the whole truth

Van Living Forum

Help Support Van Living Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Sassenach

Active member
Joined
May 11, 2017
Messages
27
Reaction score
0
Location
WI, FL
Found a New to me Van and introducing myself.
Van:  It is a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 with a fiberglass hi top. Seems to run well and I have a few more months before I need to move in. Taking this time for renovations. I started with stripping out the two middle seats and the carpeting. Next is to paint the roof white and add a vent.

Me:  We are from all over, so let me narrow down my home base. It is Madison, Wisconsin. And I plan to follow the weather south this winter.

Why do I choose life on the road, except for the obvious reasons of wanting an adventure? and Hoping to get out of the rat race and away from big brother. I've already done what society expects me to do. I got married, raised a beautiful child and have a beautiful home.

Well here is another reason:  I'm 53 and have physical as well as psychological illnesses. Although no one would guess I have either. Even my husband and child do not understand my illness. I'm not alone, this seems to be the case with many people I know... but they are still mostly functional and wonder why they are unhappy. Also, I been around this forum long enough to know y'all will only support me. Thank you in advance for that! If you don't understand, then ask me anything you want.
I won't bother with labeling my mental illness, but I've had it since I was a child. I am kind of like a functioning alcoholic... Yet I do not wish to surround myself with people who think its so simple to quit drinking--- --  P.S. I don't drink or have an outlet for my stress. I WISH I could drink or do drugs to escape!! at least once in a while. But my body just can't take that kind of abuse.
I won't label my physical illnesses either. My neuroses is in my head and it takes over me when ever it wants to and it causes my body to fail. No matter my choice of altered state. Prescription or self induced. LoL. (If anyone thinks they can cure me with a diet, I'm open to that. but insurance does not cover natural medicine)
 
Still, I'm not giving up hope. I just don't want to be judged by others that I love when it happens. Frankly, I'm too busy controlling it and have no time for how it impacts those around me. As interesting as all that is, it is nearly impossible to help someone with a chemical imbalance. Only I can help myself, which makes me self serving. It is only when I take care of myself that I can then take care of others. And in helping others, I receive the best returns. And that is my cycle of life.

I'm not so sure this nomadic life is for me. So I'm giving it a try anyway. And I'm glad to have found this forum. I will try to choose the right categories to post my questions. I've already learned so much from your responses. Just like all the videos I've watched this is great source. Thank you all for frequenting this blog. And thanks to Bob Wells for planting this seed in me many years ago.
 
Hello, and welcome, Sassenach! Love the name!
 
Thanks for the welcome Queen. I went on my first weekend camping trip and have re-arranged my priorities on what the van needs next. Nothing like real experience to learn the diff.s between want and need!
 
^^^ So true! Went camping with friends and one insisted on bringing her Le Creuset cookware to use on an open fire, she very quickly reassessed her priorities after that trip.
 
Welcome, Sassenach! I just had my first weekend as well! I did pretty well with next to nothing! And nature just has a healing touch all her own... can't get that in a pill or from a doctor! Good luck!
 
Welcome to the CRVL forums Sassenach! I'm sure you've noticed how much we like to follow along on builds so, if possible, please post pictures as you renovate your van. :)

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.
 
Queen, well that cookware does look like cast iron! We all just want what's pretty. LoL
AbuelaLoca, your bring up a good point, nature is healing!!
and Thanks rvwanderer. I am very excited about my build and would love to share.
 
Welcome from another relative newbie, Sassenach! This seems like a supportive community who will help in any way they can.

I empathize with your 'challenges'; I have a chronic illness and have suffered from depression and anxiety my whole life. It's true that immersing yourself in Nature is the best medicine.....peaceful, healing, and non-judgmental. A clean diet and walking will go a long way to helping you feel better too.

But first you need your 'escape vehicle'! Having built a tiny trailer (12' x 5') with my hubby years ago, a couple of recommendations are: 1. Insulate it. It keeps it warmer in the cold and cooler in the heat. 2. Have adequate ventilation. A Fantastic Fan is well worth the cost; it either exhausts air or brings in air.

Others who have actually done a van conversion plus all the videos available can help you step by step.

Keep it simple. Have only what you need to live day to day plus a few special, nurturing belongings. You can do this!
 
Hey Sassenach,
I bet if you had your Jamie, all your problems would be gone! Mine sure would be. Joking aside, you'll find a kind and pretty non-judgemental community here. I think it's a very sane choice, but there's a reason why many of us find living in a car or van and shitting in a bucket preferable to the "traditional" miserable life.

Welcome aboard,
Ted
 
Welcome to the CRVL Forums   :) 

Great place here to learn and share your experiences. 

I have to admire your courage to try this way of life.   One thing I think it can offer you is the ability to impose a comfortable distance when you feel you need to.  Not be too close to anyone all the time but  be able to retreat when you would feel it necessary.

A lot of folks travel slowly just on a constant drift.  Some here call it the 2-2-2 system.  They leave their camp on the first day to travel and go sight seeing.  The idea is to drive for no more than 2 hours.  Then,  be in their next campsite by 2pm and set up for a brief stay.  The length of that stay is 2 days counting the day that they arrived.  Thus 2-2-2.  It can be a leisurely drifting about meeting new people but not getting too close to anyone if you feel the need of that.   But this is just one way of approaching the nomadic life I thought I'd mention to you.  

Some like to Boondock and just be alone in the wilderness.  That's another alternative.   It may be good if you have a spouse or dog.

I know one retired Semi Truck driver who has a special Pickup with camper built in the back of it who  just constantly travels the road.   He told me that after all the years of running the roads it's just force of habit.

One thing for sure, you'll meet a lot of nomads once you get out there,  and pick up ideas from them that you could use for yourself to develop your own lifestyle.

All the best !   ;)
 
I bet if you had your Jamie, all your......

WalkaboutTed:  You guessed right about Jamie! I think Queen did too. I've been reading the series since the first book came out. And I really hope I have more time to read out on the road. Book nine coming soon!!
 
Sassenach said:
I bet if you had your Jamie, all your......

WalkaboutTed:  You guessed right about Jamie! I think Queen did too. I've been reading the series since the first book came out. And I really hope I have more time to read out on the road. Book nine coming soon!!

You bet!  Love those books.
 
:angel:  "Jamie"???  Does he have a van?  Books what books? No kiddin'  I have about 500  left to sort thru.

Hello and Welcome   :)

Jewellann
 
Welcome aboard !
If you want this life , you sure have hit the motherlode of info and support.
 
Top