Tag: Your World

RV-living: What I’ve learned (just in 1st year)

As time goes by, some things may change, as in the world of gadgets and technology and as well, so can one’s needs, routines and wants. C .Star. V

Whether you are looking forward in traveling, going camping (with tents, rv or any other) taking some time to enjoy the outdoors or even in having living in your RV as your residence, there’s no set-way to do so, only guidelines. It’s what-ever can work for you and what you need, are trying to accomplish or enjoy. Learning how to adjust and adapt to living an RV-Life, can be exciting and fun, but also could be overwhelming.

In fact, for many it’s not just: “Hey let’s sell most of your possessions, put some stuff in storage, purchase an RV of some sort and travel all over”. Yeah, that’s not always how it all goes down (well maybe for some, but not for most). There are those (like my husband and I and our 2 dogs) that actually had two other RV’s and had never gotten a chance to use them, one had issues that never got resolved by dealership (after we bought it, before we removed it from dealership), so it never left the dealership and because of dealing with family crisis’s and an abundance of responsibilities. Yet, we still dreamt of someday having an RV-lifestyle, but not in the way we had gotten thrown into it real fast! We did what we could to make good decisions and continue to support ourselves and plan things out as much as possible. We live in our RV at local city parks and such, in the same city our last home was in and nearby where our 2 youngest children live. I know a few things by now about how to do things more efficiently, with a much easier transition, a lot less stress and struggle, but success in doing anything will still be up to the individual and what they are tying to accomplish. I say this because against all odds, with everything we had to cope with and against us, we still manage and made it work. We do have a family member that helps us from time to time as needed and we made RV friends that help as well because of my husband’s disabilities.

There are differences from living in our “sticks and bricks” (a nickname for a traditional house) than living in our RV-home, but there’s several things that are similar. I had done a bit of RV-ing, camping with tents and traveling within the United States in my younger years and I also lived on a sailboat (with 2 of my eldest children) for almost 2 years. My husband had parents that were also RV-ers, so we both already had some experience in living, travel and outdoor life. Yet in life, you never stop learning..

After my first year of RV-living and lifestyle, I’ve learned a lot about how to make the process easier and as comfortable as possible (from the home maker’s point of view), even though I do know some mechanical, electrical and physical knowledge about the Rv-life. I manage what I do, as my husband and I are a team (he has disabilities), so I have to assist and help-him more. I’ve learned a lot more about RV-ing and it’s community, but I also learned more about myself, what my needs are, what’s important to me and how the weather, can tremendously dictate our plans, among several other things.

Here’s some additional things I’ve learned just in the 1st year of RV life:

*Having patience, planning, being organized and disciplined, is not only a virtue, but could be a necessity.

*Taking care of yourself (health) is not a selfish act, but mandatory.

*One may not seem to have much, but could have everything (they really need).

*Even though we may not always be stationery and may or may not have a different destination, it’s not always a vacation…

*I loved my homes that I’ve had and lived in for years, but I like being in the RV better (don’t miss cleaning and fixing the big house nor trying to keep up the lawn, among other things).

*Time is truly most precious in life and most importantly, how you spend it, as well as with and around whom. Read and learn about something consistently. Make time, don’t waste it and don’t rush it (especially when you’re on the road, take the time to enjoy, do not rush to the next destination).

*Having clean water is crucial as you can’t carry a lot of water with you because it is a heavy load. Having dry-wood is good and needed for making a fire in fire-pits or grills to cook food and always check your propane levels (if you use propane).

*Being able to estimate how many gallons of water you need or use each day, is vital (as we have and use 3 different tanks). There’s a fresh water tank that holds your fresh water you fill into the RV fresh water tank that’s used for washing, flushing toilet, showers (I purify all incoming water that we fill our fresh tank from wells or city water etc.) and use to have for cooking or drinking. There’s a grey water tank that holds all the water used from sinks and shower and a black water tank that hold the sewer form your toilet. So it is very helpful to know your usage in a timeframe and/or adjust it, for your travels to areas with or without water and sewage hook-ups (along with knowledge of battery, electricity & amp usage)!

*There’s many nice people out enjoying camping and all levels of RV-living, not all want company, some just want a friendly chat, hello or get to-gethers. A lot of people have pets with them (many are dogs), some treat their pets like family and really care about them, others will leave their dogs barking in their RV and don’t seem very caring to their dog/pet (which makes me sad). Some bring a plastic bag with them when taking their dog for a walk, clean-up after their dog and some don’t.

*Often we do errands, go exploring, go visiting and do other things away from the RV and campsite. Most of the time, we take our dogs as they love being with us, even if they sit in our truck with the windows down (to get fresh air, but not all the way down for them to jump-out). We don’t like to leave them and if we have to leave them in the RV, we always take them out and make sure they get to go potty, right before we leave. We turn the a/c on and turn gas and water off. We often arrange the timing to be out, usually around their napping time and only if we know, we will only be gone no more than a couple hours or so.

*Campgrounds are not just for weekend warriors (of friends, family) camping in tents and such or part-time or full-time RVers. Campgrounds can be a place where people call their home, for a short time or longer times. It’s a place people go to relax, get away, visit friends and family and have get to-gether’s to have fun, enjoy their time and it shouldn’t be a place for those to leave trash, waste, dog’s poop or destruction after they visit or leave.

* If having to use a public shower, they all aren’t yucky. Wearing some waterproof flip-flops or such and bringing an organized plastic zippered 2-sided cosmetic bag that folds & can be hung up and unzipped as you use the items, along with a clean towel and fresh clothes in another plastic bag.. can make things a bit nicer.

* Comfy clothes are very in-style as a camper (and wearing more than once), as you may not get to do laundry or shower as often as you normally would, but still get your things and yourself washed.

*I’ve learned to appreciate paper towels, paper plates, bamboo utensils, clean water, showers, and having clean clothes.

*The importance of taking off your shoes when coming into the RV and having the right shoes for different terrains. Waterproof shoes to wear for using public showering and during rainy weather. Also, liking to wear socks when in the RV!!

*Living in close quarters, (ours is about 270sqft), you will need to really like the person a lot, that you share that space with…

*Our lifestyle has changed dramatically in that, we live by the weather more, but also by what area we will be at and the ever changing scenario’s and terrain.

*Getting Mail hasn’t been difficult because we have stayed close to one area (as our youngest grown children and grandchildren live in those vicinities), so we use their address or another close dependable relative, for now.

*Over the course of life, we seem to collect so much more than we really ever need or may even use. Often having to end-up giving it away or getting rid of it, just to have what we want or really need.

*Collecting things and to think we need all kind of stuff, isn’t necessary. Need to just save your money for something more beneficial. We always seem to have what we need anyways or can make do and if we don’t or can’t, we get it. We have given away over half or more of our things.

*Plants don’t like to travel. They like being stationary (for the most part, maybe moved to sunlight or a window), after all they are plants and unlike humans don’t need, nor desire to venture out or move much.

*Bigger is not always better, neither is having more (that pertains from food to things), happiness is very possible with less, a lot less. Experiencing more pleasant memories, over having things.

*I’ve learned that all my recycling habits, water and energy saving habits, food preparation and healthier eating habits, have all been so useful and helpful. Also, there’s less of a need for buying a lot of foods all at once.

*Rinsing off or cleaning anything in the sink (even hands), can be done just as good with the water running softly (not blasting).

*Living closer to and with nature is much more healthy mentally, physically, spiritually and more natural.

*Occasionally when parked in the woods and surrounded by trees, either sticks or small branches could drop also small animals (birds, raccoons and such), could hop onto the top of your RV and it can sounds like someone knocked on your door. Even though it’s coming from the top it may cause movement to the front door.

*I learned about what products to safely use to keep the bugs and pests out of our RV and to make my own and effective repellents. Also, even if you love the outdoors, camping and nature, there are many bugs that will love you even more!

*Camping & RV living may not be for everyone, but for many it can be rewarding and enjoyable.

*We all could be wanting, looking or waiting for something and this is true, but most likely we already have most of what is needed or at least enough to life happier, its just possibly, one is not on or can’t see the road, instead, just spending time thinking of what they think are obstacles”. C .Star. V

I’ll be posting real people and real RV-life, tips and tricks on this blog and on my instagram @cstarsrvvibes.

As always, if there is a question or information I can help with or you want to tell me about your RV or camping experiences, let me know.

C .Star. V

The Effect and Affect of our Lives.

I have written previously on this blog about the choices we make, as well as the good’s, bad’s, right and wrongs. Yet, when speaking about the outcomes from our choices and decisions, whether it turns out good, right, wrong or bad; it is only ‘us’ that will be truly able to determine this for ourselves. We have the ability ‘to put or place’ the experience, the moments or the what-evers, ‘wherever-or-however’s-the way we-choose’ (ahh again another choice).

Ya’ see, we can allow it to consume us or not to consume us and as well , how we relate it to us in whichever way chosen. We can adjust it within ourselves, even the levels in which we will let it upset us or not. This will be, all in how we convey it, within and to ourselves (and to others). This all will be determined by us.

Yes, in how we allow it to ‘effect us’ and ‘affect us’. That is why, sometimes we will run across people that may have experienced some of the same things as ourselves and some will feel the same way as we do and others may choose to feel differently. Now, I did say ‘they choose to feel differently’ because well, we can choose.

Think for a moment of something that you have experienced, whether it was either good or bad. If it was good, will you want to remember it? How will you use this experience? How has it helped you? Will you share it to help others?

If it was not so good or bad, will you want to remember it? How will you use this experience? How has it effected or affected you?  Will you use the experience, share the lesson or forgive to forget it? or will you harbor it like a collection of something you have no use for and allow it to use up time and space (in your life and in this case, your mind). Will you allow it to be added to your collective negative thoughts, just waiting to explode, make you feel like a victim at every situation in your life and hinder you from enjoyment and progress?

Time waits for no one, (very famous saying) and a true statement because it’s time consuming and useless to harbor negative feelings. There’s no period of time in your life that will wait and stand-still as you hold onto sad thoughts, bad feelings, or anything of the such. You have the power, for it to ‘not have a negative effect or affect upon you’. It may take some key lessons, such as forgiveness, courage, integrity and possibly a bit of prayers and education, but you are the gatekeeper with the keys, use those keys…

C .Star. V

The “Right” Flow ?

One major lesson that I’ve learned in life is when things are right (or shall I say, when there’s a positive energy flow) it seems to feel right and everything flows. There may be ups, downs and struggles, but they may just be in the course of getting through or they are usually figured out and there’s a pleasant outcome.. ..but when things are wrong they are just that.. wrong..

Now I’m not speaking here about morally right or morally wrong because we should all find that easy to recognize, (but it could apply to those). I’m speaking in terms of basic daily living experiences and situations. For, as we all make efforts in our lives, we could be using our energy on the wrong things, in the wrong way. This is not always easy to recognize because often we just pursue something we want, no matter if whether the signs are there or not. Why do we do this?

Well, because we can..We all, have a free-will to do so..(and of course, if we react upon “Emotion, instead of Logic”).

Let’s not get this confused, with the difficulties and persistence, while pursuing an education, getting help, counseling or persevering through, to achieve something..As the outcomes from our efforts are good. Even becoming employed in a new position or job may feel challenging or daunting. However, often it is just until the duties of the job are learned that it flows better, but trying to choose the right or wrong type of job to begin with can be an issue. Yet, employment can be compared to educating oneself because there is always a benefit in learning something at the end of the takeaway.

Many people give up on learning something or working on something because they start to spend their efforts and then it may feel wrong because it is a bit difficult or too much effort. That can also be true, when people are trying to eat healthier or lose weight .. the key here is to realize the end results.

Yet, there’s another right and wrong situation, which many have found to be upsetting, it is when we (or someone we know) gets involved with others that turns out to be wrong and not going in a good direction. Now getting into the wrong relationships with others (whether just friendships or intimate ones) or just following a path, a direction or social gathering, that could have a bad or have repeatedly bad outcomes, these all can be a bit tricky to deal with.

Sadly, in these situations we take upon the responsibility of making efforts and spending our energy upon something, even if it might not be the best choice. Then we often feel very obligated and committed because we put so much effort in already. Then it can be very difficult to steer away from it or try to change it .. this is where we have to make a decision upon the worth of the situation and the parallel of the intentions of ourselves and of what we are putting the efforts into..

When it comes to relationships, it will also depend on the other person and how they behave and if they are able to improve or take steps in working to correct the wrongs..

The key here is recognizing what the benefits are in being in this relationship  or situation and what kind of repeated unfavorable behavior is being coped with..

Sometimes I hear people say that things were once wrong , but it turned out right and that could be so, depending on what the issues and behaviors were in the first place and what efforts were made. So, things may end up good and turned around for the better , but that’s a whole other story.. For now being more selective with our choices and along with, not getting into a serious or permanent relationship without recognizing what the end results of our live could be for ourselves (and for others) ; as we could end-up dealing with a situation that may turn out wrong.

So, a way to recognize the flow of right from wrong is to consider what the end results could be, what total efforts are being made and the intent to begin with.. Most importantly, don’t make choices, upon emotions or wants. Think first what the outcomes may be and not just for yourself, but for others around you, (such as your family, friends, children and even your pet) all of these will be effected as well.

C .Star. V

A Life, is a Journey

As we all continue in our life’s journey, we will need to learn better coping skills, have more awareness of ourselves and our surroundings. Realize there’s more to our physical living that completes us, stop to take deep breaths, make your daily life less chaotic and slow it down bit. Within this, begin to take notice of insights and messages, be more careful and caring, eat food for nutrition not just taste, make time to enjoy more and stress less.

In doing so, we can create pleasant memories and more efficiently utilize our energies. Sadly many of us are convinced that Happiness and Goodness can not be easily created by themselves (especially, if they have ill feelings and traumatic past experiences) or they feel these realities are beyond their abilities.

The only difference between those who are able to achieve this and make better choices and decisions, are those whom make the choice to think outside the normal boundaries and understand that the key to achieving happiness , insight and enjoyment, is only believing …You can. 

 C .Star. V

Out of Under a Grey Cloud

As the Choices we make will be bring us on different paths in our life, some will bring us into the light of positive outcomes and some may end-up leading us into the dark. While in this process (of our thoughts and intuitions of making choices and decisions), we often hear others express to us; that we may use our heart, head or gut when making choices and decisions.

However, most of it will depend upon our intent and purpose for choosing, but in doing so it all goes back to what we are making our choice or decision upon and how we will carry it out, deal with it and how we will allow it to relate to us.

Many-a-times, we then spend our lives trying to make decisions in changing or correcting them and this can have us feeling overwhelmed. Our lives can seem to become all-encompassing and trying constantly, to get out from under a grey cloud. Especially, when we have chaos, confusion, disappointment, defeat, turmoil, unhappiness or stress that sets-in and we often use our energies up; just trying to correct or change things. All this begins to create an imbalance.

In this imbalanced state can lead into being a not so good-thing. Since, living day-to-day is a multifaceted act and trying continuously to get past our troubles (that have already been created), can cause our perceptions of things begin to shift and this often creates even more chaos, fear an imbalance.

All of this is governed by our will (free-will), which creates a force of energy that becomes an unstoppable action, which produces results. Either way, the result is a force that could allow us to attain our goals, our deepest desires or to just choose what we are going to wear or eat on a daily basis or choosing things we may regret.

As humans, we often can be very stubborn, arrogant and persistent upon thinking, we know more than anyone else about what’s best for ourselves and therefore we do everything we can to try to force our-will into existence. Yet, when we are not on the right track and don’t find the sufficient way to balance the energies out, the universe will be right there to balance it all out for us ( one example, is karma).

Most of us will just ignore this fact, which is why most people struggle in/with life so much. “Meanwhile, we can get so busy trying to live a life we think we want, instead of being responsible for the one we already have chosen”. Yet, whatever it is that has or has not worked out for us, we must realize, all of us have been given a task here on earth and we could be creating additional chores that need to be finished, all in order to keep us balanced. If it has not had the outcomes the way we wanted, it may never unless we take steps to change our attitudes in what we are doing and in what we are having to do to change it and finish our tasks.

This way, not to be destined to what we have chosen insufficiently. In order to do this and steer ourselves out of the darkness, we need to only see that all of us, must keep a balance (of Physical and Spiritual) and need to take positive actions in order to move past our past, away from the negative and direct ourselves accordingly. Some of the best forms of this positive action (or energy) comes from, forgiveness, random acts of kindness, better judgment and educating oneself. So to be creating a force more powerful than you can imagine.

C .Star. V

Good vs Bad Choices

How are we really supposed to decipher between good and bad choices? Besides the obvious of knowing right from wrong and of what we have been taught or witnessed out of outcomes and observations. We can also use the 10 commandments as a set of 10 good ‘common sense rules’ and we can use our own senses. Some people call it using our heads, hearts or gut feelings. Others may call it being mindful or being aware. It doesn’t matter what we call it, but using it properly when we need to, is what counts.

At one time or another, we envision how we want things in our life to be or how we imagine them, in our own minds to be. I say imagine because often we have an unrealistic perception of what it is or how things really need to be. Even in the efforts it takes, in order to have what it is that we desire or want in our lives. This can disappoint, frustrate and cause chaos in many of our lives. How many times, do we want something, such as, a relationship, marriage, a pet, raising children, a certain job or lifestyle or even just good health, but our lives don’t seem to turn out how we envisioned or imagined it to be? We hear of many people, children and pets abused, neglected and others stricken with illnesses and diseased.

It seems as though our society rushes to make choices or decisions without really understanding, preparing or realizing the whole picture. Many people make choices because of what others do or what others say to do, or what they feel they should do. Once a choice is made, it is often too late to undo it. However, there really isn’t a bad choice (well, unless it’s one that is against those 10 common sense rules, stated above) and depending on which one, will depend upon the Karma we will deal with in coping with it. However, making good choices vs making bad choices starts with learning to have good intent that runs parallel with it’s purpose.

The good news is, if our choices (doesn’t happen to turn out good), were made with good intent; we will be able to adjust the purpose to end-up parallel with the intent. *Example, we wanted a pet, choose to get one, the intent was to have a furry-friend, to have fun with, and to love and one that will love us back. Yet, the pet isn’t obedient, feels like too much of a responsibility, causes chaos, stress and unpleasantness.

So instead of the happy and pleasant outcome, the purpose is not seeming to run parallel with the intent. However, in taking the steps to learn tips and get advice on putting the pet and yourself upon a schedule, along with being patient with and understanding the pets feelings these efforts help . As well as, realizing what the pets needs are and making the efforts to make things right. From this, it will end-up with a successful purpose, which will now be parallel with the intent; which was to have a furry-friend, to have fun with and to love and one that will love us back.

In choosing and making good decisions, (in any situation) we must first research, evaluate and prepare ourselves for the true whole picture and responsibilities, not just the one imagined in our minds or to fill our time or the needs only felt in our hearts.

C . Star V.

UnClutter Yourself

 It seems as though if we have a lot of choices, it can get more difficult to choose the correct ones.  Yet, if we don’t have many choices, it seems as though we can end up making bad ones.

This all plays out, each day in our lives and we have to first grasp the concept that there really is no good or bad choice.. Well the results might end up good or bad in our opinion and of our thinking of what is good(right) or bad(wrong) to us; of course there is obviously the reality of right and wrong.

However, even though we all should have a good idea of what is actually ‘right and wrong’ (morally and legally), it may differ from each other since, we may not have been taught or learned in the same way . As there are different views and different opinions on what is good or bad . This can cause confusion as we use those aspects of good and bad before we make choice.

Subsequently, if we already live in a life with much chaos, clutter and distraction, we can be blindsided and easily steered into making choices that are not so good and that we may even regret.

All of us seem to live in a world of ‘have-to’s’ and ‘need-to’s’, meanwhile constantly trying to find a way of the ‘getting to’s’ with the ‘want-to’s’.

A good way to start setting up an atmosphere of creating a series of better choices and success is to start with uncluttering and re-organizing (some people call it regrouping) because doing this clears the mind, soul and space! The art of uncluttering, is not just limited to only material things we have around us, but also of the uncluttering of our minds. We all have different methods and ideas in doing so and again, there isn’t any good or bad way of doing it, but possibly a more efficient and successful way.

The 1st step could be to begin to get rid of excessive material things around ourselves and in our living space (at the least to go through, clean up, reorganize and put away or store), especially things that are just literally taking up space and not necessarily something that you will be readily using or needing for awhile. This will get you going in the right direction, then create (a go-to or place) for things ‘as a home to put items in where it goes’ and this also begins to help.

From there, we can begin to see some clarity, what’s really important to us, focusing on what we next need to in creating more actions that will begin to steer us in the right directions. All this will begin to help us achieve the things we want to, instead of spending time purchasing more things, collecting stuff we don’t need and spending time trying to keep things cleaned-up and less chaotic.

This will make it easy to figure out, more of what it is we really need.                 

One of the biggest dilemma’s I find in many people, is that they are constantly worried about not having something or not having enough of something. This is not only a common issue, but it is a very sensitive and personal one and it brings us into such a monumental cause in worrying, stressing- over and even hoarding. Yet, so much time and energy is spent purchasing, worrying, stressing-over and hoarding ; sadly most of ‘these things’ we won’t even ever use, many of the things will expire or go bad (by the time we use them) and other these things we will really, never need.

I suppose it all stems from the fear of not having or not being able to get them, but it would only seem logical to use the energy and time in doing something more positive, that will ensure you won’t have to fear about that anymore.. Such as surrounding yourself with positive, caring and loving people, making friends and groups to socialize with (maybe even to barter things with) and spend more time learning skills, having fun and enjoying your life, instead of worrying about things you may not have.

This may even include relocating yourself and moving to an area that’s accessible for things that you feel you’re going to need.       

Most importantly, nothing is guaranteed even if you were saving something or hoarding some things that you think you’re going to need or that you feel is going to save or help you in one way or another, it may not end up that way. Since by the time you need it, there might have to be another solution, in fact …one that you should’ve already been working on.

C .Star. V