Living as a nomad for the past 2 and a half years has not only deepened my sense of gratitude, but has also helped me find joy in the simplest things, marking a profound transformation in my life. In today’s fast-paced world, we are often so wrapped up with our responsibilities that the abundance of daily blessings can easily be overlooked. Adopting a traveler’s minimalist lifestyle has shifted my perspective, allowing me to view the world differently. I appreciate the immense fortune of my daily experiences, hug the ones I love a little tighter, and fully absorb each precious moment. Despite the challenges of living out of a 4runner in both urban and rural settings, this experience is irreplaceable, and I have no regrets.
Below are the 5 simple, but cherished treasures I will never take for granted again.
1. Private Hot Shower/ Bath
Believe it or not, finding showers as a nomad isn’t difficult, at least not in this day and age. The internet has made several resources accessible to everyone, offering various options for you to utilize on the road. I currently have a Planet Fitness membership, but previously, I used an app called ClassPass. Sometimes that app grants you access to private gyms with amenities like saunas or steam rooms. Despite these conveniences, having your own private shower is something I know I will never take for granted again. During long winter months, I often find myself missing the steaming candle-lit bubble baths I used to enjoy, accompanied by either classical or meditation music in the background, and surrounded by my bathroom decor —crystals, edison bulbs, plants, beautiful art hanging on the walls, and the scent of palo santo. It’s a ritual that resets my system and brings me peace of mind, and I will it cherish always.
2. A Hot Soup or Meal in Cold Weather
There have been several moments where I’ve craved nothing more than a hot bowl of soup while driving through the middle of nowhere. When it’s freezing out, the last thing you want to do is pull over and tackle the task of setting up your camping stove just to enjoy the comfort of a warm meal, especially at night. Fast food is always an option, but let’s be real—I don’t enjoy it, and it typically serves as a last resort for me. After driving thousands of miles across the country, I now hold a deep appreciation for the plentiful hole-in-wall Asian restaurants that offer delicious (and budget-friendly) bowls of delicious broth.
I can still remember the immense delight I’ve experienced in the parking lot of several small towns, as I inhaled the fragrant steam, slowly slurped and savored every last drop of piping hot soup, soaking in all flavors with my eyes closed and letting out content sighs of satisfaction, before resuming my journey. It’s easy to forget how incredibly lucky you are when you have your own kitchen at your disposal; you can create anything you’d like, whenever you’d like. Being nomadic has transformed my love of food into a somewhat religious experience. I pause and enjoy it fully; and my heart swells at the thought of the hands and effort that went into creating every bite I nourish my body with. Wonton, Egg Drop, Tom Kha, and Miso soup will always have a special place in my heart.
3. A Refrigerator
Listen, I am fully aware that there are mini size fridges, which I could technically fit into my 4runner. However, when I first set out on this journey, I could think of several other ways to use the money I’d be spending on a highly dependable power station— leading me to opt for the more budget-friendly option: a 28 Gallon YETI cooler. I am still very happy with my choice. Besides the mildly annoying task of cleaning and draining this cooler, I have no complaints. It fits nicely in my limited space, and is able to store sufficient food and drinks for those long camping trips. Despite this, I do love the convenience of keeping more items cold and ready, without worrying about ice melting and ruining my meals. I usually store veggies, butter, and salads in reusable bags, and have a plastic container designed to hold a carton of eggs. Sometimes accidents happen: melted ice water drips into the bags or something breaks in the cooler, and then I have a bit of a mess to clean up. When I am staying with friends or family I often smile when I open the simple, but precious man-made machine that stores all the food so neatly and perfectly, with zero concern over what shifted, broke or got soaked with cooler water. It’s pretty funny that an inanimate object that I never really thought twice about, can bring me so much relief and peace of mind.
4. A Bed
People are often curious to learn how I sleep comfortably in my 4Runner. For the last 2 years, my makeshift bed—a soft 4 inch. Exped Mat which rested atop a wooden platform—had worked out great. This setup was not only cozy, it also conveniently served as storage for my clothes and kitchen supplies. Recently, however, I dismantled the platform bed, donated all but one of the storage boxes, and bought a thicker foam mattress to lay on top of the Exped Mat, and floor of the truck bed. This change has significantly improved the quality of my sleep, and also afforded me extra space for my daily activities, such as working on my laptop, reading, strumming my guitar, and even watching a movie during a rainy day.
Despite this setup serving me so well, there have been times when I wake up feeling unrested, especially when I sleep in loud areas, or streets that aren’t quite level. I’ve found the East Coast often has roads that tilt dramatically, presumably for drainage purposes, making the quest for level ground a bit more challenging than on the West Coast. Although I am someone who adjusts to new locations very quickly, the parking situation in New York City was quite tricky when I first arrived. 24 hour gym parking lots, my usual havens, aren’t an option here, and the parking restrictions can be frustrating. Thankfully, a year later, I’ve now pinpointed my favorite spots, and have become very familiar with the city’s once complex and daunting layout.
Although I am entirely accustomed to this lifestyle by now, it hasn’t diminished my love of returning to a traditional bed. Now whenever I rent an airbnb, or sleep at a friend’s place, I make the most of it: stretching my body out like a starfish, usually sleeping with several pillows, and beaming at the fact that I can simply wake up and walk over to the kitchen to make myself a hot beverage in the early morning. Indeed it’s the little things in life that matter most.
5. Southern California Mexican Food
It’s been well over a year since I drove to East Coast, making cities like New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Virginia feel like home. Usually when I hear something negative about this side of the country, I listen, but remain skeptical. I’ve found that people often love to repeat things without knowing if they’re true, and form harsh judgements based on their own negative experiences. So, I explore and form my own opinions, keeping an open mind and giving every place I visit a chance.
I’d always heard that the Mexican food in New York City— and the East Coast in general— couldn’t hold a candle to Socal’s Mexican food. Since I’ve arrived, I have tried several truck stops and shops, hoping to prove that wrong, but honestly, I’ve found this to be true. I’ve yet to find a place that offers fresh, buttery handmade flour tortillas, packed with neon green guacamole, and the mouthwatering salsas that are so abundant in Southern California. Even the carne asada tastes different to me here, and I’ve honestly stopped looking for something that matches my favorite stops in LA and San Diego. That said, the delightful exception is the birria tacos, they taste very similar to the ones I’ve had in Tijuana, Baja California, and I was beyond happy to find them one sunny day.
Since I’m currently living a life without tacos and burritos, my diet has naturally diversified, embracing flavors from Caribbean, Indian, African, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Italian dishes. I feel very fortunate to have such wonderful options at my disposal, and have grown to love all of these cuisines more than ever. Savoring the variety of food here has made me feel more connected to this side of the country. It also makes every visit back home extra special, knowing I have a limited amount of time to enjoy my favorite comfort food.
As I continue on this journey, I am constantly reminded of the immense value found in the small, often unnoticed aspects of life. My path may be less traditional, but the lessons and memories I’ve gathered along the way are treasures I will never take for granted.
