(NewsNation Now) — So-called “van life” picked up steam during the pandemic, when people packed up their lives and hit the road for freedom, nature and fresh air. To some, it’s seen as a referendum on materialism and the status quo.
The minimalistic lifestyle is now being talked about across the country in the wake of the Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie case.
Six months ago, Quin Gable, 29, quit her corporate job and converted a van to become a nomad with her two cats.
“You can do whatever you want, wherever you want,” Gable said. “You can choose to be with people who are like-minded; you can choose to be with people who maybe put you outside of your comfort zone.”
Gable, now a brand ambassador, is part of the growing trend: people who can work remotely and see the natural wonders of the country. While there are no exact numbers as to how many people choose to live in their vans, there have been more than 2.1 billion TikTok views under the hashtag #vanlife.
“We’re kind of following each other throughout the state or the national parks, or by myself, you know, alone, just going from place to place,” Gable said.
