Everyone knows the 9-5 work life is slowly killing us. We’re spending more time in front of a screen, and less time meeting face-to-face, and our job descriptions are now so generic that we can apply for anything from data entry to marketing manager. It’s getting harder and harder to see why anyone would want to spend their entire working day trapped behind a desk staring at an empty wall.
But what if there was another way? What if you could escape the numbing work-rat race and live your life on your terms? Luckily, the ‘van life’ movement has given us just such an opportunity – but only if you take action now! It might seem like a dream for city dwellers, but there are plenty of small towns around the world that offer everything van life has to offer without any of the unpleasantness.
As long as you have access to a vehicle with an enclosed space large enough to fit all your belongings (including your own toilet), this movement will suit you perfectly.
Get a van and ditch your car
The easiest way to escape the 9-5 work life is to ditch your car and get yourself a van. With the cost of fuel and maintenance, having your own car adds nearly $4000 to your annual expense, while a van only adds around $2000. Now, don’t misunderstand me here – a van is not a get-out-of-jail-free card.
If you have access to a small home that you live in, it’s an excellent way to save money and reduce your carbon footprint. But if you’re like most people, you’re stuck using the vehicle you have at the moment – which means you’ll need to make it work for your van life dreams.
Ditch your Wi-Fi addiction
To escape the 9-5 work life, you’re going to want to ditch your Wi-Fi addiction like the plague. You don’t need Wi-Fi to do anything remotely useful, and breaking it is a great way to pare down your expenses and make yourself more relatable to the average person. The best way to do this is to switch from Wi-Fi to your cell phone plan.
The amount of data you download each month is limited, so it’s the only way to ensure you’re not constantly sucked into the vortex of online entertainment. Other great Wi-Fi hacks to ditch your addiction include putting up some old posters as makeshift Wi-Fi blockers and changing your Wi-Fi router’s security settings. You don’t need the most secure router out there, and it won’t take long for you to start seeing a difference.
Stop using social media for work
You might be surprised to learn that many people use social media solely to connect with clients and colleagues. You don’t need to use platforms like Facebook and Twitter to do this, but you should be using your platforms solely to promote your business. The more you promote your social media accounts, the less time you’ll have to spend on these platforms.
This is a great way to keep your online presence manageable, and it has the added benefit of making you more relatable to others. You don’t need to be a social media guru to promote your pages, but you do need to be doing it consistently.
Pack a healthy lunch and snacks
A healthy diet is a great way to pare down your expenses when vanlife, and it’s a great way to add more nutritious and healthy items to your daily diet. When you’re getting ready for work, it’s a great idea to pack a healthy lunch for yourself. There are plenty of ready-to-go lunches sold in packs that are designed for people on the go – so you don’t even have to be a chef to prepare an excellent meal on a tight schedule.
Snacks are an excellent way to keep your energy levels up when you’re working, and a healthy diet is a great way to stay healthy and save money. When you have access to a kitchen, it’s a great idea to make some snacks that can be eaten throughout the day.
Build yourself an email retreat
When you’re trying to build your escape from the 9-5 work life, it’s a great idea to build yourself an email retreat. This is a great way to keep your online presence manageable, and it has the added benefit of making you more relatable to others. This retreat is a great way to keep your online presence manageable, and it has the added benefit of making you more relatable to others.
You don’t need to be a social media guru to promote your pages, but you do need to be doing it consistently. The best way to build your email retreat is to set up a dedicated email account that’s solely for your business. This will allow you to keep all your emails organized, and it will also allow you to filter and prioritize your messages.
Make workouts part of your daily routine
If you’re trying to escape the 9-5 work life, you’ll want to make workouts part of your daily routine. This is a great way to stay healthy and active, and it has the added benefit of helping you build your strength and endurance. You don’t need any fancy equipment to make workouts part of your daily routine, but there are some things you should probably buy.
This includes a set of dumbbells and a resistance band, as they’re the most versatile items that don’t take up much room. When you have access to a gym membership, it’s a great idea to use it. This doesn’t mean you need to go to the gym five times a week, but you do need to make sure that you’re at least getting your body moving.
Conclusion
When it comes to escaping the 9-5 work life, a van is the best way to go. When it comes to getting yourself a vanlife, be sure to consider the factors that will make it work for you, and be sure to shop around for a good deal.
Once you have your van, you’ll want to ditch your Wi-Fi addiction, stop using social media for work, pack a healthy lunch and snacks, build yourself an email retreat, make workouts part of your daily routine, and make yourself an email retreat. If you follow these steps, you’ll be well on your way to escaping the 9-5 work life and living your life on your terms.
