Fifteen years ago, if someone told me they were living in a van, I would have assumed they were a step away from homelessness. My, how the times have changed. (And for the better.) Today, #VanLife is perceived quite differently. It’s a ticket to freedom, parked in the foreground of America’s raw and unspoiled beauty. While vanlifers are far from homeless, the idea of home takes on a new flavor — one that taps into our nomadic roots and hunger for adventure.
Even so, you may ask, “What exactly is #VanLife?” Is it as simple as camping in your Class B? Do you have to take a lot of Instagram selfies? Or is it indication of a greater commitment — a letting go of the sedentary life?
Let’s dive a little deeper together into what #VanLife truly is — from its stark and enticing scenery to the freedom, autonomy, and affordability that draw its enthusiasts. Just be careful as you read — you too may hunger for the road less traveled.
#VanLife Defined
In a physical sense, #VanLife involves living in a van that has been converted into a mobile living space, allowing you to roam the highways in your own tiny home. That can be a campervan or a Class B motorhome. As a lifestyle, though, #VanLife does imply something connected to a type of lifestyle. The term is connected to images of minimalism, freedom, adventure, and a closeness to nature. Certainly, living in a van is not a new concept, but the Bohemian movement popularized by social media offers a new perspective on life and travel.
The Cultural Evolution
So, how did living in a van go from a last resort to the idealized lifestyle choice? In 2011, photoblogger Foster Huntington was credited for sparking the popularity of a cultural evolution that now represents an entire way of life. The hashtag itself— #VanLife —was originally a sarcastic reference to Tupac’s “Thug Life” tattoo. But 1.2 million hashtags later, #VanLife swept across the digital sphere. From there, it became inextricably connected with free-spirited social values and those who revere nature — all while exploring it in the somewhat ironic modernity of a motorhome.
An Alternative to the Sedentary Life
From its core, #VanLife is a counterpart to the conventional, stationery life we are so accustomed to. If you haven’t lived on the road, or gone on a trip without a return date, then it might be hard to envision the immeasurable freedoms it offers.
Sedentary life has a way of perpetuating the cycle of its own bondage. Many couples live on the cusp of poverty. They work over 40 hours a week. And even so, they can barely afford their rent, bills, and increasing costs of living. All that work to enjoy one or two weeks of vacation time a year. Somehow, their time became a hostage held by questionable owners.
Van life offers a different equation. Without rent and utility bills, it is arguably a more affordable way of living. And without the space to accumulate physical possessions, the money saved on frivolous purchases would surprise you. This decreased cost of living requires less working hours to afford and offers the freedom to enjoy most of one’s time — instead of just a piece of it.
For homeowners, living in a van also means you can rent out your house as income while you’re on the road. Sure, you won’t have the security that a nine-to-five job back home might offer, but you will be surprised what sort of things you are capable of when you have freedom of your time. Many choose to start entrepreneurial ventures. Others take on side jobs as they travel or find remote work. (All this is increasingly easier in this modern age.) It does require a little resourcefulness and creativity, but if you’re living in a van on the road, then you will soon have an abundance of both.
Swapping Indoor for Outdoor Space
Sure, if you don’t know this already: Residing in a small space can be a torturous thing. But when it’s an intentional choice and thoughtfully executed, it can also be a beautiful thing. Every square inch of interior design becomes a marvel of multifunctionality (as Class Bs are proving more and more).
Freedom is a byproduct of the minimal lifestyle required to live in a van. The flexibility will allow you to explore a variety of locations, changing your scenery on a whim. While you may not own the view from the back seat of your house on wheels, in a sense, you own the landscape in an entirely different sort of way. Your backyard will become an ever changing playground of dynamic terrains.
Living for the Moment and the Memories
Personally, my family and I travel intermittently, for months, even up to a year at a time. There is one thing that happens every time we settle back home: the inevitable accumulation of things. It’s almost like a sickness. Today, Amazon shortens the gap between thinking of a thing and having the thing, to just a simple click. It’s unnatural — and arguably, unhealthy. Our identities, sense of happiness, joy, and curiosity are all drowning in a steady outpour of physical possessions.
When we travel, it’s difficult to accumulate things. First of all, you don’t have an address to send it to, and secondly, a van is far too small to collect anything that lacks a necessary function.
In a small living space, you are forced to live for the moment, the view, and the memories you make. Instead of passing on all those things you purchased during the years of your life, you will have stories, memories, and shared adventures to share with your children. At first it will be a sacrifice, but after a little practice, it starts to feel like a refreshing plunge into cool, healing waters. You will start to crave the purge.
Equipped for Freedom
Many types of travel epitomize the idea of freedom. But none so succinctly as #VanLife. Self-sustainability is a part of that lifestyle. Most vans come equipped with solar panels, lithium battery banks, composting toilets, and other off-grid living capabilities. In many larger rigs, your “freedom” is only as good as the RV campground that can accommodate them. Without off-grid access, you are at the whim of fully-booked campgrounds, confined to easy-access roads in perfect weather conditions. Many modern vans prioritize self sufficiency through thoughtful modifications like water storage, power sources, four-wheel drive, and durability. These attributes provide maximum flexibility.
Image vs. Reality
Certainly, imagery of #VanLife on social media is a lovely sight. We see Class Bs engulfed in exquisite terrain, where van lifers appear magically, fashionably, and convincingly happy. But the truth often reveals a less than perfect story. Before social media idealized the picture of vanlife, it was not such a coveted lifestyle. The truth is that even those social media influencers make sacrifices, both physical and spiritual. None of these sacrifices should be taken lightly.
For a moment, imagine living in 50 to 100 square feet of space. Let’s get real: I have been in bathrooms that are roomier than that. The idea of #VanLife may be romantic, but the reality will often be hot, cold, sweaty, gritty, smelly, messy. Oh, and tight. If you like backpacking, prolonged tent camping, and long uncomfortable moments in the backdrop of a perfect view, then you are probably equipped for the rugged lifestyle.
Making the Big Decision
Speaking of reality, if you haven’t been in many extreme environments requiring physical sacrifice and an enduring spirit, then you may want to start small before taking the #VanLife plunge.
Maybe first, go on a few camping trips. (If you don’t have an RV, date your favorite candidates by renting.)
Then extend them out by at least a week. (And try a backpacking trip!) If you find that the reward is worth the work you put into it, then it could be for you.
Remember, the sacrifices of physical possessions, security, and creature comforts are the real cost of #VanLife. The reward will pay you back in subtle ways, allowing you to live closer to nature and deeper in the moment. This life pays you back in freedom, vivid memories, and a well earned confidence and self sustainability that is all your own.
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