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We’re Ditching Our 1,700 Square Foot Home for…

May 11 // 21 Comments // 5 Minute Read

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I have some pretty BIG news to share. The pieces have finally all fallen neatly into place, so we’re taking the leap! We’re selling our house and…
 This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy here.

OH my! This woman and her husband are selling their house and going on the adventure of a lifetime! I've never heard of anything like it, but suddenly I'm thinking about my own bucket list and that one thing I've always wanted to do. Maybe, just maybe, I could do something risky but worth it, too! #downsizing #lifechange #adventure #bucketlist

I have some pretty BIG news to share.

News that’s been brewing behind the scenes. I haven’t said anything yet because we weren’t even sure how it would all come together. And yet, as the pieces fell neatly into place, we realized this was less of a pipe dream and more of possible reality.

So we’re taking the leap! (Even though we are scared out of our minds!)

Joseph and I tell all via our YouTube debut. Check out our first video below or on our new channel:

Can’t stand the suspense? Here’s the scoop:

We’re selling our house and going to be living in an RV year-round! 

Joseph says it will be a one-year trip, but I’m working on coaxing him into thinking of it as “at least” one year—maybe longer if we fall in love with the living-in-an-RV-year-round lifestyle.

So why are we doing this?

We’ve always wanted to travel, and I personally have wanted for years to try living in an RV year-round! After all, we figure we could see all the places we’ve been dreaming of across the continental U.S in a piecemeal fashion over weekends, holidays, and vacations while staying in AirBnB’s … OR we can take our home (and bunnies!) on the open road.

Many have asked why we’re making this life change now rather than waiting until we retire. Our answer is three-fold:

Reason #1. We both work from home.

Since we only need an internet connection to make the magic happen, we can work from anywhere. In fact, I first dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur in high school when I realized the freedom working from home brings. That’s right, open-roading has been a dream of mine since high school!

Reason #2. The perfect RV popped up!

We had been to multiple RV trade shows and walked inside over fifty RV’s. When we both saw this one while visiting my parents in Upstate NY this past May, we knew our timeline had to be moved up so we could buy it! It had everything we wanted (even a fireplace!) and the price was perfect for our budget.

Reasons #3. We are never guaranteed tomorrow.

When a highly respected man in our church was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, his plans to take his wife and the RV they had just bought on a cross-country trip were traded in for endless doctors appointments and chemo treatments. He never got to fulfill his dream. We can never be sure what’s down the road for any of us, which is why we don’t want to wait.

Your Questions Answered

Since I announced this big life change to my newsletter subscribers, you’ve responded with a few questions about this process and what various aspects of our life will look like! Here’s a good old-fashioned Q&A to satisfy your curiosity:

1. What will you do about Health Insurance?

We’ll actually keep the same insurance as we do now. Two years ago, we enrolled in a program called Christian Healthcare Ministries. It’s kind of like insurance, kind of not, but at $30o a month for the two of us, it’s much cheaper than traditional health insurance—especially since we are self-employed and don’t get to enroll under a company policy.

CHM counts under ObamaCare so you don’t get fined, but it’s also a pain because it doesn’t act like typical insurance. We have to pay EVERYTHING out of pocket and only get reimbursed if a single incident (bike accident, broken bone, illness) costs more than $500. Then we get reimbursed for everything above that $500. (Although for Joseph’s elbow fracture, they covered all our bills—that was a nice surprise!)

Related: How to Know if Christian Healthcare Sharing Ministries is Right for You

2. How will you get your mail?

This is something I had always wondered about those living in an RV year-round!

We’ll have a forwarding Florida-based address (we don’t have income tax so we’d like to keep our residency here) that will have all our mail go to my mom’s house in Upstate NY. We joke that she’s everyone’s mail processing center. My sister still gets mail there, my sister’s friends get mail there, and she sorts mail for two missionaries we’ve adopted as family while they’re serving in Africa. The postal delivery guy must be so confused!

My mom will go through our mail and scan/email to us any paperwork that we need. We’re trying to make everything paperless right now so it’s easier, but she’ll save the mail we do need until we get to a place where she can send them to our location.

We’re also using Traveling Mailbox as a versatile online postal mailbox!

3. What type of RV are you getting?

It’s a 2005 Jayco Designer RLS fifth wheel. (We’re calling him J.D. for short.) 🙂

We really vacillated on whether or not to buy a typical motorhome because it seemed easier for long travel days (gotta go to the bathroom? Just walk a few steps and you’re there!). But every fifth wheel we saw was so much roomier inside and felt more like a home than anything else. And when you’re living in an RV year-round, you want it to feel like home!

Plus, we’ll be towing it with a truck, which means we can always park and stay in our fifth wheel if/when the truck is getting serviced. As opposed to with a motorhome, when the vehicle needs maintenance, you’re evicted until further notice.

4. Where will you travel first?

I have no idea! For a Type-A planner, not having a firm itinerary yet crushes my soul. But I just try to focus on how I am VERY excited to wake up to some of the gorgeous views we’ve seen in National Geographic.

We can’t really have a firm travel plan in place until we know exactly when we’ll be taking off. We still have to sell our house first (we hope to have done this by September), then we’ll pick up our RV in NY and live with my parents while we renovate it for the next few weeks. When we’re ready to hit the road, we’ll most likely head down south once again to start off our adventure of living in an RV year-round with some fun in the sun!

Here’s a peek at our running list of places to visit if you’re curious though:

If you have any other questions, ask away in the comments!

Editable Vacation Packing List

And if you’re planning your own upcoming trip soon? Now you can know for sure you have everything you need for every upcoming vacation!

Yes, I Realize Living in an RV Year-Round Is Risky

While this grand adventure will shake up our lives in a good way, I’d be lying if I said I’m not scared out of my mind. At various times throughout this process (especially when we decided we were actually doing this and then when we listed the house), I’ve freaked out.

Joseph has kindly held my hand, talking me through more slow, deep breaths than I can count.

But I’m a homebody with a terrible case of wanderlust. While risk is not a part of my nature, staying stagnant isn’t either.

After all, the best things in life often come with a little (or a lot!) of risk. 

Sometimes, instead of taking that first step forward into risky territory, we dig in our heels for the sake of the familiar. It’s easier to explore our wishes and dreams within the confines of our imagination, rather than take action in real life, isn’t it?

It often comes down to what you want more: The familiarity of your comfort zone or to live a life without regrets.

This isn’t a case against contentment—I strongly believe you can be content right where you are, but if you really want to change something and fear is the only thing holding you back…why wait? Why not try it and see what happens?

The worst thing you can do is not try at all.

Related: How to Accomplish Anything on Your Bucket List

Our leap into the unknown might not turn out exactly the way we pictured it. Maybe we’ll hate living in an RV year-round. If that’s the case, then at the end of a year, we’ll settle down again. But we’re giving it a shot first.

That’s what I want for you too.

To give that one thing you’ve been mulling around in the back of your mind—the idea that’s planted there out of fear—a chance to bloom.

It might just be the best thing you’ve ever done.

Let’s chat:

If you lived a life without limits, what crazy thing would you love to do?

P.S. Even with this life change, the content on KalynBrooke.com will stay pretty much the same. So if you want future updates on our journey to living in an RV year-round, I’d love you have you subscribe to our new YouTube channel. 

I hope you’ll join this new adventure with me…and Joseph!

Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Read my full disclosure policy here.

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Comments

  1. Cathy Rogers says

    July 19 at 10:28 am

    Kalyn! I’m so happy for you guys! How exciting!! Hopefully we will see you in September!!!

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      July 31 at 4:18 pm

      We just need this house to sell!! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Renata says

    July 20 at 2:36 am

    I committed on the post. I can’t wait to follow you. We are doing the same thing with 1 bunny. We are leaving the 3rd week of August. Yes it’s very scary and so exciting. Good luck and safe travels.

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      July 31 at 4:18 pm

      Yay! More Bunny RV-ers! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Grams says

    July 21 at 11:20 am

    At your age, with the ability to work from anywhere, no children, healthy, I completely agree with your decision. Not that you need my approval. A tiny piece of advice having lived in a 5 th wheel, as much as possible avoid the heavy rain. Perhaps plan your travels with this in mind. 5th wheels are notorious for leaking roofs, mine included. Also even though your tires may look new, RV tires can go on you. A new set of tires could save heartache in the road. Wishing you a safe and wonderful adventure.

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      July 31 at 4:12 pm

      Thanks so much for the advice! They just recently replaced the tires, but we’ll be sure to keep an eye on them.

      Reply
  4. Cindi says

    July 21 at 6:35 pm

    I think it’s a great idea! I know you both will have so much info coming from all directions from so many people, but if you haven’t as of yet get on some FB groups for RV/TT so you can find out the skinny on so many things you never thought you would need to know. Some campgrounds/resort campgrounds don’t allow RV’s or Travel Trailers under 10 years old or the length may be too long. Make sure you call ahead to find out. Some are okay as long as you send a picture with info. You may never run into this problem but it is good to know before driving a long distance. There is so much to know. Can’t wait to follow you on the journey.

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      July 31 at 4:11 pm

      Ooooo! That’s really interesting. I know there are a ton of Facebook groups out there, do you have any specific ones that you recommend?

      Reply
  5. Laura Crawford says

    July 21 at 8:07 pm

    KUDOS! I think you are doing a wonderful thing… You enjoy the freedom of the nomads with the comforts and goodies of a home that travels with you. You can stay in any one place for a day, or a week, or a month. Whatever! Just enjoy.

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      July 31 at 4:10 pm

      We are really looking forward to having a new “backyard” whenever we want. Sometimes it will probably end up being a Walmart parking lot, but other times it is literally going to be a beach (Seriously! We found out about a beach in Texas that you can park your RV on for $10!!)

      Reply
  6. Heather Lord says

    July 22 at 4:37 am

    This is brilliant! I’m so pleased for you, It will be awesome, and you will have the rest of your lives to look back on this wonderful adventure. I’m so excited for you!

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      July 31 at 4:08 pm

      Thanks so much, Heather!

      Reply
  7. Dawn says

    July 23 at 1:56 pm

    Oh wow! I am so excited for you both! It will be such a wonderful adventure! And if it isn’t what you think or end up loving, then you can always go and find another house to settle down in. But at least you tried it! And like you said, no one is guaranteed tomorrow. Plus think of all the memories you’ll make!

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      July 31 at 4:03 pm

      Hi Dawn,

      We sooo cannot wait. We just wish our house would sell. It’s been on the market for close to a month now (who’s counting…. ME!)

      Reply
  8. Nicki says

    July 26 at 4:16 am

    What a fantastic thing to do. I read something the other day which seems quite apt here…..

    Life is too short to wake up with regrets, so LOVE the people who treat you right, forget about those who don’t.
    Believe everything happens for a reason.
    If you get a chance, TAKE IT
    If it changes your life, LET IT
    Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would most likely be WORTH IT.

    Have a great time 🙂

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      July 31 at 4:01 pm

      Hi Nicki,

      Thanks so much for sharing. Life is full of choices and “what-ifs” no matter which choice we make. But I’m trying to make my what-ifs have less regret and my life to have more adventure.

      Reply
  9. Renee says

    October 16 at 1:48 pm

    I think you should add Northern Ontario to your must-visit list. The scenery is beautiful and I could guide you through some fun Canadian traditions 🙂 (FYI PEI is amazing!)

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      October 26 at 2:28 pm

      We’re probably going to do Alaska in year 2 so possibly we’ll do a cross Canada trip after that? Joseph has Family in Baddeck, Nova Scotia – so that’s on our list as well. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Mandy Hudson says

    October 26 at 4:46 pm

    You are doing what I’d love to do!!!! I am a homebody with a gypsy soul!!!

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      November 25 at 5:58 pm

      “Homebody with a gypsy soul” That is such a perfect description! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Carol A. Manasco says

    May 7 at 1:42 pm

    I have had this dream for 2+ years… to live in RV full time. Retired, living in this house for 26 years. We have never accumulated so much because before this house we moved 20 times. East coast, left coast, in between & back again. I am the camper/adventurous one. I am overwhelmed with clutter, stuff, etc. Only 2 of us in the 3500+ sq ft house which is too much to keep up with at our age. We have debt so that has to go down before we consider an RV. I am back in my bullet journal & have received great guidance from your Brainbook. My monthly cleaning checklist takes 2 pages for the one floor we occupy. Discouraged!!! At 66 years old, I cannot, will not die in this house. I need to see our nation.

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Kalyn—a recovering perfectionist who nerds out about organizing systems, personal productivity, and helping you prioritize what matters over the pressure to do it all. I have a feeling we’re about to become the best of friends! Learn more >>

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👩‍💻 | I help value-driven women lead manageable + meaningful lives.
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Minimalism ≠ Deprivation.⁣
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Sadly, I find m

Minimalism ≠ Deprivation.⁣
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Sadly, I find most people resist minimalism because they can't wrap their head around "having less." People tend to equate this movement with blank walls, white IKEA furniture, and decluttering everything in your home down to practically nothing so you can live full-time in an RV. Like me. 😉⁣
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But, while minimalism could be all that, this mindset misses the point. Minimalism is not only about “having less.” 🚫⁣
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It’s so much more than that.⁣
⁣
This week on the blog, I'm sharing the REAL definition of minimalism (that people who love their stuff can totally get behind!) as well as practical ways to incorporate minimalism into your life. 🎉⁣
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Drop a heart emoji in the comments below and I'll send the link to your DM's! 💖

I love lazy Saturday mornings…as long as I have
I love lazy Saturday mornings...as long as I have a book and a cozy blanket! 😍

I wrote this in my journal the other day: 📓⁣

I wrote this in my journal the other day: 📓⁣
⁣
“I’ve been thinking about what tech boundaries I want to instill, including boundaries related to work and productivity. I’ve become less careful about my media consumption, and it’s having a negative affect on my mental health.” 💞⁣
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Have you ever felt a similar tug? ⁣
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I can’t begin to tell you how many times I pick up my phone because I’m bored or lonely or jealous or unhappy. It almost always makes me feel worse. And yet...I struggle to stop. 😝⁣
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Here are the ideas I’ve been trying this month and I’m already seeing a positive effect:⁣
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➕ No logging into social media after 8pm. I need to wind down for the night, not get lost in my phone! 📲⁣
➕ Open Instagram with a purpose—either to post or to interact. Stop endlessly scrolling.⁣
➕ My only screen time before 9am should be for Bible Study apps or News. 🗞⁣
➕ Turn my phone on Do Not Disturb during Tiger Time (when I need the most focus for work) 💪⁣
➕ Work no more than 4 hours on my business per day. If a task isn’t complete, push it to the next day. This time frame has really helped me prioritize! 💻⁣
➕ Watch one show per day (or two if they are short!) and leave movies for the weekend. 📺⁣
⁣
What tech boundaries have you set up? Are any new as of this year? I’d love to hear your ideas! 😃

What’s one thing you budget for that other peopl
What’s one thing you budget for that other people might not? I always find those interesting. 😃⁣
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You might have a mortgage. I budget for campgrounds. You might want a separate clothing budget, while I’m fine combining it under “Beauty and Style.” Recently, we also added a new line item for our motorcycle—something I NEVER thought would appear in our budget. ⁣
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See, we’re all different! ⁣
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Recently, I rearranged my budget categories and created this “cheat sheet.” Sometimes I forget where things go, like picking up new wall art for the living room. Does this item belong in the categories of Household Items or Home Maintenance? 🤔⁣
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Now I know! And I save time processing receipts each Friday. 🧾⁣
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What budgeting categories do you use? Share one of your random budget line items with me in the comments below! 😃

I call 2020 the Year of Abandoned Books. ⁣
⁣
I

I call 2020 the Year of Abandoned Books. ⁣
⁣
I’m never afraid to stop reading a book if it doesn’t live up to the hype. Why invest more time in a book I’m not all that excited about when I could be exploring new authors and storylines where I can’t wait to turn the page? 🤷⁣
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But in 2020, I let more books go than I normally do. I suppose my patience dwindled when I thought the world was ending. Not that I thought the world was actually ending…but you know what I mean. 😉⁣
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As an Enneagram 1, I hate giving up on a book. I’m prone to the all-or-nothing mentality, even in my reading habits. My eyes could glaze over boring prose and I’d still repeat to myself: “You MUST finish this book!” 😫⁣
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Why? ⁣
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No one is adding a plastic star to your Book-It pin, (Remember those?) This isn’t assigned reading from your high school English class. This is YOUR reading life. ⁣
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And YOU should choose what books deserve your attention. 📚⁣
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There are too many good ones out there anyway.  Like one of my favorite reads from 2020. 😍⁣
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This week’s newest blog post rounds up everything I read last year (43 books total!) including 5-star psychological thrillers, a delightful royal series, a couple self-help books, and of course, historical fiction.⁣
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Click the link in my bio to read it! ☝⁣
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What were your favorite books in 2020? Our literary styles might be a match made in heaven! ✨

My planner/journal lineup for 2021. 👆 ⁣
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T

My planner/journal lineup for 2021. 👆 ⁣
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These small but mighty sidekicks will be my saving grace this year. 📚⁣
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1️⃣ Bullet Journal (Blue) - for everyday planning and goal setting⁣
2️⃣ Regular Journal (Yellow) - to track gratitude (5 things a day!) and to process ALL the feelings⁣
3️⃣ Growth Journal (Sand) - a space for me to brain dump everything I learn from books, podcasts, sermons, etc ⁣
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That last one is new to me as of this year and I can't wait to flip back through all my notes come December! 📆⁣
⁣
What planners/journals are you using for 2021?


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