How To Live The Van Life As A Single Woman.
Article by Sarah Tilly
There is no denying it, recently the UK has been experiencing a campervan and van life boom. No one knows exactly why more people are jumping into their campervan to live full-time but I'm sure many people's reason for doing so is not all that different from mine: Freedom. But when you are lone woman and travelling alone for long-term stints in your campervan - what does this mean for your safety? How do you ward off negative attention, both online and in real life?
Van life is a term used to describe the unique lifestyle of living full-time in a campervan. For many people, van life is a way to simplify their life and downsize their belongings. But for others, the van life is an opportunity to live a nomadic lifestyle and travel the country (or even the world).
As a solo female living full-time in a campervan, I often get asked how I make it work. And while there's no one-size-fits-all answer, there are definitely some things that make it easier to live this lifestyle as a single woman. Here are a few tips:
1. Find a good support system.
Whether it's friends, family, or even an online community of like-minded individuals, having people to rely on can make all the difference when you're embarking on such an undertaking alone.
2. Be prepared for anything (and everything).
From flat tires to bad weather, being prepared for anything will help you maintain your sanity when things inevitably go wrong.
3. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
When you're living in such close quarters with your vehicle, it's important to have someone you can trust to help you with maintenance and repairs.
4. Embrace your independence.
One of the best things about van life is that it allows you to be completely self-sufficient. Embrace this independence and enjoy being able to do things entirely on your own terms.
5. Be mindful of your safety.
While the van life can be an incredibly freeing experience, it's important to be aware of your surroundings and take steps to ensure your safety while on the road.
These are just a few tips to help make the van life a little easier for solo female travellers. If you're thinking about embarking on this type of adventure, I encourage you to go for it!
What Are The Challenges Of Living In A Campervan?
One of the main challenges of living in a campervan as a solo female is safety. When you're living in such close quarters with all your belongings, it's important to take extra precautions to make sure everything is secure. This means locking up your van whenever you leave it, even if it's just for a quick errand. It also means being aware of your surroundings at all times and being cautious when meeting new people.
Another challenge is managing your finances. When you're living on the road, it can be easy to spend more money than you have coming in. This is why it's important to budget carefully and track your expenses. You may also need to find creative ways to earn money while you travel, such as working odd jobs or freelancing.
Finally, one of the biggest challenges of living in a campervan is simply staying organized. Since space is limited, you'll need to be careful about what you bring with you and how you store everything. This can be a daunting task at first, but there are plenty of resources available to help you get started.
Travelling As A Solo Female Travellers
Travelling in your own city or country, It’s a great way to save money and still have a fabulous time. As a solo female traveller I’ve learnt a few things along the way. Here are my top tips for having the best experience's ever:
1. Plan, plan, plan!
The key to successful travel is planning. Decide what you want to do and see beforehand so that you can make the most of your time.
2. Get out there and explore!
living in a campervan gives the perfect opportunity to check out all those places you’ve been meaning to visit but never got around to. So go on, get exploring!
3. Take advantage of specials and deals.
Many hotels, restaurants and gyms offer special rates for locals, so be sure to ask about them when making your reservations.
4. Make it social.
Just because you’re living the van life by yourself doesn’t mean you have to do everything alone. Invite friends and family to join you for part of your travels – they may even end up thanking you!
5. Relax and recharge.
Van life is the perfect opportunity to relax and recharge your batteries. So don’t feel guilty about spending a day or two in your pyjamas with a good book!
Decluttered Ways To Stay Organized On The Road.
One of the best things about living in a van is that it allows you to declutter your life and live with only the essentials. This can be a great way to save money and stay organized on the road. Here are four decluttered ways to stay organized on the road:
1. Get rid of anything you don't use regularly.
If you're not using something regularly, chances are you don't need it taking up space in your van. If you haven't used something in a month, get rid of it! This includes clothes, kitchen items, and anything else that's just taking up space.
2. Use storage containers to organize small items.
Small items can easily get lost in a van, so it's important to have a place for everything. Storage containers are great for this purpose; they can be stacked and stored out of the way when not in use.
3. Keep A Cleaning Schedule To Keep Your Van Clean And Organized.
A messy van is an unorganized van! Having a cleaning schedule will help you keep on top of the mess and make sure your living space stays tidy.
4. Make use of walls and ceiling space for storage.
There's a lot of wasted space in a van if you don't make use of it! Walls and ceilings are great places to store things like containers, sleeping bags, and other things that you don't need easy access to.
following these four tips will help you declutter your van and live a more organized life on the road.
Tips for Travelling as a Woman in Your 30s on Your Own.
If you're considering a solo van life adventure as a woman in your 30s, here are some things to keep in mind to make the most of your experience:
1. Embrace your independence
one of the best things about travelling alone is that you can do whatever you want, when you want. So make the most of it!
2. Be prepared
before setting off on your trip, research as much as you can about the places you'll be visiting and the activities you'll be doing. This will help you feel more confident and comfortable while travelling.
3. Pack light but smart
pack only essentials and items that are multi-purpose to save space and weight in your van. And don't forget to pack your self-defence items!
4. Stay connected
staying in touch with family and friends back home is important, but so is staying connected with other solo travellers. Join online forums and groups or look for meetups in the places you'll be visiting.
5. Be flexible
plans will inevitably change while on the road, so go with the flow and take each day as it comes. The more flexible you are, the more fun you'll have!
How to Find Friends on the Road (How to meet new friends)
As a solo female living full-time in a campervan, it's important to know how to find friends on the road. One of the best ways to meet new friends is by participating in activities that interest you. For example, if you're a fan of hiking, you can find hiking groups in most towns and cities. There are also many Facebook groups dedicated to vanlifers where you can connect with people who share your lifestyle.
If you're looking for more long-term friends, you can try volunteering at a local campground, This is a great way to meet people who share your love of the outdoors and who are interested in similar activities.
No matter how you choose to meet new friends on the road, it's important to be open and friendly. Don't be afraid to strike up conversations with people you meet along the way. You never know when you might make a new friend for life!
Places I Like To Visit In The UK In My Campervan
Cornwall, I love the beaches here and there are some great places to visit.
Devon is another great county for beaches and surfing.
Wales, I love the mountains and the scenery in Wales.
The Lake District is one of my favourite places in the UK.
There are plenty of other places I could mention but these are some of my favourites.
How I Keep Warm In My Campervan In The Winter Months
If you're thinking about winter camping in a campervan, or even if you're just curious about how I keep warm in my van during the colder months, here are a few tips.
First of all, I make sure that my campervan is well insulated. I've added extra insulation to the walls and ceilings, and I've also put weather stripping around the doors and windows. This helps to keep the heat in and the cold out.
I also have a small heater that I use when it gets really cold. This helps to take the chill off, and it also means that I don't have to run the engine all night long to keep the cabin warm.
Another way that I stay warm in my campervan is by using a portable gas stove. This gives me the option of cooking inside the van, which means that I don't have to step outside into the cold every time I want a hot meal.
Finally, I make sure to dress warmly. This includes wearing layers of clothing and making sure that my head and hands are covered. By taking these simple precautions, I can enjoy spending time in my campervan even during the winter months.
Easy Meals I Like To Cook In My Campervan
When I first started living in my campervan, I had no idea how to cook anything beyond grilled cheese sandwiches and instant noodles. But with a little practice (and some trial and error), I've become quite the van chef! Here are some of my favourite meals to cook in my campervan:
1. One-pot pasta dishes:
These are perfect for nights when you don't feel like doing a lot of dishes. Just throw all of your ingredients into one pot, cook them up, and voila! Dinner is served.
2. Breakfast burritos:
Start your day off right with a hearty breakfast burrito. Fill yours with eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, and cheese for a filling meal that will keep you going all day long.
3. Grilled meats:
Nothing tastes better than grilled meats cooked over an open flame. Whether you're using a propane grill or cooking over a campfire, grilled meats always make for a delicious meal.
4. Soup:
Soup is another great one-pot meal that is perfect for cold nights in the van. Just throw all of your ingredients into a pot and let them simmer until everything is cooked through.
5. Fresh fruits and vegetables:
Don't forget to eat your veggies! Fresh fruits and vegetables are a great way to get your nutrient fix while living in a campervan. Stock up on items like carrots, apples, oranges, and tomatoes so you always have healthy snacks on hand.
these are just a few ideas, but I'm always experimenting with new recipes so I'll be sure to share more in the future!
My Conclusion
As a single female living full-time in a campervan, I have found the van life to be an incredibly rewarding experience. It has allowed me to travel solo and explore different parts of the country, while still having all the comforts of home. If you're thinking about taking the plunge and living in a van, I say go for it! There are so many benefits to van life, and I can't imagine ever going back to traditional living.
If you enjoyed this article, please share it with others who might be interested in living the van life! And if you have any questions about van life or would like some tips on how to get started, feel free to reach out to me. I'm always happy to help fellow vanlifers!