Vanlife and the True Value of Life’s Essentials

In a van, water is finite.

Living in a van has been a crash course in humility, gratitude, and awareness. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned—though it took me a while to truly absorb—is about water. But honestly, it’s about so much more than water.

In a van, water is finite. It’s not an abstract idea or something I know in theory—it’s a fact of life. When the tank runs dry, that’s it. No more dishes, no rinsing off after a salty surf session, no brushing my teeth until I find the next refill station. Every drop is precious. And learning to treat it that way has changed how I approach everything in life.

It’s funny how water, something so simple and vital, mirrors other areas of life. Take time, for example. When I was younger, I spent it like I had an unlimited supply, pouring it into things that didn’t matter—work I didn’t love, people who didn’t value me, moments I let slip away because I thought there would always be more. But just like water, time is limited. And once it’s gone, you can’t get it back.

Or think about relationships. Before vanlife, I often focused on the wrong things—what I didn’t have, who wasn’t showing up, or what I thought I deserved. But vanlife has a way of stripping things down to what really matters. Just like with water, you start appreciating the small, meaningful gestures: a friend who checks in, a smile from a stranger, or the joy of sharing a meal. Relationships, like water, thrive when you nurture them, but they can dry up if you take them for granted.

I remember one particular day on the road when I ran out of water mid-camping trip. I was miles from the nearest station, tired, hungry, and a little angry with myself for not planning better. As I stared at my empty tank, I thought about how often I’d let things in life run dry—friendships, opportunities, my own energy—because I wasn’t paying attention. That moment wasn’t just about water; it was about learning to slow down, be mindful, and take care of the things that sustain me.

Water has taught me to live with intention. It’s taught me to value the essentials, whether that’s a gallon of clean water, an hour of uninterrupted time with my kids, or the chance to do work I care about. Vanlife has a way of cutting through the noise and reminding you what’s truly important.

So, here’s what I’ve come to realize: life isn’t about how much you have—it’s about how you use it. Whether it’s water, time, energy, or love, every drop matters. And when you start seeing the world through that lens, everything changes. You stop rushing. You stop wasting. You start appreciating the little things that make life rich.

Living in a van has shown me that you don’t need endless resources to live fully. You just need awareness, gratitude, and the willingness to care for what you already have.

The next time you turn on the faucet, take a moment to think. Not just about the water, but about the parts of your life that deserve more attention. Are you letting your energy run dry? Are you spending your time wisely? Are you nurturing the relationships that sustain you?

In the end, we’re all just trying to make the most of what we have. And sometimes, the biggest lessons come from the smallest, simplest things—like a single drop of water.