Vanlife - THE MISCONCEPTION
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- Опубликовано: 6 фев 2024
- After 4 years of living full time in a motorhome / campervan I wanted to share a very open & honest view of how it has affected my life, the changes I have had to make and what this has done to me along the way.
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John. I cannot believe what I’ve just watched. The timing is extraordinary. Let me explain. I sold up after a divorce two years ago and bought a van which I now live in full time. I love the van and freedom it brings but struggle sometimes with the basics having never been an outdoor type. Anyway, I’ve travelled a fair bit but suffered from the stigma of the ‘what you’re a man in a van with no bricks and mortar behind you’ brigade. So much so that I ended a promising new romance because of it and the endless round of questions I didn’t want to answer. I’m currently touring the Solway Firth in Dumfries & Galloway and had lots of thinking time about whether to continue van life. About the time you posted I pulled up for the night in my little box and watched your video. Thank you! It’s made me realise that being single and travelling alone I’ve really only myself to please and no one else. You’re absolutely right. Every day is a bonus and we need to Live It. Again, thanks for the wake up call 🙏 Happy Travelling 👍
Kev life is all about a journey to the unknowns my fella,Like you said revalute all.As you are on a spritual journey. You will always be in the right place and right time.What you are doing is a over whelming feeling of connecting with nature,and it can get very emotional.Which is a fantastic boost to our wellbeing and health and life.Good on you fella keep going,the next junction is a new chapter of mystery!!!
As of Mark,a fantastic well connected to mother earth guy,he uplifts many folk with his videos,a healer to all.
John a very thought provoking video. I started 35 years ago with a caravan, 10 yrs ago I bought my first Motorhome, since then I’ve had 3 others finishing with a Burstner. This time last year I sold the Burstner and put all the funds into a van conversion. All this time I’ve been a “tourist” travelled a fair bit but not really taken much in ( if that makes sense). In the past 12 mths travelling in the van it’s been like chalk and cheese, I quickly realised the benefits of scale in that I can get to a lot more places in the van than I could with the big Burstner. This has made me realise that I should have bought the van years ago! I agree wholeheartedly with your view on the type of people that will interact with you when you are in a van. I left it a bit late to go full time now ( in my 70’s) but I do travel as much as I possibly can and absolutely love it. Keep doing what you’re doing and thanks. 👍
I was single a biker living the best selfish life until I was 37 and loved every minute of it , with little or no regard for anyone. Then with a family a Motorhome and loving the ability to still travel and show the kids life’s freedom so now at 70 van life has struck again and I want nothing but being selfish and doing anything I want when I want it’s all change, bloody wonderful. No need to explain, just do it. Cheers Richie.
Hi John we have met on occasions, first time was at camp quirky in 2019. When I was overwhelmed by the numbers of RUclipsr’s I was meeting over the weekend, you & Mandy, Mevi, Greg Virgoe, Luke’s van life, the list goes on all kinds of people from all kinds of backgrounds & lifestyles. I at the time was a successful night club owner and Dj with a van for fun trips away. But Covid and a most difficult landlord led to my demise. But my van became my escape pod and you and other RUclipsrs my heroes!!
Yes the reality of full time van life is hard to sum up everybody’s different, but I totally agree with your post.
I’m also an introvert in as such I find it hard to fit in with strangers but the attitude & respect I’ve received from others such as your good lady Mandy have helped my though the bad times and now 20 mths into full time I’m embracing every moment. Thanks for your honesty and thanks for your ongoing video content maybe just maybe we could share a glass of something and toast to a happy life on the road.
Well John, I'm smiling a happy smile because you've discovered a part of you you've been denying yourself. You're a nice bloke and clearly the folk around here enjoy your company.
After almost 50yrs of working with people, 30 of those in public service, I've seen, worked with and met a lot of different people, in lots of different circumstances, and from my humble beginnings I think it's made me the person I am.
But, it takes practice and an inherent curiosity to develop a wider empathy because we all tend to filter out other people into subliminal groups, it's human nature, we all do it. Its often called prejudice, a negative term, though its more properly called association in my mind, a positive view.
And the best of it is finding the common ground, and with that comes the freedom to relax and open up to conversation and from there we learn and develop understanding.
We're all on a journey and which ever way we travel, the experiences and lessons along the way will inevitably change us, hopefully for the better. Just remember to tread gently when one walks into other people's lives, nothing is ever as it first appears. Take care👋
Hi from Ontario John- a heartfelt, honest and eye opening video.
I read this the other day;
“It’s often the places we didn’t plan to go, and the people we didn’t know we needed to meet, that end up changing our lives in the most beautiful ways”
As we move through life, it changes us, and we change our thinking often - for the better. Things that used to be important no longer are.
Wishing you all the best
Safe journeys and happy trails xo
Hari OM
Good chat, that man! In a way, I am the flip-side. Having always been a traveller, ten years ago (almost to the day) I repatriated to Scotland and bought The Hutch... and life more or less shut down! I became a Hutch-dweller, barely leaving the front door, beyond the necessary time of 2020 and live in cares for old dad, so The Grey will be the return to the true me!!! It's happening in stages due to my being in my 60s and arthritic and no cover to protect from weather for things like carpentry or simply leaving the doors open. but as I prepare for the next big trip, the thing I look forward to is interactions with all sorts of peeps... YAM xx
John , what can i say other than thank you . Watching your video has acted like a catalyst to all the thoughts in my head that have been randomly chaotically bouncing around . You have made clear and concise thoughts in your video . My only regret is i have wasted so many years chasing what i thought was my destiny . I say. again Thank You
The more you travel, it does open your mind and eyes and not be false fed through the. Media, well done you.
Good on you John. It's what I would term an 'awakening'. Not many people are lucky enough to experience one. You are one of society's champions. Enjoy your freedom and thank you for sharing your wisdom.
Thank you John for your honesty and integrity
! Best vlog I’ve seen in a long time re van life! Like you I’m quite shy and don’t interact easily outside my comfort zone but as I’ve got older understand I’m loosing out and certainly being in a van and travelling forces you to go outside of your box and opens up a whole new world! Hope one day to meet you and Mandy on the road 💕
Thanks for sharing this, I really resonate with the story you’re telling and have the same challenges with meeting new people. My drivers are very similar and the draw of travel and adventure is what I hope will help me overcome my anxiety about meeting people and making connections with like minded friends.
Hi John. We both absolutely loved this vid 🙏We're a year into 'vanlife' and are keeping our eyes, ears and hearts open. We've made friends we'll have forever, who we probably wouldn't have talked to on a traditional holiday or as tourists. We're older than you guys but you are never too old go explore!! You make a good vid fella, you keep on being you. Love to you both, Kevin & Nicky x
John, clearly a lot of reflection, honesty and willingness to share has gone into this vlog. Thank you for sharing your perspectives. As you clearly said, everyone will have their own perspectives and whatever is right for them, is also good. I am a part time motorhomer, but feel I travel more like a campervaner (never really thought much about the difference between the two before). Wishing you a great next period and al the best fir the next adventure you keep teasing us with. Cheers !!
John. spot on mate. i am 62 and my partner is 57. For years i have been telling my friends that when i retire i am going to buy a motorhome and go traveling ,they all said do it now so i did .We both gave up work sold all our stuff on marketplace and gave the house keys back to the landlord .3 years in and i can't see us stopping anytime soon ,the stress of fitting in has gone ,but to be fair van life does sometimes bring its own problems but the van life community out there are a great source of help and inspiration. You personally were very helpful in the first year answering lots of questions ranging from tyre pressures for my BF goodrich all terrain tyres to advice on what batteries and solar i should consider fitting . I have seen you at some of the warners shows albeit from a distance ,maybe next time i will say hello lol. keep safe
More of these reflections please. So well spoken and straight from the heart. Happy travels to you.
its so true. The old John doesnt exist anymore. We all are changing
There's this expectation that all RUclipsrs are extrovert people who are always happy to meet people ready to jump up on stage at a moment's notice and answer everyone's questions instantly. We're not like that, we're happy to be "the boring couple in the awning" as someone called us at a meet up. Good to share your thoughts.
A great thought provoking vlog John! I would never have thought even from following your journey before you moved into your van that you were so much of an introvert.. There will always be lovers and haters, but who cares you have to do what pleases you at the end of the day.
After a week away in a caravan last year my wife and I came back and realised that we don’t actually do much apart from work, see family, sometimes friends.. world family, see friends etc. so this year we’ve decided we’re going to buy a tourer and start travelling at weekends and for longer breaks over the summer and winter.
You have to do what’s right for you, not what society tells you is right!!
Apologies for the long message.
John what a great video and very honest. The more I see of your videos the more I realise what a genuinely nice person you are though I have never met you. You have a great channel and I love watching you and Mandy. Credit to you sir and carry on being happy doing what you do.
Hi John. I have had a similar conversation with my hubbie. He was like the old John although not shy at all. It took him a while to realise that the house the car and all the shit you buy doesn't make you the person you are or guarantee happiness. We have less money no house and very few belongings but are very happy with our life. Our friends felt sorry for us at first but slowly began to question their own lives and have seen why we wanted to do it. I totally agree with and understand this vlog ❤
So thought provoking. As someone who also has had to learn how to human, I love your honesty. Big hugs. ❤
Thank you for a very open and honest vlog. It is a hard one. Hard that you felt you had to say some of these things and open up so much. We have followed both you and Mandy for longer than I can remember. You have been both inspirational and salutary in equal measures. I started life painfully shy and now Mrs T would say I talk too much, especially to others I meet, when I should be doing something else, if they want to talk (listen 🙈) abouts vans and travels.
It would be interesting to meet sometime down the road. It would probably be a difficult first conversation finding something other than vans, travel, Ecoflows, tyres, visas or park ups to talk about, other both being original so shy 😂
Safe travels and keep doing what you enjoy.
Great vid John. The hippie adage was “ the paths of excess lead to the road to wisdom “. Now I’m not saying that you’ve been excessive, but by experiencing so much more than the bricked in mindset you have found yourself and a wealth of possibilities. Long may it continue and your experiences be for your growth.
Always thought provoking to see reflective John, and I think we’d have plenty to natter about !!🍻
One of the most genuine and indeed true speeches I've heard for a good while 👍👌🍻
Incredibly insightful video.....has helped me with my own questions regarding my own future plans ....thank you John...May you and Mandy keep rolling along for many many years....
Thanks John and a really thoughtful video. We go full time in a couple of weeks and house sold. I have been around vans since the 80s but never full time. My other half is very excited although I am feeling really nervous! However feel the fear and do it anyway. Thanks Dave
May the force be with you obijohn,your definately soundin much better.
Lovely seeing anyone on their journey of discovery. Most folk, maybe like "old John", don't even realise they're on a journey and pooh pooh anyone that claims they are.
I'm so pleased for you that vanlife has facilitated your, shall we say, enlightenment. For us it was being in stressful jobs and being part of the expected daily grind with all the associated trappings. We KNEW there had to be more to live for and that we weren't getting "it" right. The irony is, for what seemed such an involved, complicated problem, it usually takes just simple decisions to change things. Leaving our jobs, moving away from the city into a more rural, simple, less consumerised existence is what worked for us.
We celebrated our 18th year anniversary of "living the dream" just a few days ago. The only regret (and it's not much of one, to be honest) is that we didn't do it ten years earlier.
Good on ya, John. POWER TO THE NONCONFORMISTS!!!
What a brilliant and very honest video John, really enjoyed watching and found it totally relatable on many levels so thank you. I’ve had ‘vans for ten years now and so want to go full time but am not quite able to with the constraints of work life - defiantly working to a five year plan. And in the meantime will get out and about as much as possible (which is a lot)
Well said john, life is for living,, seeing the world through your eye, opens your mind to an experience not yet lived, love the honesty of your conversion, but you tell it as it is, and you have lots of time left and enjoy it... and if I every meet you in person I will buy a pint...🍺.. take care and stay safe 😁
Amazingly open and honest video which echos a lot of the thoughts in my head. My wife and I have been motorhomers for several years now and are currently trying to find away to fund a transition away from bricks and mortar to 4 wheels. This video has strengthened my resolve as I now know I am not the only one who thinks this way. The normal a social media content is very much the highlight reel or click bait so to see your considered thoughts on both lifestyles is truly awesome. I hope to bump in to and your lovely wife one day. Keep up the great work inspiring us all.
Thanks for saying what needs to be said. We’ll done John
Very deep John. Thank you for sharing. This is a quick response. But I'd really like to watch it again. And read all the comments. You've created an opportunity for your community to also share their wisdoms, experiences and views. And maybe that's even bigger. I can't wait to come back when I have more time and read as many as possible. Good on you.
Hi John you’ve obviously put a great deal of thought into this and I’m so grateful for your honesty
John, great video, I totally agree with all you have just said. As I have grown older I have realised that I don’t have to comply with everyone else and that I just need to be happy with what I (and my wife) want and feel comfortable doing. In a previous marriage I was steered into doing things that I wasn’t comfortable doing and sometimes hated doing just for a quiet life and just to keep up with the Jones’s. Nowadays, I / we do what we want regardless of what other people think or do. It’s our life and we don’t have to comply or keep up with the Jones’s! John, I wish you well in your travels and vanlife and long may it continue 👍👍
Hi John. Very well explained. You are you and we follow you (and Mandy) because we like what you do. I’m so pleased you’re both living the best life
What a brilliant video and just what I wanted to hear, live in static caravan and don’t see many people, been thinking about going full time in a van and you are right, why worry what others think. All my life been told what I should do but I have always done my own thing but don’t regret my life one bit. I love your honesty in doing these videos, thank you😊
Aw Mr John, we really liked this video. You have been so open and honest, very admirable!!
We do hope if we ever see you out on the road you will feel comfortable enough to chat to us. We would love to bump into you and Mandy one day.
Safe travels 😊
I completely get what your saying the words life is too short keeps ringing in my ears.
Hi John thanks for your honesty this is what I like about your vlogs. And the you give help .
Be safe
Awesome timing of this excellent video John. My own journey is about to start in a few weeks time and i wonder daily about some of the issues you speak about. Life is what you want it to be so my blinkers will be well and truly off 🙂
Hi John. When I first met you and Mandy at the Boondockers Bash and on every occasion since, I find you both to be very friendly, kind and helpful to people from all walks of life. I know what a big adjustment it is to go from a traditional life into full time vanlife, and for someone who may have found it challenging to interact on occasion, You have never appeared rude or dismissive. I am proud to be a fellow vanlifer and also consider both of you friends. Best wishes. 🙂
Vanlife seems multi layered and possibly different for each individual, but as in life it comes down to money and how to get it on the move. Great video 👍
OMG John, wow and beautifully put👍 I really do get it. Just had my eyes opened 😂 hopefully going to start my van life this spring. Can’t wait although I’m the wrong side of 60🫣 just working things out & making sure I’ve got the right kit for the van. Safe travels my friend❤❤
Thank you for your honesty John, I’m sure a lot of people can relate to this x
Well said John! In or out of a van. I appreciate you, insightful, honest, true, facing challenges, real, I identify, we are with you. Top geezer
Great video John, so many will resonate with what you've shared. I've heard the phrase that you don't live in a van but out of a van....so encouraging to hear that life is more than materialism. Although I'm not fulltime in a van our self converted sprinter has taken us all over the place and given us a wider concept on what life can be about! Take care, maybe one day we'll chew the fat as they say here in bonnie Scotland. 😉
Good onya John. A very refreshing video. Self knowledge is indeed a wonderful thing and quite rare. I enjoy my days on the road and love the cameo appearances from total strangers that give me pause for thought. Life is indeed precious and as Whitney sang…”if I fail, if I succeed at least I lived as I believe…” I love the saying of our children. “You do you!” Or as my grandmother would say “Go to hell your own road!”
Very interesting and thought provoking John. I’ve lived in my van for a year now and can see how we evolve from what we perceive to be the dream and the reality. Like you we have started with a Burstner motorhome and I’ve quickly realised I don’t like cramped campsites full of Darby and Joans. We’re now looking to move on to a smaller more off grid van. I would describe Vanlife like watching TV in HD up close and personal with your surroundings. I would love to have a chat with you one day.
So John the message am getting is that" even if you live van life you get a what I call a class society [ my house [ van ] is bigger than yours etc " to me that's says more about them than you or I. Am 67 years young and I wish I was a good 20 years younger because I would have chosen [ van life ]. .I've only just come across this vlog , however I have to say is that is refreshing to listen to someone who's open and honest and tells it the way it is.If I had a choice of a type of van I would like it would be a VW long wheeled base conversion. I wish you health happiness and success in your path of life.
I've never had depression but I can't shed this feeling. Been in van a while.on own.
Like how you’ve reflected and understand how you’ve changed. Quite a moving video 😀👍🏼
Good video, have a happy future John. I am a traveller and love it.
I was raised on a council estate, I have a well paid job and now live amongst people who own some pretty expensive property. My true friends, who have very little compared to me, still live on the council estate, but they would give you their last. Materialism means next to nothing to them, yet they are happy
Good job on opening your heart and other peoples eyes. 👍
Great talk John, thank you. Just this morning someone reminded me that time is the one thing of which we cannot buy more.
You inspired me to have another discussion with my husband this evening. We are on a three year plan to full-time travel. He’s 60 & I’m 55. I want to spend as much time as possible traveling the US & just being free!!!
Great video John, I really relate to what you say. The biggest hurdle for me when deciding whether or not to take the plunge was the inbuilt belief that I should work until retirement age and live in a house.
Once I realised that I didn’t have to do that it was easy - ish!! 😂
18 months in and loving it, your (& Mandy’s)videos have helped me through many times, so thank you.
Keep up the great work 👍 x
John just watched your video (well all the ones you and Mandy do) very honest and thoughtful glad you are now seeing different things we always look forward to all your videos best wishes hope to meet you soon somewhere either on a rally or at the exhibitions
John, so glad you are happy doing what you do. Thanks for the videos xxx
Nailed it John!!! Totally agree, great vlog, hope people are listening😊
Great watching your videos thinking of doingthe same when i finish my van , keep up videos love watching them
Pete
Very true honest insight thank you for sharing your thoughts, we are at the point of getting rid of stuff our cars etc we only bought because we were bored, renting out our small house and starting a new adventure working 7 months on a campsite part time to earn just enough then travel in our old but paid for Motorhome. It’s really strange how quickly we have found comfort and contentment in our 6.0 meter home on wheels, maybe I’ve always been a traveler but only just realised it 😁
Nice to hear an honest review on van life experience am hoping to one day enjoy the feeling of freedom and feeling alive
Too thank you
Very inspirational John. I’m about to start van life. Thank you.
Well done. We can relate to you and your journey in life. 👍
Very truthful video John..It's not about owning materialistic objects..Its about feeling good and happy with the way you live your life..Freedom ❤❤
Great video John, thank you very much for sharing your thoughts so honestly.
Really enjoyed this honest from the heart video John, I get where your coming from 👍
John it does good to talk fella,very understanding,god bless yer buddy
Great vlog i would never of thought of you been shy thanks for the honesty
Wow ❤ Just Wow. Superb introspective video, and so insightful. Thank you
Another great video John, gets the old grey matter moving.
it's great when you do this sort of video . as i think you do it really well.
Well done John!! I’m all over this and have been away loads in my Campervan. Longest was 4 months in Europe in 2022. Loved it! It’s as the forefront of my mind continuously. It’s just money isn’t it! I’d like to sell my house and buy a flat outright and maybe rent it out for some sort of income to travel. If I had a monthly ‘wage’ of any kind I would damn well make it work. I’d need something to come back to when I’m 80 though 😂😂
Bravo John. Very well said.
Well said John . I totally agree. Thank you 😊
Interesting open and insightful. I've long believed we are hearded by the clever marketeers to live a life of want not need and debt. Its sadly a world wide model and if it's not in a country now thats an opportunity for big business for the future. Wage slaves i think its drilled down to. I approached it slightly differently as I wanted a family so have two lovely grown up men as sons who are very different but thats ok. Sure they have seen what hard work delivers and now they are seeing what planning and control can also deliver - retired at 55 with my purple patch ahead and being enjoyed. I cannot not have a base but I am in control of how I now live my life and the adventures I can have. memories are my currency now and hopefully retiring early with minimal money worries opens up all horizons. i enjoy your content, thank you.
I don’t live in a van but this was a great watch, lots of it hit close to home. Thanks for an interesting share.
Well spoken, John!
Rock on , not a truer word or words spoken . Life is wonderful if you open up and let yourself go .❤
Good video John. Refreshing to hear some honest 'vanlife' comments rather than the same old 'click bait' and fakeness that most other people put online. Cheers fella 👍
Beautifully put 👏💪
Well put John well done you for choosing your way !!!
What an amazing video. you put yourself out there in the open. not many can do that. it shows strength or character and self confidence. have you considered writing a book. a self portrait.
Thank you. I’m not really a writer, I’ll stick to videos I think 😁😎
This is a great video, thank you.
A very thoutful video, one to which I relate, especially the bit about society placing us all in boxes. After three years of almost full time vanlife, I'm now back in a house, not my choice. Give me vanlife anyday, minimum of interference by the state and authorities.
Good advice John 👍
Well said. Well done.
A great, honest and real video John 👍
As long as you are happy
Good vlog John, very thought provoking.
thank you John, enjoyed your talk.
John all I can say is your 100% right unfortunately we miss seeing it to it passes by
Yes John now that was very informative it said a lot about you but much more about the wider population
Thanks for that
great vlog John, i’m shy and introvert too, happiest just myself and my dogs, has the time yet come for you to get a new four legged friend ? you know how good company they are.
Well said John. I know you don't want my opinion, but I agree with you.
Our echo of your prophetic words John...You have lived through a catharsis. In honesty to life, what do we really need to truly live> Tose living the 'bricks and mortar' life miss all the time,they don't see it, because they don't have it...and that's FREEDOM, in all its facets, no brown envelopes, no bills, no neighbours et al. They are locked inside four walls at night, just like us, however, their walls will never move. We are like the Snail or Tortoise, we take our home with us. People say to us, 'I couldn't live in a van', our reply? We live truly, outside it, inside it is our bed, kitchen shower and loo, but life is lived outside, and that 'outside' could be on a mountain, by a meadow, beach or river, AND...we can follow the sun...Beat that for LIFE. We meet fellow travelers, share a campfire, meet wonderful people from the different countries we visit, new vistas, food and wine, and none of the clutter that goes with B&M living, tiny carbon footprint, energy from the sun, and we live a clutterless life, just the essentials, and a smile is one of them..We must always remember, this life is limited, and THE big bonus,is that life on the road is tons healthier. We could NEVER live in one place again...But this is us, freedom demanders living a LOFATT life, Leaving Only Footprints and Tyre Tracks...now in our 4th year on the road, both hit 70 years young, and Africa here we come...Best wishes to one and all. Tony and Carolyn.
Thanks
That struck a chord. I’ve been working towards a change for the last few years. Maybe it’s just getting older & realising that the body won’t always be able to do what you want it to do! I fear regret if I carry on down the accepted and approved road. Our imaginings of what other people think and expect of us can weigh us down and pen us in. Must’ve taken a lot of guts to break out of the mould.