My first Christmas alone in the van, I cried. Sat in a state park in Arizona, FaceTimed my family, hung up, and cried. It was awful.
The difference wasnt the holiday. It was me.
What Changed
I stopped trying to replicate what holidays "should" look like and started creating what they could look like. Solo holidays dont have to be a lesser version of family holidays. They can be something entirely different and equally meaningful.
My Holiday Playbook
Thanksgiving: I find a campground hosting a communal dinner. Theyre more common than you think — check KOA events and state park calendars. I bring a side dish and show up with no expectations. Always end up having a great time.
Christmas: I treat myself. Nice campsite, good bottle of wine, a meal I wouldnt normally make. I call family in the morning and then make the day about doing exactly what I want. Last year that was a sunset hike and hot chocolate by the fire.
New Years: Campfire. Reflection journal. Setting intentions for the year ahead. Honestly better than any party I ever went to.
Fourth of July: Find a small town celebration. Every tiny town in America does something for the Fourth. Parade, fireworks, pie contest. Show up as a visitor and the locals welcome you like family.
The Hard Truth
Some holiday moments will be lonely. Thats ok. Feel it, honor it, and then do something about it. Call someone. Go somewhere. Help someone. Loneliness shrinks when you stop sitting with it and start moving through it.
You chose this life for a reason. Holidays are one day. The other 364 are pretty amazing.
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After years on the road I can confirm — this is solid advice.
Thanks! More content coming soon.
This is what I tell every new RVer at the campground.
Sound advice. This is the kind of content the community needs.
Our travel trailer is our escape from the work week. These tips make it better.
The struggle is real with kids in an RV lol. Good to know were not alone.
Really useful info. The details make all the difference.
I photographed something similar on my last trip thru New Mexico. Beautiful stuff.
Great addition — thanks for sharing your experience!
Ha, reminds me of our first year out. We made every mistake in the book.
YES to all of this. Every word.