Van Life and Living Content in a Small Space

Living content in a small space for an extended time is the aim for us when in our van. Achieving this goal when sharing the space requires effort and thoughtfulness. It’s crucial to establish clear communication and to share responsibilities. This way, we each can feel comfortable and content in our living environment. Maintaining a positive attitude and being adaptable always leads to better experiences and a sense of camaraderie together.

Like the Person You’re With

Engaging in fun activities or routines together helps strengthen our relationship, making the journey more enjoyable for both of us. That’s why we are doing this, right? We are both highly motivated to make the best of the time we have in our van. From cooking meals over a portable stove to sharing playlists and discovering hidden gems along the way, these moments foster a deeper connection.

Many people express curiosity about the van, Alice. When on the road, strangers frequently approach to inquire about the Sprinter van, curious about its design and the adventures it represents. Common questions involve the interior layout and fuel efficiency, as potential adventurers envision their own journeys.

These conversations often transition to inquiries about lifestyle and routines in the van. People seem eager to learn how we make it work. The most important thing? It is essential to travel with someone you get along with since you will spend most of your time together in a confined space. Cultivating a fun and loving atmosphere becomes crucial for a pleasant experience together.

Don’t get me wrong. We not only experience the joys of togetherness but also the challenges that come with living in close quarters. There is very little “me” time for either of us, which can be both a blessing and an obstacle. Whether we are happy or upset, our emotions are always on display for the other person, and navigating those feelings becomes a part of our journey.

It Works Best to Give

In a confined space, requests like “Excuse me” and “Thank you” become part of daily interactions. It is common to ask each other for favors such as passing shoes or putting items away. Teamwork and cooperation enhance efficiency and harmony in small living spaces. If we want to be living content in a small space, selfishness doesn’t have a role.

We often just ask each other for a favor, like, “Can you hand me my shoes?” or “Do you mind putting this away for me?” These requests are generally about proximity and working together as a team rather than being independent individuals. When living in small spaces, we have learned we are more efficient and happier if we work together as a unit.

In contrast, if we are at home in a more spacious environment, we are both more independent. Asking our partner to get our shoes for us, as an example, is less common. If it did happen, there is a strong possibility the answer back would be, “get them yourself!”

Focus on What is Important

One of the things I like most about van life and living content in a small space is the simplicity of it all. We are in a survival mode mentally when we are in our van. This state of mind is not a feeling of danger or doom. Rather, it is an ongoing assessment of how we are doing and what we need each day. Do we have enough water? How is our food supply? Where will we sleep tonight?

Once we determine if we are low on water, as an example, we decide to either ration our usage or decide how to replenish. Either way, once we feel good about our situation, we forget about it and find something fun to do.

Spend Time Outside

The van life experience isn’t about hanging out in the van all day. On the contrary, the point of living in the van is to be outdoors as much as possible. For us, the amount of time we spend sitting or lying inside Alice is a small percentage of our daily routine.

Our best advice for living content in a small space is to be smart with your storage, be strategic with the gear you bring, be kind to your travel mate, and spend the majority of your time outside enjoying nature!