Let's Go Girls

As I await my next trip (this weekend! YAY!), I’ve been wondering if or how I can continue documenting my journey. Currently, we are spending the week working/living a very relaxed life in the town of Zelienople, PA. While we are here, I’m taking Opey for a visit with his favorite veterinarian and we are spending some much-needed time with some of our dearest pals. As I was having a conversation about this blog with one of those pals, I was reminded of the journey I have already taken to get here, and as a result, the subject matter of today’s post was born. Also, there was some talk of Shania Twain in there… so let’s go girls!

Opey frolicking in Zelienople, PA

I always thought that I would live a very conventional life within the confines of society’s expectations. A husband, kids, house, and a good job (all by 25 of course) sounded like success to me. It was no wonder then, why I never found myself happy, as I constantly tried to shove square pegs into round holes. I bought a house in a town that I hated because it made “good financial sense.” I dated too many men who didn’t align with my values. I exercised religiously as an outlet to avoid the realities of life. I was living to meet the expectations of others, not to find my purpose nor to discover what drives me.

I found myself at rock bottom in the summer of 2020. It was the height of the COVID pandemic, and I was miserable. Stuck in an apartment in the desert, 1,500 miles away from home, I had allowed someone else to take control of my life. Not too long after coming to my senses, I took charge and left. That experience sparked a flame deep within my soul, and I never intend to let it burn out.

The months that followed were full of time in my hometown, reconnection with old friends, bonding with family (especially my father, who I now consider one of my closest friends) and dreaming big. I began making plans to sell my home, though I can’t say I had a clear picture of my goal at the time. All I knew is that I wanted to escape all things that caged me in.

Ultimately, at some point in the home listing process, I decided that I was going to buy a camper and live my best life wherever I saw fit. I wasn’t going to wait on someone to do it with me and I wasn’t going to worry about having no knowledge about trucks, trailers, or anything of the like (if you know me, you know that trial by fire is my specialty). So of course, I went out and bought a truck two weeks later. The truck was super handy for the moving process, and already owning it (in my mind) held me accountable to the idea that a travel trailer was step two.

Opey & I. June 2020. Isn't puppy Opey just the sweetest?!

After closing on my home, I put a deposit down on my new travel trailer, and seven months later, my beautiful baby girl was mine. As of this post, I’ve had about two months using the trailer and it’s getting easier every day. Has it been terrifying? Absolutely. Have I also learned a ton? You betcha! Does anything beat the feeling of flawlessly backing 27 ft. / 7,000 pounds onto a camping pad? Not a chance.

As I prepare for my next adventure this weekend, I hope you find an adventure of your own. Whether that means scaling a mountain, leaving the house, or cleaning out that spare bedroom… life begins at the end of your comfort zone.