After 8 years of Van Life I thought I’d share some tidbits about my early days of van-dwelling, why I chose to live in a van and why I started my blog.

Why I Chose The Nomadic Lifestyle

I co-exist with a condition called Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS).

Due to MCS, I’ve had to flee many toxic-to-me apartments and houses over the years.

Leaving so often got expensive. Moving fees, utility hook up fees, losing deposits because I had to break the lease and more… added up quickly.

I felt a nomadic lifestyle might be a better way to live with MCS.

The way I saw it, living on wheels might allow me to more easily flee a toxic-to-me area. And, I’d always have my safe-for-me home to retreat to and, when needed, hibernate in.

Is Van Life A Better Way To Live With MCS?

It’s a toss up.

There would be challenges no matter what lifestyle I choose.

What I can say without a doubt is… living in my cozy little home on wheels has been quite an adventure!

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Psst…. if you’re new here you may find my Who’s Who and What’s What page helpful. This is where I share a brief bio of the people, places and things mentioned most often in my blog.

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Some Pre-Nomadic Van Life Tidbits

Prior to moving into my van, I had never camped, traveled far or lived in a home on wheels.

My motto used to be “The only place you’ll ever find me camping is the nearest Holiday Inn!” and I meant it!

I wasn’t a Camper. Period.

But life has a way of changing a person’s perspective.

Trying to peacefully co-exist with MCS meant I had to change my perspective -or- fall deeper into the bottomless pit of hopelessness and despair.

As for nomad life…

Prior to May 2015, I had a 2004 Ford Econoline van (named Teddy) and wasn’t looking to buy a new van.

In May 2015, I unexpectedly ended up purchasing a 2015 Ford Transit cargo van.

Isn’t it funny how things just show up out of nowhere when you’re not looking for it?!

My Original Plan For Hitting The Road

My goal was to slowly move to a full-time nomadic lifestyle.

The plan was to convert my van into somewhat of a home on wheels, take short trips to learn how to camp and learn how to use a darn paper map! I still had no clue that Google Maps was even a thing.

My fool-proof plan was to continue working, save money, build out my van, learn the nomadic lifestyle ropes, retire in 2018 at age 55 and hit the road full-time.

But things didn’t go as planned.

Life Had It’s Own Agenda

In August 2015, my job of almost 30 years was eliminated. Many of us lost our jobs as the Company moved our positions to their overseas office.

Nikki was planning on leaving the nest by the end of 2015. She and Cookie would be moving from northwest Illinois to southeast Florida.

I briefly considered staying in the little one room house I’d been renting in northwest Illinois (we called it The Hut).

My job loss and looming empty-nester-hood presented me with an opportunity to hit the road earlier than planned.

Albeit totally unprepared… I went for it!

Hitting The Road

My first day of full-time nomadic living was October 1, 2015.

Since I was jobless and Nikki and Cookie were moving to Florida, I decided to take them to Florida myself.

We packed as much of Nikki’s belongings as we could in the van and the 3 of us headed to Florida.

We hit the road in a partially converted camper van… never having camped… never having traveled more than a few hours from home… and never having lived in a tiny home on wheels.

I wasn’t planning on jumping in head first and clueless but life opened a door and I chose to walk through it.

Nikki and Cookie Move Out

Nikki and Cookie traveled with me for about 4 months before Nikki officially moved out. She found a place to stay in Florida while she looked for a job and her own apartment.

Cookie and I traveled together for a few months while Nikki looked for a job and apartment, Once Nikki was settled, Cookie went to live with her.

I was alone… responsible for only myself… for the first time in my adult life.

The First Few Months On The Road

The first few months on the road were quite adventurous. They were also heavily sprinkled with challenges and struggles.

I lost count of how many times I wondered “What the heck was I thinking… wanting to live in a van?!?”.

Adjusting to my new nomadic lifestyle, job-loss and empty-nester-hood all in one fell swoop was quite a load to manage.  

It’s those challenges and struggles that made me stronger.

As I kept moving forward, I found myself doing things I never thought I would do and accomplishing things I never thought I could do.

I don’t know the timeframe but… there came a time when I made it through the adjustment phase and began to enjoy my new lifestyle.

Starting A Blog

I initially shared my adventures on my personal Facebook page. Facebook worked ok but I had a few friends who didn’t use Facebook and wanted to know where I was, what I was doing, etc.

About a year and a half after hitting the road, I decided to start a blog so anyone who wanted to follow my adventures could do so.

I’ve had the SimplyConnie.com domain name since 2010 but I only dabbled with a blog. In June 2017, I deleted my dabblings to start a fresh blog about my life on the road, living in a van.

My intent with the blog was to only write about my travel adventures and van life. But the odds of anything going as planned seem to be slim!

The fact is, life is always changing and my blog changes with it.

Parting Thoughts

The early days of van life had their turbulent moments but the adventures and experiences I gained are priceless.

Things not going as a planned seems to be a recurring theme – but it usually works in my favor.

Even though I was totally unprepared, I’m thankful I took the opportunity to go nomadic when life presented me with the option!

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About The Featured Image (at the top): This photo was taken at Country Oaks RV Park and Campground in Kingsland GA on February 16, 2016.