Could Use Some Support

I'm about to start my 3rd solo month with Roehl and have zero complaints about the company. They have been great to me since day 1. My issue is the lifestyle of this industry. I enjoy the challenges of this career and driving a big truck and I'm getting better at it everyday. unfortunately I do not enjoy all the things that also come with it. I miss going out with friends and family. I miss my girlfriend and my dog and being home. How do you guys cope with the lifestyle? I'm trying to adjust still and keep reminding myself I'll get more used to it, I'm finding it increasingly more difficult to keep a positive attitude. I greatly under estimated the lifestyle change I would experience. Any responses are greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone, Joe

I'm about to get my cdl , so I can't speak on how to cope with it. However one thing you can remember is after your year is up you may be able to find something local or closer to home.

Do things you enjoy doing will on the road I like to fish, and take photos Some people like to gamble and stop at casinos. Figer out what you enjoy doing, and make time To Do it when you have time. As for missing people, I call friends family all the time. I make it a point to call my wife and kid in the morning and at night before going to bed. I also try to video. Call them at night if I have the service. This job I find is only a job if you let it become one. Take some time for you out here. Good luck.

I'm about to start my 3rd solo month with Roehl and have zero complaints about the company. They have been great to me since day 1. My issue is the lifestyle of this industry. I enjoy the challenges of this career and driving a big truck and I'm getting better at it everyday. unfortunately I do not enjoy all the things that also come with it. I miss going out with friends and family. I miss my girlfriend and my dog and being home. How do you guys cope with the lifestyle? I'm trying to adjust still and keep reminding myself I'll get more used to it, I'm finding it increasingly more difficult to keep a positive attitude. I greatly under estimated the lifestyle change I would experience. Any responses are greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone, Joe

I just started the hiring process with Roehl and hope to start CDL training next week. I have the same worries that you do about being away from home for a long time.

I am lucky that I love the time alone.

I don't sit in truck stops as I am much happier laying in my bunk.

I usually talk to mama once a day or text on a break.

I also drive for Roehl and have no idea how people find time to do anything but drive. I get run hard so that's good but I would love to get a little time to stop and take some pictures or hit a tourist gift shop along the freeway.

Brad you picked a good company to start with. Like I said I couldn't be any happier with my Choice to start here. I also am kept very busy which is great. I just need to keep a positive attitude and get my year experience. My hometown area has tons of local driving jobs.

Joe, to be honest with you, I probably wouldn't have made it as an OTR driver when I was in my 20's. I was married, and probably couldn't have dealt with being away from my wife.

Thing is, in life things are rarely static, but instead are always changing. That's what happened to our marriage, so we decided it was best to part ways.

Looking back, I should have realized that banking on myself would have been my best bet, what with the divorce failure rate being what it is.

I'm at a point in my life, where I am definitely a full fledged member of the MGTOW club. My membership in that club makes it much easier to accept the realities of the trucking lifestyle.

I think if I were you, I would plan on switching to a local driving job as soon as it is feasible for you. OTR trucking will always be an option later in life when circumstances are different.

Luckily I'm home every weekend but during the week I'll talk to my wife a couple times during the day and call her and my daughter every night to say good night. I know a lot of guys that have a game system in their truck to help pass time. I usually just spend my down time reading or watching Netflix or Amazon. Occasionally I'll watch the tv but really have gotten used to not using it. When you do get home make some quality time not just rush in and trying to do everything you missed while out on the road. You'll also need to give her plenty of freedom as to how things are run around the house and not come in one weekend trying to override everything she's done telling her she's not doing it right. After a little time start looking at local jobs. Where do you live?

You'll also need to give her plenty of freedom as to how things are run around the house and not come in one weekend trying to override everything she's done telling her she's not doing it right.

Best comment of all.

If you go over the road it will become her house and you are just a visitor and you need to remember that when you get home. She will change things and you will have to adjust to her changes.

One othe thing. It is gonna be hard on her at first too. Make sure you tell her that appreciate her strength in dealing with you being gone. Make sure you tell her how important she is. Make sure you tell her you miss her.

And most of all make sure you ask how she is doing!!!!! It is so easy to get wrapped up in talking about what your experiencing (good and bad) and forget to ask her about her day as well.

Trust me on this.