But here’s Vanholio’s constructive ideas to get your head outta your ass. Try happy out. You’ll like it!
?? #Vanlife question? Contact Vanholio! direct !!
1. Do Something Fun by Yourself, for Yourself
No point sitting around like the Grinch, stewin’ in your own juices. Make merry on your lonesome.Some years back, Vanholio got divorced. It was rough. Naturally.
First Father’s Day alone, away from the kids, the blackness was overtakin’ me. The swamp looked deep and cool, easy to just sink on into.
So I got off my ass and went for a loooong hike up a mountain ridge. Natural beauty, tons of exercise, the knowledge that I was a free man in nature. Did me good. Picked me right the hell up. Got me through the day. I even had some fun.
What would you like to do? Something you don’t normally get to. Go to a favorite place? Stay in a fancy hotel? Play a shit ton of video games? Give yourself that special present.
2. Elbow Your Way to the Table
Now, Vanholio’s normally a bit shy. He don’t just make friends everywhere. That’s by choice
But couple Thanksgivings ago, he was in Florida. I’ve got some friends in Florida, but they already had plans to be guests elsewhere.
It was forward of me, but I asked my friends if they could wangle an invitation to Thanksgiving where they was going. They agreed. They got it. I went.
Turns out the hostess had been a career Army nurse and totally got the need to find “family” wherever you can on the road. Never felt more welcome. Lovely people. One of my best Thanksgivings ever.
If you’re not near people to ask, go near people. Stay at an RV park. Bet most of them got something going on. Hell, I bet Slab City’s got a heck of a party planned!
3. Gather Your Own Posse
Don’t you think other vandwellers might be in the same spot? That they don’t got people nearby (or at all)?
Start a gathering! Don’t need anything fancy. A location and a potluck will do. Cheap RV Living folks are gatherin' early in and around Quartzite, AZ for the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous. Get into the Cheap RV Living Forum to see what's up. If you can’t hook up with them, do what they’re doing where you are! Ain’t hard.
Talk to folks on the other forums, too: /r/vandwellers, Squat the Planet, and Vandog Traveller. Plenty of van folk in the same position you are.
Also See …
- Considering Van Life? Take the Goddamn Plunge …
- 10 Things to Do if You’re Alone for the Holidays (PsychCentral)
- 30 Alternatives to a Dysfunctional Family Christmas (Jodie Gale)
- 35 Solo Travel Destinations for Christmas (Solo Traveler)
Christmas alone (which I've done for decades) is far more enjoyable for me than having to deal with the social expectations of it all. This year I happen to be with a small group that's doing a pot luck dinner. I guess I can suffer through it. ;)
ReplyDeleteThe only two holidays I give a damn about being with F&F and traditions are Christmas and Thanksgiving. There's a little mush in me for those two.
DeleteThe pot luck got cancelled because there was a big argument and near fist fight between the host and one of the guests (neither of which was me). Yay, Christmas. ;)
DeleteI probably shouldn't laugh. But I am. :-O
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