New Year’s Resolutions for RVers

It is time. Time to make those New Year’s resolutions. According to Time Magazine, these are the 10 most common New Year’s resolutions:

• Lose Weight and Get Fit
• Quit Smoking
• Learn Something New
• Eat Healthier and Diet
• Get Out of Debt and Save Money
• Spend More Time with Family
• Travel to New Places
• Be Less Stressed
• Volunteer
• Drink Less

There are numerous lists of New Year’s Resolutions for RVers, like this one from KOA:

• Slow Down
• Meet New People
• Allow Room for Spontaneity
• Buy That New RV You’ve Been Eyeing
• Stay in Shape While RVing
• Travel in the Off-Season
• Make Your RV Travel Stress Free
• Start a Travel Journal
• Introduce a Friend to RVing
• Take a Staycation
• Expand Your Cooking Skills

I have a few to toss out there. Keep in mind that this comes from a retired guy. Fewer days ahead of me than those that have passed behind me.

Enjoy the Journey

It is such a blessing to be able to move freely about the country in a coach. I should enjoy every moment that I am behind the wheel driving our coach but I can get easily stressed with poor traffic conditions, bad weather and bad roads. I have to learn to let all of that go. It is part of the journey. I resolve to enjoy the journey even when the road gets bumpy. And I resolve to enjoy this journey of life.

Be Thankful 

If you come into this lifestyle, you know that it comes with its own set of issues and challenges. And it is not hard to let the issues overwhelm you. Especially if you have expectations that your coach is built to automotive quality levels (it isn’t) and that your ownership experience should be problem free (it won’t be). I resolve to start each day thankful.

Learn As Much As You Can

This includes learning as much as I can about our coach but also learning as much as I can about the world around me. We live in an age where we can dramatically increase our knowledge and understanding simply by searching the web and learning from the experiences of other people. Newton quoted this way back in 1675: If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants. I resolve to learn as much as I can from the wisdom of others.

Face Challenges With Optimism

When issues emerge, particularly issues with our coach, my initial reaction is usually quite negative. Another problem? Really? The issue gets under my skin and I just want to get it resolved immediately. I may not be a doctor, but I know when I am losing my patience — I know, I know, a really bad pun. Issues often cause me to lose my patience. And yet, I find satisfaction in resolving issues. Invariably I learn more about the underlying system or technology, which is a benefit, and problem-solving is often a creative act. I resolve to face challenges and issues in a positive light and not let them get under my skin.

Give Something Back

One of the outstanding aspects of the RV lifestyle is the RV community. We have made many wonderful friendships in our travels. But it is too easy to take these friendships for granted and not spend the time developing our friendships. I can give something back through small tokens of appreciation, offering a helping hand, staying in touch and sharing knowledge and insight. I resolve to be a better friend to my friends.

The start of a new year and a new decade can be a time to reflect on exciting new opportunities for personal growth and development.

Happy New Year!