Once a contestant on 'The Bachelorette,' Dean Unglert now lives out of a van and travels the world. Here's why he says it was his best decision yet.

This decision gave me the liberty to travel freely, whether it be by land or air, while also allowing me to come and go with ease. If I need to be in LA for a friend's birthday, or to record a podcast, I can leave the van in whichever town or city I'm passing through and catch a quick flight in and out of LAX. When I travel internationally, in an effort to explore as much of the world as I can, I don't have to feel guilty about paying rent for a room I barely use.

When I first started sharing my idea with friends and family, it was met with laughs and uncertainty. No one seemed to really understand why I wanted to do it, and the thought of living in a van didn't really make sense to them. All this did was ignite the spark inside of me to ensure this dream became a reality. I don't know why I've always had such a strong desire to be different, but this proved to be another opportunity for me to break out of the mold and fight against the cookie cutter life I had felt trapped in.

My initial investment on my new home can be seen more clearly on my blog where I break down the cost of everything I've put into it so far. It'll take some time for me to recoup my entire investment, but emotionally, moving into my van has already given me a return on my investment 10 times over. More than just a steel cage with four wheels and a bed to sleep in, my van represents something I was always searching for: freedom. I know that I can hop in the driver seat, hit the road, and find myself in a completely new place — one that I've never even fathomed visiting — after only a few hours.

Since moving full time, I've been able to explore more international destinations with zero guilt. It's no secret that traveling costs can add up over time, and it's nice not having to worry about expenses back home. Moving forward, however, I plan on prioritizing domestic exploration.

Downsizing my life from a house to a van took time and careful consideration of what I needed to keep. That's how it works when you have such little space — the bare necessities only. The process of eliminating unnecessary items was incredibly cathartic, and something I wish I had done much sooner.

The bathroom and shower situation most often deters people from the idea. Certainly van living comes with a fear of having a middle of the night emergency, and nowhere to alleviate yourself. Some vans are outfitted with self contained composting toilets — but not mine. Instead, I'm sure to have a location carefully planned out beforehand. Bathing happens less often as well. Usually I find myself paying a few extra bucks to use a shower at a gym, buying a hotel room for a night, or simply jumping in a warm body of water. All that said, the pros far outweigh the cons.

My life in the van is still an adolescent: I have so much more life to live and exploration to do. I don't expect everyone to understand why I did it, or to be supportive of my decision, but I do hope everyone can see how much happier I am as I continue to live out my dreams.

Dean Unglert is an American television personality and travel blogger/enthusiast. He appeared on season 13 of The Bachelorette, seasons 4 and 6 of Bachelor in Paradise, and Bachelor Winter Games. Once a startup recruiter, Dean now documents his various journeys around the world through highly curated Instagram videos, long-form IGTV content, and blog posts and hosts a podcast on iHeart Radio. When not traveling, he can be found in Venice, CA with his new dog Pappy.