Convienience vs Cost

One of the big things that I've been thinking about while living in a van for the past 4 months is convenience.

"Andrew, how have you enjoyed living in a van for four months?"
"It's been fantastic!"

This has not been a lie.  Vandrew has given me insight into my life that I could not have found otherwise.  Vandrew has been enjoyable, and not entirely uncomfortable.  Vandrew has been an adventure.  Vandrew has not however,  been very convenient.

Sure, there have been a few times where I've been able to drink alcohol and not to worry about how to get home.  Sure, instead of a 45 minute drive back to my apartment, I can pull over a block away from the movie theater and go to sleep.  This being said, the conveniences of Vandrew are few and far between.

It's not convenient to shower...I have to put everything into a bag and go to the gym...or the office...or a friend's house, or a swimming pool.  I tend to forget things (FYI, it takes me 23 paper towels to dry myself off after a shower).

It's not convenient to cook.  Pots and pans are limited as space is at a premium, if anything with any flavour is prepared, all of my clothes and bedding will smell like onions and garlic for days, so I stick to boiling water, where I have to get out of Vandrew and turn on the propane, and remember to turn it off afterwards.  Washing dishes is inconvenient too, and dumping the water afterwards is a pain in the neck.

Going to the bathroom isn't very convenient.  My original plan was to not use my toilet in the van unless there was an emergency.  There was a change of plans when I realized how important it is for me to be able to pee first thing in the morning.  If I use to the onboard facilities, I then have to empty the tank.  This is not convenient.

All of this being said, the fact that I am only inconveniencing myself for a relatively short period of time helps.  Knowing that there will be a time when I should be able to go back to the creature comforts that I have become accustomed to helps.

I also believe that it is good to be uncomfortable from time to time.  Being uncomfortable makes us appreciate the comforts that we have been taking for granted.  It also makes it easier to put a value on comfort.

I have some all in one glass wipes.

These are convenient.  One step.  Wipe glass with moist towel.  Done.  

At what cost though?  Not just the cost in dollars and cents, but the cost in waste.  I'm all for easy...but more than easy, I like efficient. At what point does the time savings override the waste cost?  I think it's going to be different for everyone...but I do think that I need to be more aware and deliberate when I make these choices in the future.  I'm not going to use cloth handkerchiefs to blow my nose, and I'm driving an old Dodge that gets about 12 miles to the gallon across the continent, but I have thought about it and made those decisions.  How many things have I yet to consider?

I don't think I'll buy glass wipes again.