Why I Sold My Van

Not long ago, I shared how I embraced vanlife as a way to live more simply, chase adventure, and dodge the sky-high cost of rent in the Bay Area. That van was my sanctuary. It gave me mobility, purpose, and freedom—on my own terms.

But here’s the truth no one really talks about: freedom evolves.

I recently sold my van. Yep—my home on wheels, my rolling escape pod, my adventure mobile. And no, it wasn’t out of desperation. I chose to. The opportunity came, and my gut said go for it. So I did.

At first, I feared it meant the end of road trips and spontaneous surf missions. I thought I was giving up adventure. But I was wrong.

Instead, I downsized even further—into a Prius (No, I don’t live in it). And strangely enough, I feel even freer.

I can still camp. I can still explore. I can still sleep under the stars. But now I do it with fewer expenses, far less gas (seriously—three to four times less), and zero debt.

That last part? That’s the real game-changer.

Selling the van allowed me to wipe out debt. And what I’ve learned is that freedom isn’t always about having the perfect setup—it’s about having options. Sometimes the most adventurous thing you can do is let go of what you thought you needed to make room for what you really want.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how we sometimes hold onto things—a lifestyle, a vehicle, even an idea—because they once felt like freedom. But over time, what freedom looks and feels like can shift. At least, that’s been true for me. Letting go of the van didn’t mean letting go of adventure—it just opened the door to a different kind of simplicity. And somehow, that feels just as good, maybe even better.

The van is gone for now—but who knows? I’m not opposed to another one down the road. Life feels like an experiment sometimes, and I enjoy testing my thoughts, seeing what sticks and what no longer fits.

So for now, I’m keeping things light, both on the road and in life. I’m learning to trust the shifts, to stay curious, and to let go when it feels right—even if it doesn’t make perfect sense at the time.

Because maybe freedom isn’t a fixed destination or a specific setup—it’s just the ability to keep evolving, to stay open, and to keep asking yourself: What really matters now?

And if you’re anything like me, the answer might surprise you : )