For the first time in my life, I saw a clear message and choice to make from the Universe, God, the Creator; whichever you prefer to call it. It was powerful and obvious and I really hope I made the right choice. It came the day before my 45^th birthday and was the first time I ever felt a clear message laid out before me.

When I was 28 years old, I moved into an apartment that I loved. As soon as I walked into it, I had felt like I was home. I made it my home for 8 years and made many happy memories there. I only left because I had started a new relationship, and combined we had 4 dogs, so a backyard and larger home was necessary. The dogs passed away and the relationship ended and more than 10 years later I found myself searching out and texting my old landlord looking for an apartment from him. I would have taken any unit he had, but he had none at the time, wished me luck and I had to find one somewhere else.

Fast forward to June of 2024. I had been informed that the building I was in was being sold. I was renting on agreement and had a good deal, which I knew would end once the building was in new hands. I had looked into buying a trailer in a park nearby but the cards were not being dealt in that direction, and I had been watching a lot of van-life videos on You Tube. Being a renter since 1999, and so by default, being one or two missed paychecks away from being homeless and forced to live in my car anyway, I decided to give it a go and convert my car into a mini camper.

I was in no means unprepared for this. I grew up camping and loving it. Was never a big chef and more of a take-out single person anyway, so I don’t miss having a full kitchen. And now I am enjoying the benefit of keeping the bulk of my paycheck, which had been handed over to landlords for 25 years. Being more minimalistic is more realistic in a vehicle as you can’t purchase tons of gadgets and marketed items. You have no where to keep them when not in use! I’m also experiencing less food waste, as I’m buying only the food that I am eating and with a tiny fridge that holds the necessities, there’s nothing growing mold in the back. Even the cold is very manageable, and that’s coming from someone who has always loved the warm weather, sundresses and sandals. Layers keep me warm when resting and a 0° sleeping bag keeps me warm at night. This is also a step OUT of the system that is strangling the common person. One less landlord is getting a paycheck because I have decided that I don’t buy into the disease of consumerism. I don’t need all that space to fill with things that I don’t need.

Two days before my birthday, I made a video to post on social media about the benefits of living in your vehicle. A commenter asked questions and through that she came to a decision her husband had been trying to get her to make. Her apprehension of what people would think when they moved their family into a trailer on someone’s property was keeping them in a rented apartment. Seeing my video allowed her to make the decision in favor of saving their rent money over what society thought of them. I was elated that I was able to help her make the decision and she was excited about the prospects for her future.

The very next day, my landlord sent me a text message informing me that not only was a unit going to be available in March 2025, but it was MY OLD APARTMENT! I had lived in 5 other apartments during the course of the 25 years of renting. That one was my favorite!! Here was the Universe asking me if I was really truly serious on my Rent Strike Quest. Are You REALLY Sure?! I read the text and needed to step outside of my office into the cold winter air. I needed to breathe fresh air and think. I felt like this was the biggest decision of my life.

I haven’t been paying rent for 6 months now so I have the money saved up. I got rid of big bulky things and only have a 5’x5’ storage unit that holds my most precious items; yearbooks, photo albums and such. The move would be easy and simple. I have the 1^st months rent and security. And once again, my paycheck would be handed over to a landlord. Yes, it would be my most favorite, fair and cool landlord, but still. My paycheck would be his. My vehicle is now a two-seater van with a bed in the back. I called my best friend and chatted for a few minutes. We talked about the past and the good memories that I had had in that apartment and I realized, as much as I loved it, I couldn’t go back. Another thought that came to mind as I spoke with my friend was the comment I took as a compliment from a co-worker. I work in accounting, and this co-worker follows the world economy, not just the US economy. In a previous conversation he had said, “…you made the right move. If anything were to happen, you are already ready…” I went back inside and messaged my old landlord that I was appreciative of his offer but was declining.

It’s not that I don’t see myself living more stable in the future. I may find a plot of land with a tiny house or trailer on it that speaks to me the way that old apartment did way back in 2008. But at this moment in time, I feel at home and life feels appropriate in my van. Someone once called me a “way show-er” and brought that terminology into my life. Okay then, I’ll be a wayshower! I am very happy in my van and if I can show others that we really don’t need a lot of crap to be happy I will.