My brother sent me a link to this two days ago but I have only just opened it. It was exactly what I needed to hear today. Yesterday, I announced to my family I am giving up my place and sort of moving into my van/living nomadically. So much of what this post says I resonate with. Thank you!
Super post, Elise! We landed in van life three days before the first lockdown in 2020 (not by design!) - although for us it wasn't full-time, but for a series of trips from east Kent to the Outer Hebrides on an 18-month-long work project. I was terrified - we are NOT natural campers - but oh my goodness me, we took to it like ducks to water! Campsites were varied and generally pretty good - our ridiculous heights (6ft 0.5 and 6ft 5) were surprisingly okay for living on board a VW T5, but campsite showers are extraordinarily heightist....!
Loved reading this post, and already looking forward to more! Home sweet VAN and all that....
Ah amazing how well it worked out even given lockdown! I was thinking the other day how not ideal my van would be if you were much taller than me - but hadn't even thought about showers! Hope it's all going well now and thanks so much for the lovely comment :)
It's amazing how one adapts to fit the available space, though - I'm finding that the more we van, the better we fit! If you fancy a giggle, you might enjoy this quick read about my campsite shower issue! https://rebeccaholden.substack.com/p/27-too-tall-to-shower
Thank you Elise. I needed to read this today! It’s given me a push to get up and get back outside. SAD has hit and apart from work I’ve not gone outside in 4 weeks. I feel better knowing I’m not alone in that rollercoaster! Back on the bike today for me!
What a total inspiration you are. That truly has made me cry…..all good tears!
Next year I will be full-time in my van and really can’t wait to ‘release’ myself from the very modern constraints of what is expected from us.
Thank you so much for this. I awoke this morning with the awful dread I get every now and again…..’What the hell am I trying to achieve’. You’ve given me a lift in my heart and reminded me why I want to live in my van!
Take the very best of care and I truly hope to meet you one day
Ah what a lovely comment, thank you so, so much Lisa! The dread is a feeling I know so well! Best of luck with the van - sure you'll have an amazing time.
Omg. Another Ford transit connect uk person! We’ve been living in ours full time since February here in Scotland. It’s not without its challenges but we love it. (We also rent an office which makes it eminently more doable, and something I keep meaning to write about myself... which might become this afternoon's project... thanks for the inspo!)
Great post. Always appreciate your honesty on things.. especially with finances and the lows. Really refreshing to read and even more inspiring than just the 'highlights' that people usually post. I would love to do a summer van trip around Ireland.. so many beautiful places for hikes and swimming!
My brother sent me a link to this two days ago but I have only just opened it. It was exactly what I needed to hear today. Yesterday, I announced to my family I am giving up my place and sort of moving into my van/living nomadically. So much of what this post says I resonate with. Thank you!
Good luck Angela! Sure you have lots of amazing times ahead.
Super post, Elise! We landed in van life three days before the first lockdown in 2020 (not by design!) - although for us it wasn't full-time, but for a series of trips from east Kent to the Outer Hebrides on an 18-month-long work project. I was terrified - we are NOT natural campers - but oh my goodness me, we took to it like ducks to water! Campsites were varied and generally pretty good - our ridiculous heights (6ft 0.5 and 6ft 5) were surprisingly okay for living on board a VW T5, but campsite showers are extraordinarily heightist....!
Loved reading this post, and already looking forward to more! Home sweet VAN and all that....
Ah amazing how well it worked out even given lockdown! I was thinking the other day how not ideal my van would be if you were much taller than me - but hadn't even thought about showers! Hope it's all going well now and thanks so much for the lovely comment :)
It's amazing how one adapts to fit the available space, though - I'm finding that the more we van, the better we fit! If you fancy a giggle, you might enjoy this quick read about my campsite shower issue! https://rebeccaholden.substack.com/p/27-too-tall-to-shower
Love the honesty! Great post Elise :)
Thanks so much :)
Thank you Elise. I needed to read this today! It’s given me a push to get up and get back outside. SAD has hit and apart from work I’ve not gone outside in 4 weeks. I feel better knowing I’m not alone in that rollercoaster! Back on the bike today for me!
So easy to get out of the habit, you're definitely not alone! Best of luck for getting back out there - hope you enjoyed your bike ride!
What a total inspiration you are. That truly has made me cry…..all good tears!
Next year I will be full-time in my van and really can’t wait to ‘release’ myself from the very modern constraints of what is expected from us.
Thank you so much for this. I awoke this morning with the awful dread I get every now and again…..’What the hell am I trying to achieve’. You’ve given me a lift in my heart and reminded me why I want to live in my van!
Take the very best of care and I truly hope to meet you one day
Lisa x
Ah what a lovely comment, thank you so, so much Lisa! The dread is a feeling I know so well! Best of luck with the van - sure you'll have an amazing time.
Omg. Another Ford transit connect uk person! We’ve been living in ours full time since February here in Scotland. It’s not without its challenges but we love it. (We also rent an office which makes it eminently more doable, and something I keep meaning to write about myself... which might become this afternoon's project... thanks for the inspo!)
Great post. Always appreciate your honesty on things.. especially with finances and the lows. Really refreshing to read and even more inspiring than just the 'highlights' that people usually post. I would love to do a summer van trip around Ireland.. so many beautiful places for hikes and swimming!
Great piece of writing! Really looking forward to your second book, still enjoying your first book on the second read.
Thanks so much Lucy, really appreciate the kind words. I'd better get writing!
Was it hard finding places for a shower whilst on the road? Will you keep the van?
Thanks so much Sarah :)