What am I even thinking?

[Wanderer]

First off,
Hello everyone.

I do not yet own a van, and not even sure where to start. To be honest-I'm somewhere on the fence about this and I guess I'm looking for some sort of guidance, advice, maybe even someone to scare me out of doing it if they think I'm not actually cut out for this. Honesty is appreciated.

I have for many years thought about the nomadic lifestyle. I think ever since I was a child, the call of the open road sort of resonated with me. But at the age of 28 (let's say 29 as it's-a-comin') I'm wondering if maybe it's too late for me to start. I've so far been a homebody, and though not particularly happy about it, I haven't had sufficient guts/resources to do anything about it. I'm not the ambitious sort, and I don't really care all that much about many of society's conventions. Much as I want to downsize, I am not exactly in an economic position to do it. I don't have a steady and regular job (my work is on-call so I never know when I'm working) and I haven't really completed college. Yes, it sounds like what I really want to do is run away from my problems. Maybe it really is that (I've considered it.) But maybe there's more. I look at my potential future, that even if I go back and finish school, get a regular job or whatever-that that's basically it. I don't want to just live my life paycheck to paycheck at some 9-5 where at any given moment I could just be sacked because it's more economical for someone else I haven't even met. Much of my life I basically lived by other people's rules or influence, and I really don't want this.

There are "socially conventional" things I do like and want. For one, I would definitely want to have a wife and kids. I also love my computers. [EDIT: Also I like the gym. I like weight-lifting and strength training. Is it even possible to become a bodybuilder while on the road?] But other than these things, nothing is really keeping me here where I am.

Point is, for those that took the plunge, how did it turn out? Did you have an easier time once you no longer had to pay the typical bills (obviously there are other expenses.) How easy/hard is it to develop a relationship or start a family when you're a nomad? Are some of the things I like basically just a sign that this sort of life might not be a good fit?

Looking for words of wisdom from those who know better than I.

Well, as an introvert, I find the "Van Life" quite the cat's pajamas...Loving it for the past 4 years...You're listing a lot...Wife, kids, body building, college, job, I think until your life settles in 4 years, then revisit....You have a lot of irons in the fire atm....

 

[USExplorer]

One of the advantages of living a mobile lifestyle is the flexibility. You don't HAVE to sleep inside a vehicle, or constantly drive from place to place. Save up a few thousand in reserve, and you can settle down most anywhere in the American heartland when you feel the time is right. If things don't suit you well in a stationary home, packing up and moving on takes minutes. If you get sick of driving around, a day's inquiry around a friendly town will likely net you a cheap place to stay.

Think of the mobile life as a challenge. There will be many difficulties, but take them as they present themselves, instead of worrying yourself sick trying to plan for every contingency.

 

[skyl4rk]

I would recommend that you save money and get a van. Have at least $3,000 in reserve savings plus enough to live in the van for 6 months ($6,000? if possible). Do a minimal, quick camper van setup (cot, office chair, computer table, car camping gear) and head out west, preferably to a RTR. There is a lot more to it than setting up the vehicle, so learning from others is very helpful.

https://www.reddit.com/r/bodyweightfitness/wiki/kb/recommended_routine

 

[TrainChaser]

What kind of work are you doing now? Is it translatable to a similar type of job that you could do if you were van camping?

Do you know how to drive?

If your fairy godmother landed on your knee with her wand and said she couldn't give you anything but a job that you really liked, what would you want to be doing?

Check out the Jobs/Make Money info here, and see if anything looks like a good idea. I've noticed that many of them would be do-able at home in your off-time. If there's something that would work, start NOW, with an idea to shift over to it later. Or, is there anything you could do during your random times off that you could trade for a used van (etc)?

You don't need a companion right now, you need to get headed down the right path for yourself without someone dragging you in the wrong direction. A wife is not a mommy who will give your life direction. Only you can do that.

What would you do if you lost your job tomorrow? Would it make a difference from how you're thinking now?

 

[GenericHenchman]

What kind of work are you doing now?  Is it translatable to a similar type of job that you could do if you were van camping?

Do you know how to drive?

If your fairy godmother landed on your knee with her wand and said she couldn't give you anything but a job that you really liked, what would you want to be doing?

What would you do if you lost your job tomorrow?  Would it make a difference from how you're thinking now?

Technician for a traffic information company. Counting cars, pedestrians on location. Speed runs by vehicle. Time-stamping license plates on traffic cam footage. You know, Orwellian monitoring type stuff. Is what I do now. It's seasonal and you never know when you're actually going to be working or not. Not ideal. This doesn't include the occasional side-job I might do here and there.

I do know how to drive. I'm a Class C license with passenger endorsement.

If my fairy godmother gave me only jobs I liked? Personal Trainer. While setting out to lose weight (still have some ways to go but I am definitely making strides,) I discovered I absolutely LOVE the gym and working out. It's sort of at a point where I can't imagine a life where I don't go to the gym. That and I'd LOVE to help others, whatever their fitness goals are.

If I lose my job tomorrow, I'd see it as more incentive to get out and just be independent. Every single job I've had, and lost only made me feel more strongly about doing something other than whatever this life is. Like I said, I don't want to spend my days working for someone else, sending resumes, and having to cowtow to some guy in an "interview." I want to develop a skill set, and use it to thrive (not just survive) and then kick the bucket knowing that I never had to answer to ANYONE I didn't want to. I may have misspoke when I said I'm not ambitious, I think the best way to explain it is that my ambitions don't quite match up with what the people around me have. My apprehension has always been this feeling that my goals are not in line with my abilities. In that I'm not smart or resourceful enough to execute. That however, is my issue (no one's problem but mine.)

 

[GenericHenchman]

What kind of work are you doing now?  Is it translatable to a similar type of job that you could do if you were van camping?

Do you know how to drive?

If your fairy godmother landed on your knee with her wand and said she couldn't give you anything but a job that you really liked, what would you want to be doing?

What would you do if you lost your job tomorrow?  Would it make a difference from how you're thinking now?

Technician for a traffic information company. Counting cars, pedestrians on location. Speed runs by vehicle. Time-stamping license plates on traffic cam footage. You know, Orwellian monitoring type stuff. Is what I do now. It's seasonal and you never know when you're actually going to be working or not. Not ideal. This doesn't include the occasional side-job I might do here and there.

I do know how to drive. I'm a Class C license with passenger endorsement.

If my fairy godmother gave me only jobs I liked? Personal Trainer. While setting out to lose weight (still have some ways to go but I am definitely making strides,) I discovered I absolutely LOVE the gym and working out. It's sort of at a point where I can't imagine a life where I don't go to the gym. That and I'd LOVE to help others, whatever their fitness goals are.

If I lose my job tomorrow, I'd see it as more incentive to get out and just be independent. Every single job I've had, and lost only made me feel more strongly about doing something other than whatever this life is. Like I said, I don't want to spend my days working for someone else, sending resumes, and having to cowtow to some guy in an "interview." I want to develop a skill set, and use it to thrive (not just survive) and then kick the bucket knowing that I never had to answer to ANYONE I didn't want to. I may have misspoke when I said I'm not ambitious, I think the best way to explain it is that my ambitions don't quite match up with what the people around me have. My apprehension has always been this feeling that my goals are not in line with my abilities. In that I'm not smart or resourceful enough to execute. That however, is my issue (no one's problem but mine.)

What I envision is in simplest terms this:
Be good at something, something I can pick up and do anywhere. Travel around, doing that thing and living off of that.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

You know, Orwellian monitoring type stuff.

   I don't know why, but that line made me laugh.  In it's context I could tell it's def not your passion.  

If you want to be a personal trainer I'd start working towards that.  Like anything it takes time to build up a business and clientele, but if you start now and look back on it in ten years when it's running smoothly you'll be very happy you did.  My cousin got into personal training about five years ago and did it as a 2nd job and built it up and just recently left her office job she hated to do it full time.

I can appreciate your love for the gym.  I had a 3-4 year stretch in my 20's where I went everyday after work and always couldn't wait til the work day was over so I could get there.   Was able to bench 305 lbs at my peak, not bad considering I'm only 165 lbs.  Few years back I became disabled and now at the point I really need to join a gym and work on some stuff but having a hard time motivating myself to go!

 

[highdesertranger]

hey Generic I briefly did that job while in between jobs in the early 90's highdesertranger

 

[DannyB1954]

One of the books I read that had an impact on my life is by Tonny Robbins called awaken the giant within. https://www.amazon.com/Awaken-Giant...553120&sr=8-1&keywords=awake+the+giant+within
I seen him on late light TV an thought him some kind of shyster. I came across the book at a book store. The more I previewed it the more I seen his point of view to be correct. I bought the book, no regrets.
Just one of the things he says is to plan where you want to be in your life in 5 years. Because 5 years will come. Then take steps to achieve that goal. A goal without action is just a daydream.
Maybe your first step was coming here. Welcome to the tribe.