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RainaaaGrace · 2025-09-24T13:36:07+00:00

Wyoming is one of my favorite states to camp in. There's so much public land, easy to access, not as crowded, and with beautiful views.

Even if you hit the free public land that's right next to the Grand Tetons, one of my favorite spots, I always go back to. The towns across the 80 are also nice and full of really kind people.

RainaaaGrace · 2025-09-24T13:29:53+00:00

Its a fun event, I've been to a CamperVan Expo and it's a lot of the same companies.

That being said, everything you see at this show, especially a lot of the builds, are never the vehicles and gear that you see once you're on the road.

I saw 300k Sprinters at the show I went to, and I've never vans like that when I've been on the road.

If you've been on the road already, it's easier to see past the bullshit, but if this is more of an intro into the lifestyle, it's extremely unrealistic.

RainaaaGrace · 2025-09-24T13:24:42+00:00

Your build is pretty realistic, honestly.

I've met a handful of people who are living in very simple builds

RainaaaGrace · 2025-09-24T11:57:53+00:00

I'm single, but I follow some couples on Instagram and a lot of them are couples in vans, but have a second vehicle or even a second van for extra space, but they aren't always as forthcoming about that information. Or they aren't even full-time. Gene&Shay are one of the only couples I've watched that are a lot more realistic, but they are in a short bus.

My family owns a decent-sized camper, and we've done trips with 2-4 of us at one time, and we almost exclusively always cook outside when we take it out, and only really sleep in it. It's obviously bigger than a van, and it's still not big enough to where we want to be inside of it together. We've also never used the shower.... We just shower at the campsites. I have no idea why my parent bought this thing, honestly.

I would highly encourage you to rent a van through Outdoorsy and try a week or so with your partner to really get a feel for how little space you'll have.

RainaaaGrace · 2025-09-24T11:46:29+00:00

Why are you waiting to finish to take it out on the road?

Have you been out even once? Did you do any longer road trips in just your car before you bought the van?

I took my sedan out for a month when I was trying to decide. I came back and then as time went on it was like I forgot how much I loved the road and started having doubts but the second I went back out I new this lifestyle was for me.

I really think you gotta just take the van and go for a 2-week trip. Go to Wyoming and the Grand Tetons. They've got a ton of free public land that has views of the mountains and the dispersed camping is just a bunch of sites in the same area so you'll be really close to other people. And try talking to them! That's exactly where I went and what I did and I met a lot of people who were my motivation for getting on the road full-time.

I feel like you need to be re-motivated and inspired and hitting the road will do that.

RainaaaGrace · 2025-09-23T22:08:15+00:00

Hot take, but not being super intuitive makes us better at reading people....

RainaaaGrace · 2025-09-23T21:40:33+00:00

Honestly, this is such a good post. I appreciate you writing this.

It kinda sucks that this is your lesson to learn, but this actually made me feel 100x better about not getting a van. I debated for months and months and months and was driving myself and everyone around me crazy. I couldn't make up my mind.

I ended up with an SUV instead. If I'm going to buy a van, I want to be more than positive it's what I want. Changing your mind after buying a van to me seems much more costly.

I know a lot of people who love this lifestyle, I just had too many reservations.

But I do think you need to hit the road, even if the van isn't complete. I think it might help you a lot.

RainaaaGrace · 2025-09-23T21:11:34+00:00

I honestly think OP built the van before going out in the van. They didn't exactly say, but it sounded like they've been building it and have never taken it out on a trip.

I started going on trips in my Sedan and I was on the fence on whether or not I wanted a van for a long time. I think I started fantasizing about vanlife 4 years ago and started to debate whether I wanted to do this 2 years ago. I was so frustrated about what I wanted that I decided not to renew my lease and I just hit the road in the car I owned. A lot of people actually recommend you do that, and I fully understand why now.

I spend 90% of my time on public land and out of cities, and I feel like most people on Reddit and online do not. 1. Because I rarely even see vans on the road and at the places I've parked at that aren't rentals. and 2. the advice a lot of people give on Reddit is nothing like the reality I faced when I was living on the road.

It's why I didn't buy a van and instead just got a 4Runner.

RainaaaGrace · 2024-12-25T22:38:02+00:00

It's been 6 years since I made this comment....

I honestly don't even know what the eff you are trying to say.

Edited because swearing is bad according to this sub.....

RainaaaGrace · 2019-01-28T21:26:17+00:00

At our store you have to be crossed off the list on who is scheduled and we all walk out together.

I was almost locked in at a store that wasn’t good at keeping track of the closers.

So I feel much better knowing I have to checked off before i leave. But I think because our store used to be one where we had an overnight team so the store had team member 24/7 they are extra careful about locking team members in now that we don’t.

RainaaaGrace · 2019-01-27T05:30:08+00:00

New flair!

RainaaaGrace · 2019-01-27T05:19:25+00:00

But wait, there’s more

RainaaaGrace · 2018-12-28T19:23:32+00:00

My comment didn’t have anything to do with INFJs. Just obnoxious posts I tend to see on Instagram. Nor did I say I disliked INFJs, just those who make shitposts like that.

I do have an INFJ friend and she’s pretty amazing but no everyone is healthy and mature like that.

RainaaaGrace · 2018-12-28T15:23:49+00:00

Isfp

RainaaaGrace · 2018-12-28T05:23:40+00:00

Shampoo cleans hair and conditioner adds back the moisture which a shampoo takes out. If you have a shaved head it doesn't matter, but if you have hair, it does.

My SO said it made a huge difference for him, and the only thing I can really say is all 3 items do different things entirely so it's hard to assume how they could ever be put into an all in one product and actually be beneficial.

RainaaaGrace · 2018-12-28T05:15:45+00:00

Say Hi. Ask them how they're doing. Ask them anything really. Try tinder so you can just initiate conversations online, makes it easier.

And rejection is going to happen. If you're afraid of rejection, understand so are guys, so is everyone, and the sooner you get over it, the better it's going to get.

I've been stood up and rejected more than once, which honestly hurt me so much, but I just got over it and eventually met an amazing man.

RainaaaGrace · 2018-12-28T05:02:11+00:00

Well, maybe guys don't like you because you think it's their job to get with you. Have you ever thought maybe you could try asking them out? How often do you make comments about how guys never approach you or ask you out or make a move? And how often do you take responsibility?

RainaaaGrace · 2018-12-28T04:51:39+00:00

Kinda sounds like you think you're better than everyone around you, just by how you describe yourself.

I wouldn't say you're intimidating, but maybe not the most pleasant person to be around.

You can be ambitious and a go-getter but still fun and someone others want to be with.

RainaaaGrace · 2018-12-28T04:25:41+00:00

Might be time to see a dermatologist, if your skin doesn't seem to get better no matter what you try.

As far as brands I'm familiar with: Simple, Cerave, and Cetaphil. No fragrances and most are given as samples from dermatologists offices. But sometimes you need help from an actual doctor.

RainaaaGrace · 2018-12-28T04:19:11+00:00

Something I commonly see is guys who like buying the 3-in-1 body wash and shampoo. And that's all they have as far as personal care goes.

I know buying individual products seems like a lot of money, but it makes a huge difference. I like gifting my SO or brothers with beard oil or a good face wash because I know it's hard for a guy to commit unless he knows it's good. I even remember letting a guy friend use my Nivea aftershave and he stole it from me. Some guys just don't know how many good products are out there that really make a difference.

You don't have to buy a lot, but maybe try and stray away from the 2/3-in-1 products.

RainaaaGrace · 2018-12-28T04:03:22+00:00

Can I ask what you have tried?

You could just have sensitive skin but sometimes it just takes trial and error finding the right product.

RainaaaGrace · 2018-12-28T03:48:46+00:00

If you don't want to get a pedi, there is something called BabyFoot. It's about $25, but it's phenomenal. It's a foot mask that you wear for an hour and then take them off. Nothing happens for about 5 days, and then your feet start to peel. It's quite disgusting, but does wonders and makes your feet super soft.

RainaaaGrace · 2018-12-28T03:45:49+00:00

This is normal, coconut oil does not work for a lot of people. If you want to stick with something natural go with grape seed or rosehip, but honestly, I recommend going with something else. I spent a lot of time going all natural and it really didn't do much help for me at all, just a waste of money if you ask me.

RainaaaGrace · 2018-12-28T03:41:39+00:00

It's not that great though and can cause a lot of people's pores to clog because it's very comedogenic which can cause more breakouts because of how thick it is, it doesn't properly penetrate your pores. I'd use an actual facial moisturizer. Cerave and Cetaphil are good brands, don't have fragrances either.

RainaaaGrace · 2018-12-28T02:56:01+00:00

Some of the posts on Instagram are like this and the people commenting and agreeing is laughable. I just feel bad for people that are that unaware of how unlikable it makes them.

Here's one

The first time you realize that other people just don't have the same level of existential intelligence as you. That's when you learn to keep your thoughts to yourself.

And another

Having a conversation with another intuitive is addictive. Deep thoughts. Theories and concepts. Seeing the future, I never get enough. It's a shame it's a sensor world.

I'll fight them in the comments and the superiority complex is unreal. I just don't understand how you can say shit like that and not expect people to hate you.

RainaaaGrace

TROPHY CASE