Vandwelling 101 Vanlife Stealth and other trendy terms

Everyone uses the terms vanlife and stealth camping.  All of a sudden it's trendy and many experts abound. 

First of all,  someone will figure out you're in the van.  Most people don't pay a lot of attention. Most police don't bother you once they find out you're not drinking,  using drugs,  engaged in any illegal activities,  not begging or damaging anything.  If your vehicle doesn't look trashy and your license,  insurance,  and tags are up to date,  you'll find they aren't too bothered by you.  Also make sure you're legally parked. 

Businesses don't get upset as long as you don't abuse their property (including dumpsters), don't leave trash behind,  or interfere with their business.  

Be responsible.  Be considerate.  Don't draw attention to yourself. 

You'll find endless pages,  websites,  blogs,  and videos on how to rebel in lockstep with everyone else. How insane is that to rebel and conform ro all the other rebels.

That's not what vandwelling is about.  It's also not about feeling superior to those who chose a more traditional life. 

It's merely a different way of life.  It's not about begging or living free on public land.  Freedom isn't the absence of responsibility.

It's a highly skilled lifestyle. Everything you've taken for granted will have to be relearned.  Power,  water,  bathing,  personal hygiene,  belongings,  cooking,  eating,  trash disposal,  and dealing with human waste all must be relearned and thought about. 

It's not turning a van into a house or homemade rv.

It's thinking about every aspect of life and how you do it.  It's also about getting rid of distractions and knowing who you are. 

Solitude versus isolation.

Life still happens,  it's not a way of running away or a magic elixir to fix all your problems.  

The photos of that cute couple,  a van is small for one person,  add a partner and a pet,  and even the best relationships can be strained. 

And you'll find that person who blogs or does videos is not the bigger than life hero but an ordinary person in real life,  myself included.  

I've no major answers to the questions of life in a van,  just lots of experience and lots of learning from my own mistakes.  Mainly i know that vans break down and die,  and no matter what happens I've a few friends that care. 

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