Van Life Reality: The Stuff They Don’t Warn You About
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Everyone’s Instagram makes van life look like a perfect dream — sunsets, cozy beds, epic views. And yes, it can be amazing.
But here’s the truth: there’s a lot of stuff that no one really talks about until you’re living it yourself.
So, here’s the reality of van life and an unfiltered peek at some of the messy, awkward, and downright weird parts of life on the road.
Welcome to… van life expectations vs reality.
Peeing and pooping: the awkward realities
Traveling alone is one thing, but when you are two, gets a bit more interesting. Let’s start with the awkward stuff immediately: doing your business, in the van.
Peeing in front of my boyfriend? A totally normal thing now. It wasn’t always like that, but van life has a way of breaking down all your little privacy walls.
Pooping, though? That’s a different story. When one of us needs to do our business, the other knows to get outta there – no matter the time or weather – privacy is sacred.
Doing your business in nature is great but you gotta collect your used TP to avoid polluting the environment. So not exactly glamorous either.
(Btw, something that’s made things way easier is Wype — a sustainable alternative to wet wipes. It’s compact, refillable, and lets you stay clean without going through rolls of toilet paper or using wasteful single-use wipes. A tiny bottle that makes a big difference, especially when you’re off-grid.)
And forget about the cleanliness of gas station or campground toilets – most of the time is a bit grimy and more gross than you want to admit.
Weather: freezing cold or sweating buckets
Another classic case of van life reality is that you’re at the mercy of the weather. The day we switched from our winter blanket to our summer one was the day we crossed into Germany (in June), hoping for warm summer nights. Instead, we got 7-degree temperatures and cold butts.
Also, rainy days hit differently in a van. There’s something kind of cozy about it… for the first hour. After that? Two people in a tiny metal box, muddy shoes, and wet jackets with nowhere to dry.
But just as cold and rain can be a challenge, so can heat. Right now, summer is just kicking off here in Europe. The tiny metal box heats up fast, turning productivity into a hot struggle, while sweat is dripping from every place imaginable.
Van life reality of cleanliness: never-ending messiness
I’m a very tidy person. I don’t like collecting dishes in the sink, I like the floors clean, and I feel most relaxed when my space is in order. But the van life reality is that in such a small space, things get messy, quickly. And somehow, the sink is always full of dishes.
Just one tiny step inside with shoes brings all sorts of dirt in immediately. If anyone knows how to keep a tiny home clean when you’re constantly in and out, please send me your secrets.
The bed? For me, it used to just be a place to sleep. Now? It’s office, storage, and chill area. During the day, things are tossed all over it – then at night, everything is thrown off so we can sleep. And as a bonus, things get magically lost constantly.
Van life wi-fi struggles: deadlines and zero connection
Waking up to stunning views with no distractions? That’s beautiful. But when your work depends on the internet and you’re faced with zero connection, it quickly becomes a van life struggle.
Both Rory and I work online, so deadlines are a thing. When the Wi-Fi’s out or the signal is patchy, you find yourself pacing around campgrounds, parking lots, or weird roadside spots, hunting for a signal.
This digital dance is a constant reminder of the van life reality: even in the middle of nowhere, your work won’t wait.
If you’re thinking of remote working on the road, be ready for days when deadlines and zero service collide. It can be it’s unpredictable, frustrating, and a part of the imperfect truth behind the van life dream.
Social life: not quite what you expect
Most of the van lifers we’ve met so far are retired couples, finally enjoying their freedom. The scene for 20- or 30-somethings is much quieter than expected. That means if you’re hoping to find a community on the road or a lively social life full of peers, you might get a bit disappointed.
After months of traveling, I really miss my hanging out with my girlfriends, and doing random girly things. The spontaneity of having friends nearby is one thing that van life reality rarely prepares you for. Sure, you meet people here and there, but deep connections take work and time, and sometimes the road just feels lonely.
So if you’re picturing endless social adventures on your van life trip, know that it can be a mixed bag, and sometimes it’s a bit isolating.
Breakdowns & fix-ups: adventures you didn’t ask for
Things will break, and almost always at the worst possible moment. Speaking from experience 😄, which includes –
- Breaking our water tank and losing all of our drinking water in the night
- Getting a flat tire on a rainy highway in Spain and spending hours fixing it
- Driving to an isolated nature spot in the dark and getting deeply stuck in a ton of mud overnight. (We had luck, tho’ – a kind stranger with a big tractor passed by the next morning, and helped us get out.)
And let’s not forget the unexpected sharp turns or bumpy roads that make drawers fly open mid-drive resulting in flying plates, and boxes of food & spices. No matter how many magnets you put in, this stuff just happens.
These unexpected breakdowns are all part of the van life struggles that can throw your plans completely off course. They’re frustrating and stressful in the moment, but over time, they turn into stories you end up laughing about.
Unwelcome guests: bugs, mice, and noisy neighbors
We put together a DIY mosquito net from an IKEA curtain (added some magnets), but somehow bugs still managed to sneak inside.
Scotland was a nightmare with midges. For a few nights, we had to deal with them, always finding a way to enter, and biting us. We also suspected there were once mice somewhere in the back of the van, but we could never catch it and prove it.
Furthermore, campgrounds can be hit or miss. Late-night parties, snorers, and 3 a.m. engine revving are one thing. But what really gets under my skin is when other campervans park way too close. Living in a tiny van already means privacy is limited — having neighbors practically on top of you feels like a full-on invasion of personal space.
Laundry & shower logistics: the never-ending chore
Showers are usually not hard to come by, but the effort involved can be a bit of a hassle. After a long day on the road, all you want is to get clean and cozy in bed – without having to detour to some random shower spot that might not be the cleanest. Most places are okay-ish, but honestly, it’s just not the same as your own bathroom, ya know?
As for laundry, we usually do it every couple of weeks, but coordinating it also takes time and effort. Once, we washed our clothes at a laundromat and popped them in the dryer – only to discover it wasn’t working. Suddenly, our van turned into a mobile clothes rack.
Finding legal spots for camp: sleeping on the edge
Not every country welcomes wild camping, and even when it’s tolerated, the rules can be confusing, inconsistent, or strict.
That uncertainty can make it hard to relax fully when there’s always a chance you might be asked to leave at 2 a.m.
Plus, some places have zero facilities, limited privacy, or sketchy neighbors, turning what should be a relaxing night into a test of patience and nerves.
Handling waste: the constant battle
Waste management is one of my biggest struggles. At home, composting is easy thanks to the city program, but on the road, is different.
Every campsite, town, or country has its own rules, and most of them don’t have composting programs that are easy to access. It’s frustrating to have to throw compostable waste into the regular trash, knowing it’ll end up in a landfill.
Beyond compost, managing gray water, emptying the toilet bucket, and disposing of trash properly require planning, patience, and sometimes sacrificing convenience in order to be more eco-conscious.
And here’s my favorite & what no one tells you about van life: cleaning the van toilet. Very fun time emptying and cleaning a bucket of 3-day-old pee.
Van upgrades: the never-ending list
One of the things about van life is that your home is a work in progress. My boyfriend is regularly fixing leaks, optimizing storage, or installing new gadgets to make life easier and more comfortable.
It’s incredible how many little projects pop up out of nowhere, and somehow the list never gets shorter. Upgrading the van it’s awesome, but the poor guy always has a new project going.
When the road takes over: … and detours
Sometimes we just end up driving and driving and driving. When you have a destination in mind, it’s easy to get stuck in “gotta get there” mode and forget to enjoy the moment and the journey here and now.
The miles blur together, and suddenly the adventure feels more like a chore. It’s an effort to remind yourself to slow down and soak in the little moments between stops.
Sometimes the road takes over, but sometimes the detours, whether planned or accidental, lead to hidden gems you’d never find if you rushed.
Keeping up with yoga: mission impossible
Keeping up with my yoga practice has been hard. Between trips, chores, and work, it is not easy to keep up.
Plus, indoor yoga is not an option for obvious reasons. 😀 So you’re at the mercy of the weather, which isn’t always ideal.
I could push through with more discipline, but when your day is already packed with cooking, moving, finding a shower, doing laundry, and work, forcing movement just screams – burnout.
Cooking on the road: not always particularly healthy
We often cook homemade meals in the van. But let’s be real, that’s not always possible.
Space is tight, fresh ingredients don’t always last, and sometimes all you can bother to do after hours and hours on the road is instant noodles and tofu on rice crackers. Not exactly the healthiest options.
Meal planning takes effort, and sometimes we rock it, but other times? Not quite. That’s a van life reality: some days you’re making homemade ramen from scratch and others – dinner is a cereal with the last clean spoon.
Why we still love it (most days)
Ok, ok, all this may sound too dramatic and make you think I hate van life. But that’s not the case.
Yeah, the reality of van life can be messy, chaotic, cramped, unpredictable, and sometimes frustrating. But even with all the weirdness, there’s something magical about it.
Waking up to a mountain view. Making coffee with the back doors open. Being in nature for days. Sleeping in total silence in the middle of nowhere. Quiet camping spots and cozy van vibes. Taking detours and spontaneous adventures.
Yes, that’s just one side of the story. Yet somehow, all the challenges only make the great moments feel even more rewarding.
All the tiny, unplanned moments make it all worth it. So, if you want to hit the road, don’t expect perfection — expect real, messy, unforgettable moments.
Have you tried van life? How was it for you? Or are you just thinking about it? Tell me in the comments below, would love to hear from you!
