Ode to a Slower Life
Working one job rocks. Before, there was always something else needing to be done. If I had a day off from one job, it was to work the other. I generally took a complete day off once every two or three months, and sometimes managed a few days in a row during Christmas, but mostly I worked every day, 12-16 hours. If I took even half a day off, I’d feel guilty because there was a huge list of to-dos just glaring at me.
Now?
I get up. I go to my computer. I usually have one or two tasks and that’s it. Granted, the one task might be write 5,000 words or finish the edits on an essay, but when I’m done?
I’m done. And I’m usually done between 3 and 6.
I get to take a walk. I get to sit around a campfire with my best friend, her husband, and my niece. Cook a real dinner. I get to enjoy a little life. I get to talk to people “live.”
I get to read more!
And when I go somewhere? It’s okay if I get lost (three times). I don’t bother looking at my map, because if it takes me an extra hour to get there, no big deal. I just enjoy the drive.
Another bonus? I have no need to “escape” home in order to write. I can work at home! Granted, home is in a camper that’s all windows, so I feel like I’m outside. Granted, I’ve got a pretty cornfield on one side, a green, grassy field on another, and a creek running beside me. Fresh air and a clean breeze are in ample supply.
So what do you do when you’re done for the day?
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Natasha Fondren is a writer traveling the U.S. in a camper with her four cats. She is currently enjoying the lizards and desert heat in Arizona.
Many times I am done for the day at 3 or so… which is a problem as I work until 5:30!! Seriously though, when I get home I try to get one or two small “house” things done; nothing major–then I take off my shoes and hit the couch and relax. Maybe take the dog for a walk. Maybe cuddle up with a kitty. Nothing much happens when I’m done for the day, and I like that just fine.
LOL, Elizabeth! I know what you mean! But yeah, I think that is important. Everyone needs some down time. Amazing how it helps the stress level!
Spy, I am so happy for you. I know I keep saying that, but I know how hard you worked to get to this point, and what a huge relief it is to finally BE there. I’m glad you’re finding it to be exactly what you wanted.
Any chance we can see pictures of the inside?
Thanks, Melanie! I couldn’t have done it without you! I was a tad worried that I’d be unhappy, but I’m happier in this little camper than I’ve ever been in my whole life.
Definitely pictures! I have some pictures of moving, too. I need a velcro strip to hang one last curtain, and then I’ll do more pictures of the Apache, and I’ll post a couple blog posts with pics this week.
Hoping that I find the thing that connects my camera to my computer, LOL… I lost all my plates! How can I lose my plates? They’re huge and round!
You lost your plates? Did you accidentally give them away?
I have no idea! When I finally got everything out of the house, I was sitting on the patio with twelve bags of stuff and room for four bags in the car. I was SO exhausted, literally crying with it. I threw away a lot more stuff, LOL. I don’t understand WHY I would throw away my plates, given that I would NEED them, but it’s possible…
Natasha, your life sounds wonderful! I feel like my day is never over. I was going to try to write in the mornings, but it didn’t work today. Tomorrow I’ll try again. I want to get in the habit. Writing first!
I know that feeling, Edie! I really don’t like it. I have such good rewards going, though. Like if I get done today on time, I get to go walk with my best friend during her dinner break at 6pm. After that? I might see Julia & Julia for SIX DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS! (I’m still thrilled that the movie theater here is so cheap!)
Unfortunately, it hardly ever seems like I’m done for the day. But when I am I sit on the deck and read.
Nice, Charles! That sounds heavenly!
Hi there,
So glad I came across your site. When I’m done for the day I search out info on Apache trailers! We’re looking for one and I’m wondering if you would mind telling me a little bit about yours and how you like it? The pro’s/con’s, set-up and take down, how you find it for traveling etc. Anything you can share would be great info for us.
Thanks! Loraleigh
Have you been to apachepopups.net? Tons of information there, I love them!
I find my popup perfect. I love that it’s a popup AND that it has hard sides. That’s just phenomenal. I don’t understand why they stopped making these. They’re constructed very well: engineers from GM and Ford and stuff worked on these.
They are old, so typically there’s some work to be done on them, but the forum I listed above has explanations on how to fix EVERYTHING.
A lot of people can put it up and down all by themselves. I can’t. There’s a living hinge I need to replace, but even after that, I’m not sure I’ll get to the point where I can do it myself.
It tows like a dream. I’ve never towed anything so easy to tow in my life.
I love my Apache!
I’m catching up after being away on the weekend. No thrilling odyssey. Visiting my brother.
It is nice to work one job. I have a hard time switching gears, going from legal writing to fiction. Although I have to do legal writing for a living, since I work on contract, I try to set aside weeks here and there which I can devote entirely to the books. I’m more productive when I tackle one job per day.
At the moment, my odyssey is not all that thrilling, LOL… I’m basically just writing and spending time with my niece and best friend and her husband!
I am TOTALLY like you, Eric. Working two jobs, for me, was a total disaster. Legal writing and fiction would be tricky. It’s sad, but I pretty much need to do one big task and one little task per day, or else nothing gets done.
That’s so great!
As a writer, my work never feels done. But during the school year I tend to work hard when they’re gone (that’s the idea anyway) and turn in to Super-Mom when they’re home. The harder I work when they’re gone, the happier I am to see them when I pick them up.
But I only have a week and a half left with them before school starts up again and I’m getting almost sad. The summer went so fast. So I’ll be hanging with them a lot in the next week.
Definitely, Bets! Summer did go fast this year. Working hard when they’re gone and being Super-Mom when they’re home sounds like working all the time, LOL! But it’s also a gift, to be able to hang with your kids!
Have a great week, Bets!
Done for the day??? Never!
LOL, Rick! That’s the spirit!
PS: I’m enjoying my way through all your latest posts that I missed while packing. They require slow reading and full attention. Didn’t want you to think I’d stopped reading!
I just cannot tell you how happy I am for you.
E
Aww, thanks, Erica! My best friend, when I met her for a walk, asked me how my day was and I just laughed. She was like, “No need to ask anymore, huh?”
Love the new blog!
Are you taking pictures of all of your camp sites? You could post them and we can play Where’s Waldo with Natasha.
I’m glad you’re enjoying your new lifestyle. It sounds amazing. It really does. I might be a little jealous. Just a smidge. ; )
Thanks, Avery!
I haven’t taken pictures yet! I will.
My first couple months are rather boring for the spectator: I’m staying near my best friend and niece. It’s wonderful, but since I’m sitting in the same spot… but I’m trying to fill the weekend with plenty of adventure. 
I am really loving it so far. Except I lost a cat. I’m holding out hope, so I’m not getting upset yet, but… I’m just procrastinating dealing with reality. He has to come back!
It sounds wonderful!! I am so glad you have this new adventure and are enjoying every moment!! Yay!!
Thanks, Nadine! You gave me courage!
Oh, Natasha, I’m so awesomely happy for you. It sounds like you’re having so much fun! It also sounds like your schedule before was too freaking stressful. 12-16 hour days are just too much. Unless maybe you’re a fire fighter, and can eat pizza and play poker during part of it.
Poker and pizza would have definitely made it bearable, Robin! LOL! I’m missing my cat at the moment, but I just love this life.
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