Van life is hard. I shower at the gym and go to the bathroom at gas stations, but van life helped me

• Brianna Walston started van life on the road after being medically discharged from the military.
• She began in a Subaru and later upgraded to the van she has today, which has a stove but no toilet.
• Despite challenges from her endometriosis, she enjoys living on the road with her dog Chandler.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Brianna Walston, a content creator in Nevada who does van life full time.

Before I could make the leap into van life, I'd spent six years dreaming about it.

At the time, I was in the military, and also in a serious relationship. Due to this, my van plans fell to the wayside. But still I continued to talk about it and dream of it constantly.

Then my relationship ended, and I was medically discharged from the military. I knew I had my chance.

Still, it was a scary and hard transition. Up until then, I was working hard to become a pilot in the Air Force. My plan was to stay until retirement, but I got injured on deployment and had to get two hip surgeries. My injuries disqualified me from commissioning and flying. 

As I left the military, I felt a heavy lack of passion and purpose. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do as a civilian — but I did still have my dream of van life.

Without a van, I decided to hit the road and go

For the first time, I had the freedom to travel — so I went. I didn't have a van at the time, so I decided to convert my Subaru and hit the road with my dog, Chandler. 

I'd spent so much time researching van life that I felt prepared overall, but there were some challenges I had to figure out. For example,  I didn't have a space to cook inside like you would in a van. Instead I'd cook outside of my vehicle, but when it rained I couldn't do that. 

This would be tough for anyone, but especially for someone who has a strict diet like me. I have a high-protein, high-fiber diet and I can't eat red meat. Because of a medical condition, I'm not supposed to eat inflammatory foods like dairy, either.

Although that was difficult, some things were easy, like caring for my dog, Chandler. Even before van life, I planned a lot of my activities around her, and I do the same thing now. We go to state parks and public land, often in places that are super dog-friendly, like Colorado.

Chandler is great for safety, and she's my number one priority when I'm traveling. I love traveling with her.

After 6 months, I upgraded to a van

Although I wanted to transition from my Subaru to a van, I was worried about the expense. I felt torn —  until I went on a trip with my friends who have vans. I realized some of the conveniences they had, such as internet and the ability to cook inside, and decided it was time to shop for a van.

I ended up getting a Ford Transit, as it seemed reliable and affordable. Although Sprinters are common for van lifers, I knew they would be out of my budget.

My van life costs  

I work full-time as a content creator while on the road. My main expenses include:

• The van: My van cost $59,000, and I have a $55,000 loan that I pay back monthly, which I think of as "rent."
• Van insurance: This is $175 a month.
• Internet: My Starlink wifi is $150 a month.
• Gas: I budget $500 a month for gas.
• Food: I spend $400 a month on groceries and $100 a month on dining out.
• Gym: I have a Planet Fitness membership for $25 a month.

How I cook, shower, and use the bathroom

The van I have today feels like a mini home on wheels. I now cook normally, using a small stove. While I do have to be mindful of power, like anyone, I'm able to cook three meals a day or more.

As for showering, there are a few things I do. First, I go to Planet Fitness often. I take my fitness very seriously, and after working out, I will shower there a lot. You can almost always find me at a gym. Planet Fitness is widely the best gym membership for those doing van life, as there are so many of them. 

My van also came with a sink, which I can wash my hair in if needed. I also have a portable shower and keep big,  biodegradable body wipes on hand. It may sound weird, but the body wipes are something I used to use in the military, and they've just transitioned into my life on the road.

One thing I don't have is a toilet. When I need to go, I head to the gas station, or I will go to the bathroom outdoors. I camped and hiked a lot growing up, so it isn't a second thought for me. 

How I handle medical care

One challenge I've seen for both myself and many other van lifers is the access to medical care. I have endometriosis, which is extremely painful and causes more intense periods. The bleeding frequency and intensity can feel insane.

But when you don't have a permanent address, they can't mail your medicine to you. Although I can go to an emergency room anywhere, when it comes to the clinical and specialty care I need, I have to be with my home team or else transfer my care and restart the entire process over, including my initial appointments. That's why I try to take care of as many appointments as I can when I'm in my home state Nevada. 

Van life is a scary decision – but I say, do it scared 

Starting van life was a huge, scary decision. It was hard leaving my three-year relationship and the military and deciding to live my life on the road. 

But, if I've learned anything, it's this: Do it scared. This three-word phrase is something I've even tattooed onto my body. 

A lot of people think they're not capable, that they can't afford a van, that they just can't do it. But really, the beauty of life is having the ability to try.

That's why I'd tell anyone who is interested in van life: Do it scared, and definitely go for it. 

If you have a fun, unique home and would like to share your story, email Alyshia Hull at ahull@insider.com.

Watch: This van transforms into the ultimate adventure vehicle

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