Our Second Chance: Why My RV Adventures with Disco Are My Guide to ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
For years, my life was defined by the silent limits of chronic illness. Invisible conditions like fibromyalgia, CFS, Hashimoto's, and lichen sclerosus, just to name a few, meant that my world often felt small. As a psychotherapist helping others find balance, I was fighting a constant battle with my own anxiety and perfectionism, feeling like I was failing if my body couldn't keep up. I was struggling with my pain and fear which actually began pushing me away from a life I truly valued.
Then came Disco.
Disco, my goofy terrier mix, was a rescue—a second chance at a happy life. Just as he was learning to trust the world, I was yearning to do the same. His boundless energy and stubborn joy ignited something in me. I realized that my life didn't have to be a series of limitations; it could be a journey. That’s when my husband and I decided to convert a cargo trailer into a tiny, cozy RV—a perfect little nest for our travels across America, at a pace my body could handle.
This journey is our "Disco's Road Show," but it's more than just a road trip. It's a real-time demonstration of the very principles I teach in my therapy practice.
You see, as an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) practitioner, I teach my clients to live a full and meaningful life, even in the presence of pain. Our adventures are my living laboratory for this. Living with chronic illness has been my most profound lesson in acceptance—accepting a day of pain without judgment and choosing to move forward anyway. Our travel itinerary isn't a rigid schedule; it’s a flexible guide that we're willing to change at a moment’s notice if a flare-up demands a rest day. I’ve had to learn to set firm boundaries honoring my body, understanding that rest is not a failure but an act of self-care and recovery.
Just like Disco got a second chance at a life filled with love and adventure, I’m using this journey to show myself—and my clients—that a values-driven life is possible, even when it looks different from what we imagined. My goal is to show that a balanced life isn't about doing everything; it's about finding the moments of peace and connection that truly matter. This is my personal practice in embracing a messy, beautiful life.
If you are a woman in North Carolina struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, or people-pleasing, know that I understand. My work as a therapist is deeply informed by these lessons. And if you’d like to follow along with our adventures, you can find our vlogs and photos on our personal pages.
Follow our journey: chirp.me/DiscosRoadShow
