So, I've recently completed a conversion of my van into a campervan. It's not the most amazing campervan, it's certainly not the prettiest, but it's comfortable and suitably equipped and I'm very happy with it.

It dawned on me this evening that I've never laid on the mattress that I've installed. So, feeling like a bit of a fool, I went out into my driveway, opened up the van, and lay down in the bed.

My goal was simply to assess whether the mattress was comfortable enough or not. But as I lay there, staring up at the ceiling, something very basic but very profound dawned on me. This is all mine.

I've always rented a house or lived in somebody's home. I've never owned a house, and I doubt that I ever will. I've always lived with the small thought in the very back of my mind that my living situation is at the mercy of somebody else. My lease might not get renewed. This flatmate situation might not work out. Etc etc etc.

But this dodgy 20 year old van is ALL mine. Nobody else has a claim to it. That ceiling with the scratches in the lining? That's mine. That saggy drivers seat that's mine. That engine that I need to top up with oil more often that I really should that's mine too. The bed, the cooking equipment, the esky all of it mine. None of it is borrowed. I owe nothing for any of it. Not one single person other than me has a claim to any of it. And I have to tell you, it's a bloody amazing feeling.

The other thing that hit me, as I lay down on this old mattress inside this old van, is that I can go anywhere. ANYWHERE! The engine is reliable enough, my pension is set in stone for at least another 18 months or so. I don't have a mortgage, a spouse or children here to support. If I woke up tomorrow and decided that I wanted to go somewhere (anywhere) then I could. I wouldn't be doing it in luxury, but I'd be doing it. Whenever I wanted.

I think this is what people refer to when they talk about freedom. And I love it!