From Extreme Minimalism to Van-living : Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine

Van life and minimalism are two lifestyle choices that have helped me live more sustainably.

Having spent the last 5 years downsizing, I’ve reached a point where my apartment became too big for me, for us.

One of the biggest blessings in my life is being married to someone as adventurous and spontaneous as I am.

Having downsized our stuff to as little as we possibly could (126 items for me including furniture, my bike, hiking gear and van), it was clear that there had to be a next step.

I mean, why settle for an average life when you can choose a life of adventure ?

The initial idea was to buy a skoolie, or a school bus. As it turns out, skoolies are a bit expensive, difficult to park (in Europe) and are almost impossible to fix alone.

Our plan B was to look for a small van (VW T5) or an SUV, and to convert it.

However, we quickly realized that if we were to live in this thing FULL TIME, it had to be bigger. More importantly, we had to be able to stand in it.

So we settled for this beautiful 2009, 144" (short wheelbase) Mercedes Sprinter, AKA PinguXL.

By living in a smaller space, we wanted to keep pushing — as far as is possible and practicable — our fight for a cleaner world and leave as little impact on our planet as we can.

Living in a van squashes our need for housing and reduces our energy, consumption and waste by a LOT.

Case in point, according to the National Home Builders Association, the median size of a single-family home increased to 2,297 square feet (213 sqm), according to data from the Census Quarterly Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design and NAHB analysis.

In comparison, the living space in PinguXL is 74 square feet (or a bit under 7 sqm).

Yup! A whopping 3.2% of the size of the average American home. We basically live in your average closet !

Consequently, living in a van requires little to no heating in the winter due to the small living space.

It also requires very little in terms of electricity since we don’t need as many lights and other electric appliances.

Below are some of the most eye-opening lessons we’ve learned in our early days as van-lifers :

• Van-living, like minimalism, teaches us how to be content with less. It teaches us that living with less is a choice we all can make, and that focusing on what is essential and eliminating unnecessary possessions and distractions is compatible and can lead to a more meaningful life.
• The other amazing thing about van-life is that it encourages us to spend more time in nature and be more mindful of our surroundings. Indeed, this lifestyle leads to a greater amount of time spent outdoors due to the numerous opportunities it provides for connecting with nature, and a need to leave our cozy, yet tiny cocoon.
• Our little home on wheels provides easy access to remote and scenic locations, which offer breathtaking views of the natural world and provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
• Furthermore, many van-lifers engage in more outdoor activities than the average person. Hiking, camping, surfing and snowboarding are some of the most common activities van-lifers partake in, and they inherently require time spent outside.
• Van-life also emphasizes open-air living, allowing for a constant connection to the natural environment. This kind of living environment fosters a slower pace of life, one that prioritizes simple pleasures and encourages a mindful approach to life.
• Additionally, van-life also fosters a strong sense of community and connection with other like-minded individuals, further promoting an environmentally conscious and sustainable way of life.
• Lastly, van-life encourages the enjoyment of outdoor experiences, such as cooking outside, stargazing and simply walking in nature, leading to a deeper appreciation for the natural world and a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle.

But with a lot of enjoyment comes a lot of responsibility.

Van-life has increased our awareness of the importance of preserving the environment, living sustainably and keeps giving us a greater appreciation for the simple things in life.

We’re lucky to live this way. It’s a unique opportunity to connect with nature, spend more time outdoors and foster a deeper appreciation for the environment.

I hope you found some value and inspiration in this piece.

Thanks for reading.

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Till next time !

Peace.

Tee