According to Instagram, everyone who lives in a van is super happy, all the time. If you take a break from van life, you failed and are no longer a part of the #vanlife club. Obviously, right? Vanlife is #amazing, and we are all so #blessed to be out on the road #adventuring.
But any vanlifer will tell you that the reality of vanlife is far from the picture-perfect, Nashville-filtered experience social media makes it out to be. Vanlife is not without its challenges. Limited space, inclement weather, finding water, emergencies, and even parking can turn a normal day into a struggle.
Vanlife burnout is real, and it’s not something that people often talk about. In this article, we’ll take a look at why burnout happens, why it doesn’t have to be a big deal, and steps you can take to address burnout when it happens.
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Why Does Van Life Burnout Happen?
Burnout can happen with anything. You might have scored your dream job, but that doesn’t mean you don’t get frustrated with your boss sometimes. You might have amazing kids, but that doesn’t mean you want them around you all. The. Time. Your partner might be the light of your life, but there are still going to be days when you argue.
The same is true for vanlife. Burnout is normal. It’s perfectly acceptable to need a break from van life time to time, just like you need a break from your regular life sometimes (hello, that’s what vacation is for, right?)
The problem is that because the lifestyle gets so much hype, many vanlifers go into it with unrealistic expectations. And because many people incorrectly assume that vanlife is a permanent vacation (thanks, Instagram), they don’t think that feeling burned out is valid or should be “allowed.”
Add to that the unique challenges posed by vanlife – limited space, a house that’s constantly on the road, a tight budget, water and power struggles, dealing with the elements, finding a place to park, finding decent WiFi, and the potential for isolation – and you can see why some van lifers simply throw in the towel and call it quits.
What to Do About Van Life Burnout
If you’re feeling burned out and are starting to think that this life isn’t for you, try a few of the tips for vanlife burnout outlined in this article before you give it up altogether.
Taking a break from van life often makes you realize how much you really love it, and spending a little extra money on some small luxuries every now and then will keep you sane and make life more fun.
Spend a Week in an Airbnb
There’s nothing wrong with taking time out from van life. Living in a small space, especially when you live with a significant other or kids, is tough. Constantly climbing over the rear seat to get to your bed gets old. Sometimes you don’t want to use the outdoor shower or empty the composting toilet.
If there’s space in your budget, find a cheap Airbnb, hotel, or motel and spend a week spreading out in a space you don’t have to worry about maintaining. If you and your partner need some space from each other and the Airbnb has parking, you could even keep the van out front and take turns sleeping in the house.
This option is an especially good idea if you can combine your stay with maintenance or repairs that need to be done. Trapped in a city for a few days while the mechanic fixes your head gasket? Leave the van in the shop and decompress somewhere else. You’ll be glad you did.
Stay With Friends
If you’re near an area with friends, politely ask if you can crash on their couch for a few days. This is an option best reserved for solo travelers and couples (unless your friend has space for a whole family.) It not only saves you money on an Airbnb, but it gives you the chance to catch up with people and get some socializing in. Just make sure you are a clean and considerate house guest.
A great way to increase the number of places you can couch surf is to build relationships between vanlife friends and acquaintances. Vanlife Facebook and sites like Meetup are a great way to build community. Having a solid network of people to call if you ever need to crash is great, and you can help return the favor any time vanlife gets too tough for someone you know.
Slow Down
One of the top reasons people burn out on vanlife is traveling too fast. Just because you’re on the road, doesn’t mean you need to be constantly driving. Make sure you’re seeing the sights and getting what you want out of the places you visit.
If you can, consider spending a month or even a few months in a place, rather than buzzing in and out in a few days. Slow travel like this is a great way to get intimately acquainted with new places and give yourself time to work, relax, and enjoy a more normal pace of life.
Treat Yo'Self!
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that because you live a minimalist life, you’re not allowed to have nice things. This is especially true if you’re on a tight budget or dealing with financial concerns like debt or student loans.
But treating yourself to a van life break doesn’t have to break the bank. It could be as simple as going to a new coffee shop for a fancy coffee drink, or checking out a nearby art museum. If spending money on extra activities is out of your reach, spend a day on the beach, or take your mountain bike up to a beautiful viewpoint, or simply snuggle up in the bunk with a cup of hot tea and a good book.
Think of a “Treat Yo’Self” day like a mental health day. It’s an opportunity for you to do exactly what you want, whether that’s climbing a mountain or spending the whole day in your jammies.
Take Time Away From Work
Digital nomads know the double-edged sword that is remote freelance work. On the one hand, you can work whenever and wherever you want. On the other hand, you can end up working everywhere, all the time.
It’s tough to make yourself take a break, especially if you’re lucky enough to be doing work you love. But stepping away – even for a day – does wonders for your mental health and improves all aspects of your life. See if you can schedule at least one day a week where you don’t touch the laptop at all.
Mix It Up
Doing vanlife in the city is a very different experience from doing van life in the great outdoors. City van life can be tough, but it also comes with unique perks. Spending extended periods of time in urban areas, where challenges like parking lots, finding water, and not being able to shower outside, can wear you down. The trade-off is having easy access to services, coffee shops, restaurants, laundry, grocery stores and gas stations.
Spending extended periods of time off-grid can also get old after a while. It has its own challenges (water, again, being a big one). But of course, you get the benefit of open space, peace, quiet, National Parks, and the incredible beauty of the natural world.
That’s the beauty of van life: you can mix it up. If you find yourself burning out on a place, you may want to try simply switching up the geography.
A Break From Van Life is Normal!
It’s easy to beat yourself up when you find yourself burning out on this lifestyle. It was supposed to be a dream, right? It was supposed to be everything you ever wanted. You’re #blessed and have no right to complain, so if you’re not enjoying it, it must not be for you.
Don’t let yourself fall into that way of thinking. Everyone needs a break from their life sometimes. The most important thing to remember is that this is your life, not a vacation, and it’s okay to be feeling this way. Treat yourself to a little break from van life – whether it’s an iced coffee, or spending a week in an Airbnb covering everything in Cheeto crumbs, and you’ll probably come back refreshed and raring to get on to your future vanlife endeavors.
