Okay, it seems like this is quite an aged discussion. How would you define the term “vanlife”? Also, I’m aware that many individuals dislike it.
Is the label exclusively reserved for full-time van dwellers?
Personally, I align more with being a weekender, despite having traveled extensively for several months. Where would you set the boundary in this regard?
Or is it primarily about the conduct of individuals while they are traveling?
7 Comments
fratermus@lemmy.sdf.org · 7 pts · 3y
This is IMO and I don't intend to gatekeep. Since you asked...
It used to mean living in a van; the term was used that way back in the 90s on yahoo email groups, IIRC.
/cynic mode ON
Then it blew up and was co-opted by carbetbaggers and the van-curious. Now it means influencing, watching influencers, posting bikini and/or foot pics, spending way too much money on a conversion then saying "hashtag-vanlife is overrated" and bailing. Most people on popular YT vanlife channels, forums, etc, do not own a van and will never spend a night in a van.
/cynic mode OFF
Speaking generally, and not about present company.
Still working on coffee, but I'll suggest a spectrum of approaches/attitudes
this is homeand there is no other home to return to.TLDR
Vacations and campouts are fun. Living off-grid fulltime is serious business. I am reminded of the joke about different animals' contributions to breakfast: the chicken is involved but the pig is committed.
fratermus@lemmy.sdf.org · 4 pts · 3y
I just noticed the meme on the post. I'm not sure I understand what it's trying to say. Here's one that rings more true to me.
Phlogiston@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 3y
This is a good list. I'd suggest,
"extended trips" rather than a "for months" timeline. Once you're past about 3weeks you've had to deal with power, water, food and etc. And you're absolutely correct that this is a significant milestone.
"4 season extended trips" for the next level up? Its absolutely harder in winter; and especially an extended trip in the winter. These are the trips where I invariably fuck up and end up redoing the sink because I let it freeze. Or did a 20F exterior shower because eventually my wife really needs to wash her hair. (Someday I'll have an interior shower option).
Fulltiming - I think the defining factor here is your "this is home" point. This isn't something I've done since I was a kid. I can't say I'm in a rush to do it again, although I know I'd be fine. Interestingly I did an extended summer recently when between homes and yet I didn't think of that as "fulltiming" because I had a deadline. It was just a long vacation.
Working remote is a huge difference that this list doesn't capture for me. I'm at my computer 8hrs a day when I'm working and combining that with living in the van is rough -- its just too much time in the same little space. Especially when I need to keep normal hours.
MysteriousSophon21@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y
The working remote point is so underrated - I've found audiobooks to be my savior during those long work days in the van (the soundleaf app has been amazing for my self-hosted collection), breaks up the monotny of staring at the same walls for both work and relaxation.
LemmyKnowsBest@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 2y
Hi I'm late to the discussion but I'm a little closer to Barbie than a goth vampire but either way I don't have the energy to analyze, categorize, or compare myself with anybody because I'm too busy surviving out here full time. Living the real thing. That's the reality.