Mistakes to Avoid Failing Van Life
Van life is something that everyone aspires to do thanks to social media which has portrayed it as a dreamy lifestyle. It may look fab and easy but many people fail at it because they forget that it's such a big life change.
Most days, the decision to live in a van feels worth it! Who wouldn't feel this way after watching magnificent sunsets and having fresh coffee in the great outdoors as soon as you wake up? As good as this may sound, there are trade-offs. Not preparing for these trade-offs may be the biggest mistake of all. Here are other mistakes that you need to avoid:
1. Choosing a Van that Doesn't Fit Your Needs
There are so many vehicles to choose from when you want to shift to van life. You have the classic VW vans, cargo vans, SUVs, a pickup truck camper, a converted school bus, and so much more.
The main point when choosing a vehicle for van life is that it needs to fit your needs. If you're planning to be on the road for a year, you might want to go for a roomier option where you can comfortably stand upright, work, and rest. On the other hand, if you're just trying out life on the road for a few months, you could go with something like the roof nest which simply attaches to any standar car and isn’t a large financial investment.
Don't purchase a vehicle for van life impulsively. Think about how you want to live, then go from there. We have Stella (short for Interstellar), and she's a Ram ProMaster 159 wheelbase, 2500 model. If you want to know how we set her up, you can check out our Van Tour video here.
And if you need help deciding which vehicle is right for you, feel free to check out ‘Step 1 - Choosing A Van’ in our free guide here.
2. Not Securing a Steady Income Stream
Life on the road can put you in a trance. It can feel like a vacation most days but you should never forget that you still need to make a living. Make sure that you either have enough savings to live off of or have secured a job you can do while living on the road. You essentially need any remote job full time or part time or get a seasonal job that allows you to live on the road for a few months at a time. The last thing you want to do is shift to van life without an ability to financially support your needs. If you do have a demanding full time, remote job, be sure to figure out a reliable source of internet like investing in a hotspot, a wi-boost or have a few cafes you like to work from. By far, one of the most annoying things we face with van life is getting a reliable source of wifi during the work week in remote areas.
3. Not Considering the Weather
Living van life has its limitations. For example, you have to think about the weather. What should you do to cool off during summer or warm up during the winter? We don’t have a built in AC in our van so we are sure to stick to temperate locations during summer time. While you can find the nearest water source to cool off during the summer, you really can’t survive in the winter if you're not prepared. Sunny and I make it a point to plan our travels based on the weather to get the most out of our journey.
4. Lessening Social Interaction
I'm lucky that I went on this journey with Sunny. We may not have a lot of privacy because we are always together in our small space which can be hard from time to time. However I’m so grateful to have him because the reality is, unless you’re caravanning with a group of fellow travelers, life on the road can get lonely. Think about your personality type. For example, Sunny is an introvert and loves alone time. I on the otherhand need a LOT of social interaction and know that I would get lonely if I lived alone on the road. Think about the level of social interaction you need in order to be happy before starting van life solo.
5. Not Connecting with Nature
You can have the most breath-taking backyard if you wanted to. Don't just stick to staying inside your van all day. As long as you feel safe, take a daily walk or hike, eat meals outside or sleep under the stars. I personally believe that spending time in nature is the main benefit to this lifestyle. Remember that you are leading an alternate way of life. Don’t fear it, take advantage of it.
6. Being Unwilling to Adapt to Your Changed Lifestyle
No matter how long you plan to live in your van, you have to make certain changes. Expect an adjustment period. Understand that you will be asking the question, “Where should I sleep?” every night and will feel vulnerable from time to time. It’s all part of the adventure. This lifestyle will afford some incedible conveniences like waking up in a beautiful location and will also create some major inconveniences like finding a restroom.
7. Not Having a Backup Plan When You Get Sick
There are people that say van life isn't for everybody. It may be true but you should at least try it once. Just make sure that you do it with a clear road map to fulfilling your main goal or purpose for shifting to the lifestyle - travelling, saving money, or experiencing nature. Don’t loose sight on the reason why you choose this lifestyle and let it take you where you’re meant to be. And remember to give yourself grace. Sunny and I love to book a hotel from time to time just to feel like a normal human again and to get in a long, hot shower. So don’t feel weird about doing stuff like this occasionally. At the end of the day do whatever makes you happiest.