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I’m 19 & live in my car full time, but I’m still paying rent

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Dayra Reynoso 19 year old TikTok user full time living in a car
Dayra Reynoso 19 year old TikTok user full time living in a car adventure and perils and unanswered questions.
Dayra Reynoso 19 year old TikTok user full time living in a car
Dayra Reynoso 19 year old TikTok user full time living in a car adventure and perils and unanswered questions.

Dayra Reynoso 19 year old TikTok user full time living in a car video goes viral as social media sensation describes freedoms while questions remain. 

A 19 year old North Carolina woman has become a social media sensation after describing living in her car and the freedom it provides. Albeit being aware of the potential pitfalls.

TikTok user Dayra Reynoso uploaded a clip sharing her unusual living quarters, with the video since racking up over seven million views. 

Wrote the TikToker on her @esitathelabel account: ‘Living in my car as a 19 year old.

‘Don’t project your fears on me. The world is my oyster.’

The 19 year old, who runs a second hand clothing business on Instagram, perhaps to allay concerns that she may be homeless against her will, mentions that she has an apartment and that she is still paying rent.

@esitathelabel 😇😚don’t project your fears onto me. The world is my oyster #nomadlife ♬ Everybody Wants To Rule The World – The Moving Stills

Define freedom? 

Where her apartment is and what her rent is remains unclear. Reynoso does mention there is a reason why she is currently not living in her apartment but that one has to go to her Instagram account to find out. A perusal leads to Dayra Reynoso’s Instagram account set to private.

Reynoso also assures viewers she doesn’t put herself in risky situations (can living in a car ever not be risky?) and despite the obvious inconvenience of awkward sleeping, not being able to use the toilet spontaneously, the odd parking ticket and weather aside, we’re assured the pros outweigh the cons.

Dayra explains she is able to drive to serene locations where she practices yoga, catch sights and experiences on a whim that many of us are wouldn’t think to explore. Which one presumes is what one does when they’re 19 and a budding social media star? Perils aside.

But perhaps the most impressive pro, is the freedom living in a car provides.

Explains Dayra, as if pitching a lifestyle choice not for the timid.

‘Why not? Anyone can live in their car for whatever reason.

‘You have so much freedom.

@esitathelabel I am not a professional, this is my first time ever doing this! Do your research and remember the saying, argue for your limitations and you get to keep them. #nomad #travel ♬ original sound – Dayra Reynoso

Family discord? 

‘I am so grateful for 24/7 gyms. You have a place to shower, work out, do my business.

‘I’ve also done my dishes there but you can also do your dishes by refilling your water jug at the gym.’

Sound good and convincing. Well perhaps if you are 19 or 21 or even 27. For a week or two. Or even a summer. But something doesn’t quite feel right about Dayra’s optimism.

Dayra admitted she was hesitant to tell her family she was living in her car as she thought her parents would think it was unsafe.

Explains Dayra: ‘I had watched so many other people do it on YouTube and I was like I can do that, why can’t I do that?

‘I’ve done so much work to not immediately think of negative things.

Dayra Reynoso 19 year old TikTok user full time living in a car
Dayra Reynoso 19 year old TikTok user full time living in a car adventure and perils.

An adventure for some, a bitter reality for many others

‘Obviously there are risks and I am aware of the risks.’

Which begs the question, is Dayra’s family aware of how she is currently living and have they sought to have Dayra reconsider other options to explore her freedom? And if so, why does Dayra continue to live in her car and for how long does she intend to live in her car? Which is to wonder how far can anyone really get in life living in their car, romantic allusions aside. At least if one is 19.

A regard of Dayra’s Linkdln account reveals to be self employed, the creative director (now that’s a fancy title) of Esita the Label a small business for the last 3 years.

As for education, Dayra has enrolled in short term courses and holds an associates of arts, general studies and previously spent a year studying political science before seemingly discontinuing.

So the mystery intensifies.

The video elicited a lot of reactions, with some praising Dayra, ‘Yes love that for you.’

While others alluded to the bitter reality of homelessness and the fact that making it or getting ahead is often not smooth sailing, especially if one isn’t born into privilege or a stable family life.

Wrote one individual, ‘Glad to know I’m not the only one living in my car.’

While another wrote, ‘I did the same, not by choice.’

Which is to wonder is Dayra and many like her living a seemingly fraught existence by choice or by situation or simply a love for adventure and will the social media attention help her to gravitate to a new stasis in life where she can fully forge and experience her freedom and life opportunities? 

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