When I packed up my New York apartment for the last time, it wasn't just a physical move. I was going through a profound emotional shift, a decision to rethink what success meant to me. A year prior, I had moved from Dallas to chase a dream editorial role, believing that life in the city would be the ultimate marker of success. But after a sudden layoff, the skyline that once inspired me started to feel like a cage.
I kept just a few precious memories, like undeveloped disposable cameras, and my clothes in boxes tucked away at my parents' house. I had quit my job, and in just a few short hours I would be taking the biggest leap of my life: heading to an RV dealership with a $75,000 cashier's check to purchase a converted cargo van so that I could live in it full-time.
Lifestyles, dreams, and ambitions are going to differ from person to person, sometimes greatly. Some retirement plans and lifestyle choices seem absurd to some, while others find them smart.
While the appeal of a mobile, minimalist lifestyle seems attractive to many, the reality can be more complex, with challenges that may affect personal well-being.