What Three Years of Car Living Taught Me About Letting Go
When I first moved into my car, I didn’t do it to be a minimalist. I did it because I was craving freedom — from rent, routine, expectations. I wanted more space in my life, even if it meant less space in my living quarters.
What I didn’t expect was how deeply this lifestyle would reshape my understanding of what I actually need — and more importantly, what I don’t.
Three years later, I don’t just live with less.
I want less.
And that shift in perspective has changed everything for me — emotionally, mentally, spiritually. Here's how van life transformed my view on minimalism.
🧳 1. Minimalism Isn't About Owning Nothing — It's About Owning What Matters
Before I hit the road, I thought minimalism meant white walls, perfectly folded clothes, and getting rid of 90% of my stuff. I tried that version and honestly? It felt performative.
But living in a car doesn't leave room for aesthetics. Every item I carry has to earn its place. If it doesn’t serve a clear purpose (or spark serious joy), it goes. I’ve learned that real minimalism isn’t about depriving yourself — it’s about intentionality.
That one hoodie I wear constantly? Essential.
That third mug I never use? Out.
Minimalism, for me, became about creating space for freedom and function, not perfection.
🏕 2. Experiences Outweigh Things — Every Time
I used to buy things for comfort, identity, or impulse. A new candle, a trendy jacket, a throw pillow that matched nothing but looked cute. When I moved into my car, that kind of shopping ended overnight.
But what I gained instead were experiences I’ll never forget:
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Watching sunrise in the Smoky Mountains, coffee in hand, breath fogging the air.
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Driving down Highway 1 with the windows down and zero agenda.
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Cooking dinner under the stars after a long hike.
None of those moments required anything I could buy. And now, whenever I think about spending money, I ask myself: Will this add more value than a new memory could? Usually, the answer is no.
💡 3. I Learned the Difference Between Needs and Wants
When you're living out of a small space, your “needs” become crystal clear. Food, water, warmth, safety, connection.
Everything else is just… noise.
I realized how much energy I used to spend managing, organizing, and maintaining things I didn’t even truly care about. The clutter wasn’t just physical — it was mental. Now, owning less helps me think more clearly, act more intentionally, and move through life with way less anxiety.
Van life forced me to ask questions like:
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Do I actually need this?
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Could I use something I already have?
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Is this solving a problem, or just filling space?
That mindset spilled over into other areas too — my schedule, my relationships, even my thoughts. I started decluttering everything, not just my gear.
🌎 4. I'm More Aware of Waste — and What I Truly Consume
When you carry your trash around with you, you notice how much you create. When you rely on limited water storage, you notice every drop. When you run out of power because it's cloudy and your solar panel isn’t charging — you learn fast.
Living on the road has made me hyper-aware of my environmental impact. I shop less. I eat more simply. I reuse things like crazy. And not because I have to — but because I want to. Minimalism stopped being a trend and became a lifestyle rooted in sustainability, mindfulness, and gratitude.
🔁 5. Letting Go Isn’t Always Easy — But It’s Always Worth It
There were definitely moments when I held onto things “just in case.” I second-guessed selling my books, my records, my massive art supply stash. Letting go felt like losing pieces of who I was.
But here’s the thing: I didn’t lose me — I just let go of the stuff that had been masking me. The stuff I thought I needed to prove I had value or taste or creativity.
Now, I express myself through how I live, not what I own. And that feels so much more real.
💬 Final Thoughts: Minimalism Is a Practice, Not a Goal
Van life didn’t make me a minimalist overnight. It made me confront my relationship with stuff in a raw, honest way. Some days I still carry more than I need. Some days I crave a cozy home full of books and blankets. But even then, I come back to the truth I’ve learned on the road:
The less I carry, the lighter I feel.
And not just physically — emotionally, mentally, spiritually.
Minimalism, for me, is no longer about counting items or chasing a perfect image. It’s about creating space for what truly matters — freedom, connection, creativity, peace.
If you’re curious about letting go or simplifying your life, start small. One drawer. One item. One mental story about what you think you need. The road will do the rest.
Want a peek at my full van packing list or tips on how I decluttered before moving into my car?
Leave a comment or reach out — I love helping others simplify their space and reconnect with what matters. 🌿🛻
