Living with Less, Experiencing More: Downsizing for RV Life
For many people, the idea of full-time RV living evokes images of freedom, adventure, and breathtaking landscapes. The lure of traveling the open road, downsizing, and simplifying life has led over three million individuals and families to trade traditional homes for the compact, yet fulfilling, RV lifestyle. However, transitioning to full-time RV living involves more than just selling your house and hitting the road. It requires thoughtful downsizing, careful planning, and a willingness to embrace flexibility and minimalism (or close to it).
How do we know so much about this topic? Well, one of our team members, Jessica, lived it firsthand! She spent two years as a full-time RV-er, traveling the country with her husband, two kids, and two dogs. To make it happen, she downsized 90% of her family’s belongings. Was it hard? Absolutely. Was it worth it? 100%. Now, as a professional organizer and productivity coach with Simplified Professional Organizing, Jessica helps others navigate the downsizing journey. Here’s what she’s learned along the way.
The Perks of RV Living
Freedom
Living in an RV offers a unique sense of freedom - you decide where to go, how long to stay, and what adventures to pursue. Whether you’re exploring national parks, visiting loved ones, or snowbirding in warmer climates, RV travel allows you to create a lifestyle that aligns with your dreams and desires. It’s a gateway to constant discovery and new experiences.
Simplicity
This nomadic lifestyle also encourages simplicity. Downsizing forces you to evaluate your possessions and focus on what truly matters. Letting go of clutter and items that no longer serve you is liberating, creating space to prioritize experiences over things. Whether you’re parked in a forest, by the ocean, or in a desert, RV living allows you to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy the adventures you’ve been dreaming of.
Reduced Stress and Maintenance
Fewer possessions mean less to worry about. In a traditional home, managing, cleaning, and maintaining countless items can feel overwhelming. Downsizing reduces that hassle, freeing you to focus on the freedom and adventures of life on the road. With fewer belongings, keeping your RV clean and organized becomes quick and manageable. Plus, by prioritizing lighter, more functional items to take with you, it reduces strain on your RV’s systems and minimizes wear and tear on your vehicle.
Financial Benefits
Downsizing doesn’t just save space—it can also save you money. Selling higher-value items during the downsizing process can generate extra funds to support your RV lifestyle. (Pro tip: Focus on selling items only if they’re truly worth the time, effort, and energy - your time is your most valuable resource!)
While RV travel does come with expenses like fuel, campground fees, and vehicle maintenance, downsizing may eliminate other significant costs like mortgages, property taxes, and home upkeep. For many, life on the road can be more affordable than maintaining a traditional home, making living in an RV potentially less expensive than maintaining a traditional home.
Environmental Impact
Living with fewer possessions naturally aligns with a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Downsizing promotes sustainability by reducing waste and consumption, while giving you the chance to recycle or donate items you no longer need, giving them a second life. With less to carry and consume, your RV journey becomes more environmentally conscious, minimizing your impact on the planet.
But What About All My Stuff?
While the RV lifestyle is full of appeal, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges that come with full-time RV living, too. Adjusting to significantly less space - even in the most luxurious RVs - requires creativity and intention, especially when it comes to storage.
Downsizing is a key step in transitioning from a traditional home to RV life. The process of downsizing can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With a clear strategy and mindset, you can tackle this task with confidence and even find joy in the process.
1. Start Early
Give yourself plenty of time to sort through your belongings. Downsizing can be a massive task, so go at a pace that feels right for you. You might need to go through your things more than once to make sure you’re being thorough. Create a downsizing timeline that balances the time needed and your goal to hit the road.
2. Take it Room by Room
Tackle one space at a time. Start with easier areas, like the garage or closets, and save sentimental items for last. Group similar items together so you can see what you have and make better decisions about what you really need.
3. Sort
Separate your belongings into four piles - keep, donate, sell, and discard. Be ruthless with your choices. Remember that every item you bring into the RV should serve a purpose. Once you have a donate pile, drop it off right away so you don’t revisit it or second-guess yourself.
4. Measure Your Space
Knowing the exact dimensions of your RV’s storage spaces can help you determine what will fit and what won’t. Before Jess’s family hit the road, a quick measurement of the bathroom revealed that their bath mats would not work. They swapped them for dish drying mats to fit the small floor space outside the shower, and had no trouble deciding to part with the bath mats knowing they no longer served a purpose.
5. Digitize Where Possible
Scan documents, digitize photos, and consider e-books to save space. Jess struggled with parting with her physical books, as she loves the feel of a real book in her hands. But the reality is, books are heavy and take up a lot of room, so not all of them could come along. She made some tough decisions, then got creative to satisfy her bookworm tendencies - reading e-books, trading books with new friends at campgrounds, visiting local bookstores, and leaving read books behind in community libraries to save space.
6. Test Run
Before fully committing, take your downsized belongings on a trial run in your RV. This will help you figure out if you’ve packed too much, or missed anything essential, making your full-time RV experience smoother when you embark.
The Emotional Side of Downsizing
No matter the reason for downsizing, it’s an emotional journey. Letting go of possessions tied to memories can be tough. Take time to honor the past by photographing sentimental items before donating or discarding them, so you can preserve the memory without holding onto the physical item. Remember your “why” and visualize the freedom RV living offers. If it feels overwhelming, don’t hesitate to ask a friend, family member, or professional organizing team (like us!) for support.
Final Thoughts
Downsizing is an essential step in the journey to full-time RV living. While it may seem daunting, it’s an opportunity to embrace simplicity, focus on what truly matters, and prepare for the unique joys and challenges of life on the road. By thoughtfully evaluating your possessions and prioritizing essentials, you’ll create a living space that’s functional, comfortable, and aligned with your new lifestyle. More importantly, you’ll experience the emotional and financial freedom that comes from letting go of excess and embracing a life filled with adventure and possibility.
So, as you prepare to hit the road, remember: downsizing isn’t about sacrifice—it’s about gaining the freedom to live your best life, one mile at a time.
Ready to downsize and hit the road? We’re here to help! Whether you need hands-on assistance with downsizing, packing items for storage, or organizing your new RV, our team makes the process seamless. Prefer to learn on your own? Enroll in our Downsizing for RV Living course to discover our full process, proven strategies, best practices, and expert tips for downsizing and streamlining your space. Let us help you kick off your next adventure with confidence!
Hi there! I’m Kristen, and I’m a professional organizer and owner of Simplified Professional Organizing in Pittsburgh, PA. My team and I absolutely love helping people simplify their homes, businesses, and day-to-day lives. No matter where you’re at in your organizing journey, we’re here to help.
Click HERE to schedule a complimentary consultation to talk about how we can help you eliminate the overwhelm and reclaim space in life for what truly matters most!
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