Gary, I can only answer your question from both my wife and myself. our life is a whole lot hectic,than when we were both trying to keep a house and garden in tip top condition.My wife was working full time and a was a fly in fly worker,so was only back home for a week every two weeks,and it starts to get the better of you after years of this type of life style. So once the youngest of our three children went off to make it in the big world we said right now it is our turn to go do what we want for our self. My wife was not sure if she would cope with type of life so we locked the house up for six months,just in case she wanted to head back to the house, but only three months into living this life she just said one day ....let us let the house go .So that was it. Our health has never been better,but in saying that we still are under the 60 mark and they tell me that's when some of the aches and pains start to creep in. Stress is less regarding our own personal life, but it can come from a lot of outside sources (a lot of funny & strange people appear to use caravan parks believe me )So always aware  of who is camped close by.I guess the only down side of this life is if you are a person who loves his man cave that has to get put into storage or sold... I miss my motor bikes like hell,as  the only time I get to use them is when we base our self in WA as they are stored at my daughters house ...Another aspect of our choice to live on the road at the age we decided to do it, is that  when most other people are thinking about it we have done it and probably ready to go back to some kind of abode that doesn't move.

But the people you meet and the friendships you forge along the way on your journey will be the biggest bonus of all.

The only thing is to go for a few short trips away before you hand back your lease on your house you rent and see how it pans out for you...My wife has a friend who her and husband sold up in hast and regrated it only six months into it. They both just got sick of it for many reasons. So they had to buy back into the house market but in another area and a much smaller house as house prices had risen that much in six months in the area they used to live in... but at least you have your house on your back and if you found you get sick of travelling for awhile just park up at a little country caravan park and smell the roses...There is some real great caravan parks in small country towns ,we find the bigger the town the lower the standard and quality the parks appear to be. And you would be able to get rent assistance I am sure.

Regards Herbie.

.

We are only a few weeks into our travels and loving it!  Love the freedom to do  what we want when we want. this is our time and while we still have our health and can string a sentence together,   we intend to make the most of it.  I belive it is actually harder on our kids as we are a very close family and they are having adjustment issues with our not always being able to pick up the phone when they call.  During a period of no phone or internet service, we eventually got a  message from the kids on Facebook ....Quote. "Where are you parents?  ..... Have hillbillies stolen you??"  Unquote. Yes, we do miss our kids  and grandkids, but we don't miss the dramas and problems that seem to be a part of today's generation.  I dont condemn anyone for preferring to spend most of their time without children around ... Lets be honest, many of the younger generation do lack discipline .... If my grandkids were brought up without parental guidance and discipline, I would be traveling in Europe or Asia rather than here close our family in Australia.

Regardless of what phase of your life you are going through "we only get out of life, what we are prepared to put into it"  ....... As for us, we are shoveling as much as possible into it!

I have children and grand children but when I'm travelling and if kids are noisy or misbehaving, I think 'at least they're not mine to concern myself with'.

Gary just do it. It has given me a confidence I've never had. Cheers JulieM 

About a decade ago we spent two years on the road.....and a fabulous two years it was, health improved, our relationship was great, we ate well, met lots of terrific people who were happy to share knowledge and experience, moved on when it was cold etc, much as has been said by others.  Due to horrible circumstances we have not been able to travel in the van for the last year or so BUT that is soon coming to an end and we can't wait.  To have that life style back again will be great, enjoying lots of planning and dreaming and discussing at the moment but hope we meet you, Gary and other GNs on the road soon.  Go for it!

cheers  Capricorn

 

Thanks for starting this thread Gary. I too am curious.

I'm a partime nomad for several reasons, but mainly because of health issues. So I don't have the experience of the full timers, but I'm learning.

For me, it's almost a spiritual experience. I love the road trip. Driving along seeing the changing landscape. Freedom camping in the wide open spaces, with some trees around, and hopefully some water, a river, lake or ocean. A peaceful place where I'll walk amongst the trees, breath in that beautiful fresh air, or just sit and watch, or read. Maybe chat to a few around me. Or not!

I guess to sum it up, I just feel peaceful and relaxed when I'm out there.

 

based on our longest trip of 5 months I can honestly say that.

I became far more relaxed.
Slept much better.
Became fitter.
Lost approx 8 KG without trying.
Laughed more.
met many new friends.
saw many amazing sights.
learn a lot about out country and it history.
I am sure that in many ways I was a changed man whilst travelling.
Every one commented on how well we looked when we got home.

So yep I agree that travelling can change one for the better..

cheers

Mike

-- Edited by Mike C on Monday 29th of July 2013 08:20:41 AM

I agree about the vehicle Gerty. If you're not comfortable with your rig, it can put you right off.