We were 'downsized' from our jobs while in our 50's. Luckily we had been savers so there was no real need to look for other jobs...so we bought a 27' travel trailer instead.
We took off for four months in Florida. While there we met many happer full-timers. We had never heard the word back then. On our long drive home to Michigan I said "We were gone all that time and never missed anything in that house. Let's sell and go full-time". We sold everything during the summer and took off in our new lifestyle not having any plans, and no computer, no cell phone back then.
We didn't have any time-length thoughts and definitely no ending thoughts. We didn't store anything. We just headed West. We joined the Escapees RV Club which was the best thing we did for preparation. We've met many lifelong friends though the Club.
We full-timed for 16 years without one regret. We have now bought a small townhouse in an state we never dreamed of living. Our friends from Escapees and full-timing together, 22 couples, have bought in the same 55+ very active community. We have a very good support system. We are truly happy we did what we did.
We also did a lot of volunteering for national and state parks and Fish and Wildlife. It gave us a good feeling to help out in places we enjoy visiting and it gave us purpose. We had many good experiences in our constant travels and our grandchildren had a big part in lives - traveling with us or visiting us or we visiting them for big chunks of time. We were there for all their 'big' moments in school and sports. Now as they are older, they are envious of all we were able to do.