To be completely honest, I’ve seriously considered living out of my car — not once, but several times.

It might sound extreme to some people. But when you’re single, child-free, and constantly on the move, your definition of “home” starts to shift. For me, this year alone has meant 17 trips to Chicago, all part of a transition I’m working through. I’ve also been to Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Ohio, and more. And with each trip, I find myself imagining how much simpler — and freer — life could be without rent, without leases, without the weight of a permanent address.

The idea of living out of a vehicle might strike some as a sign of desperation. But that’s not always the case. For many, it’s not about falling through the cracks of society — it’s about stepping off the treadmill. It’s about reclaiming time, finances, and energy. It’s a conscious, empowering choice made by people who’ve evaluated what truly matters to them.

Let’s be honest: renting or owning a home is expensive. Maintenance, utilities, property taxes — it all adds up fast. Now imagine trading that for a modest but well-organized vehicle. Join a gym for $25 a month, and you’ve got access to showers and clean bathrooms. Invest in a solar panel or a power bank and you can charge devices on the go. And thanks to the digital world, you can work remotely, freelance, or even build a career as a content creator while documenting your journey.

This lifestyle isn’t about giving up. For many, it’s about getting ahead in a different way.

But what’s sad — and frankly frustrating — is how quick people are to judge.

Too often, we view people living in cars as failures, as people who’ve “lost” in life. We look at them through a lens of pity or, worse, disdain. But many of those same people might be more financially secure than we think. No rent, no mortgage, low overhead — that’s a level of economic freedom some homeowners haven’t felt in years.

And here’s the kicker: many of the people judging don’t even own homes themselves. They’re renting, living paycheck to paycheck, maybe working two jobs just to stay afloat. But because they live in an apartment with four walls and a roof, they feel justified in looking down on those who live differently.

What they don’t realize is that alternative lifestyles like van life are becoming more common — not because people are giving up, but because they’re waking up. They’re realizing they don’t have to follow the same blueprint to be happy. That freedom doesn’t have to come with a white picket fence and a 30-year mortgage. That fulfillment can look like waking up beside a lake, working from a laptop in the desert, or spending time with loved ones rather than grinding just to cover bills.

Of course, there are people living in cars who are struggling. That’s real, and we should never overlook the pain and systemic issues behind homelessness and economic hardship.

But that’s not the whole story.

There’s also a growing group of people who are choosing this path with open eyes and open hearts. They’re carving out a different kind of success — one built not on square footage or status, but on intention and freedom.

So the next time you see someone living out of a van, don’t rush to assume. Maybe they’re not running from something. Maybe they’re running toward something better — on their own terms.

Because in a world full of noise and pressure, that kind of courage is something we should admire, not dismiss.

Sometimes, the road less traveled doesn’t lead to a dead end.

Sometimes, it leads home.