Have you ever imagined leaving it all behind and embarking on a completely different life adventure? This is the story of Melissa Hungerford, a courageous woman who decided to give up her career as a nurse and embark on a journey across the country in her van. But this nomadic life has its downsides, and Melissa has an important warning.
Read more: End of Paradise: Why are digital nomads coming home?
desire for freedom
After eight grueling years on the job, Melissa felt it was time for a change. “Life as a hospital nurse involved long hours and I worked nights so my sleep schedule was a bit crazy. There were definitely days when I was exhausted,” she says.
She bought a converted van and has since visited 38 of the 50 states in the United States, with a goal of visiting the other 12 by the end of the year. Her passion for nature and her desire for freedom drove her to take this unconventional path.
While Melissa loves her new life on the road, she admits there are challenges too. One of the biggest is her distance from her husband, Todd, who works in the music industry. They only see each other every four to six weeks. Melissa confesses that she misses him very much, but his job doesn’t allow him to accompany her on her travels.
Photo: Instagram/Playback
unusual solution
To balance her passion for travel with her desire to continue working as a nurse, Melissa decided to become a traveling nurse. During her travels, she works in various children’s wards, combining her job with her nomadic life.
Melissa converted her van into an RV and invested in customizing the space to suit her needs. She created a bed, cabinets, countertops and even a composting toilet. Though Melissa misses some of the comforts of a traditional home, she has no plans to return just yet.
Prepare for setbacks
She encourages anyone who wants to experience life in a van, but has an important warning: be prepared for setbacks and know how to deal with them. Not everything is perfect as it seems on social media. Melissa reminds us that there will be difficult and unforeseen moments, but the key is not giving up and enjoying the journey you have chosen for yourself.