How Much Should I Look Before I Leap?

I’ve always been an idea person. I’m motivated by optimism and my “can do” spirit. I research options, but sometimes see my options through rose-colored glasses. I have many things in my life that are classified as, “if I knew then what I know now.” But I also have few regrets because leaping brings great adventure! It may bring some less than desirable impacts, but the overall experience is worth it.

I decided I needed to be a writer in my retirement because doing nothing would put me in an early grave. I thought that being on the road would be the perfect place to write. It was good enough for Kerouac, right? I wanted to soak up everything and everyone I could find on the road. To do that, I would need an RV and the only RV I would consider — the iconic Airstream.

How much research does one need to do to make this extreme change in life? My friends and family were dumbfounded by my decision because they had never imagined such an option. But imagining is not living it and so I began my research. What I found is that research is not living the life. Living the life is fraught with, well, living.