Some seasons of life hit harder than others. Last year, mine collided all at once. Election season, the cruise that hurt me emotionally, work events including international travel, deadlines, and endless conversations. I kept going until I finally crashed. Not the kind of tired that a nap can fix, but the deep kind that leaves you hollow. The kind that makes even joy feel distant.

This summer, we traded square footage for freedom. We downsized our lives and moved into a 35-foot travel trailer with two dogs, two cats, and a growing sense of adventure. Don’t worry, you’ll meet the whole crew soon enough.

We’re easing into full-time RV living ahead of schedule. Once Pamela wraps up her term on the city council in December, the open road officially becomes home. For now, we’re getting used to life in a smaller space, testing what we truly need and what we definitely don’t. A few trial trips have already taught us plenty about living, packing, and keeping the coffee maker level.