Finding Joy in the Demo: A Camper, a Crowbar, and a New Chapter

What brings you joy?
Is there something you look forward to in your day-to-day life?
I’m working to find that something again.
After spending the last year working three jobs, and the four years before that working two jobs while going back to college... I think it’s high time I rediscover a little joy. Enter a project that’s probably a bigger bite than I can chew: renovating an old camper.
Last year, some family friends offered me a 21-foot fifth-wheel camper. It had some leaks, and they simply weren’t using it anymore. All I had to do was figure out how to move it from their place to mine. With the help of another family friend, we did just that. And there it has sat for the past year.
I cleaned up the inside, added a few personal touches, and threw a tarp over it to prevent further water damage. While it’s sat there quietly taunting me, I’ve been devouring RV renovation videos and tutorials, learning the do’s and don’ts and all the special considerations that come with working on a camper. It’s been a lot to take in.
Recently, another family friend (well-versed in RV renovations) came by to give me some pointers. After a thorough but condensed walkthrough... how my breaker works, where he’d start, and some upgrade suggestions... I felt more prepared to begin demolition inside.
So on Sunday, after church, with the help of my entire family, we got to work.
We ripped EVERYTHING out.
It was much harder than any of us expected. Why? Because when they build RVs, they staple everything… EVERYWHERE. Trying to remove the pantries? Good luck! They’re barely an inch wide but packed with a gazillion staples to keep them in place on bumpy roads. Want to tear down the water-damaged ceiling? First, you have to remove the pantries that are sitting on top of the ceiling panels, which also block easy access to the walls and floor.
I’m so grateful my friend suggested tearing everything out and starting from scratch. Honestly? I don’t think I could’ve replaced just the ceiling or just the flooring. I would’ve damaged the cabinets and felt awful about it. Going into it with a realistic understanding of how overbuilt these things are, with staples and all, made it a whole lot less stressful.
When we hit a good stopping point, my dad and I decided to add a little extra joy to our day: we went bow fishing on a whim. We didn’t do as well as the previous weekend, but we caught a few fish. We make it a competition, tallying First Fish, Biggest Fish, Most Fish, and Furthest Shot. No prizes, just bragging rights, but it always makes for a fun afternoon.
It’s been a long time since I’ve done things that simply make me happy. But as I make some big decisions in my life, I want to get back into the habit of making time to enjoy it.