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Chasing Dreams: From College to the Open Road of Van Life
| Have you ever felt the pull of a dream that lingered in the depths of your mind, quietly urging you to chase it down? I certainly have. The spark for this dream was ignited years ago, just after I graduated from college. It was a decision to explore the country before settling into the nine-to-five routine and donning a suit. Fresh out of college, I embarked on an epic 12,000-mile road trip over a mere 6 weeks, that left an indelible mark on my soul. My dream became to traverse the vast landscapes of the United States, explore the country’s hidden treasures and discover what was to be discovered. I knew I wanted more of these adventures in my life so the plan was simple: when I retire, get a van and get on the road. |  |
From Campus to Van: A Pandemic-Driven Road Trip Odyssey
But as fate would have it, life had different plans. When the world was forced to pause due to the pandemic, my home became my office, and my home started feeling like a prison. That’s when I made a decision that would change my life: I sold my car, bought a mini-van as a trial run, and took remote work to a whole new level.
The pandemic had revealed the fragility of life’s plans and the importance of living in the present. Why wait for a distant retirement when I could embrace the nomadic lifestyle now? The idea of delaying my dreams no longer held the same appeal.
My cousin in Montana had been nagging me for years to travel out there for a long overdue visit. After practicing with some more local New England-based overnights hit the road to Montana. I turned it into a three-month-long adventure, covering thousands of miles, countless memories, and a newfound love for the nomadic lifestyle.
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Pandemic Pivot: Embracing Van Life and the Open Road
I’ve always felt a deep longing for something more, an innate desire to break free from the ordinary and fully embrace the extraordinary. Van life, I discovered, offered me the perfect opportunity to do just that.
Nine Reasons why I embraced the van life:
- Freedom to Wander: The open road beckoned, and I couldn’t resist the call of adventure.
- Embracing Minimalism: Simplifying my life and shedding excess possessions was liberating.
- Closer to Nature: Van life allowed me to wake up to breathtaking natural landscapes.
- Flexibility to Work and Travel: Remote work became my ticket to explore while earning a living.
- Meeting Incredible People: The van life community is filled with like-minded individuals and fascinating stories.
- Unpredictable Journeys: Each day brought new surprises and unforgettable experiences.
- Cost-Effective Living: Van life is surprisingly affordable compared to traditional living.
- Chasing Sunsets: I could park my home wherever I wanted, including with a view.
- A Life Less Ordinary: The van life lifestyle is anything but mundane, and I craved the extraordinary.