Why Van Life?

I’m a big fan of nature, traveling, and exploring, but I don’t get out as much as I’d like because traditional travel arrangements can be a bit of a hassle.

I recently rented a chalet near Kruger National Park, but it took a while to get used to it, and the vacation ended before I felt comfortable. If I had my own room, bed, and kitchen on wheels, I would have felt more at ease and could have enjoyed the vacation right away.

Most of my friends live far away, making it tough to travel to, from, or between different places because of my limitations. I am on the Autism Spectrum, I have ADHD, and severe social anxiety, and dealing with mainstream and public transport, as well as accommodations, can be really challenging and stressful for me.

I call myself a Digital Nomad, but I’ve mostly been stuck at home lately. That said, I’ve moved around a lot (about every 3-5 years) and my work has always been digital and remote. I’ve lived, explored, and worked remotely from many places in South Africa, including Cape Town, Richard’s Bay, Bloemfontein, Parys, Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Tswane, Mbombela, and Polokwane. So, calling myself a digital nomad is not entirely misleading, it’s just that my current situation is not exactly that.

Living in a camper van, traveling as a lifestyle, and working remotely from anywhere is my dream. It’s more of a goal than a reality right now, but I’m working towards it. I believe Van Life is the solution to many of my problems. To those who say it’s not a good idea, I say, “Keep your negativity to yourself!”

My goal is to work, travel, and explore safely and comfortably in my own home on wheels - a familiar and safe space, but on wheels. Free from the stresses of traditional touristic travel arrangements, this autistic-friendly twist to the Digital Nomad lifestyle is my dream.

I’m excited about the prospect of converting a VW T3 Microbus (Caravelle/Vanagon) Syncro 4x4 into a camper van. I’m thinking of buying an already converted Syncro camper or a cargo or passenger variant and doing a custom conversion myself. The interior buildout seems like a fun and educational project.

I’m also thinking it would be awesome to have a van that’s around the same age as me. That’s why I’m especially looking for a classic late 1980s Microbus.

My dream is to build an off-grid camper van that I can live in and share my travel adventures with the world. I’ll explore amazing places, have a blast, and make memories that will last a lifetime. I’ll also use this van as a creative outlet, working on my music, art, and other projects while I’m on the road. A VW Syncro will give me the freedom to go places that regular 2WD vans can’t reach, making it the ultimate off-roading experience.

Van life is all about freedom from the stress of mainstream travel. No more crowded hotels, booking agents, or foreign accommodations. I can travel in peace, cook my own meals, sleep in my own bed, and work remotely from beautiful places that inspire me. I’ll feel safe knowing that my home is always with me, no matter where I go.

But van life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. There will be challenges along the way, like vehicle maintenance, breakdowns, cleanup chores, and finding amenities. But these challenges are what make it so exciting. They’ll help me grow, learn independence, and gain new skills.

I’ve done a lot of research on van life, studied custom van builds, and watched countless YouTube videos about it. It’s definitely doable, but I don’t have the money right now. I plan to either buy or build a camper van in the next 4-6 years, using my current income and any sponsor funding I can get. But I’m also trying to increase my income sooner, so I can make this dream a reality sooner.

In the meantime, I’m using my small hatchback to travel to scenic locations, work from my iPad, and save money for the van. I don’t do this often, but I’d rather save than spend on fuel, food, and park entry fees. I’m sacrificing short-term bliss for long-term bliss by staying put, saving rather than traveling now, to eventually become a true digital nomad, living the van life of my dreams.

#VanLife #Travel