Could van life be a lifestyle choice for you?



The last two and a half years have caused a lot of us to reassess our priorities in life. Are we really living our lives to the full? Are there new experiences that we should be trying out? Within that context, an alternative nomadic lifestyle called vanlife has seen a resurgence.



It has its roots in the hippie movement of the 1960s, but social media has made it trendy again, and in particular Instagram, where the vanlife hashtag has over 13 million posts. Essentially van life is pretty much exactly what it sounds like, living in a van. It's a minimalist lifestyle, which also grants the freedom to travel and be adventurous.



What are some of the coolest things about van life?



There are many different reasons for why people choose van life. For some it's simply an adventurous phase, while for others it becomes a longer term way of living. One of the biggest advantages of the van life lifestyle is the sense of freedom, fun and adventure that comes with it. You don't have to commit to a location, you can go wherever you like, and also move on whenever you like.



The rise of work from anywhere policies in certain companies may mean you don't have to quit your job either. Van life can help people appreciate a minimalist life, all the while reconnecting with themselves and nature. When you live in a van you don't have space for many non-essential things. That can be challenging at first for those who don't come from a nomadic background, but it allows for self-growth and development.



Aside from the deeper, more philosophical benefits, there are practical advantages too. For example, it can be easier to save up money living in a van than living in a house, especially if you come from an area where housing costs are high.



How do I know if the van lifestyle is for me?



The only way to really be sure is to try it out. While van life seems exciting, it's not for everyone. So if you are interested, the best thing to do would be to rent out a van and get started. Who knows, you might just find it's a perfect lifestyle for you. But be warned, many observers have said that social media posts overly glorify van life, giving a false impression of reality.



There's also the matter of being able to afford the initial investment of getting a pre-fitted van, or fitting one out yourself. It's important to think about fuel costs too, and be prepared by having money set aside so that you can actually afford to go on spontaneous adventures as and when you feel like it.



Don't forget the practical issues too, like night time parking, internet connection, hygiene, electricity and being able to live in a small space for a long period of time. Think things through carefully before getting started. There you have it.



词汇表

reassess [ˌriːəˈses] 重新评估，重新审视

priority [praɪˈɒrəti] 优先事项，最重要的事

live one's life to the full 过上充实的生活，充分享受生活

alternative [ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv] 另类的，非传统的；可替代的

nomadic [nəʊˈmædɪk] 流浪的，游牧的

vanlife [vænlaɪf] 房车生活，车居生活（指离开固定住所、居住在房车的自由旅行生活方式）

resurgence [rɪˈsɜːdʒəns] 复兴，再度兴起

hippie movement [ˈhɪpi] 嬉皮士运动（20世纪60年代的社会文化运动）

trendy [ˈtrendi] 时髦的，流行的

hashtag [ˈhæʃtæɡ] （社交媒体上）话题标签

van [væn] 小型货车，面包车（这里指房车）

minimalist [ˈmɪnɪməlɪst] 极简主义的；极简主义者

grant [ɡrɑːnt] 赋予（某种权利、自由等）

commit to a location [kəˈmɪt] 在一个地方定居

work from anywhere 随处办公，远程办公

reconnect with [ˌriːkəˈnekt] 与…重新建立联系，重新连接

non-essential [ˌnɒn ɪˈsenʃl] 非必需的，不重要的

philosophical [ˌfɪləˈsɒfɪkl] 哲学的，具哲理性的

glorify [ˈɡlɔːrɪfaɪ] 美化，吹捧，吹嘘

initial investment [ɪˈnɪʃl ɪnˈvestmənt] 初始投入，初期投资

pre-fitted [ˌpriːˈfɪtɪd] 预装的，预先安装好的

fit out 改装，装配，配备

set aside 预留，留出（时间、金钱等）

spontaneous [spɒnˈteɪniəs] 自发的，心血来潮的

hygiene [ˈhaɪdʒiːn] 卫生，卫生状况



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