What is your life reflecting? Â How would you describe it? Â Here was mine this past weekend:
Eighty-four families.  Over one hundred and seventy children.  RVs, dogs, and campfires everywhere we look.  This was our first “Full Time Families” rally where we convened with families from across the country (and world!) who are RVing the States full-time with their families.  This event was a perfect example of living the life we have chosen, which leads me to this:
One of my fellow coaches said this in our mastermind call last week, and it really resonated with me.  Does my life reflect what I care about?  What example am I setting – for my kids, for my spouse – on what is important to me?
Make it count
When you have a gazillion things on your to-do list and everyone is pulling at you, overwhelm is an understatement. Â Trying to find balance is unrealistic. Â And quickly, your life can become a reflection not of what is truly important, but what crap is on the agenda just to keep things running.
So how do we combat that? Â How do we really make life a reflection of what is important to us, when all the necessary requirements of working and running a household can eat up the majority of our time? Â The answer is to make it count. Â Be intentional about what example you want your life to show, and make that significant time count.
Do you REALLY care?
Going back to the rally we just attended. Â This was so much more than a meet-up. Â This was our first experience truly finding community, and it gets us even more excited about our travels knowing we will meet up with many of our new friends along the way. We dove in head-first and volunteered to run the 6-9 yr old activities and were thrilled to discover that these are some truly exceptional kids. The genuine love and affection everyone had for each other made for secure kiddos who didn’t hold back on acceptance and love for one another. My girls were in heaven finding new best friends everywhere, and after a long time of solitude for Nathan and I, it was so awesome to connect with couples we genuinely enjoyed.
There was ONE thing that was the focus of this event, and that was pure connection. Â Yes, we had seminars and opportunities to learn about different vendors, but the majority of the time was spent eating, playing games, and just simply being with one another. Â There were campfires all around, and kids chased each other through the campgrounds playing tag, learning ukuleles, and using their imaginations.
Our tiny home was by far the messiest it has been since we’ve been on the road.  There was a “parade of homes” where we looked at some of the RVs and how they decorated and/or modified them.  By the end, I was inviting people over to my place to check it out, even though it was a wreck.  Because, really, I want my life to reflect connection over cleanliness.  Friend and family connection is what drives me.  A clean house may make me happy for a short bit, but the laughter over food with friends is so much more important.
Quality, not quantity
Don’t beat yourself up if your family doesn’t have three sit-down meals a day. Â If you know the week is going to be crazy, don’t give up on family time just because you can only pack in a few minutes. Â Just make those few minutes count. Â Take ten minutes at breakfast to check in with your kids. Â Turn off the TV at night and connect with your spouse. Â When you are visiting, set your cell phone down and truly engage in the conversation.

Like I said above, the kids at this rally were truly exceptional.  As Nathan and I led the group, we were in awe how a group of 50 (ish) 6-9 year olds just jumped in with smiles, ready to engage.  They were simply focused on innocent play and fun.  Other than a few sibling spats, there was no bullying, drama, or disrespect.  These kids came from different socio-economic backgrounds, ethnicities and abilities.
Although they all live in RVs, some were stationary (didn’t move around but camped at one park) and others traveled based on parents’ work. Â It wasn’t that these “privileged” kids got their parents 100% of the time or didn’t have their own struggles. Â But it was abundantly clear that the time families spent together was wide open love and fun.
Think of the campground atmosphere of love and connection, and imagine that being the reflection of your life.  We see the example of families gathering on vacations every weekend at these campsites.  They remind us of why we choose to live this full time.  We don’t want to wait for our “one day” vacation to play – but to make our life a reflection and example of this happy community feel as much as possible.
Be the example
We have to practice what we preach. Â I’m guilty of being a demanding workaholic sometimes. Â Other times, I’m guilty of being the mom looking on FaceBook instead of engaging with my kids. Â I am not a saint, and I hope no one puts me on a pedestal expecting me to never fail. Â I will let people down. Â But all in all, I want my life to be an example of what is most important to me. Â That means I have to put down the computer, my cell phone, and anything else that drags me away from creating those connections that I care about most.
Give yourself grace that you won’t always have it right.  Life has a lot of crazy tasks that can take over.  There are times when work takes priority.  Sometimes vegging out and getting rest is more critical than attending yet one more birthday party.  However, keep this top of mind – does your life truly reflect what you care about? Â
If I were to spend a week observing you, what would I see as your primary focus? Â How would you describe your life? Â Share with me below, along with tips that help you stay on track!
P.S. If you are at all dreaming of RVing the States for any length of time with your family, check out www.90DayFamilyRoadTrip.com. Not only does this cover all the logistics on how to RV – what type for your family, how to book campgrounds, etc – but also how to lay out expectations so you are all on the same page as a family. Â
Ashley, Loved this post. Its so awesome to see you and Nathan having such amazing experiences with the family…Lets stay inspired. These truly are amazing days
Aw, thanks! Yes, we have a pretty great connection and respect for one another!
Thanks for reading and commenting! I think you are a shining example of a life well lived, and your values are reflected in your walk and talk. So glad to have met you!
I just have to comment on how beautiful your relationship is. The way you honor each other is truly an inspiration. You are blessed to have each other as siblings and friends.
Wow! Beautiful and well said.
I hope my life reflects what is most important to me. It’s hard to know what people see. That’s said, I feel confident that we are living our lives based on our most cherished values, and not based on external expectations.
The great news is that any of us are capable of changing this at any time. It can be hard, scary and lonely at times, but so rewarding.
I love your point about quality over quantity. And disconnecting distractions is huge! Thank you for another thoughtful post.
Yep, and this rally affirmed that the life we’ve chosen right now is so perfect for us – we are thriving, and every connection like this confirms our path. Thanks for supporting us in our decisions for our family!
Thanks so much – you were my inspiration to just get out there and do it – Carpe Diem, brother! Thanks for paving the way and proving to me that I really CAN travel and forge my own path. Love you!
Ashley – that’s an awesome overview of this experience. And a great reminder that we can choose the lives we live.
Great words of wisdom, sister. You know the Quaker saying, “Let your life speak”. I feel quite fortunate that this has always been part of our family ethos. I love that you are living an alternative lifestyle that is so deliberate and in line with your beliefs. It’s another testament that we are all able to choose the reality we experience. Thank you for being a light in this world, not only with your words, but through your example.