You're right to question it, as great as van life looks on Instagram it might not be for everyone. While it's a massive adventure there are plenty of compromises you have to make to live successfully in your van for a long time. The thing I recommend everyone does is to borrow or rent a van for a week before they get into their own conversion. Using great van rental companies such as www.spaceshipsrentals.co.uk you can cheaply book a holiday and get a sense of whether van life really is for you first.