Back To Car Life
Documenting my life: Entry 1
Entry 1: February 17, 2023
I had to move back into my car, and doing this humbled me real quick. Let me explain. I currently live full time in a 2023 Thor Rize 18M pictured above. The Thor Rize 18M is a converted Ram Promaster 1500 van, 2021 model, which has everything a house has inside. Living in this beautiful home on wheels has allowed me to live a very comfortable life on the road while traveling. Before I get into my realization, let me give you a little background on how I came to live full time in this blessing on wheels.
In June of 2022, I sold my house at the height of the housing sellers market and bought my Thor Rize 18M cash. Living in this van afforded me the luxuries of a home owner and the freedom of a nomad. I took that for granted. Thinking back, I can still remember getting irritated and upset every time I had to take my van to the RV shop to get minor things fixed still being under warranty. Now, I’m without my van and thinking back to the RV shop days, I was too busy feeling sorry for myself instead of realizing just how blessed and lucky I was to have such a beautiful home on wheels in the first place.
Fast forward to today (February 17, 2023) and I’m without my van and forced to temporarily move back into my car, a 2013 Buick Verano. Don’t get me wrong, I’m fortunate to have the option to move back into my car, that’s a blessing within itself, but it’s a big inconvenience living in car since I’m used to living in my van. For one, no hot meals. I’m used to cooking on my beautiful stainless steel stove. I can’t stand up to change my clothes or make my bed and don’t get me started with using the restroom in my car. It’s difficult, but not impossible.
It may sound like I’m complaining and ungrateful, but that’s not the case. Living in my car though temporarily has taught me a few important things. One, be grateful for what you have no matter how big or small, and make the best out of what you have. Two, there’s always someone that has less than you and is struggling way more than you. I knew this already, but I had to be reminded of it. Until next time.
-Remember, you are loved and valued
Important reminder!!! I try to practice gratitude daily with every moment I can. It keeps the negativity away. 😊😊😊💙💙💙
You are doing great! Being a practical person, I wanted to make three points to you:
1) Order a roll of Reflectixs paper and keep it in your van. It will come in handy to keep your van cooler/hotter and also if you ever rent a vehicle in the future, you can use it as a blanket or windows.
2) Consider this incident, as a foreshadow of inevitable van-life happenings travel. You should get a bug out bag, specifically for out of van experiences ready to go. Include everything from pjs to food and meds. It is stressful enough when you have to leave your van for repairs and having a bag ready to go is soooooo much easier. It does not make the stress of repairs or emergency exits easy BUT it does not add more stress to an already uncomfortable situation. It is nice to know if you end up in a hotel or rental car or camping in a tent you do not have to drive around for headache meds or fem stuff or a can opener, or a collapsible container for waste or paper towel or a flashlight or backup charger or extra socks/shoes or sunglasses or a spoon or a spice or a written record of all van home repairs so you can provide good history or and the list goes on and on. It sounds like a lot of work but keeping all your important life-sustaining stuff in a bug out bag versus storage places in your van MAKES it even easier to find when you live in a van. You have to practice living out of a bug out van to truly embrace minimalism. Since you don't have a pet, I would keep the bag on the floor of the passenger seat.
Important Takeaway: It does not matter if you live in a car, van, or home. A bug out bag is a necessity in today's times.
Also, collect items, do a test run in your van and THEN buy a bug out bag, to fit the items. Once you start hiking or walking the track again; practice carrying the bag on your back. Easier to get that walk/hike in if you have a goal of being able to walk with a bug out backpack.
What you went through is a foreshadowing of a future similar events.