Vanlife, trucklife, bikelife, tentlife... all of them have their pros and cons, but the most important aspect is understanding why you do it in the first place. From the outside, a simple life can look like the dream, but there is also a reality that living on the road can be mundane, lonely, and scary. On the flip side, the highs are very high.
If you are considering living on the road for a night, a week, months, forever... Here are a few tips:
1) know why you are doing it
If you can understand why you want to live on the road, then the hours spent alone, wandering, wont hurt as badly. To use an example here, if you have the opportunity to understand your why then you can never get lost. How is that so? Well, if you are feeling lost—which all who live on the road do from time to time—you can circle around to your why and continue on the path. If, at some point, you realize your why is incorrect, that will hurt, but better now than later!
While on a rock climbing road trip to Joshua Tree National Park in California, Kristin enjoys her morning cup of coffee in her Four Wheel Camper adventure mobile. Photograph by Dalton Johnson.
2) find a community
Community is the saving grace. Luckily, almost every gypsy-like outing has a following of some kind. From climbing to kiting to under-water basket weaving, there is a group for you. Heck, just type that into Facebook, I’m sure you can find a group. Even better, I’m sure if you typed in, “Your Favorite Activity around Nearest Largest City” you will find something.
3) make sure to laugh everyday
Have fun! We can definitely get serious, focus a little to much, and get lost in the drive to be on the road. Especially when money gets tight. If you are feeling the pressure of finances, take a step back, take a deep breath, and acknowledge yourself for where you are at. If you don’t like it, start making changes today.
4) allow yourself to be a bit dirty
You are living on the road and most likely are not showering everyday, heck maybe not even once a week! Learn to enjoy this! Please, don’t be stinky while working next to me at a coffee shop, but really, enjoy your time as a digital nomad. Be free of the office, allow yourself to get a little dirty, wear a shirt a few times. Heck, learn how to do the smell check. If a shirt is in question, maybe toss it in the hamper—or get your partner to give it a sniff ;-)
With the backdoors open to ocean, Kristin enjoys the luxury of vanlife living while on a road trip through Baja, Mexico. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
5) always keep an eye on your water
Running out of drinking water is not a good feeling and I do not wish that upon anyone. Water is necessary for us to survive and let’s be honest, most Americans are not resourceful enough to seek out, purify, and store our own water. There are some of us. If you live on the road, you might want to figure out how to do this! But, for most of us, there isn’t a need, so don’t worry about it… until the zombie apocalypse occurs.
For myself, the rule of thumb I have for water is, once I have hit my last five gallons, I look to fill up. Five gallons lasts me roughly two, maybe three days. Usually, I can find a spring or public hose to fill up by that time. If not, there is always the water stations at a grocery store you can use to fill up a jug with water.
6) learn to poop in the woods
Call me crazy if you would like, but this is a skill all those living in a van, in a car, on the road, should be able to do. Now, I am not going to dive into the variety of tactics, nor the poop rating system that outdoor educators use while on course (this is an inside joke for any of you who work for NOLS or Outward Bound), but I will provide some good etiquette:
bring a shovel
dig a hole at least 6 inches deep
burry your poop
put a rock on top of it… if you would like, this is optional
Conclusion
Regardless of your road life vehicle, the freedom associated with living on the road is unparalleled. While times can be difficult, eventually you will find your stride. If you are considering moving into a vehicle, start slow. Consider doing a few weekend car camping trips with friends at first. Eventually, go for a longer road trip solo, or with a loved one. Once you have those under your belt, consider how you will make money to sustain the lifestyle, and then hit the road!
If you have any questions or comments, please reach out via DM on Instagram or through my contact sheet.