Living in a van by the river… Vanlife for sure has many positives: low cost travel, frequent scenery change, weather choices, and not being stuck with annoying neighbors.
But vanlife also has a different side, the side that isn’t all that glorious.
We live in Canada with short summers and long winters, which isn’t van life friendly. Canada is is cold and any seasonal temperature drop can morph van life from awesome, to…. “let’s get the f…. out of here!“.
To vanlifers weather means everything. Vanlifers aren’t attached to the grid for electrical conveniences, don’t have central heat, don’t have cold-shielding double-glass windows, and can’t just plug any heater into their electrical outlet.
My vanlife this morning
So, this morning I got up with a feeling “let’s get the f… out of here”. It was 8C (46F) at night and I precautionary piled up extra blankets on myself not to risk getting cold.
My bed is just underneath the roof window and every morning I have the pleasure of looking up to the sky. This morning I opened my eyes to say hello to the Sun, but instead of blue sky I saw water puddles on the roof windows.
Cry. Forgive. Learn. Move on. Let your tears water the seeds of your future happiness. Steve Maraboli
Condensation makes vanlife tough
Suddenly everything changed. Instead of putting out a wide smile that welcomes the day, a frightening thought came to my head: “I hope I left the door cracked”.
After two years of vanlifing we learnt how to adjust the door crack to the weather. It’s all about the art of removing condensation. If the crack is too small everything inside gets wet: the clothes, the bedding, the walls. It’s not pleasant, especially if the temperatures aren’t on the warm side.
Happiness is not doing fun things. Happiness is doing meaningful things. Maxime Lagacé
Vanlife, the fastest road to happiness
On one hand, I hate gloomy days like today: it’s uncomfortable. On the other hand, I wouldn’t wish to have it any other way.
Those gloomy, inconvenient, hard to deal with days are the best to learn from. Instead of complaining, cursing, and grumbling I ponder how good life can be at sunny times.
Eliminate physical clutter. More importantly, eliminate spiritual clutter. D.H. Mondfleur
Try simplicity for feeling better
That’s a lot about me and my morning. Now, let’s get back to you. Have YOU mastered the art of perpetuate happiness?
If not yet, here is something that may help. We swear, it works. Give it a try:
“Live simply. Dream big. Be grateful. Give love. Laugh lots.” Anonymous
