If you’re thinking about starting a van life, I’m sure you’re excited and ready to go. But if you haven’t quite made the leap, don’t worry! There are some things holding you back, but they all seem unwinnable until you’ve tried.
Here’s are some of the reasons why you haven’t achieved van life yet:
1. You’re not mechanically inclined
There are a few reasons why not being mechanically inclined could be one of the reasons you haven’t achieved van life yet.
Firstly, if you’re not used to working on cars or other machinery, the thought of having to do regular maintenance on your van can be daunting.
Secondly, if you’ve never had to do any serious troubleshooting on a vehicle before, the idea of trying to fix something major while living in your van can be extremely intimidating.
And lastly, if you’re simply not interested in working on cars or vans, then the likelihood of actually achieving van life is pretty slim.
Of course, there are plenty of people who have achieved van life without being mechanically inclined – so it’s definitely possible!
However, if you’re someone who doesn’t feel comfortable working on vehicles, it’s important to factor that into your decision-making process.
Otherwise, you may end up feeling frustrated and stressed out by all the maintenance that’s required to keep a van running smoothly.
Related Link: Kev’s Vanlife and Travel Essentials
2. You’re not ready for minimalism
One of the main reasons people haven’t achieved van life yet is because they’re not ready for the minimalism that comes with it. Van life requires a lot of organization and downsizing, and many people simply aren’t ready for that level of commitment. If you’re not willing to let go of some of your possessions and simplify your life, van life probably isn’t for you.
Another reason people haven’t achieved van life yet is because they underestimate the costs. Van life can be expensive, especially if you’re starting from scratch. You’ll need to factor in the cost of your vehicle, insurance, fuel, repairs, and more. If you’re not prepared to budget for these costs, you’ll likely struggle to make van life work long-term.
3. You don’t prefer nomadic life
In our modern world, more and more people are choosing to live a nomadic lifestyle. This means living in a van or RV and travelling from place to place, often without a set destination or plan. For some, this is the perfect way to live – they love the freedom and flexibility that comes with not being tied down to one location.
However, there are also many people who don’t prefer this kind of life.
There are several reasons why the nomadic lifestyle is not for you:
- It can be difficult to maintain steady employment when you’re always on the move. If you need to work in order to support yourself, it can be hard to find a job that will allow you to relocate frequently.
- Van living can be isolating. When you’re constantly on the road, it can be tough to maintain close relationships with friends and family members who are stationary. You may also have trouble meeting new people since you’re never in one place for very long.
- It can be expensive to keep up with all the necessary maintenance for a van or RV (e.g., oil changes, repairs, etc.). Additionally, gas costs can add up quickly if you’re doing a lot of driving.
4. Personal hygiene is your top priority
Maintaining personal hygiene can be difficult, especially when you’re living on the road. You might not have access to a shower or clean water to wash with, and even if you do, you might not have the time or space to keep everything clean. This can be one of the reasons why you haven’t achieved van life yet.
If you don’t have access to a shower, you can try using baby wipes or wet wipes to clean yourself off. If you don’t have any water to wash with, make sure you carry hand sanitizer with you so you can at least clean your hands. And if you’re really desperate, you can always use a public restroom to wash up (just make sure you wash your hands afterwards!).
Of course, it’s not just about having access to a shower or clean water – it’s also about making the time to maintain your personal hygiene. When you’re living on the road, it’s easy to let things slide and stop caring about your appearance. But if you want to achieve van life, it’s important that you find ways to keep yourself and your surroundings clean as it will add up to your quality of van life.
5. You like your creature comforts
There are a lot of people out there who love creature comforts. They like having a soft bed to sleep in, a roof over their head, and all the conveniences that come with living in a traditional home. For some people, van life just isn’t appealing because it means giving up those comforts.
If you’re someone who is interested in van life but hasn’t taken the plunge yet, it could be because you’re still clinging to some creature comforts. Maybe you haven’t sold your house or gotten rid of all your stuff because you’re not ready to let go of those luxuries. Or maybe you’ve been looking at vans and thinking they’re just too small and cramped for your liking.
Whatever the reason, if you’re still holding onto creature comforts as an excuse not to pursue van life, know that it is possible to have both. There are plenty of people out there who live in vans and still enjoy many of the same amenities they did when they lived in houses. With a little bit of creativity and resourcefulness, you can have your cake and eat it too – you can have van life AND creature comforts.
Related Link: Kev’s Vanlife and Travel Essentials
6. You don’t like hassle when it comes to finding jobs
It is still difficult to find work that doesn’t require you to be tied down to a physical location. This can make it very hard for those who are living in vans or other alternative lifestyles to find steady work.
There are a few reasons why this is the case. First, when you’re living in a van, it can be hard to establish a permanent address or mailing address, which makes it tough to apply for jobs online. Many employers require applicants to have a fixed address so they can send important documents or contact them if there’s an emergency.
Another reason finding work can be difficult when you’re living in a van is because many employers prefer to hire local workers. They may not want to deal with the hassle of having someone who lives far away, or they may not be able to accommodate a remote worker’s schedule. And even if an employer is open to hiring someone who doesn’t live nearby, they may not want to take on the liability of having an employee who lives in such an unconventional situation.
So what does this all mean for those of us who are trying to live the van life? It means that we need to get creative when it comes to finding work. We may need build up a freelance business or take on odd jobs here and there until we find something more stable. Or we might need move into areas where there are more opportunities for alternative work arrangements. Whatever route we choose, it’s important to remember that it is possible
7. You are a very private person
There’s very little privacy when you’re living in a van and that could be one of the reasons why you haven’t achieved van life yet. You’re constantly being jostled by your partner and there’s nowhere to really hide away from the world. It can be tough to get some peace and quiet, or even just some alone time. If you’re someone who values their privacy, then van life may not be for you.
8. Van life isn’t as glamorous as it seems.
If you’ve been dreaming of van life, but haven’t taken the plunge yet, it might be because you’re aware of how unglamorous it can actually be. Yes, van life comes with a lot of freedoms and opportunities to travel and explore, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges.
For starters, living in a van can be cramped and uncomfortable. You have to be very organized and efficient with your space, which isn’t always easy. You also have to deal with things like bad weather and finding places to park and sleep for the night – which can sometimes be difficult and stressful.
In addition, van life isn’t always cheap. Sure, you save on things like rent and utilities, but you still have to pay for gas, food, insurance, etc. And if you want to travel frequently or stay in nice places (like national parks), those costs can add up quickly.
So why do people do it? For many, the pros outweigh the cons. They love the freedom and flexibility that van life provides. They enjoy being able to go where they want when they want – without having to worry about things like leases or mortgages. You may not be one of those and it is perfectly fine.
9. You know it’s difficult to maintain relationships while living in a van
Van life can be an amazing experience for couples who want to explore the world together. However, it can also be difficult to maintain a strong relationship while living in such close quarters. Here are some of the challenges couples face when trying to maintain a healthy relationship while living in a van:
- Limited privacy: When you live in close quarters with your partner, it can be difficult to find time and space for yourself. This can lead to feelings of claustrophobia and resentment.
- Financial stress: Van life can be expensive, especially if you’re travel often. This financial stress can put a strain on your relationship if you’re not on the same page about spending and saving money.
- Constant change: One of the hardest things about van life is that there is always something new around the corner. While this can be exciting, it also means that you have to constantly adapt and adjust to new situations. It may happen that one of the partners want more stability which could cause a strain in the relationship.
10. You don’t want to face the stigma regarding van life in general
It’s no secret that there is a stigma surrounding van life. For some, the very idea of living in a van conjures up images of dirty hippies or down-on-their-luck drifters. And while there are certainly people who fit into those categories (nothing wrong with that!), it’s not what van life is all about.
So, why is there such a stigma surrounding van life? Well, I think part of it has to do with the fact that it’s seen as an alternative lifestyle. And anytime you choose to live outside the mainstream, you’re going to face some level of judgement or mockery from those who don’t understand your decision.
But I think another big reason why van life has such a bad rap is because so many people try to do it on the cheap. They cut corners, they don’t plan ahead, and they end up having terrible experiences that only reinforce the negative stereotype.
If you’re thinking about giving van life a try, but you’re worried about the stigma attached to it, then I have some advice for you: don’t skimp on your build! A well-designed and executed van build can go a long way towards dispelling the negative stereotypes associated with van life. So take your time, do your research, and make sure your build is something you can be proud of.
The bottom line
In conclusion, there are a variety of reasons why someone might not have achieved van life yet. Maybe they haven’t saved up enough money, or maybe they’re waiting for the perfect van to come along. Whatever the reason, there’s no need to rush into van life – it’s a big decision and one that should be considered carefully.
Related Link: Kev’s Vanlife and Travel Essentials
