How to combat loneliness on the road?
- Thread starter jmcglone
- Start date
I like to read. I have an Amazon Kindle with a few hundred books and short stories in it. I also keep up with the forum and emails. I go to museums and other things now and then also. I have a few close friends in the business and we talk on the phone some.
Well, duh, lot lizards.
You have to be comfortable with being alone with yourself in the first place. Being anti-social helps a lot. Or being schizophrenic, since you're never really alone when you have schizophrenia.
Beyond that there's the computer for both killing time and for connecting to people, cell phone, video chats via the computer or an Android phone with a rear-facing camera (the new EVO).
I break from my routine at Walmarts and go to the truckstop...always someone there to break up the boredom..
Finding a Panther driver is always good for a chuckle or 2..
Finding a Panther driver is always good for a chuckle or 2..
chefdennis
Veteran Expediter
As Turtle said, you really need to be comfortable being alone to begin with, the need to be comfortable in your own skin. Then for me it was a matter of setting my Cargo Van up so I could stay out 3 weeks at a time and be able to be comfortable. My van has a twin size bed, frig, micro wave heat and ac so i don't have to idle. From there I read new outlets on the internet on a ongoing basis i visit over 50-75 news sites from all over the world. I have a Flat panel TV with a builtin DVD player and also have a digital antenna to watch local news and shows. The internet keeps me in touch with friends and family as well as 2 cell phones.
I run another business from my van. I take calls, set appointments, collect the money via credit cards, schedule the people need to perform their jobs, (Chef and massage therapists) and work with my Ad agency about advertising.
Music is a big part of my day so there is the I-pod and CD's...I also listen to talk radio, both national and from my local hometown stations. Books, i keep a few that i can read in a few days each then i have a hardback copy of "Atlas Shrugged" that i read for a while then put down for a while and go back to it.
When I am empty on a weekend, I come from time to time, usually a steak on a grill pan and a baked potato and watch college football or Nascar...if I don't cook ten I'll find a place that serves good food from the local fare....
Then there are times that when the weather is nice, I'll get the folding chair sit outside and BS with other drivers.
All and all, i enjoy my life out here up to a certain amount of time away from my wife and kids. Usually after 3 weeks I need to get home to spend time with them even though we stay in touch regularly (wife multiple times a day, kids several times a week)....LOL, but then after 2-4 days at home, I am ready to get back out on the road...so its cook a bunch of food, load up the frig and get back to the road to relax....
Oh and one more thing, when it comes to meeting people (other drivers) I have 2 EO stickers on my van, 1 in front on the windshield and one on the back doors.....works great for meeting other members from here...last week i spent a day with 2 othr members at the Flyin J in KC MO.....And the stickers are FREE...just ask EO for them....
I run another business from my van. I take calls, set appointments, collect the money via credit cards, schedule the people need to perform their jobs, (Chef and massage therapists) and work with my Ad agency about advertising.
Music is a big part of my day so there is the I-pod and CD's...I also listen to talk radio, both national and from my local hometown stations. Books, i keep a few that i can read in a few days each then i have a hardback copy of "Atlas Shrugged" that i read for a while then put down for a while and go back to it.
When I am empty on a weekend, I come from time to time, usually a steak on a grill pan and a baked potato and watch college football or Nascar...if I don't cook ten I'll find a place that serves good food from the local fare....
Then there are times that when the weather is nice, I'll get the folding chair sit outside and BS with other drivers.
All and all, i enjoy my life out here up to a certain amount of time away from my wife and kids. Usually after 3 weeks I need to get home to spend time with them even though we stay in touch regularly (wife multiple times a day, kids several times a week)....LOL, but then after 2-4 days at home, I am ready to get back out on the road...so its cook a bunch of food, load up the frig and get back to the road to relax....
Oh and one more thing, when it comes to meeting people (other drivers) I have 2 EO stickers on my van, 1 in front on the windshield and one on the back doors.....works great for meeting other members from here...last week i spent a day with 2 othr members at the Flyin J in KC MO.....And the stickers are FREE...just ask EO for them....
This is one of the reasons I prefer Flying j's over walmart etc when stopped for the night. There is a better chance of finding other vanners to converse with. I have a few other drivers I like to keep in touch with on the phone also.
I use the computer often when stopped but am not big on social network sites. Like Chef I run a side business when on the road. It is internet based so it works out well. I handle support issues which has me talking to people on the phone and answering their questions via a support desk or email. Sometimes I will spend time editing a web page or dealing with something a client needs at the moment.
I use the computer often when stopped but am not big on social network sites. Like Chef I run a side business when on the road. It is internet based so it works out well. I handle support issues which has me talking to people on the phone and answering their questions via a support desk or email. Sometimes I will spend time editing a web page or dealing with something a client needs at the moment.
ebsprintin
Veteran Expediter
I converse with my gps. --eb
I like to read. I have an Amazon Kindle with a few hundred books and short stories in it. I also keep up with the forum and emails. I go to museums and other things now and then also. I have a few close friends in the business and we talk on the phone some.[/Q
Same here, sleep a lot too
termite289
Expert Expediter
thats a good question.
i tend to start getting homesick after three weeks. and by six weeks im chewing my upholstery. i do a lot of internet, some reading, and keep my bible handy.
my biggest problem is when i get home, im so used to being alone, that visiting everyone in three days bugs me. my wife doesn't understand that i dont want to go eat at everyone else's house. i want to eat at mine. i have yard work to do, and the garden will need tending. truck repairs if necessary.
it isnt alone in the truck i have problems with, it's alone time with the wife when i get out of it.
i tend to start getting homesick after three weeks. and by six weeks im chewing my upholstery. i do a lot of internet, some reading, and keep my bible handy.
my biggest problem is when i get home, im so used to being alone, that visiting everyone in three days bugs me. my wife doesn't understand that i dont want to go eat at everyone else's house. i want to eat at mine. i have yard work to do, and the garden will need tending. truck repairs if necessary.
it isnt alone in the truck i have problems with, it's alone time with the wife when i get out of it.
nightcreacher
Veteran Expediter
It's been a while since running solo,but if you need companionship,this isn't the profession for you.Usually when i run solo,I'm to tired at end of day to even think about being alone.
By the way,do you feel alone when your in a crowd?
By the way,do you feel alone when your in a crowd?
guido4475
Not a Member
I would have to say that this website, Expediters Online, is a blessing in meeting new people and passing time away to help with the boredom and loneliness out here. It's like a family on here, for the most part, and have met alot of great people on here as well.
The computer helps pass time away,u-tube,different ford websites.
Cleaning the van, checking and making sure everything is a-ok on it as well.
And, of course, the almighty cell-phone.
And prayer and reading.
OVM, that was good in what you said about finding a good chuckle.LOL.
The computer helps pass time away,u-tube,different ford websites.
Cleaning the van, checking and making sure everything is a-ok on it as well.
And, of course, the almighty cell-phone.
And prayer and reading.
OVM, that was good in what you said about finding a good chuckle.LOL.
sparkle8859
Seasoned Expediter
i'm not alone but I like wtching movies. I have over 400 of them. My husbnd usally sits in the front seat with the computer playing conquer. Its a free game like everquest or wow. Or if I am asleep he looks at porn. He says he doesn't but I dont belive him.
guido4475
Not a Member
Darn, you busted him pretty good !! lol..
Falligator
Expert Expediter
A Nintento DS or Playstation Pocket (PSP) really helps pass the time. I was also thinking of transporting a mountain bike along, but for now I will hit up a metroparks nature trail. Akron and Columbus have a lot of Nature trails. Found a nice one in Nebraska by the Gretna Flying J. Also an aerospace museum near gretna with some cool stuff i posted some pics on here from the park a while back, but I have yet to go to the aerospace museum.
sparkle8859
Seasoned Expediter
Thats my job! LOL
Dakota
Veteran Expediter
Recalculating....Make a U turn
