VAN LIFE BEGINNINGS
My Solo Road Episode 1 | How Did I Get Here?
How did I become a solo female traveler and end up living in a van full- time? Let me share my journey to finding van life and what lead me to who I am today. From growing up in Indianapolis to hitting the road in my second van completely alone, I’m telling you everything.
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
INTRODUCTION
So, I’m a solo female traveler on the road with my dogs Ella & Pearl. I work full-time online running my own Instagram and my website as well. I’ve travelled around the country in a converted van for two years. In case you are not familiar with van life: I have a camper van where the kitchen and bedroom are custom made and have solar panels on the roof, which enables me to have full electricity. The bedroom converts to an office space during the day. This means I can work and live simultaneously in this small space. With this podcast, I will share my stories of being a solo woman on the road and everything I have experienced such as having a dog, van life finances, earning remote income and much more.
FIND THE PODCAST
LET'S REWIND TO THE PAST
A few things about me:
- I was born & raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Cumberland specifically)
- Didn't grow up traveling, only experience was typical Midwestern vacations to Florida
- First time really getting out, I went to Columbia College Chicago for Fashion Business.
- After experiencing new cultures in a big city, I knew I wanted to travel, my opportunity came when my friend from Belgium asked me to join their family trip to Belgium, France and Italy.
- Next trip was my first solo female experience. I went on a missions trip to Swaziland, Africa after being alone in Cape Town for 3 weeks prior.
- Needed to continue traveling as it grew into a huge passion of mine. I worked full-time at a restaurant over 70 hours a week as an Events Manager.
- I came across van life while working here and knew it was what I wanted to do. My boyfriend at the time was willing to do it as well. This was the beginning of van life for me.
MY FIRST VAN | MERCEDES SPRINTER
- Bought an empty 2011 MB Sprinter from Viriginia with my boyfriend.
- Had it shipped to Indiana and asked family friends to help with the build.
- We worked while the van was being built and hit the road with some savings to live.
- No long term income but I was determined to make it work and figure it out.
- Traveled in the van together for 9 months before breaking up.
- He got the van & I had to start from scratch.
MY SECOND VAN | FORD TRANSIT
- Started nannying, watching dogs, helping at my dad's company, and working on my website full- time to make enough money to finance a new van.
- Did not want a Sprinter again because of so many mechanical problems with the first.
- Found a Ford Transit in Atlanta within my budget so I flew to buy it and drove it home.
- Had it built by the same guys, got Ella and hit the road.
ADVICE & FINAL WORDS
- People always ask me what my plan is for the future and where I am going to travel next. For now I can’t imagine a life outside of the van, with a stationary home, so my plan is to continue doing what I already do. However, times change and that might change as well.
- Van life has enabled me to travel full-time without buying plane tickets or hotels/hostels. It offers more flexibility when it comes to traveling because you can coordinate your travels with your finances.
- Van life offers so much more than just traveling, e.g. it has helped me tremendously with my mental health and it has helped me overcome and face the things that I feared the most.
- Take the leap! Even if things don’t work out, you will learn and grow from it!
WRITTEN BY: Sanne Klein
