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By Leonie Helm
Life Reporter
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Many people dream of giving everything up and living the nomadic life, quitting their jobs and roaming around the world, but very few end up taking the plunge. Financial ambiguity and fear of loneliness are two common reasons people stick to what they know.
Annie Wonderlich, 40, lived in Los Angeles for 15 years before the COVID-19 pandemic brought about the downfall of her business and the loss of her home.
"I found myself sleeping in rental cars and seeking refuge at a friend's house, grappling with financial insecurity and a sense of vulnerability," Wonderlich told Newsweek. "During this period, I daydreamed about freedom, reminiscing about my adventurous childhood. Frustrated by my confinement in LA during the lockdown, I turned to the van life culture on social media, sketching my dream van. At the age of 37, unmarried, childless, and jobless, I wondered how I could turn this dream into reality."
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The number of American van lifers has increased 63 percent over the last couple of years, according to Yahoo Finance, going from 1.9 million in 2020 to 3.1 million in 2022.
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California, Colorado, Florida, Oregon and Washington are among the states with the largest population of van lifers in the country.
Wonderlich's mother is from Thailand, and her father, who fought in the Vietnam War, is American.
"Despite our limited means, my dad's love for spontaneous travel defined our family," she said. "He would often announce, 'Hey kids, let's go to McDonald's,' and in no time, we'd be piling into the car, winding up at a McDonald's in a completely different state, embarking on month-long summer road trips.
"Throughout my childhood, I explored the vast expanse of America, from sprawling cities to tiny hamlets, sleeping in the car or camping in tents. My older sister and I took turns riding shotgun with my dad, reading mile markers and consulting a paper map to chart our course. This is where my insatiable sense of adventure originated."
After the loss of her business Wonderlich took odd jobs, eventually amassing $3,000 to buy a 1988 Dodge Ram van, which represented her last dollar.
"Buying the van left me without even enough funds for gas or food. I have been poor before, it didn't scare me, I was wholeheartedly committed to this endeavour," she said.
Four months in to her nomadic lifestyle, Wonderlich suffered a small brain aneurysm leading to a short stint in an intensive care unit.
"Despite my fears, I resumed my life on the road within weeks," she said, and it was at this time that she welcomed eight-week old puppy Charlie, and eight-week old kitten Emilie in to her life.
"We embarked on a shared journey, exploring some of America's most breathtaking locations," she said. "These companions played a crucial role in helping me heal emotionally from the trauma of my brain bleed and the associated anxiety, as well as the loneliness that often crept in."
Wonderlich turned 40 while still figuring out her van life, grappling with financial struggles and societal pressures.
"For months, I concealed my age from many people, feeling isolated and alone during this period," said Wonderlich. "However, spending ample time in nature allowed me to heal and reevaluate societal norms. I now use my platform to assist other women in embracing the concept of aging differently than anticipated. I advocate that 40 is still a youthful age."
Nearly two out of three women age 50 and older say they are regularly discriminated against according to the American Association of Retired Persons and those experiences can take a toll on their mental health.
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"There's a prevailing notion that youth holds power, but I firmly disagree" said Wonderlich, who has told the story of her van life on social media. "In my view, the real power lies in growing older, self-discovery, and acquiring knowledge. There exists a societal stigma dictating that women should marry and start families by a certain age, with the notion that if they haven't, they've somehow fallen short in life.
"It reduces one's identity to their marital status, children, home, and career, despite the vast dimensions of our lives. Aging, even acquiring wrinkles, often draws disapproval. This pressure can leave women feeling diminished if they choose an alternative path.
"At 40, I'm embarking on a new chapter in my life. I remain single, childless, and without a permanent residence, preferring the solace of nature. I've launched a new business, and my life is just beginning at 40, with plenty of the world and life left to explore."
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