Traveling Around the Country in a Bus For a Year Taught 2 Shrinks Not to Settle

"We discovered the importance of living now"

By: Award Winning Author
Doreen Orion

When my husband Tim announced he wanted to “chuck it all” and travel around the country in a converted bus for a year, I gave this profound and potentially life-altering notion all the thoughtful consideration it deserved.

“Why can’t you be like a normal husband with a midlife crisis and have an affair or buy a Corvette?” I demanded, adding, “I will never, ever, EVER, not in a million years, live on a bus.” 

We’re both psychiatrists, but he’s obviously the better shrink, for we soon set forth with our two querulous cats, sixty-pound dog – and no agenda – in a 340-square-foot bus.

How Traveling & Seeing The World Was Truly a Life-Changing Experience

1.  We learned how not to put off our dreams.

2.  We discovered the importance of living now.

3.  We grew to understand we had to pare down our lifestyle, so that we could spend more time with the people we love – instead of the things we love.

4.  We recognized how comfortable – too comfortable – our lives had become. Many of us work so hard year after year. Then, one day, we wake up and wonder, “Is this all there is?” We hadn’t realized the importance of continuing to challenge and stretch ourselves. 

Yes, we had our share of disasters on the trip including:

• Fire

• Flood

• Armed robbery

• Finding ourselves in a nudist RV park

• Almost fell out of the Bus (see video below)

• And my developing a bus phobia to name just a few

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But, the adventures and misadventures helped us grow. They shook things up and added a certain “spark” that we didn’t even realize was missing. Although I had to be dragged kicking and screaming on the trip (I’m sort of the Elizabeth Gilbert Antichrist in that respect), it was so transformational, that by the time we returned, I was the one who suggested we sell our house so we can full time. So, don’t forget that you too, should add some spice to your life. It will help you keep growing, something we all need to do our entire lives. Don’t put off your dreams any longer. Discover the importance of living now. And, don’t settle in life, at work, or in relationships.  

About The Author

Psychiatrist Doreen Orion is an award-winning writer and author of the hilarious QUEEN OF THE ROAD. The True Tale of 47 States, 22,000 Miles, 200 Shoes, 2 Cats, 1 Poodle, a Husband, and a Bus With a Will of Its Own. It’s been called, “Eat, Pray, Love – without the depression,” by Denver Magazine and “A Charles-Kuralt-Albert Brooks-style romp…. Required Reading,” by the New York Post. 

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