Woman in bed in camper van looking out back door to mountains

The Real RV Journey vs. The Instagram Version

Featured Photo by Alex Azabache on Unsplash.

If you’ve ever found yourself wandering the aisles of a boat show in South Florida, you’d likely hear someone enthusiastically proclaim, “Sell ’em the dream!”

The same chorus echoes through the world of RVs and van living, especially if you’ve ever scrolled through #vanlife or #rvlife on Instagram.

You know the images I’m talking about: beautiful young people sitting on their rooftops staring off into the ocean at sunset; her long wavy hair backlit from the sun and his man-bun and beard perfectly coiffed.

She is barefooted and in overalls—her bright yellow bikini-top peeking out from under her flannel shirt that is sliding off her shoulder. He is wearing shorts and wool socks and sipping on a hot cup of coffee. You can see the silhouette of steam rising as he sips, feeling the fresh, salty air on his face.

The twinkle lights around their rig, the two perfect chairs next to an old wooden table, and the campfire burning brightly invite you to want to sit for a while and let all your cares float away. 

But those of us who live on the road full-time know what the reality is behind these images.

It was shower day. 

It is easy to get caught up in the fantasy version of living on the road, aka the Instagram version. There are countless influencers working for RV and van manufacturing companies, clothing lines, camping products, travel companies, etc., that hop in their retro-painted tiny home on wheels for a week or two, drive up the coast, and snap a few pictures of their seemingly amazing and carefree life.

They know all the perfect #hashtags and @mentions to show the Insta-world how cool this lifestyle is. And it is cool. But this highly edited version of road life is misleading and gives folks a false sense of reality of what living on the road is truly like

The curated images shared by influencers often mask the realities we experience. Sure, it’s exhilarating to camp in stunning locations, but we also overnight in Walmart parking lots under bright lights and get awoken by “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” blasting out of the overhead speaker at 5 AM. Trust me, that’s a story I can share.

Instagram vs. Reality: The Great Divide

Instagram:

Images depicting perfectly staged “glamping” setups; twinkle lights strung around the rig and awning, cascading down to the ground to encircle a colorful, woven rug. A fire roaring in center camp with several matching chairs and fixins’ for s’mores at the ready.

Friends are gathered to celebrate the evening with beers in hand. A Ukulele rests on a chair, yearning for some hands to come strum a few chords. Long, curly hair cascades over the shoulders of a cute woman wearing a cute wool hat and cute matching mittens. Her smile is as bright as the stars.

Reality:

I arrive at my campsite, utterly exhausted after a longer-than-usual travel day. My cheap, weathered Walmart chair is my only option because my fancy setup got swept away in last week’s windstorm. Dinner? Instant mashed potatoes from a pouch, because I forgot to meal plan.

There’s a chance of a storm so I don’t dare put out my awning in case the wind tears it from my rig. To hell with the twinkle lights. Too much work. And a fire? Sorry, burn ban.

I haven’t showered in 5 days because I’ve been boondocking and I’m far from a potable water source. My hair is tucked under my hat so I don’t scare away even the bravest of neighbors. It’s a baby-wipe kind of day. I am in threadbare sweatpants and a sweater from the thrift store. 

And no, they don’t match.

Prepare for Reality

Man at RV dump station showing what happens on the real RV journey

Don’t get me wrong; this lifestyle is a dream for many and certainly for me. I have several hundred images tucked inside my photo app that could easily grace the pages of a travel magazine.

But life on the road comes with its own set of challenges: finding safe places to camp, locating potable water, scouting out dump stations, figuring out how to get your mail and where to toss your garbage, battling the rising cost of gas, and, yes, facing the pang of loneliness.

These are things we deal with on a daily basis. They are real and unedited. But for many of us, they are worth it. Being able to change your backyard as often as you like is worth the price of admission. 

Connect With Other RVers

If you’re considering diving into this lifestyle, it’s essential to prepare for the reality. Look into joining travel clubs like Escapees or Xscapers. These communities are filled with seasoned RVers who can provide invaluable insights into the highs and lows of road life.

So, if our paths cross on the road someday, perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to meet me on shower day. #feelingcute

Until then, keep dreaming—but remember to keep it real.


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The Real RV Journey vs. The Instagram Version 1

The Real RV Journey vs. The Instagram Version 2

Author:

Lorri Weisen

Lorri Weisen is the COO and partner at Natural Mental Health® (NMH) and The Joy Lab® Program + Podcast. NMH is a health communications company serving folks who want a more natural approach to reducing chronic stress, anxiety, and depression and are looking to create new paths built on existing strengths. The Joy Lab Program + Podcast builds on these strengths by applying the latest science, infused with soul, to help folks uncover their joy. 

Lorri is also an Integrative Health Coach and provides synchronous support for the Joy Lab Program over at JoyLab.coach. She is currently writing her first book, Turning Left, and is in her sixth year of traveling full-time. You can follow her on Instagram @nomadic_healthcoach

NMH is a commercial partner of Escapees and offers a 25% discount on their Community membership.

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