"Life is all about the journey, not the destination"
The Road to Colorado
My Jeep Journey has been like a rollercoaster ride with so many ups and downs, as I rediscover who I am and where I belong. My whole life has been a struggle with the belonging part, I always seem to be the outlier of a group never finding the place where I belong. Becoming part of the Jeep life changed that, and I found my place in the world. I re-discovered the joy of photography and writing, my love for the outdoors, and a new passion for the 4x4 life. As I began down that path of the Jeep Life, I realized I was leaving my old life behind. For years my marriage struggled, and we finally decided life is too short not to be happy, so it was time to go our own way. That was a hard year for me. I was stuck, not able to take that leap. During this time I met a fellow Jeeper, Neil, with a passion for adventure. We met online as I was giving him a piece of my mind after he made a comment on social media. Even after a bumpy start, we ended up planning an off-road adventure of a lifetime (or so I thought it was a once in a lifetime adventure).
This 34 day adventure with Neil opened my eyes. He had an amazing outlook on life that changed something deep inside of me. Funny thing is, I thought my Jeep changed my life, boy what an understatement that was. When it was finally time for me to move on from my marriage, I knew where I needed to be... Somewhere out West. Neil invited me to join him in Colorado to flip Jeeps. I took him up on that offer. Now we explore the mountain trails, opened up Colorado 4x4, and on the side continue with our passion for saving old Jeeps. You never know where that road will take you. It may be a bumpy ride, but so worth it in the end.
The Butterfly Effect: In the works of fiction this involves points in time at which a story line diverges during a minor event resulting in a significantly different outcome than would have occurred with out that small divergent in time.
My friend group were other “Soccer Mom’s” whom I felt I didn’t fit in with. I didn’t share the same hobbies or interests, but at the same time wasn’t sure what my interests and hobbies were. I paused my former life for a long time. I lived a life dedicated to my children attending sporting events, weekend scouting events, helping with homework, attending educational meetings, and mom’s nights out where all we did was talk about our kids.
"Life is all about the journey, not the destination"
My Jeep Wrangler
Then one day a tiny light streamed into that hole. Unsuspectingly and unknowingly, one small moment changed my life. It saved my life. A dad was transporting several boys to a camping event that we were also attending. Before they headed out, the dad got out of his Jeep Wrangler Sport to do something to the top of his Jeep. At the time I had no idea what he was doing, and we drove right by him. Once at the destination the kids in the topless Jeep were beaming with smiles, sharing exciting wind in your hair, sun in your face stories. There was also a lot of jubilant repeated recollections of all the cool Jeep waves they received and gave. I was instantly curious and inspired.
That following weekend sitting in our favorite Mexican restaurant after listening to hours, actually days, of me talking about the Jeep, my son asked Siri to find the nearest Jeep dealer. The next day, I was on a test drive with a brand-new Jeep Wrangler Sahara instantly hooked. I became an owner of a brand new black 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sahara that same day. I remember asking the salesman about the Rubicon package. However, I immediately waved him off when I found out it sported the off-road package, replying with “I will never go off road”. Little did I know on that fateful day in May as I drove my brand-new black Jeep off the lot I was on a new path, the road less driven path. The beginning of an amazing Jeep journey that would change my life. 
Just days after becoming a new Jeep owner, my friend, neighbor, and mom blogger suggested I start my own blog about my new journey with my Jeep and being a mom. So, this new Jeep addiction began to grow in so many ways. My journey turned into a search to dig deep down to find my passion and what makes me happy. I began taking care of myself physically and mentally. I put myself out there and began to try new things. A lot of the times it was by myself because no one else I knew was interested in joining me.
After starting my blog, I realized I needed social media to help promote my blog. New to the social media scene I didn’t realize what was coming down the pike. A whole new world I didn’t know existed opened up with a flood. There was an addicted group of like-minded Jeep owners like myself out there that spurred on my addiction, but also gave me a sense of belonging. New friendships formed. Friendships I know will last my lifetime. These friendships are unlike any other I have ever had, especially the Jeep Women. I have been welcomed with open arms and kindness. I am free to be me and accepted without judgement. I don’t feel that catty competition with life nor kids. It has been nothing but a positive experience with these like-minded women (and Jeep men) who share a passion for off-roading, the outdoors and all things Jeep.
Not only friendships developed, but a need to make my Jeep unique to me after seeing all those pictures of so many different Jeeps and all the possibilities of modifications. I began making small changes to my Jeep like floor mats and steering wheel covers. That blossomed into more difficult modification such as bumpers and off-road lights. I made these modifications by myself with the positive encouragement from other Jeepers telling me I could do it, and I did. With absolutely no experience in the garage I installed my own front and rear bumper, rock sliders, skid plate and off-road lights.
Then there were the YouTube videos which formed a new exciting hobby. That salesman back on the lot where I bought my Jeep was probably laughing under his breath when I said I will never off road. Only a year later in 2014 I traded my Sahara for a 2015 Rubicon. It was hard leaving my Sahara, but I was looking forward to that Off-Road package I dismissed just a year before.
Off-Roading became my new hobby which I completely enjoy and yearn for. It has given me the confidence in myself in so many ways. I love this white-knuckle adventure in the outdoors.
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| Photo Courtesy FecciUSNomads |
Jeepers on social media are a different breed. For the most part, Jeepers welcome you into their arms with kindness and acceptance. I found one of those groups out of the Carolinas. They invited me to their Spring Uwharrie Invasion weekend in the Uwharrie National Forest in North Carolina. Heading out on a six hour drive to camp and wheel with people you’ve never met in person could be intimidating and scary but knowing they are Jeepers I knew it would be an amazing weekend and it was! Again, Uwharrie won’t be a once in a lifetime event. I am already planning to go back to wheel with my new friends!
These past six years have been a journey of re-discovering me, searching for my passion, realizing life isn't about the stuff you have, but experiences. It has been so good for my soul and my self-esteem. Buying my Jeep Wrangler six years ago turned into discovering a wonderful accepting Jeep community, and a spectacular Jeep Life. This new path in my life has brought so much joy and new-found friendships all over the country.
My Jeep has helped me gain the confidence I needed to realize I am a strong woman who can do anything I put my mind to. A garage isn’t just for the guys! A friend who helped me overcome my fear of heights while on the entrance to Hell’s Revenge in Moab told me “You’ve Got This”. Those are words I live by today, every time I begin to doubt myself “I’ve Got his”!
My Jeep has also guided me to my passion again that goes all the way back to 4th grade. A passion I sadly lost in my youth, but found once again, my creativity. Back then I let some mean girls who made fun of my creative writing dictate my life by me putting down my pencil. It may not be the pencil I picked back up, but when my fingers hit the keyboard and I see the words on the screen I smile to myself. My blog, JeepMomma.com, started out as a weekly diary of sorts and now has blossomed into so much more. Most recently I have ramped up the videos on my Jeep Momma YouTube channel producing at least one a week. The positive response has been encouraging and inspiring.
My hope is for others to follow me on this crazy journey as I uncover more of my passion and search for a fulfilling new career while balancing my family life and my life. My life now is about new discovery of myself and trying to live My Best Life. During this search I have learned so much about myself realizing simplifying and minimalism has made me happier, and made more time for the things I enjoy. My Jeep is more than a tool to get from point a to point b. It has become part of me, part of my soul. I strive to simplify and enjoy every moment I am on this earth. One day I hope my gifts and purpose will be an inspiration to the world or maybe just one person! Keep on Jeeping!
This blog is a personal blog written and edited by Tammy-Jeep Momma.
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This hits home in so many ways. Thank you for posting!
ReplyDeleteYour Welcome! For the longest time I struggled before I got help!
DeleteGreat story Tammy! Happy things came together for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm glad I see the light! :D
DeleteTammy, could you contact me at this email address. Would like to speak to you about possibility of using one of your videos in a new welcome center in Troy.
ReplyDelete