Hey Reader!

A lot of people wonder what the hardest part of van life is.

And the answer might surprise you.

It's not the lack of hot running water, washing machine, full-size fridge, bathtub, or comfortable couch to rest and watch TV after a long day at work.

It's not the dirt or inconveniences or tiny space.

It's the uncertainty. The decision fatigue. The overwhelming aspect of trying to find all the parts and pieces to make living in a campervan work.

Questions like:

Where will I park and sleep tonight? Will it be safe?

Where is the next Planet Fitness where we can work out and take a long, hot shower?

Where is the nearest grocery store?

How much water do we have left and where will we be able to fill our tank?

What is the weather like and will we have to drive an extra 500 miles today to get out of a heat wave?

Will I have enough time to get enough work done today?

How and where will I ride my mountain bike?

Decisions are constant and unrelenting in van life. And for me, this is the hardest part.

Which is why, right now, I am enjoying living in the boatyard in Mexico so much. We have been here since October, taking only small trips to visit friends and family.

We have our two boats, our Sprinter van, and our storage trailer all parked within a few feet of each other.

One boat is perched on the hard on the waterfront where we have a view of the harbor and hills. The other boat is in a large hangar where Tom fixes it up and prepares to paint.

There is no decision fatigue here.

Life goes at a similar pace every day.

I know where and when I am getting groceries and what days I am riding my bike.

I know where to get water and do my laundry.

The normalcy and stability are relaxing to me and something that is missing from van life.

I like the excitement of wandering around the van mixed with the balance of living at the boatyard. It's the best of both worlds.

What's the hardest part of nomadic life for you?

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