It’s been just over a year since I left everything I knew to explore everything I’d imagined.

This adventure contains many of the twists and turns you might expect and more of them than you can fathom. Things that at one time would’ve rattled me no longer do and some of the things I’d thought would make me happier turned out not to.

Where I’ve been is now simply a part of who I am and where I’m going still remains a mystery.

I am so deeply grateful. For the random conversations with strangers. For the deep and enduring friendships. For finding points of commonality with others. For learning to take care of myself. For seeing things with a clarity I’ve never known. For choosing to no longer tolerate the intolerable. For sharpening my own self awareness. For learning to forgive more fully. For freeing myself. For love. Laughter. Unimaginable experiences in breathtaking places. For adventures. For taking a stand. For all the incredible new friendships gained along the way. For the growing number of magnificent humans I call brothers and sisters. For the quality of people that remain in my life. For small comforts. For realizing I need a lot less than I ever imagined. For knowing I want a life filled with even less stuff and more freedom. For all the hard days of work that came before. For Apple. For my amazing parents who taught me all the lessons I ever needed and for providing an unparalleled model for what it means to love and to be loved.

I’ve done a lot on this trip. Hiked. Hunted. Fished. Snowboarded. Snowmobiled. Climbed. Surfed. Motorcycled. I’ve been deep into the wilderness. Been barreled and beaten up in the waves. Been scared to death and been humbled. In those moments I found the deepest tranquility and appreciation for being alone, feeling capable and truly being at peace within myself. I’ve seen more sunrises and celebrated more sunsets than ever before. Listened to countless audiobooks, spent time with a few books which have moved and inspired me. Received kindnesses from countless strangers and extended my help to as many.

I took the roads less traveled as well as those well trodden. I’ve walked on trails and blazed my own. I’ve shared countless meals and moments with people who will forever be in my life. Got memories that will forever be in my heart and countless moments that will forever shape who I am. I’ve spent quality time with so many people who I hadn’t seen in years. And in doing so, my days and my life have regularly overflowed with love, laughter, adoration and appreciation. For my crew. For myself. For you.

I’ve had the chance to spend time in national parks when they were virtually empty. Discovered places I loved and want to explore more of. I’ve also put black X’s in my mind in those places I never need to return to. I’ve dreamed up new dreams and also managed to remain as present in the moments of my day as I’ve ever been. I’ve felt the ache of missing those I love and I’ve been missed by those who love me.

This is the life I’ve longed for.

A life made fuller each day because of the abundance of meaningful moments. I’m not saying all my days are perfect, I’ve just gotten better at noticing the the wonderful things that are always there.

So all in all, this “vanlife” thing seems to be working pretty well. I don’t think it’s the “van” thing that makes it what it is. I think it’s the consciousness it offers in forcing me to continually ask myself what I believe is my life’s most critical question: what does it mean to have enough, just enough so that you need nothing more?

For me the answer has become pretty clear – enough is far less than I ever could’ve imagined it could be.