I gave up everything to live in a campervan and my family think I’ve gone mad

DEAR DEIDRE: WHEN I gave up my busy city life to live in a campervan with my two dogs, I thought my family would be happy for me. Yet instead, they’re convinced that I’m having a midlife crisis.

I’m a 54-year-old divorced man with three grownup children.

Over the past 30 years, I worked as an accountant. Waking up every day, following the same routine time and time again.

I’d grown so tired and bored of my life that when I stumbled across a video of a Van Life creator on my newsfeed on Facebook.

I quickly became obsessed. The lifestyle looked fun and free of any of the responsibilities I worried about.

On a complete whim, I decided to quit my job, sell my house, and buy a van to fulfil my dreams of travelling the world.

I thought my family would be happy for me, but instead they think I’ve gone mad.

Even my kids are convinced I’m having a mental breakdown and are constantly calling, telling me how worried they are.

Yet I’ve never been happier. How do I get them to accept the new me?

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DEIDRE SAYS: It can be really difficult when those closest to you don't understand your choices, but try to remember that this is quite a dramatic change and it’s natural for them to worry.

Perhaps you can talk to them again and explain that you feel you’re living an authentic life, and this is the real you.

Hopefully, in time, they can see you are happier living this way and will come to accept it.