Hello Community! My name is Ryter, I’m 52, and currently live in Minne-SNOW-ta.
I’m not quite sure what to say to introduce myself because, even though my life is an open book, not everyone wants to read it. So, I’ll post the Cliff Notes version and tell you why I’m here.
I don’t have any family at all and, in the last 12 years, I’ve become a hermit. (Why I became a hermit is the omitted long story.) I went from white collar jobs, to working class jobs, and now, for the last five years, I work as the caretaker of my apartment building. I’m a homebody who likes reading, writing, and nature.
My apartment building was sold and the new owner has made changes affecting people’s jobs. That also affected their living situation as their apartments were paid for as part of their compensation. So far my job is safe… but for how long? That’s when I discovered van life for the first time; as I was researching alternative housing for folks who are barely getting by. Since last July, I’ve been devouring everything van life.
I consider all of this good news because it was the kick up the proverbial that I needed to smack me out of my complacency and invisible existence. I have dreams and goals again after 17 long years! I want to rejoin the Land of the Living 3-Dimensional People again. When I learned about van life, I can’t tell you how much is resonated with me! Even though I’m starting from the very, very bottom - no money, no car, no family, and two friends (but also no debt) - I have every intention of making it happen. From zero to thriving in six months.
Please know, I AM NOT: lazy, feeling sorry for myself, or here to beg, mooch, or leech off of anyone else.
Please know that I AM: here to learn, listen, and to get advice and instruction. I’m also here to help and become involved in the van life community. I’m DOING van life for me, but I’m not IN IT for myself. I’m not in it for online fame (I have NO social media accounts at all) or recognition of any kind. I became a hermit because I wanted to live an anonymous, wallpaper life! Fame? Keep it! I’ll take friends in the van life community any day!
My Goal: To peacefully live the full-time, long-term van life and to help others whenever possible. I want to do this while creating streams of income for myself and permanently leave behind trading my time for money. (Advice and instruction in this area would be more welcome than gravy on a biscuit.)
How did I find this site? I performed an internet search for how to make a living online as a van dweller and read a post by @Van_Dweller. He gave me hope I haven’t felt in a very long time and I’ll never forget it. I traced that post to this website, which I’ll be spending hours/days eagerly devouring! But I wanted to start getting involved, too, and begin tearing away at some of the wallpaper. That’s why I’m posting my introduction, as odd and awkward as I know this post probably is.
If you took the time to read all of this, I’m grateful to you.