100 Days of Solo Van Life: What I’ve Learned Living on the Road
It’s officially been over 100 days of solo van life… and honestly, I still don’t fully know where to begin.
When I first imagined this journey, I thought it would look a certain way—quiet mornings in nature, strong cell service, working remotely with ease, and “finding myself” somewhere along the way.
But the reality? It’s been completely different… and way more real than I expected.
What Van Life Is Actually Like (Solo & Full-Time)
Going into van life, I thought I’d be spending about 80% of my time deep in nature.
In reality, it’s been more like:
80% Walmart parking lots
Truck stops
Anywhere I can find service or WiFi
And honestly? I’ve felt incredibly safe.
That was one of my biggest fears before leaving.
The Fear Before Leaving Was Real
Right before I hit the road, I almost didn’t go.
I was overwhelmed with “what ifs”:
What if something happens to me?
What if something happens to my family?
What if this isn’t safe?
What if I get too scared to continue?
The day before leaving, I wasn’t excited—I was questioning everything.
Was I prepared enough?
Was this a mistake?
But here’s the truth:
None of those fears came true.
The First Month: Finding My Rhythm
After the first month, everything started to shift.
I stopped stressing about where I’d sleep each night.
My van started to feel like home.
And I actually began to enjoy the lifestyle.
I felt:
More confident
More independent
More grounded
That first month was also huge personally—I turned 30 on the road.
For years, I imagined celebrating my 30th birthday in Las Vegas… but instead, I spent it in my van with one of my closest friends.
And it was perfect.
Solo Van Life Teaches You Boundaries Fast
One thing I didn’t expect?
How important boundaries would become.
As I traveled across the country, I had friends and family everywhere—and naturally, everyone wanted to see me.
At first, I tried to say yes to everything.
But quickly, I realized I was burning myself out trying to keep up.
That’s when I learned:
It’s okay to not see everyone
It’s okay to change plans
It’s okay to protect your time and energy
Solo van life forces you to choose yourself—and that’s a powerful lesson.
What Living on the Road Taught Me About Myself
Over these 100+ days, I’ve had a lot of clarity.
I started to recognize:
What no longer serves me
What needs to change in my life
What truly brings me joy
There’s something about being on the road that strips everything back.
And in that space, you start to see things clearly.
I’ve also reconnected deeply with my creativity—my business, my purpose, and what I’m meant to be building moving forward.
Real-Life Challenges of Van Life in Canada
Not everything has been easy.
A few things that tested me:
Driving through downtown Toronto (next level stress 😅)
Navigating Quebec without speaking French
Adjusting my routine (including switching gyms to fit life on the road)
And one big realization:
Solo van life is very different than traveling with someone.
I love my independence—but there are definitely moments where I wish I could share certain experiences with someone else.
(Thankfully, Tucker keeps me company… and yes, I definitely talk to him like a human 😂)
East Coast Energy: Finding My Happy Place
Right now, I’m in the Eastern Maritimes—and something just clicked.
I love it here.
The ocean, the slower pace, the kindness of people (for the most part 😅)… it feels like a place I could actually live.
And that surprised me.
Because I always thought I was more of a mountains person—but this experience has shifted that.
100 Days Later: What This Journey Means
After 100+ days on the road, one thing is clear:
What once felt terrifying now feels freeing.
And that’s how you know you’re on the right path.
I’ve learned so much about myself, my limits, my dreams, and what I want my life to look like moving forward.
This isn’t just travel.
This is a full life shift.
And it’s only the beginning.
Final Thoughts
I may be over 100 days into this journey—and have technically already driven across the country—but it still feels like I’m just getting started.
There’s so much more to see.
So much more to experience.
And so much more growth ahead.
And to everyone who has followed along on my YouTube journey…
Thank you. Truly.
It means more than I can put into words.
