All I want is to have my peace of mind

Florence, Oregon to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

You may notice I’ve been reflecting more on how songs shape my life. Right now, I’m listening to a playlist of rock favorites from the 70s and 80s. “Peace of Mind” by Boston is playing. My friend and I wore out several 8-tracks (remember those?) listening to the debut album, and the title song still stirs many emotions. One verse in particular impacted me then and perhaps even more today: “People living in competition, all I want is to have my peace of mind.”

​That Boston lyric—"People livin' in competition, all I want is to have my peace of mind"—really hits home for me. I'm not interested in keeping up with anyone else. Another line from the song has always stuck with me, too: "Now you're climbin' to the top of the company ladder, hope it doesn't take too long. Can't you see there'll come a day when it won't matter? Come a day when you'll be gone."

Hearing those words, I realized early on that I didn’t want to spend my life climbing a ladder that might not really matter in the end. Instead, I chose a path focused on experiences and simplicity—finding happiness in moments, not in status. Living this way, outside the usual rush, is my way of finding peace of mind and creating space for what matters most.

This month marks 11 years of full-time RV life for me, and in July, it’ll be five years since I last owned a car. In 2017, I rode my bicycle across America—a dream I’d had since I was a kid. That journey brought me a tremendous sense of peace and clarity I’d never known before, and I know I never could have done it if I’d been focused on climbing the company ladder or following someone else’s idea of success.

People sometimes ask why I do it. I know my choices aren’t for everyone, but this lifestyle really works for me. It lets me keep things simple and focus on what matters: meaningful experiences, living with less, and enjoying the moments that make lasting memories—without all the clutter and distractions.

Tuning into these old favorites reminds me they don’t just revive memories—they create new ones. The right song can offer comfort, inspiration, and a much-needed escape from a world that often feels overwhelming. In a world that’s always buzzing with headlines and notifications, taking time to enjoy the tracks that shaped us is a simple way to nurture ourselves and reconnect with what brings us joy. So whenever I turn up an old favorite, I’m reminded that the best moments aren’t about what I’ve accumulated, but about the memories I’ve made and the peace I’ve found along the way.

What experiences or songs bring you that sense of peace and clarity?