Why I Spent a Year Living in a Van | D.J. Podgorny | TEDxUIUC
Life has it's complexities, D.J. explores what it means to simplify ones life to its most fundamental form.
DJ Podgorny
Doug Podgorny Jr. (DJ) is an alumni of the Univeristy of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Having studied Mechanical Engineer during his time here and having interned at several consulting companies, DJ decided to move to the Silicon Valley full-time to become a business analyst at eBay. There was just one problem: how was he to move his entire life, all of his belongings, halfway across the country? Through much introspection, DJ threw away most of his belongings, and ultimately decided to take minimalism to a new level and live in a van instead of a cozy apartment of house. Through his experiment with living life to the simplest, DJ is looking forward to sharing what he has learned, including how adopting a minimalistic lifestyle may be one of the greatest decisions he ever made.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
I lived in a gorgeous home Upstate NY it was a charmed life. When it all fell apart I moved into my van and I have never felt happier aside for the birth of my children. Now I can say I’m living
I've been living in a van for 1.5 yrs. I have never been happier!💕😀
MINIMALISM = FREEDOM = THE FUTURE
Your words mean a lot DJ! The road less taken is the one that makes all the difference. Thanks cousin.
"impostor syndrome", "unhealthy relationship with clothing", "mask my insecurity". I bet if people in 3rd world countries see this kind of communication they are wishing these were the worst of their problems. What has happened to people that so much internalization is paramount to life? Have we evolved into a self pity generation so overly concerned about what others think? Everything these days is about feelings instead of doings. It should not take some earthshaking revelation to realize we don't have to care what others think about us.
true
I'm in nine minutes and still no mention of a van.
Intimacy. Is that I C myself journey loosing everything...no just things. Wealthier in my live experiences that have shaped my persona.
More the pity i was not around,i save you time going to the charity shop
If i don't hv to empty the toilet, i'll jump in a van quick. I hv 3 big people in a van...no can do
This is the philosophy of Cynicism (notice the capitalized C!) at work. Diogenes is alive and well.
🚙😀
And nobody said I wanna live in a van down by the river? Where you been living under a rock?
Won't that amount of minimalism make you alone and depressed isolating yourself with everything?
The large amount of consumerism will make you more depressed, having some time alone is great for a short-medium long period of time as a reset. Plus he said that he had the greatest experiences during those years, it just gives you freedom.
Freedom and money saved
Inner Strength, Authenticity and Embracing & Owning ones Insecurity is Empowering.
If you feel that you have made best friends with your neighbors, more power to you! But unfortunatley that isn't the norm. In most communities, urban or suburban, people don't know their neighbors names. They wouldn't give them the shirt off their back. And they wouldn't feel confortable coming to their neighbors with their insecurities and worries. Conversely, in the nomadic community, almost everyone you meet is the kind of open, genuine, caring person that our society desperatley needs. If you hang out with a group of vandwellers you'd think that they were family.
Hemant P I socialized more in one year living in a van on the road than I did in the previous six years in a house in an affluent neighborhood in the SF Bay Area. The most isolating place I have ever known is in a big city. People are too busy and stressed making ends meet to stop and talk to you. You have to plan social engagements far in advance. It’s hard to make new friends. On the road people stop and talk with you. They say hello when you pass by. There’s a huge community of people living the nomad life. I’ve made more friends on the road in one year than the previous six years combined.
I need the space of my apartment, and living in a vehicle would depress me, and more dangerous than sticks and bricks.
I went from a 2500 ft home upstate NY to a 2016 Promaster Van and I’ve never been happier. 🚐💖
That’s the exact problem. You think you NEED a big space and material things.
Just like gal that was the subject of the book and movie, Wild. You began your experiment as a writer with a goal to write about it. Predestined and prejudiced outcome. Not a real experience. BTW, the book and movie were a lie. She never finished the PCT hike. She had enough info for her book and ditched her hiking buddies.... About like this guy in his van living experience.
maybe