What you describe is a general feeling among MANY! You're not alone and the same many know that there's more to do and that we've got to keep going, no matter how tough! Keep on truckin' as they used to say in the '70s!

I've just ordered my Tiny House from Incredible Tiny Homes, a 24 foot double dormer. New Mexico allows them as primary home. I will be moving in to it next year, doing the off-grid thing. Why am I doing this? Saving costs / simplicity , and abandoning the City full of crazies. There is little other choice for myself.

I picked up on that vibe immediately when this video started -- I'm in my 50s now and single - and don't mind it most or much of the time. But... yah, you know. I also immediately thought, man Jarrod, you're a builder -- a CREATOR builder. You want the whole enchilada from a seed idea in your head, right thru to the finished fruits of all your efforts and enjoy the whole process throughout. If I had had the resources, I'd be much the same. Being honest, I kinda live vicariously through watching you create and build your vans and the tiny home -- still waiting to see a truck camper (ahem!), btw. My only advice is: DON'T burn yourself out -- I do the same on most any project -- just full tilt til it's done cuz it's fulfilling and exciting you don't even want to take those breaks. Then you crash just before or just as you get done and you're left feeling kinda empty cuz the excitement's all waning fast. It's like post-partum for guys who do big, high-stakes or high personal investment projects. LESSON -- take Many regular breaks for fun, rest, and family /friends. Completely with you on the "live in the city, escape to the woods" and glad you touched on it because it's a current dilemma for me that I struggle to get a good handle on ( the woods are MUCH more affordable, lol). Looking forward to seeing your unfolding next chapter, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!...from North Vancouver

I couldn’t wait to retire, when I did I got depressed, so I went back to do projects, I realized that I need to keep creating to be happy. Go on to the next project after a little break. You will be happy as long as you are creating

I think things would be different if you had someone to share rural living with. Being alone is not easy when there is no town/city nearby.

I think the journey in adulthood is finding that balance between wants, needs and work. And that will never end. And as your life stages end you will be continually adjusting.

We felt that way too and retired in Thailand. Bought a tiny condo 81 square meters. Absolutely love our choice and getting ready to start our 3rd year here on jan 3

Just like the Rivian I see you quietly walking away from this "adventure"... JMO prove me wrong

Thank you for the honesty, Jarrod. I dream of doing what you're doing but it's good to know the reality. I've been looking at tiny house communities in the East and South and an acquaintance just moved back from the South (not a tiny house community) after a professorship. The major take-away was that it's hard to be single in these small towns where families are so close, and friendships have been going for decades. It's hard to work your way in, as a single. That sobered me up. Though I've heard that some tiny home communities are very tight knit, hanging out, taking day trips together, letting the dogs play, etc. Hang in there and thank you for sharing. I love seeing your adventures!

Being "alone" is a safe zone where you get to decide "what makes me happy". Stop over thinking it! Just do!

Hey, at least you have more snow over there. Not so much here in Michigan. Have a great Christmas, and have a great New Year and such

Excited to see what life has next for you. Just keep pushing forward!

Ohh 😮 you had me nervous in the beginning. I can understand how you are feeling. Take care Merry Christmas Happy Holidays 🎄❄️💚

Glacier is so adorable. Wishing you the best in whatever you decide to do. Follow your heart and do what makes you happy.

I love your honesty Jarrod and your content. Hope there’s more to come whatever direction you choose to follow.

I think that you hit the nail on the head in your summary at the end. It is important to try, as otherwise you will always be left wondering 'what if....?". Perhaps the plot of land in the forest is not right, but at least you have tried and you will now have the knowledge to know WHY it is not what you are looking for. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. And as they say, hindsight is always 20/20. The next place might be THE one. Jerry

Yep, the best of both worlds - Living in a city and escaping to woods. (Although I am the opposite) I was actually quite surprised when you moved away from the West Coast and even more surprised that you picked Maine because you can’t get much farther than that. I know family is nearby and that’s a huge pull at your heart strings. What a huge decision but it is also an adventure. Happy Holidays!

As always. Your authenticity is much appreciated!

Oh man, you hit all the questions most of us are thinking about too. I am in a similar situation. You live a bit more rural than I do. But I bought an apartment in a small town by the sea. Stunning and so great to be here. But I miss vibrant city life. You seem similar to me; you’re an extrovert, you get energy from people but at the same you cherish peace from nature. Maybe build another super van and that way you can go out west and then get that great feeling of missing the tiny, knowing you have it there as your sanctuary. Maybe start that way and see? That’s what I have done, much to do with your videos. I got so inspired by then van builds you showed with the incredible off-grid solutions that I even ordered the nations alternator, nautilus shower door and vanlife tech radiant floor heating all the way over to Sweden to be installed in my van. Hopefully this will answer my need for city life. You could keep the van out west with friends and now and then fly back when you feel like it. Harder with Glacier of course to fly. Maybe you miss the mobility of vanlife? What is happiness? I have to agree with the Buddhist and mindfulness masters when they say; looking for happiness is the antithesis of happiness. Its already there within you, freedom is in our core already we just have to meditate a bit and be comfortable just being. But we are taught to chase for the next thing, nothing is ever good enough, always something around the corner. We either chase or we run away from something. And that is often uncomfortable feelings of what we perceive as loneliness. The habit of running away or chasing is the stressful habit that hurts us, its not actually the feelings. If we pluck away the narrative of a situation (he said this she did that etc) all we have left are feelings. And if we meditate and embrace those uncomfortable feelings with forgiveness and kindness with a focus on our breath then they will transmute/dissolve. Now that is freedom and ultimately happiness- from within. The opposite of being externally dependent for happiness.

Winter blues dude, everyone goes through them, move south.

That's why I choose the van life. I can travel to different cities and places to be closer or further from people. Living in the country was very quiet and peaceful, but after awhile it was too "quiet".

You do what ever you need to do, we are with you

Hey man, I met you and Phil / Down to mob at the same time at Overland Expo East this year. You mentioned some of these themes then as well. Just want to wish you well and send some love your way. I love building as much or more than using the build as well and keep rebuilding the kitchen and storage in the back of my 4Runner for no reason. Keep fighting the good fight and good luck!

Link for the drone doesn't seem to be working.

I remember you when you lived in your van in the middle of LA! Glad you feel you are done with living in the woods! For one thing you are too young to isolate yourself like that or stop working on building vans/tiny houses. There are so many opportunities out there for someone like you with all your credentials and followers. come back west, be around people your age, get involved in some kind of building project and live your best life. I am sure someone else would like to buy or rent your tiny house, or you can move it. I am looking forward to seeing what you will do next! Best wishes!

If you have a few thicker hand towels or even better a beach towel , it works if you just toss it in the dryer

Oh man I want that drone! Nice description and examples of how you use it. Thanks! What a great place to go back to when you need to escape the city life. I had a feeling you were going to get a little bored out there, and maybe sometime in the future you can go back and you will be in a different mindset in life then and love it. Maybe a pretty girl with you for company and help build other things on the property. Who knows! Your young...go live wherever you want. The Sandyvan guys look super cool, so good luck with it all!

I think having both is perfect. Spending time in a city with lots of people, then having your escape in the woods to retreat and recharge.

I will not offer my unsolicited advice and I have no words of wisdom of my own for you young grasshopper except, to paraphrase a little known wise man from the middle of the last century (he really was a wise man, Fred Wise was his name): Follow that dream, you gotta follow that dream Keep a-movin, move along, keep a moving You've got to follow that dream wherever that dream may lead You've got to follow that dream to find the love you need When your heart gets restless, time to move along When your heart gets weary, time to sing a song But when a dream is calling you, There's just one thing that you can do Well, you gotta follow that dream wherever that dream may lead You gotta follow that dream to find the love you need Keep a-movin, move along, keep a moving Got to find you someone whose heart is free Someone to look for your dream with you And when you find her you may find out Just what your dreams are all about You've got to follow that dream wherever that dream may lead You've got to follow that dream to find the love you need You've got to follow that dream wherever that dream may lead You've got to follow that dream to find the love you need Keep a-movin, move along Keep a-movin, move along Keep a-movin, move along

You are asking all the right questions.

When you had the ability to live in a mobile tiny home(van) and chose the tiny stationary home here, I lost interest so I totally get it. You took away the best part of a tiny van home in it's mobility. It's always been clear that you need to be mobile and socialized.

Merry Christmas. Jayman...

Any time you wanna come Overland the forest roads of the Smoky Mountains, come on. Grateful for you. Happy Holidays.

Glacier was really enjoying Winter Wonderland

I hear you on the break reset and not working for people. The best in the business builder here in NC,John built 45 $400k+- spec houses a yr for 35 yrs he also built presell homes but the specs were his bread and butter. He hands on ran every house until the rough in’s were done and then he handed them over to his brother in law to finish. They weren’t overly flashy but were solid well put together homes he could stand behind. He told me once that he worked this way because he had a wife and didn’t want to marry anyone to build for them. I installed windows and doors for him until he retired. Stick to what your gut it’s telling you

💛💚💙💜You gotta a great dog there man ! 💜💙💚💛Sending well wish's for a ✨Merry Christmas & a healthy happy new year ✨ ~peace~

Being content is happiness. Find what makes you content and bingo…you’re happy.

I feel this video hard. 2023 was big reflection year for me too. The industry is changing, for sure. Ha, and yes, being single in a small town is a whole thing.🙃

West Coast! You seem happy when you’re here (same), so your news made me smile. Glacier’s coming too, right?? 😂❤

It’s just one of those things you have to do and figure things out. It takes a certain personality to go solo out in the woods. Not to mention what do you do for work ? If you wanna build then you’re gonna need to be close or around society in order to build anything. You just need to find what works for you and what makes you happy. At least you realize this now and you’re willing to do something about it.

Do you dude!

I'm 67 and still working...but still don't know what I want to do. You're lucky that you have experienced so much in such a little amount of time, relatively speaking, so keep looking. I'm there to help out where I can...

Check out Placer County. Great place to live and work. At the cross of major highways so you can get to where you need to go.

I wondered why you put your tiny house way up in Maine in such an isolated area. The tiny is great, but a different location in areas where you have folks would be better

Bro look at the big picture. Chin up you have done great , next up shedding up the back , building van,s + your dog is great love the show peace from Australia

I'm amazed you are on the East Coast, when I started following you, it was West Coast, CA, Portland, Seattle, didn't think I'd see you setting up shop in Maine, don't get me wrong, beautiful state but very different from West Coast.

You have an awesome base in a fantastic place and your best friend is with you. You don't have to stay there 24/7 265 days a year. Go do stuff you feel happy about. Life is too short.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Build an affordable box truck that is actually stealth. You would do an awesome job. There is a need for affordable rigs out there. Both affordability and true stealth are a challenge.

Bad guitar practice ... hits the mindset for me. 🙂

Dave The Campulance Man managed to lose an expensive drone and he got one of those as a replacement.

That looks promising the drone

You seemed much happier when you were in Bend. And, also when you were working on your stand-up routine. It seems, the Best Coast made you feel more content and create better content.

First of all I need to see the results of putting a camera on Glacier LOL Chaos is what I'm expecting- Pure Chaos🤣 Seriously tho, I have to admit I wasn't sure how you were going to like "retirement" life out in the middle of the woods. It just didn't seem to fit your life/personality- or what I perceive as your personality I should say. I can see you loving that property in the summer, when your building the workshop and have friends out there working on their vans, but alone in the winter.. not so much. It's ok to change things up, its ok to change your mind. You tried it, it's just not the right fit for this time in your life. You will, I have no doubt, find what's right for you.

Take the tiny with you! Transporting it will be great content, when you arrive you'll have a home already, and can immediately start van building!

Please push true and build your dream place where other vanlifers will come by and you helping them, they helping you. At that point it will not be alone anymore but you still have your place to get back to. Build your workshop and build a van to travel in the summer time and come back to this place whenever you want.

Coolest drone ever

I have zero interest in living in a van it is just too small to condense my life into, but an 4x4 overlanding rig utilizing a 10-12 ton truck with an 20 ft x 8.5 ft habitat that is a living situation that is much more comfortable size. The vehicle is truly off road capable, the solar system is 8,000 watts, and it can pump water out of any water source, filter, and sanitize with reverse osmosis. I would live in the rig full time, but have a property somewhere with a septic system, off grid electric system, and a spring for water where I can park my rig for more extended time periods. Have you ever thought of building out an overland vehicle to sell for income as the systems are exactly like your tiny home and the profit margin is huge, these type rigs start at 600k and can easily exceed 1 million depending on capability and luxury amenities. What is the exterior length of your tiny home? Thanks

This intro has an A24 horror movie vibe.

You never know until you try. And land isn't that bad of an investment. I've always wanted to live the Curios George (children's cartoon) life. He's in an condo/apt in the city and has a cute little house in the country. CC urrently staying with family in a beautiful lake house. Enjoy it more in the summer but too rural for the day to day (20 min to nearest grocery, etc).

thanks for sharing your honest feelings jarrod. it's why people say live and learn and more important JESUS is the reason for this season and the source of all love, joy, peace and contentment. hope you find yours. continued travel mercies and blessings.🕊

Take some vitamin D

Pennsylvania has better weather not as cold maybe relocate if your not happy people are friendly here in Pennsylvania ❤️

I have a similar feeling. Being alone is tough regardless of your age. I lost my wife 2 years ago during COVID, so now, at just turning 58, I find myself rudderless. At least I feel rudderless (since i'm working, buying, and by all appearances living). My experience is no matter where you go, are at, or doing, most of us want or need to share it. Coming back to an empty home (van, cabin, mansion, etc) for most is depressing. Maybe, if there isn't anyone special, you're involved with, maybe a roommate (hopefully a friend), etc. might be a option in the future wherever you are or doing.

I been contemplating everything you've talked about over the last few years and i have decided that rural property is not for me so i will buy a brand new ordered van to build out into an apartment on wheels where home can be wherever you wish unlike your tiny home that requires a property and all the logistics involved to move it i would consider selling it for someone else to get into the lifestyle and you back into vanlife. instead of starting a van business just buy and build out one van at a time and sell on the open market when finished to keep the creative content here going as people are yearning for the diy content most in vans as they cannot afford these 300k vehicles and need to learn all diy so show them how the professionals do it

Go West!

I bet your dad is done building.

2 thoughts: You're like the dog who chased a car and then caught it. "Ummm....what now...?" The chasing was the fun part. Getting/catching/finishing it...not so much. Also, it's clear what you're feeling is *lonely*. It's as simple and as complicated as that. The dream of being out in a rural area, alone, a bit isolated, may have sounded appealing, but the reality is that isolation can and often does lead to being a lonely hermit when it's just yourself. Single van lifers talk about this. Most don't want to admit it, not even to themselves, but that's a core "feature" that comes with the lifestyle. So now you have this plot of land, nothing special about it. You have a tiny dwelling on it. It's industrial-looking. It's not actually meeting your needs, the important emotional needs of putting down roots and making a family and community. Anyway, I hope you spend more time really analyzing your needs, wants, and picture what you want the end result to look like -- meaning your life.

if your looking to sell what you have built there i would definitely be interested.

Yep, it's ovious that for you happiness is in the journey, not the destination. You get satisfaction when you finish a project, but you can't be happy without a current project qued up at least in the drawing board phase in your head. It's who you are and it's ok. We've known that about you for years. ...and yes, a good portion of the satisfaction for you comes from sharing what you've created with other people, which is hard to do when there's nobody around to share it with. I'd like to think that we've been helping provide that for you here with our comments, but there's only so much we can do as Internet strangers. Sorry about that. Edit: Have you had to stop Glacier from trying to roll around in scat yet?

lol, did you roll your window down so your truck or luck didn’t lock your door.

I would make you a better connection 

Find a spot in the middle for tiny, get another ghost and use it as a rest place ! You’re a roamer sweetie

First, what do I win!?

Do you need FAA license to use this drone?

Love you man but you might want to get some help.

I so knew you wouldn’t dig that life 😂 you’re so unsettled I think it would help you to get some counselling to help define your purpose in life 😊 I think you’re lonely and that’s one reason why you move so much. Don’t run to soon 😊

Real jobs suck.

Single in a rural area, does every on want to get you married off?

ok, listening to the end of video, you neeeeeeeddddd to get back to the West Coast, even I can see that, it's different in Miane, you are not there yet, maybe one day, but not now. Seriously, the West Coast is the place to be.

Seems like most of van culture is out west....

You are going for the wrong thing. I follow you for a few years now and it is obvious you don't like staying in the same place for too long. So why fight it? Make/get a camper and travel around and make videos. Go from place to place and advise people on their builds. Do tours, shows, whatever. When you want to slow down, slow down, speed up, speed up. Don't stay in one place, not your thing... :)

You wont be happy without Jesus. Ive tried everything and only knowing that after i die, ill live again, except forever, thats when i felt happy. So just help make others happy while youre here and God will make you happy here and even happier in the after life. But if we continually chase making ourselves happy all our life, it wont last.

What I think that you're looking for is a relationship. Not the kind that you are probably thinking of at this moment, but one with Jesus Christ. He can be the answer to all things in your life. Just pick up a Bible and begin reading it. Comfort and joy will follow. Im not saying there won't be trials and tribulations. I'm just saying you'll be better equiped to deal with them.

DRAMA QUEEN!!!!! your going to go work for MCDONALDS DRAMA QUEEN!!