You may have thought of becoming a nomad or van dweller or camper or something similar for the cooler summer months—but what about the cold, dark winter? Well, thankfully there are ways to live inside your vehicle through all four seasons.
The advantages of living in a van are many; it’s easy to find available parking spaces and get around with less personal space. It can be very cost-effective. The downside is that you must make sure you’re not being a terrible person in order to adapt to this lifestyle.
Living in an RV means you don’t need as much space as other campers do, but that doesn’t mean you should take advantage of more than necessary. That would be unnecessary wastefulness and an extremely questionable way of living.
Plan Before You Go
Planning out what gear you’ll need for your new lifestyle will help you work smarter, not harder. You want to be as prepared as possible for your new lifestyle, not overwhelmed by the abundance of gear that’s out there.
When you’re planning out your van life, make sure you include items such as bedding, a mattress, a bed frame, and a mattress cover. You’ll also need some storage solutions, such as shelves, drawers, and cabinets. If you have pets, they’ll need some of their own gear, too, like a crate, litter box, and pet bedding.
Build It Into Your Schedule
The nice thing about living in your van is that you can take trips anywhere and anywhere on the calendar, not just during the summer months. You can take a winter trip, for example, and stay inside your van during the cold months.
You can even take a summer trip, then bring it inside when winter hits. When you decide to live in your van during the cold months, you’ll need to find a way to keep yourself warm and stay warm for long periods of time. You can do this by installing insulation or by keeping warm with a campfire or with a space heater.
Don’t Be A Tourist
You might be excited about taking a trip to a warmer climate, but if you’re a tourist, you’ll be miserable. A vacation is supposed to be a break from the routine, but if you’re always on the lookout for the next destination, you’ll never be able to relax. You’ll be constantly comparing your current lifestyle to places you’ve been to, and you’ll never be satisfied with your situation.
Living in a van is supposed to be a change from the daily grind and a way to step back and take a break, but if you’re constantly on the lookout for what’s next, you’ll be miserable all the time. Instead of always looking to the horizon, take a moment and enjoy your surroundings—that’s what a vacation is supposed to be!
Set Limits And Expectations
Don’t set yourself up for failure by dreaming big and then trying to make that dream a reality. You can’t live your dreams if they’re too big. You can’t experience the things you want in life if you have unreasonable expectations and set yourself up for failure.
Before you decide to live in your van, take time to figure out what your expectations and limits are. You don’t want to be set up for failure by setting yourself up for something that’s too big for you to handle.
Don’t Be An idiot
Living in a van can be an extremely rewarding way to travel. That being said, don’t do it if you’re going to be an asshole to everyone you meet. You never want to be that person who is constantly taking advantage of people for their hospitality.
Your van may be your home on wheels, but people are always going to be the least comfortable with the idea of living in their vehicle. You’ll want to be respectful of that, and you’ll want to avoid being an asshole.
Stay Connected
Thankfully, even though you don’t have a roof over your head, you don’t have to cut yourself off from the outside world. You can stay connected to friends, family, and colleagues with a reliable cell phone signal booster. You can also use a satellite internet connection booster to stay connected wherever you are.
Wrapping Up
Living in a van is a great way to save money and get more out of your travels. However, you should know that it’s not for everyone, and it will require some adjustments in your lifestyle to make it work. Make sure to plan out your new van life before you go, and don’t be an asshole. Stay connected, and make sure you’re staying warm and comfortable.
