Living In A Van

Shower. Cook. Toilet. Sleep.

How To Live In a Van

Humans are incredibly adaptable, at the same time we are incredibly resistant to change.  What does this have to do with living in a van?  The obvious challenges to living in a van require change, we naturally resist or we tell ourselves “I couldn’t do that, it is to much.”  Hold onto the positive, the adaptability, once you get into vanlife mode you will find a rhythm, growing accustomed to what was once different or strange. You have probably experienced this in your own life in regards to something else.

Acknowledging this reality can soften the intimidation and stregthen your ambition to pursue the vanlife dream.  Take one of the most cited and sneered at acts that deter outside observers, peeing in a bottle.  If your setup requires it, it isn’t a big deal at all.  You can even consider it an exercise in humility, an exercise that leads to gratitude for many modern conveniences.  Vanlife is an excellent lifestyle that provides a valueable contrast for contemplating models of human living, what is vital, what is possible, what am I capable of, what do I really need.

When our lives are filled with an abundance of comforts in a relatively effortless manner we naturally develop a sense of expectation, this is how it is, how it should be.  When we choose to exist within a lifestyle that eliminates what we may believe is necessary and essential a counter-intuitive event arises.  We realize that the minor level of challenge and inconvenience is rewarded with feelings of gratitude, insight into value, a sense of appreciation that is lost when everything is just there.  Comfort can easily become discomfort and perceived discomfort can become a source of comfort.

 What I am saying is, we don’t know until we try.  We are capable of doing things we doubt are possible.  We find joy and beauty in places that we never imagined joy and beauty existed.  Vanlife might not be your speed, or maybe it is.  There is no right or wrong.  The goal here is to stay open minded and help you get the information you need to make an informed decision. 

I haven’t crafted my personal contribution to the question “what is it like living in a van.”  To get things started I am linking to the other contributions that I felt are worth your eyeballs.