Reading this was like reading a journal entry of my own from back in 2021. When I sold everything and bought my van! I converted it myself and haven’t looked back since. It’s not the easiest lifestyle, that’s for sure but the autonomy it’s given me has been life changing! Cheers to saying yes!
Well thank you! 🙏🏽 I’m excited that there are more Vanlife/rv people on this platform than I thought. It’s awesome because I think the lifestyle in and of itself, like you share in your story, forces us to challenge narratives that either through the world’s conditioning or based on our own short-sighted experiences may be limiting ourselves. I’m looking forward to following along with your journey too! I’m actually building new drawers and storage for the van as I type this! New ending projects, thanks for subscribing!
I'll have to search and find some others on here! You're right, it certainly highlights that there are other ways to do life, rather than the standard format.
Oh that's exciting, great work setting it up the way you want it. Might see you on the road one day 😊
Very new to this and probably what's holding me back is income or finding an income source I can travel with would be the biggest. I could rent out or Airbnb my home as an option, but hearing how people like something to come back to. I also only have a beginner's camper at this stage, and definitely need to upgrade if on the road longer term :) Look forward to following your journey & tips & inspiration ☺️
Income is certainly a barrier - as it can't be done for free unfortunately.
Every body is different, I certainly don't need a place to go back to right now, but I realise that could change in a year or so.
I met a lovely older woman from Scotland a couple of months ago who has been living in her van for 7 years down the South Island - no shower or power, not self contained. Extremely basic, but she loves it. So everyone has a different level of comfort they require - "comparison is the thief of joy".
😊 agree comparison is indeed the thief of joy! My camper is self-contained, but I'm just comparing with self & fact that I enjoy some space & things organised well in my camper for comfort (& for my brain to not get overwhelmed 😊). I don't need the biggest or best. Am accepting learning as I go & keeping open.
Completely understand! I was very much the same when I made my decisions on my setup - I just wanted to have something that I knew myself I'd be happy and comfortable with and it would provide everything I needed to do the things I wanted. Keen to hear how you get on if you decide to take more of a leap towards a life on the road - or just on the road more often 😊
Great read, Rhys. I made commitments to myself and others that will see me staying put for a couple of years. Then it will be selling my home and finding land that makes money, instead of costing, so I have both freedom and a base to return to. Looking forward to hearing more of your story
Thanks Lisa. Yeah fair enough, I'm certainly fortunate to not have any commitments that prevented me doing this, I understand it's not so easy for everyone. Sounds like you're on the right path with planning what you want and what will work for you though! Look forward to hearing how you get on down the track!
I decided I didn't want a Plan B. I sold up, no safety of going back. Just want to figure it out along the way. Good luck with working it out for yourself and what suits you. You won't regret making the most of it, whichever way you do it!
Reading this was like reading a journal entry of my own from back in 2021. When I sold everything and bought my van! I converted it myself and haven’t looked back since. It’s not the easiest lifestyle, that’s for sure but the autonomy it’s given me has been life changing! Cheers to saying yes!
That's cool that you've been through the same experience! Sounds like you've got a few years of experience at it over me.
It certainly has some challenges and inconveniences, but overall it's quite a liberating and free feeling aye 😊
Your substack looks amazing. Great work on the consistency of your writing! I've looked at a couple articles and they're a great read. New sub here 👍
Well thank you! 🙏🏽 I’m excited that there are more Vanlife/rv people on this platform than I thought. It’s awesome because I think the lifestyle in and of itself, like you share in your story, forces us to challenge narratives that either through the world’s conditioning or based on our own short-sighted experiences may be limiting ourselves. I’m looking forward to following along with your journey too! I’m actually building new drawers and storage for the van as I type this! New ending projects, thanks for subscribing!
I'll have to search and find some others on here! You're right, it certainly highlights that there are other ways to do life, rather than the standard format.
Oh that's exciting, great work setting it up the way you want it. Might see you on the road one day 😊
Awesome stuff enjoying your content were not designed for what we've been signed up for keep enjoying life
Cheers Simon - There's certainly gotta be a better way!
Brilliant 🤙
Very new to this and probably what's holding me back is income or finding an income source I can travel with would be the biggest. I could rent out or Airbnb my home as an option, but hearing how people like something to come back to. I also only have a beginner's camper at this stage, and definitely need to upgrade if on the road longer term :) Look forward to following your journey & tips & inspiration ☺️
Income is certainly a barrier - as it can't be done for free unfortunately.
Every body is different, I certainly don't need a place to go back to right now, but I realise that could change in a year or so.
I met a lovely older woman from Scotland a couple of months ago who has been living in her van for 7 years down the South Island - no shower or power, not self contained. Extremely basic, but she loves it. So everyone has a different level of comfort they require - "comparison is the thief of joy".
Thank you :)
😊 agree comparison is indeed the thief of joy! My camper is self-contained, but I'm just comparing with self & fact that I enjoy some space & things organised well in my camper for comfort (& for my brain to not get overwhelmed 😊). I don't need the biggest or best. Am accepting learning as I go & keeping open.
Completely understand! I was very much the same when I made my decisions on my setup - I just wanted to have something that I knew myself I'd be happy and comfortable with and it would provide everything I needed to do the things I wanted. Keen to hear how you get on if you decide to take more of a leap towards a life on the road - or just on the road more often 😊
Great read, Rhys. I made commitments to myself and others that will see me staying put for a couple of years. Then it will be selling my home and finding land that makes money, instead of costing, so I have both freedom and a base to return to. Looking forward to hearing more of your story
Thanks Lisa. Yeah fair enough, I'm certainly fortunate to not have any commitments that prevented me doing this, I understand it's not so easy for everyone. Sounds like you're on the right path with planning what you want and what will work for you though! Look forward to hearing how you get on down the track!
Good on you mate, we contemplating doing something similar but the big conundrum is having a base to call
home - be keen to here what you did.
Did you sell up or have a fallback position of a home base to go back to if it all went tits up
I decided I didn't want a Plan B. I sold up, no safety of going back. Just want to figure it out along the way. Good luck with working it out for yourself and what suits you. You won't regret making the most of it, whichever way you do it!