Van Life: why I’m living on the road 

Dear Melissa, I am so proud of you finding your life’s path at 32. I had been going deeper in that hole of depression not realizing what shape I was in until I was 63. In 2019 I quit my J.O.B. looking for another job to make me happy, but that was the wrong question. I started getting a clear vision of who I was supposed to be when I asked, “When am I the happiest”. In 3 days, the answer came to me, when I am riding a motorcycle. After buying a new motorcycle and tent and months of mental gymnastics, I ended up getting rid of EVERYTHING. Me And My Royal Enfield rolled out of my garage for the last time March 19, 2021. I have never been this happy, not in marriage, in my own business, or with a girlfriend I still dearly miss. I am, Whole Happy. Not this part of my life, or that part of my life, but ALL of me, I am Whole Happy. So, I am so proud of you to be where you are, with your soul, at your age. You said, “I finally released what was no longer serving me”. RU-vidr Scooter Tramp Scotty says, when something no longer serves the journey of my spirit, I let it go. He’s been living this way for 27 years on his motorcycle. You also said, “the universe has its timing”. I am always saying, I love how the universe flows for me. I don’t force anything anymore. I just go with the flow in confidence that this is where I am supposed to be. Roadlife Folks, don’t you love how the universe puts them in your path at the right time, no sooner, no later, just at the right time. I heard you say at the end, “You’re so lucky”. I’ve run into people on the road, and I say, you are so lucky, about whatever they are doing. Like one man building rocket engines for Blue Origin. He looked back at me with the same look of amazement saying, you are so lucky, wandering the country on a motorcycle. We all have our own lenses. We all imprint our goodness on others. That man ended up buying a motorcycle. Excellent video. Great editing, music and you have a strong presence. Thank you for sharing. Sorry for writing a novel.

This is so real ahhh, thank you. That numbness, that depression - I thought it was me, my fault, that I should figure out how to manage it. However, I've realised it was a symptom of me completely neglecting my own joy / life force and relegating it to "not now," "it won't work." Blocking that flow of joy and desire is a recipe for misery, no matter how much we love our partners, and wish it would work. ❤

You know it's a good video when someone can make you connect with their life story in just 4 minutes. Well done, Melissa!! Welcome to the road!

The production on this video is incredible! Great job telling your story!

I've watched so many tiny house and van life videos, but something about yours feel uniquely relatable.

Oh my gosh! Many parts of how you got out to truly living your life is so me! Depression and silent bickering with my roommate ->in my head

Nice video, great to see another young female traveling and enjoying life. So much to see out there. But be careful and stay safe.

I love the storytelling and editing! Thanks for sharing and thank you for your vulnerability.

Needed desperately to hear this. I’m wanting to get out of my house and be the authentic me. Fear is holding me back 😢 new subby xx

Incredible video thanks a lot

Your cinematography is one point. 🤌🏼

Never feel bad about what you want, I've been doing this for 20 years

I’m 34 in Feb this year and I’m planning on finally starting to live my life too! I’ve been working in healthcare on and off for 10 years and I’m so over it 😅 I plan on travelling this year too and I think I’m going to end up choosing van/carlife. Looking forward to following your journey 😊😊😊

Great story:) Cya on the road sometime

Hello! I just found your channel. Whatever forces of the RU-vid universe decided to plop you onto my feed…well, I thank them. Now, I want to go back and watch your videos.

Thank you for sharing and video. Blessings to you.

What a gorgeous video! I loved hearing your story.. 🤍

I love this and I love to travel. Seeing your videos make me want to get back on the road and this time live in a car nomad life for a while..

You're never 'alone'. You have the world around you.

Thank you for sharing! 100% understand where you are coming from with that need to travel. I also grew up Amish and then Mennonite but in a small town in Ohio. I became a nurse so I could do travel nursing. I am now divorced (unfortunately not a good relationship situation) and one of the many reasons being because my ex changed his mind on the nomadic life we had been living the last three years and wanted me to get a staff job in our state of residence Florida when I am happier than I have ever been exploring new places and meeting amazing people along the way. I am currently not working due to a serious work injury, but hope to get back to traveling even if I can no longer work as a nurse because I miss it so much.

So awesome you’re following your passion while you’re still YOUNG! Good for you. Just hit the subscribe button.

Love the video

🥹👏🏼 Such a beautiful video Melissa! You’ve come a long way and I’m just so happy for you that you’re doing what truly makes you feel alive❤️

As a 31 year old planning to hit the road later this year, this warms my heart ❤️ thank you for sharing!

Lovely video 👌 I would need a van life like that too! Good work 😊

Beautifully done video!

beautiful video! I admire your freedom..

New subscriber! And I’m happy YT suggested you. I’m a nomad too and always looking for others that “get” why we are out here. I feel like we’re nomadic sisters. ❤️ Happy trails and looking forward to more!

Cool, Michigan! I'm a Yooper....hope to see you down the road.

Immediately subscribed. You you give off very genuine vibes and it reminds me of @campingwithsteve in some sense who I have loved watching for quite a while. Keep it up!

Planning to hit the road next year in January in my converted school bus. Still converting it now but really itching for that time when it comes. The more i dream about it the more it feels like its mine and I'll have it sooner than i think. Am also struggling with how i would leave and create a nomadic life, make money, make sure i support myself properly. Im sure it feels so free though not having obligations in any one place. And thats what I want. I want to be free! Here's to being free and living the best life and feeling whole!

So Rad! Thanks for sharing

Great video :) and nice van too, looks like it's 4x4...nice choice!

Girl, you are a rockstar. I wish you all the best.

Your just getting started. You might find yourself back in a house for a while , then you'll get ' itchy feet ' and go back out doing van life. It comes and goes. Some day come check out the Gulf Coast. South Dakota is nice as is East Tennessee. Good luck and ride like the wind.

I am going to be doing the same thing shortly. All for the sake of Art, and being happy, and not being stuck in a career that drains the life out of you. Super cool video. I subscribed. :)

Melissa, this is one of the best introductions I've ever seen... GREAT presentation! I've been vanlife living for over 23 years. And just like having a house to live in there are great days, medium days, and days with challenges. Yet I've found that choosing vanlife style simply adds about 20x the amount of "living." So even though since covid I have leased a really great oceanfront condo four different times over the hot summer months (for everyday ocean experiences which I always LOVE, and for the luxury of nice AC, every time the "cooler vanlife weather" set cooler pleasant weather in for vanlife, I'd switch back into vanlife mode and now since realizing I actually live 20x more of "life itself" I gave up the nice oceanfront condo again for "permenant" vanlife. Up until covid, I'd done over 19 years straight of vanlife living. Your presentation was exceptional! Very very impressive Melissa. I'm SUBSCRIBING to your channel. Thank you for all your efforts to make your initial vlog so fantastic! Wishing you the VERY BEST of everything Melissa 🙏🎶✨️🎶🌷🎶

I've lived a different life, not even on the same continent. But much of your story resonates. I also look back and can see how every twist and turn in life led to this point. But at the same time it feels like it all happened at the right time and I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. If anything it's just a reaffirmation that everything happens when it needs to and all you need to do is gently push in the right direction and take the oppurtunities.

You're going to do fine...I've been camping all over Canada for many years, and wouldn't change a thing..❤❤

I love this. ♥️♥️♥️

I just found your channel and really liking your content! This video was so well made and inspiring! Just subscribed and looking forward to following you along on your Vanlife journey!

Great video and a powerful story. If we want our life to change we have to change or the next 6 years will be just like the last 6, (Jim Rohn) One life we must make the most of it. Very best of luck. Jonathan 🇬🇧

Wow, you're an amazing storyteller! Hi, I'm Gloria, aka, NatureGlo. I was a full-time solo female vanlifer for 8 years now gone part-time the last 2 years on account of a partner that doesn't want to live on the road. I sooooo can identify with you. I consider myself a religious and cultural refugee. I want to get back on the road full time again, BUT, like where you were, I don't want to give up my kind and comfortable relationship. For now, I'm enjoying straddling both worlds. Somewhat. Thankfully, we struck a compromise and I vanlife part-time. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your videos. Just subbed.

What a great departure from the typical van life videos! Maybe 'film maker' is your next calling. BTW - where did you find your outdoor chair? Looks really comfy.

Physical Therapist here. Let’s just say I understand. My van will be finished in late April.

As a kid from the early 90s growing up in Michigan and living in the PNW these days, I can relate quite a bit. Thank you for sharing.

I also left my healthcare job after Covid. Totally understand that 😅

Just found you this morning. Ever go outside and howl at that moon? If not, you should try it, the feeling is awesome!

Well done Melissa for finding your niche in life, what works for you and feeds your soul 💕

Ima make a video called solo male living in a converted Yukon 😃. That was a super good video.

Blew my life up.❤

Hello Melissa,Thank you so much for Sharing your Story, It's so important that you let people know it's okay and we will Survive Tough life Decisions, I am excited to follow you on your Journey,

Beautiful! Love getting to know a little more of your story 🤍 There’s no place quite like the road

Thank you for sharing. Follow tour path. Have a wonderful life. Everyone stay safe, warm, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia

Really enjoyed you post here... What a great honest presentation of your finding yourself on the road . We all have our paths we have come . Best to you

Great videography well done :-)

You should have more subscribers. Your journey could resonate with a lot of folks your age.

You discovered the West is Best!! Good for you ( it's called sunshine!). Ha

Good on you, Melissa, for being willing to make such big changes...I look forward to following your journey.

I love the honest! I understand with most of your story vanlife is the life!

love this so much!!!

Hi Melissa……I just came upon your channel and luckily this was the first one. I am glad to know your background. I am glad you have chosen that lifestyle for now as you will not regret it looking back. There is so much to see in North America and the whole world. I see your van is a 4X4 which is really neat. I did a lot of traveling in my life and have the best memories of that. Always remember that life is not made up of possessions, things seem important for a while but fade from your love of them very shortly. Life is made up of memories and experiences. You will ALWAYS remember the special places you went to. I find that my hiking experiences where I had blisters, pain are the ones I cherish most. I hope you continue for some time and are able to financially find a great way to support yourself, perhaps just RU-vid. What a wonderful opportunity. I wish I could travel with you for a while to share but that is not possible. I subscribed. Please keep safe. If you are ever in Joseph, Oregon look me up. Thanks for sharing.

Great editing❤️😎

Thank you for this video it inspired me to get my butt moving and buy the van like I always wanted to. Time is flying and I’m just stuck doing the same thing over and over. Live your life like you want to not like everyone wants.❤

I am so happy you are on the road full time now! Those conversations we had in Mazama fully coming to fruition!!

Oh my goodness beautiful life and fan of Bell Hooks. Safe travels.. you little home is awesome, stay true to yourself ✌️ ☮️

Wow! It looks like you’re doing it right

A beautiful life!!!👠🚌👠

Loved this! Beautiful visuals, inspiring message!

Great story Melissa. I got a lift from all that thank you 😊

I’m obsessed with van life. Love your story. I really felt it. New subscriber

Your channel is going to blow up ❤🎉🙏 im happy for you! I just subbed!! Looking forward to watchingyour channel grow 🎉❤🙏

Love this video so much! I’m so excited to see where your van life adventures take you!!

It seems every generation has it's struggles with relationships, generally speaking. And yeah, mental health is a common denominator. I came to nomad life via a different route. At near retirement age the algorithm introduced me to CRVL & Bob. With rent and everything else so high, reliance on social security convinced me to travel BLM desert & forest land, staying in my tent and SUV. Staying in one spot - for now - feels like the thing to do. Like your editing here. Will have to view other videos. Enjoy the adventure!😊

Fantastic work on this video, in no time it will be paying you back. keep it up 👏

Great video thanks for sharing looking forward to seeing your next episode

Beautiful story/video! Life is about chasing dreams… cheers!

You have to go where your soul takes you. That's where your lessons and purpose lie.

Good video!

Baby Melissa!! So cute

For us, this is more beautiful and engaging than you think.

I would of love to do what your doing! Instead,Im happy living where I grew up! God Bless you !

hey from UK , great channel ! following with interest , may i ask which camera / camera’s you use please as your shots look awesome thanks and safe travels Mike

The way this space is being co opted is so damn insane. There’s such a great difference between poor folks and van life influencer wannabes.

my goal for this year.

Cool video

Something made me click on this. Good video and very good narration of your journey!

You need to hook up with Foresty Forest, and comapre notes; trust me

New Subscriber

Least you don’t have to work no more that’s a retirement

The universe has a Creator.

🙋💖💕♾️👍 welcome home 😊

👍

Hi there, how long have you been full-time on the road now? I’m curious to start travelling and living out of a car, any tips for the beginning?

❤❤❤❤❤ 😍

Hold your chin up and sit somewhere you can feel the sun.

I am also from Michigan. If you are looking for a coal driver I’m applying for the job..

I bought a house 31 as a single mom and now made alot of equity at 53 house is almost paid off .. only now would I consider vanlife but definitely not at a young poor age

The normal life is for normal people, DON'T be normal. Live your best life now, while you can. Safe travels!

I wish I knew you better.