Lessons learnt
What an adventure it’s been! I’m a bit better informed now about how this agency game works but I still wouldn’t consider myself an expert. And I’m yet to find the holy grail – an agency with good communication and consistently high rates.
One of the biggest lessons?? Expect the unexpected! On multiple occasions I’ve had agents contact me at the last minute (as in a day or two before I’m meant to start a contract) telling me the contract is cancelled or that the accommodation we were meant to have is no longer available. Honestly, it is annoying when this happens but I try not to get frustrated about it because that would ultimately achieve nothing. So I roll with it, with a smile on my face (mostly). But I definitely have to combine this with some self-advocating to ensure I’m not being walked over.
Setting boundaries
One of the boundaries I’ve set for myself is to make sure I have contract and accommodation details before I even start driving towards a new location. If the agency informs me that what was agreed upon is suddenly no longer available, then I need to have the faith to back myself and decline to go.
I’ve also had stop working with agencies that I no longer trust due to their terrible communication. Sometimes the money is just not worth it.
Less is more
The majority of the time, I definitely still love my life on the road. Do I wish I was doing all of this whilst being provided with nicer accommodation? Of course I do!
But this life has given me the opportunity to explore so much of Australia and make so many new friends. Although I miss my mid-sisters from my former regular job, I’ve been able to find a whole new group of travelling middies.
Another big thing I’ve learnt from life on the road – less is definitely more. When you live out of your car, you realise how little you actually need. And having to pack up and unpack multiple times – the less I have, the better it is.
I’m starting to long for a place to call home. I can see my beautiful beachside house in my head, I just haven’t found the actual location yet….but it’s out there.
Image by Wide Open Road Photography