23. Don’t Neglect Your Hygiene

Do your laundry. Brush your teeth. Wash your hands. Whenever possible, take a shower. The nomadic lifestyle might throw up a few roadblocks when it comes to staying clean and healthy, but you don’t want to turn into one of those smelly van guys, so put in the extra effort to not let cleanliness slide. A solar shower like this one from Advanced Elements can be a great investment, and when all else fails, a pack of wet wipes is man’s best friend. 

24. Sign Up for a Gym Membership

Sure, a gym membership will help you stay in shape on the road, but more importantly, it gives you a place to shower. When you sign up for a membership at a major nationwide chain like Anytime Fitness or Planet Fitness, you have access to thousands of free showers all across the US. 

25. Pack Some Survival Essentials

Bottom line, you might break down in the middle of the desert, and you don’t want to die out there. Always stash extra drinking water in your van, and stockpile some survival food rations so you never go hungry. Tools and first aid supplies are important too. 

26. Set Goals and Stick to a Schedule

One of the great things about van life is that you can set your own schedule and be spontaneous. But after a while, you can lose touch with your sense of time and purpose, and it may be helpful to set daily goals or establish a routine that you stick to, within reason. That might involve setting a morning wake-up alarm, establishing mileage goals, or tackling certain chores on certain days.

27. If There’s an Unbreakable Version, Get It

Things have a way of shifting and spilling while your vehicle is in motion, and few things will ruin your day faster than picking shards of glass out of your van’s carpet. Bottom line: skip fancy glassware and breakable plates in favor of stainless steel wine glasses and a rugged enamel dinnerware set.