GLAMOUR VS REALITY OF VAN LIFE

Hi. I would like to start with who I am. I am Nick from NickAlly Van Life. I have worked and lived on the road for long periods of time. I also took care of my father for many years, in a stable home or house.

I watch Van Life You Tube Videos and some are great, like Chrome from Vancity Van Life to a couple in the Sand Van. Each have their different takes on Van Life. Is Van Life all deserted beaches with cocktails in hand? Or stunning vans with gadgets that make it seem amazing? Well, the truth is what you make it. It, just like in a home, can be dishevelled, in a slum, to a mansion overlooking cliffs. Lots of questions and remarks about Van Life, including 'Why do the Vans look as though they have just been spring-cleaned?' To be truthful, these comments are from trolls, who live like crap and never make videos of their homes as they are a total mess. Even a dog would not sleep in such homes! If you are going to make Van Life videos, of course you clean up first! Most people have pride. Van Lifers are a prideful group! They are taking snapshots of their lives that they are proud of. Now, I am the first to say that Van Life is not for everyone, but if you are considering it, because it makes you dream of something better, then why not give it a go? You need to dream big and take the chance. If you choose not to, you're choosing not to improve your life, or yourself.

I liken it to having a huge backyard in a warm climate and you're dreaming of having a pool. It increases the value of your home and betters your way of life, and your esteem improves. But such dreams are for those who dream this! For me, I do not dream of such luxuries. I would rather be in a creek, playing in the water and searching for gold. So that's what I choose to do, with people telling me that it is wrong! But, it is this that gives me peace and time to reflect on what matters to me. I am a person who hates following what others tell me to do. I walk my own path and can be proud that I am doing things my way. And, while I don't own a porche or have three kids running around, I have memories that fill my soul with hope, peace and calmness. I wake every morning, looking forward to the next day.

So, then comes the next questions. "How can you afford to live Van Life?" Well, firstly, I am not on holidays! I cannot just drive 4000 miles in three days, missing everything that I wish to see, whilst paying for the cost of petrol, power and water. I live in different areas and see what others are proud of in their towns, the sights and opportunities for work there. I have an online store (NickAlly Van Life) and work at jobs that I can pick up. From fruit picking to fencing or whatever work I can put my talents to. I am never stuck in the same old job, going crazy, complaining about what I do and not wanting to even be there day-in and day-out. Nowadays, if you have never heard such complaints you are considered lucky as 99% of work places are not somewhere people want to be every day. If I am tired of where I'm working, I can just get in the car and drive away to the next place that the winding road takes me. All of this, with no plan, just the crazy of the unknown as to what is next? I also get to experience seeing new places and trying new things.

Do you need to own a home? Well, no you do not! Yes, I could choose to work myself into an early grave, in order to own a home, but what for? I do not have children. I do not have a reason to pass it on. I am not into giving the Government my hard-earned wages, just because the trolls tell me that I must do so! I work a lot in the Aged Care Sector. Here, the residents tell me the same thing 'I've left it all too late! I did not live a life! I raised some wonderful children, that I no longer see. I owned a house that I had to sell to be able to afford this Nursing Home! And all of this for what? A cell-sized room that cost me the same as it did my 4-bedroom home, with all the luxuries, that some snotty-nosed kid is now enjoying whilst living on unemployment benefits! I worked hard for it all, and it is so very sad. I wish I had travelled and lived my dreams, but I didn't! And the sad truth is that all of my possessions are now lying at the bottom of some dump tip!"

I do not own a lot but I do not need a lot! The life that I choose to live gives me the memories that will be with me til the very end. I have achieved more than most. But never take it as this is how you should live. For this, is for you to find out, for you to live your dreams and be happy. If you are not happy with your current life, then make changes. Be proud of who and whom you have become and never let doubt strangle you into despair.

So, is Van Life Easy? Hell no! It has its challenges, but so does 'standard life!'  Do not kid yourself into thinking that life will be peaches and cream. Comment on things that you love. If someone is happy with something that you hate, well that's nice, but no one needs to hear it, as you do not want to put in the effort to change yourself.

Safe and happy travels!

Nick from NickAlly Van Life

(www.nickallyvanlife.net)