We all desire change at some point in our life, be it big or small. Not all of us act upon it, but there are those who do in very drastic ways.
Linnea Schmelzer of Wisconsin had felt the call of the wild for years upon years. In a grand decision to follow her heart, she quit her job and ended her long-term relationship, and now lives in a van in the wilds.
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Linnea Schmelzer currently lives in the wilderness of Idaho with her dog, Akela, in a van she calls Togo.
Her life wasn’t always like this, though. Before she decided to commit to a van lifestyle, she was in a long-term, committed relationship and had a job she loved as a field instructor for a wilderness therapy company.
However, she knew it wasn’t what her heart truly wanted, so she decided to uproot everything and make some major changes.
“I did enjoy my life prior to the van […],” she said in an interview with The Daily Mail . “I knew in my heart that my life wasn’t really what I wanted it to be. I was seeking more depth, purpose, travels and experiences, so I decided to get Togo.”
She said her breakup with her partner was amicable, they’re still great friends today, and she now runs an online health business in place of her old job.
Her van was quite the renovation project, but one she was happy to do.
Her van, Togo, cost her $20,000 to buy and an extra $7,500 to transform into the home she has today.
She did all the work herself, adding a solar power system for electricity, but forgoing running water. Instead, she relies on public bathrooms and a shower tent to stay clean.
“My build is very simple; no shower, no water pump, no toilet – but I knew that I would be perfectly happy without those luxuries.”
And while Linnea did leave the people she knew behind, she doesn’t travel alone, because she has her dog by her side at all times.
Akela, a German shepherd, has been along for the entire ride. Though she’s a larger dog, Linnea says she fits in perfectly. “She is my ultimate travel partner and companion, and I can’t imagine doing any of this without her.”
Linnea explained that Akela isn’t just around for company. “She is also protective of the van and myself, which makes me feel much more comfortable knowing that she will always warn me of danger.'”
All in all, Linnea couldn’t be happier with her new way of life, and doesn’t regret a thing.
“I love living the way I do. I value my alone time and being in nature,” Linnea explained. “I am often at peace, excited for what I will witness or see in each area and I mostly feel really grounded.”
“I truly think it’s beautiful that we all have different definitions of living a content life.”
h/t: Daily Mail
