While you may plan to live in a public park or state forest, understand that it may be illegal to live in these areas. Make sure that there are no rules about sleeping in public or forbidding "vagrancy." In state and national parks, check to see if you need a camping license. You can research laws on a city or state website or by visiting a county law library. State and national park guidelines are usually listed on their website. Never trespass on somebody else's land. You could be fined or arrested. Location is everything. You should find a safe area where you can set up your shelter without being disturbed. If you are in a city or urban area, you might be limited in where you can set up, but in the wilderness, you just have to find a secure location. If you are living in the wilderness, you should find a place that is far away from any potential hazards (such as cliffs, rockfalls, avalanches, or flooding). Find a location that is close to fresh water and to places where you can forage for materials. In a town, you may be able to set up a shelter under a bridge, at the beach or park, or just outside city limits. While you can always sleep under the stars, you should have some sort of shelter to protect yourself from wild animals, bad weather, or wind. You can easily make your own shelter out of local materials or from a tarp. A tent is the easiest and most convenient form of shelter. If you don't have a tent, you can hang a tarp between two trees for a similar effect. If you are living in a hot, dry climate, you might build a ramada. This is a roof suspended on poles without walls. If you are living in snowy conditions, try a snow cave or an igloo. A quinzhee is also an option. This is a dome made out of snow with a hollow inside. Use whatever materials you have on hand for the shelter. If you don't have a tarp, for example, you can use garbage bags or an old raincoat. A good sleeping bag will insulate you during cold or nasty weather, and it provides a certain degree of comfort as well. Try to invest in a good sleeping bag that you can carry with you wherever you go. If you need to make your own bed, insulate the ground with a tarp, leaves, ferns, blankets, or other materials to help keep heat in your shelter and your bed. Cover yourself with a tarp or blanket if possible.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Check your local laws. Choose a suitable location. Build a shelter. Get a sleeping bag.

Before you jump straight into distressing, run a sanding block or sheet of high-grit sandpaper over the entire piece. A thorough sanding will open up the pores in the wood and help the paint hold better. This translates to a longer-lasting finish that, ironically, will have no problem standing the test of time. Sand with a gentle circular motion, starting in a central spot and gradually working your way outward. Fold the sandpaper over squared edges and slide the entire sheet back and forth using smooth strokes. A shade like white, eggshell or opal will work best. Don't get too heavy-handed with the first coatyou just need to get the paint onto the piece, not achieve total coverage. Work the base coat into corners, grooves and other hard-to-reach areas using the tip of your brush. Lighter colors will be more visible under additional coats of paint, enhancing the effect. Leave the painted piece in a cool, dry place as it dries. This will usually take 8-10 hours, but you might want to wait up to 24 hours to ensure that the paint has had ample time to set. Once it has fully cured, you can move onto the next phase of the project. Avoid handling the painted wood while it dries. If you'd rather show off the natural wood grain than a separate layer of paint, feel free to skip straight to the distressing phase. Choose a bolder color for the topcoat that will stand in contrast to the lighter base coat underneath. This time, paint the entire piece. Use multiple coats to reach the desired depth and smoothness. Change up the direction of your strokes to work the paint into tiny crevices and other textured areas. To underscore the vintage aesthetic, go with a topcoat in a faded-looking pastel shade, such as brick red, powder yellow or robin's egg blue. Wet a rag or soft kitchen scrubber and wring out the excess water. Use the rag or scrubber to smudge the paint while it's still slightly sticky to the touch. Doing so will expose the lighter paint underneath, which creates the illusion that the piece has been repainted over the years. Work slowly and rub the paint with minimal pressure to avoid taking off too much paint at once. If you accidentally remove more paint than you intended, simply brush on a fresh coat and start over. For a more exaggerated finish, you can also use high-grit sandpaper after the paint has dried.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary --
Sand the wooden surface lightly. Paint the piece in a light color. Allow the base coat to dry completely. Brush on a second coat of paint. Wipe the paint with a damp cloth.