A Guide to Emotional Downsizing for RV Living

Discover emotional downsizing for RV living, making the transition smooth and joyful. Say hello to adventure and freedom! 🚐💖

💫 Managing Emotions While Downsizing for Full-Time RV Living

Getting ready for full-time RV living?

The process of downsizing is an exciting step, but hey, those butterflies in your stomach?

Totally normal. We’re talking about saying goodbye to stuff, your family home, and saying hello to fresh new adventures and a new chapter in your new life.

But, the feels? The memories attached to that lava lamp from college?

Our current home had served us well, but with the kids grown up and out of the house, maintaining such a large home became impractical.

It was a difficult decision and you don’t realize how much stuff you accumulate while living in a big house.

A lava lamp with a black base and cap, featuring glowing pink lava in a clear glass container against a dark background.

We’ve got you.

This guide is all about turning the emotional marathon of the downsizing process into a breezy jog in the park.

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🥺 Feeling All The Feels in Emotional Downsizing

Yep, it’s a thing.

You might be hugging your snowboard thinking, “Can I really part with this?” while your head’s scream-whispering, “Girl, where you gonna snowboard in Florida?”

Here’s the first step: Acknowledge those emotions.

They’re part of the process, a part of the magic of moving forward.

You are going to have negative emotions as you move to a new place, a much smaller space.

👣 Tiny Steps, Big Rewards

Tackling a whole house at once is like eating a pizza in one bite…not a great idea.

Make a to-do list.

Start with an easy task, just a drawer or a corner.

And breathe.

A woman sits on the floor, looking frustrated among scattered clothes and a pair of boots in a disorganized room.

Make a day of it. Give yourself plenty of time.

Play some tunes and go through one category at a time.

Feels more doable, right?

🤗 What Matters Most

Jot down what’s non-negotiable for your RV life.

Maybe there is something that has a lot of sentimental value that you aren’t ready to part with.

That’s your compass.

Everything else? If it doesn’t fit in your vision (like that lava lamp, unless your RV is a discotheque), it’s ready for a new home.

🖐️ Time-Outs and High-Fives

Remember to pause and treat yourself.

Took a whole afternoon to sort through the clothes closet?

That’s high-five material!

via GIPHY

Self-care isn’t just spa days; it’s recognizing the little things you just did something hard and totally rocked it.

📱 Talk It Out

Got family members or a trusted friend who’s like the ultimate cheerleader?

Call ’em. Downsizing can kick up the dust on all the emotions, not just from your things but also from within.

Maybe you need professional help or help from your adult children.

The emotions of downsizing have emotional challenges.

But you are moving on to the next chapter in your life.

A distressed young woman talking on her phone, standing in front of a rain-spattered window.

Having someone to chat with can turn a moment of overwhelm into a “You’ve got this!”

💭 Dreaming Big

Keep your eyes on the prize.

Picture yourself sipping coffee by a lake, mountains in the background, and no utility bill in sight.

Or maybe you are sitting on a beach somewhere with a nice fire burning while the sun sets.

A smiling couple takes a selfie on a beach during sunset, with palm trees and city lights in the background.

That’s where you’re headed.

That’s why you’re sorting through garage sale boxes now.

💯 A Little Goes a Long Way

Sometimes, knowing your old treasures will have a second life with someone who needs them makes letting go easier.

Donation? Sale? Passing it down?

At the end of the day, these are the downsizing decisions that only you can make.

A woman sits on the floor, sorting items into boxes labeled "keep," "donate," and "discard" in a tidy living room.

All great options. Every item you pass on is another high five.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Seek Support from Loved Ones and Community

Feeling wobbly? Reach for your crew, real-life or virtual.

Remember to join our Facebook Community. It’s a safe place to talk about how you’re feeling.

They’re your vibe tribe and trust us, they’ll want to hear about every step, every victory lap, every “I can’t believe I kept this.”

Plus, their support? Solid gold.

We’ve been through it, so we know what you’re going through.

🎲 Roll with the Changes

RV living is about being as flexible as a bendy straw.

It’s about being game for new experiences and finding joy in simplicity.

Husky lying on a checkered blanket in a cozy interior setting with a view of a snowy landscape through a window.

Cultivate that sunny headspace that sees a bump in the road as just part of the adventure, and get pumped for the stories you’ll tell, new friends you’ll meet, and places you’ll visit.

The Chapel of the Transfiguration in Grand Teton National Park was one of my favorite places.