Part-Time Van Life combined with Home Life: Freedom OR Frustration?

[@MyVagabondAdventures]

Nothing wrong with having a stable Homebase, a place you can return to when the times call. You can still be out months on the road, enjoying the freedom and new cultural experiences and when it’s time to recharge you can return to your Homebase until the next adventure. Many in the vanlife community do this and are not full time as such, so don’t be hard on yourself. Keep up the content no matter what you film, it’s enjoyable, you’re enjoyable.

[@jackvandean]

It's all about finding that balance, right? Thanks for the encouragement!

[@MyVagabondAdventures]

@@jackvandean definitely 👍🏻 and once found then life will become more enjoyable.

[@southernfriedheathen994]

Mom always warned me "Never get in a van with a stranger!". Which I always thought was ridiculous, because why would I??? After watching this gorgeous man for the last 15 minutes, I gotta say "F#@& it! I'm getting in!!!" 😍 ... sorry Mom.

[@edwardd8102]

🤦🏾‍♂️lmao

[@art2voice]

🤣

[@art2voice]

"Ever tried, ever failed. No matter. Try again, fail again. Fail better." ❤ You've come a long and hard way, Jack. And You're far from having failed. You are on a journey and the first 4 months went quite well. Follow Your dream. Having a base like Yours produces bills, but it gives You a place where You can fall back to. Dont give up 👍👍 🙏😇🖖

[@jackvandean]

Your belief in me means a lot, thank you for the motivation!

[@art2voice]

@@jackvandean Sometimes even the Coach needs a Coach, no worries Jack 👍🙏😇

[@asaintpi]

Love the pics of Avignon et son pont. When it warms up in Belgium, please go to a beach so I can see more pics of you in your Speedo, handsome.

[@jackvandean]

Maybe I'll start a trend with Speedo pics in different cities! Stay tuned.

[@henklooose2372]

I never lived in a van or traveled solo in general. I think for me, a mix between having a "base," a structured life with responsibilities, and maybe about 3 months of traveling a year would be great. But that's just a theory 🫣 Regarding bills, have you thought about doing something like "digital-nomad-style"? For example teaching english online (italkie and co)?

[@jackvandean]

So, you're like a hybrid between a homebody and a wanderluster? I think you might have just created a new lifestyle category!

[@JonTanOsb]

I've found that most of the successful van life KZbinrs have a home base. And those who have sold their house and jumped into it, have regrets and escape, when they can't take van life anymore, to a hotel or an Air B&B. A lot have their van up for sale and jump back into the rat race. So don't be in a hurry to sell your house (which we all want a tour of) and be on the road full-time. Enjoy both lives. And get your bills by email. :) You can still travel and live in your van as a substitute teacher. Cheers. Jon in rural BC, Canada

[@keepitreal1547]

I concur with you & I'm in the position to do as you say, but in my country there's still excessive outgoings to pay on the house, whether I'm there or not. I'm guessing it's the same for Jack. Home tax, gas & electricity standing charges etc. My home outgoings are equivalent to €300euros per month...there or not. So basically keeping your home is a great idea & for many reasons, but it'll cost you to do so, even when away from it travelling.

[@mikeainsworth5840]

The only true learning comes from failure. Consequently, the only failure is giving in. Keep going Jack we need you back

[@jackvandean]

Failure is just a plot twist in the story of success. Your words are like a good plot twist too, keeping me motivated. Let's write a next chapter, shall we!

[@swirlgalaxy]

Howdy Jack, you sexy beast!! Love the into of you walking out of the surf!!!! Love your home, it's so chic!! It surely is a failure, it was just a first trial run!!! Big bear hugs from Kenny in Ohio USA

[@jackvandean]

Hey Kenny, thanks for the awesome feedback! Keep those bear hugs coming all the way from Ohio!

[@jabberwokky8]

It’s refreshing to watch a vanlife channel where the realities of this lifestyle are not edited out. 🙂👍

[@jackvandean]

I am sure I am not original in that concept - but trying to give an honest look into my "van life" ... Thanks for watching my video. Hope you stick around for the "to be continued" part

[@MichelleWalling69]

I just want to thank you for sharing your interesting life with us. No matter what you are doing…home life or van life…I’m hooked!

[@jackvandean]

Your support means the world to me! I appreciate you watching and sticking around.

[@justinlinnane8043]

Chuckled when I saw you'd added the speedo's shot to you opening !!😂😂 On the van life home life balance. I Jumped into the deep end and went full time but still have to balance earning money with travelling so return to the Uk often for work . Now looking for a base in a warmer part of Europe to call home and will travel in the Hymer from there . There's no "one way" to do it so just do "your ' thing and enjoy !!

[@jackvandean]

Haha, glad the speedo shot brought a smile to your face! Balancing work and travel is a skill, but you've got this!

[@martielondon]

Hope that everything gets sorted out and that you will get back on the road again. And love the intro of the video 😍😘😘

[@ripeyellowjockuk]

Welcome home! Missed you last week. I don’t think you are a failure, quite the opposite! I couldn’t imagine travelling alone. You always bring a smile to my face. You are so engaging with your story telling… good luck with the alternator…. And good luck with finding a new job. Looking forward to seeing you soon with an update! Best wishes from London xx

[@jackvandean]

Hey, thanks for the warm welcome home! Your message made my day, and I can't wait to share more updates with you soon. Cheers from across the pond!

[@keepitreal1547]

Love what you do Jack, youre just one of those guys that many can relate to...& in a relaxing manner. All the very very best in whatever you decide.

[@jackvandean]

I guess being relatable and relaxing is my superpower haha?

[@richardclarke1157]

Jack, I’m a lot older than you and thankfully have a lot newer 2020 sprinter camper van which I’ve had since new, well the van anyway and had it professionally converted, I’m quite good with my own company but it can get lonely if you don’t have a goal to keep moving, but mostly travel with my wife, please keep going I missed your blogs, I think there called, I’m 80 still up for camper van life

[@TimAnnear_1961]

Live life and love life no matter where you are.

[@jackvandean]

Right on !! Thanks

[@debspaul6635]

If you ever have the opportunity head to the west coast of Scotland , Glencoe and the Isle of Skye , it’s incredible. be careful summertime the midges are awful . April/May , October is good 👍😊

[@jackvandean]

My maiden voyage with Dean was a tour through the UK in September last year - visiting an old highschool friend of mine in the Kilbride area, near Glasgow. I had such a great time in Scotland - though I did not venture out too much north. I loved Edinburgh. My time was limited due to work. So definitely Want to re-visit !! Oh and yes - THOSE MIDGES !!

[@renatoscutube]

I was wondering where you were... So, that's the bear cave... From a person who sometimes takes things too seriously to another - relax. I guess that the important is not giving yourself labels, but finding your way of doing things... Oh, I like a lot metal objects and loved the decoration (sculpure??) on the wall.

[@jackvandean]

Haha, yeah, the bear cave is my secret lair! Don't worry, I'll try to relax a bit more.

[@doofdoofsf]

Really enjoying the videos. Looking forward to seeing how you make sense of home life vs van life.

[@jackvandean]

You and me both haha ! Will report !

[@sandyallen1610]

Don’t give up Jack you have come a long way and once Dean is fixed plans can start up again. I look forward to watching your channel and the last four months have been a learning curve for you. Building up your finances and making new plans sounds great. And happy birthday 🎉🎂 it’s also my birthday too this month on the 17th April. We are the same age. Go follow your dreams and relax more. Carry on making those memories. From the uk 🇬🇧

[@jackvandean]

Who knew our birthdays were so close! Looks like we're destined to be birthday buddies. Keep watching those memories unfold on my channel! Happy Birthday !!

[@insandity1]

I will watching where ever you travel be it part time or full time. I simply really enjoy your vlogs. 😊

[@jackvandean]

Your kind words motivate me to keep creating content. Thank you for watching!

[@jimwhitman3678]

Welcome home!! Happy Birthday 🎂 I love the intro in your “Birthday Suit” looking forward to the next chapter! Cheers

[@jackvandean]

Thanks so much! Glad to have you on board

[@wilfer9008]

Good question you raise bout working and producing content! I didnt know how much effort it is to produce content.

[@jackvandean]

It's definitely a lot of work, but it's also so rewarding to see your hard work pay off!

[@EdwardDonnan]

Hey Jack,, I think you have many secret admirers that you have picked up on your travels . Anyway , I feel for you as "the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry", A quote that Steinbeck got the glory but was written by Robert Burns, So don't let the head trip of a alternator take the glory of your youtube channel and return to Jack Van Dean Life as there is so much more for you out there

[@jackvandean]

Robert Burns ? The one whose bench I sat on in Gretna Green, Scotland ? That Robert Burns ? Thanks for your kind words ... as a friend once says - and then life, she moves on ....

[@EdwardDonnan]

@@jackvandean Yep , That Robert Burns, “We’ll take a cup o’kindness yet For auld lang syne.” Cheers

[@user-yy3jv1yw8n]

You could always teach your subjects onlin. Skillshare, Patreon and so on, many opportunities for teachers. XXX

[@jackvandean]

Who needs a classroom when you can teach in your pajamas from home, right?

[@AnxiousGary]

I follow a few gay full time RVers and van lifers. I feel like the youtube algorithm did a good job recommending you to a niche audience and your videos are performing better than many others. Seems like you have crossover appeal too. I'm no social media expert or whatever, but I feel like most of us don't care that you have an adorable little house and we'd probably watch you go camping in your van wherever, whenever. Assuming the alternator ever decides to cooperate. I'm sure lots of viewers would be invested in house life stuff too. That being said, be careful showing the front of your house in videos. In fact I'd recommend against it entirely.

[@jackvandean]

Hey thank you (or thank the algorithm) for finding me ... Now why did I think I was "the only one in the village" ? Haha. Apart from a lovely couple (Come along Dear), I know of none other. Wouldn't mind checking out what the others get up to. So feel free to share their channels. As for showing my house - hadn't even considered it might be a security issue. Thanks for pointing it out !

[@masfachryhamim2994]

Amazing... 😘😘😘💖💖💖

[@chirovandenbos2339]

Do what makes you happy.....its failure if you live a life like a lot unhappy stuck in the system

[@jackvandean]

Who needs a system when you can create your own rules and be happy, right?

[@chirovandenbos2339]

​@@jackvandean yes jack, true.... People are programmed robot slaves of the system thinking happyness starts with extern factors like status, money, material things that means nothing and its relativ and an illusion create by society. If your happyness depend on extern factors you will never be because extern factors are endless. Happyness starts inside you. The more people around you, the more expectations, talk about others, lying, frustrations, negativity, jealousy, double standards, violent, sneakyness, own benefits, hate, comparing, judge etc...... reflection of their broken souls.....sad and i understand because every path is different. I dont feel better or superior then others but more be carefully and awake. Alone or in solitude you have more strength, peace, power, happyness, freedom and time. Be the light in your own life.