5 Reasons Why Living in a Car Can be Exciting

Living on the road and having all your belongings in a vehicle can be challenging. But it can also be very liberating. It's a matter of perspective. I lost count of how long I've been doing this, but I know I'm close to two years with a year break in between while living in Denver. After my first try at nomadic life, I thought I could simply return to an office and continue with life as I knew it before. Well, turns out you can't! I've talked to others who have done it and loved it, and we all agree that you cannot go back to morning commutes and cubicles once you've experienced this kind of freedom. The excitement the road provides cannot be duplicated on quick weekend getaways. So here are five of the many reasons why I love life on the road.

1) Choosing your own path: Back when I lived in an apartment, I felt obligated to stay home. I was paying an exuberant amount for rent, so I may as well enjoy it. The thing is, I never did. I felt trapped. I hated the constant sound of ambulances, the pollution, and the soul-crushing traffic. Was I comfortable, sure? Heater, air conditioner, and a shower were commodities that made life "easier." But at the same time, I was constantly having to shed time from my already hectic days for tasks like cleaning, doing dishes, and scrubbing toilets. Living on the road allows me to skip all that, choose where to stay, and where to go next. I am 100% in control of where I go and how long I stay. On my way to the Grand Teton National Park, I decided to check out a small town called Thermopolis. I ended up spending two weeks there and leaving was hard. Why? It was snowing heavily in the Tetons! Meanwhile, this lovely town did not get much snow, the sun was bright, and I had access to infinite hot springs. There were only 2000 people and very few nomads, which made finding campsites easy. BLM was vast, and I never had to worry about a thing.

2) Better Health: Believe it or not, my health has improved incredibly since 2019, when I decided to give this lifestyle a chance. I hardly snack now because I make conscious decisions while grocery shopping. Once you are far away from stores, you have no choice but to eat yogurt and fruits even though you may be craving Doritos. Now, I know this is a choice and does not quite come with moving into your vehicle. But you'll find that in time, all those little vices like fries and candy fade away. This lifestyle pushes you to be your healthier self. In every town I visit, I find yoga studios and flowing water, even if it's cold. Remaining flexible is paramount to this lifestyle -at least mine. An old 4Runner with two single beds and two seats, suits our lifestyle. However, it does require some flexibility. I often sit with my ankles touching my hips or bend in weird ways due to my dog's lack of awareness. He will walk all over me and under me without a care in the world. Remaining flexible comes with the territory. I am now committed to the practice, even when it's cold. The benefits are amazing. My legs don't go numb, and I don't suffer from body aches as I did in my 20s while working nine hours a day in an office and eating junk.

3) Interesting folks: I've met so many fabulous people while on the road. Most recently, while working at the peak of a mountain in WY, this elderly woman pulled up right next to me and said, "wow, you seem to have it all figured out," to which I replied, "I wish." This simple interaction sparked a conversation about our lifestyles. While letting our dogs have a quick play date, she shared with me stories about her travels back in the 70s and how she found Sedona by accident when it was just a gorgeous empty desert. She told me anecdotes about Native Americans, hieroglyphs, and how she dedicated her free time to saving dogs. She was brave and interesting. The purest soul I could have ever encountered. Like her, many others have stopped me to share their travel stories and ask about my own. Being inspired and inspiring others is far more than I could ever ask for while exploring this beautiful land.

4)Low Bills: Depending on your vehicle, needs, diet, and how often you move across states, your bills can be as low as $500 a month. I can now fully live my life because I require much less. I no longer need to buy a new outfit every month or own 25 pairs of shoes to fulfill a societal void. I am perpetually satisfied and at peace even though I still have goals. When you wake up to beautiful sunrises every morning, you realize what truly matters in life. The more you let go of your attachment to material things, the happier you become. I currently own about 5 outfits, maybe 3 dresses, and 3 pairs of shoes. Never have I ever felt better. I wake up with the colors of the sunrise, and the moonlight bathes me before I lay my head to sleep.

5)Resilience: I grew up in Costa Rica, the 4th of 6 children of a low-income family. I was sheltered like crazy. The first time I set my hands on a steering wheel, I must have been about 22, not long before leaving Costa Rica. While working in Chicago as an Au Pair, the host dad would take me for driving lessons each evening before I was allowed to drive the children around. I learned to drive in a giant Chevy Suburban and could not parallel park (I know, I know). Today, I no longer feel fearful when driving. I now understand the basics of mechanics and can send my truck in any direction I want. My mental strength has improved incredibly. I have been in some spicy situations but can remain calm and keep my composure under pressure. Because here in the wilderness, if you lose your cool, things can go from bad to worse incredibly fast. I have also learned to work on my truck with the help of amazing friends and YouTube. I can say what I need to say without fear of being disliked, and I can authentically be me every day of my life. I don't believe I could have achieved this had I continued to live the way I was.

I did not know how much my life would change when I packed all my stuff into Walmart totes and threw it into my Mitsubishi Outlander. But I am so glad I did. These are my reasons for traveling and chasing sunsets. Are you a fellow vagabond? What do you love about your lifestyle, and what are your favorite parts about traveling? If you live in a house and work a 9-5, know that there is nothing wrong with it as long as you feel happy each day of your life. No one but you knows what's best for you. If you made it to the end of this blog, send me a message sharing your thoughts on nomadic life! I'd love to hear from you. Happy travels, and stay safe, my friends. Bon voyage! Catch me in the next city.

With love and gratitude,