You want to travel but life is not quite ready to let you go yet. Here is the truth nobody talks about: you do not have to wait to become the person who travels. You can start right now, exactly where you are.
The dream doesn’t begin when you leave. It begins right now, wherever you are.
You want to travel. Maybe it’s a van you want to build out, or a Skoolie you have been eyeing, or you just want to pack a bag and go somewhere solo and figure it out as you go. Whatever it looks like for you, the desire is real and it is sitting inside you right now.
But right now, you can’t go. Maybe you’re in the middle of a divorce. Maybe you’re finishing school or your kids still need you. Maybe you’re saving money or waiting on a house situation to resolve itself. Whatever it is, there’s this gap between the life you have and the life you’re picturing, and it can feel like you’re just sitting there, waiting for it to start.
I want to offer you a different way to look at this.
You don’t have to wait to become the person who travels. You can start being that person right now, today, in the life you’re already living.
I’m not talking about vision boards or just believing hard enough. I’m talking about real, practical things you can do while life is still doing its thing around you. Things that will make you better prepared, more confident, and a whole lot clearer on what you actually want when the time does come.
Because here’s what I’ve seen, having lived this and having been deep in the Skoolie community for years: the people who hit the road and actually love it are the ones who thought it through before they left. They practiced. They prepared. They told their people. They did the boring unglamorous work while they were still home, and it made everything easier when they finally went.
The ones who struggle are the ones who show up with six sets of sheets, three kitchen appliances, and a shower they’ll never actually use, because nobody told them to test any of it first.
So this is me telling you. You have time, and that time is not wasted time. That time is prep time. There is a difference, and it matters.
In my next post, I’m giving you a specific list of ten things you can start doing right now. Some of them are mindset, some of them are habits, some of them are research. All of them are doable. All of them will move you closer to the trip, the life, the freedom you’re dreaming about.
You are not stuck. You are building. There is a big difference.
About Rita: Rita Gardner is a Jersey girl, single mom of three, and court reporter of 30+ years who blew up her old life and built a better one. She rebuilt herself, then rebuilt a bus. She travels the country in her van, is mid-build on her retirement dream skoolie, and helps women over 50 figure out who they are after loss and what they actually want next. You're going to want to know her.
Feeling stuck or unmotivated even though you want to hit the road? Apathy sneaks in when the dream feels optional,but a few tiny, consistent actions can reignite your momentum and keep you moving toward the life you crave.
I tiptoed into it. Quietly. On purpose. No announcement, no explanation, no permission asked. I just started making moves and kept my mouth shut, because I already knew what was coming the minute I opened it. If you’re the woman sitting on a dream you haven’t told anyone about yet, this one is for you.
Feeling stuck or overwhelmed in your journey to live simply and travel freely? Your clutter may be the thing holding you back—from peace, clarity, creativity, and the open road. Here’s how to spot it and start letting go.
You have got the dream and you are not quite ready to leave yet. That is okay. Here are ten specific things you can start doing today that will make you more prepared, more confident, and a whole lot clearer on what you actually want when the time comes.
Moochdocking—parking your rig on a friend’s driveway or private land—relies on trust, kindness, and community. Whether you’re the host or the guest, this guide shares essential etiquette tips to make the experience smooth, respectful, and even heartwarming.
I fasted two days a week so my kids could eat. I picked up donated food from the church. I didn’t buy a single thing for myself that wasn’t survival. And I’m not telling you that so you’ll feel sorry for me. I’m telling you because I know exactly where you are. And I know the way out.
