Angela was living in and renting a New York City apartment when unexpectedly, her apartment was put up for sale. With no desire or ability to buy it, she and her boyfriend had to figure out where to live next. They loved to travel and spend time in nature, so they thought, "why not move into a van"? They downsized and gave away most of their belongings (including Angela's beloved tall plant, Heidi!), and embarked on an adventure that has taught Angela how to work to live, instead of living to work.
Key Takeaways:
- People are just like water: If we're put into a new situation and a new space, most of us are able to mold ourselves into those circumstances and surpass obstacles to find happiness wherever we are.
- Pursuing a life of adventure doesn't have to involve doing dangerous, extreme activities. An "adventure" can involve:
-Exploring something that sparks your curiosity
-Doing something new that is different from your regular day
-Engaging in something that makes you smile
-Doing something about which you can later tell a good story - The key to living adventurously is not the activity itself, but rather, your mindset: If you think you're going to have an adventure, you will! If you don't see the adventure in your activity, then you may miss the adventure altogether.
- Living in a van isn't for everyone (it's a VERY small space!), but if it's ever sparked your curiosity, try it out, even if for just a month. You'll regret not doing it more than if you do.
- Success is simple: don't compare yourself to others and pursue whatever makes you feel fulfilled and happy. Do work towards goals, but make sure the pursuit of those goals provides you with a happy experience.
- Work smarter, not harder: give yourself breaks, even if it's with the smallest of things like grabbing a coffee, talking to a friend, or going for a walk. Not taking breaks is detrimental to your mental and physical health.
Links:
Follow Angela on Instagram @angela.rreynoso (with two “r”s!).
About Angela Reynoso
Angela is a full-time nomad living in a van with her boyfriend. She is a visual designer who's landed contract gigs with the podcast, fitness, e-commerce, and beauty industries. Being a contractor allows her to travel at her leisure and take one day at a time.
