“You’re mad, you are. Living the dream, though.”

This is the kind of comment you get from someone confused as to why anyone would be daft enough to leave the cosy comforts of suburban life - and wishing it was them.

However, it’s not all hippy shirts and rose-tinted glasses. The reality of vanlife might not be what you expect, so it's sensible to get a good idea of what's ahead of you (as I didn't!). Be curious: read blogs, watch vanlifer videos, and join online vanlife groups to help build a better picture of the life you're about to embark on.

Here are some things I wish I'd been a little more savvy about to make my journey easier in the first few months ...

1. Finding places to park up can be hard - and tiring

Finding a safe, free space to park can be a constant struggle for the growing population of vanlifers in the UK (although it's slightly easier in Scotland than in the south). The situation isn't getting any easier as councils and private landowners ramp up the erection of 'no parking' signs and height restriction barriers across the country.

Sometimes, these are signs with little consequence, but be aware: if a 'no overnight parking' sign has been erected by the local council, it is enforceable under the Traffic Management Act 2004. This means you might wake up to a ticket with your stunning coastal views - typically between £50 and £100.

Planning is the answer. Sure, that might go against the grain of why you've taken up this lifestyle in the first place, but avoiding the stress of finding somewhere to stay as the sun goes down is well worth the research. Save yourself some bad nights; check on Google Maps for old military roads, parks or other places where you can park safely.

However, the shining stars of vanlife parkups are those who have kindly shared their overnight spots. Park4Night is a community application where other users share and review free places they've found. It has been a lifesaver when I've ended up somewhere I didn't mean to (Which is often:). There's also PitchUp which will give you a list of all the campsites in your area, should you want to refill, and recharge batteries; your own, and your van.

There are other ways to find cheap places to lay your head on your travels, however. Here are a few ...

Pubs and hotels

If you don't mind buying a meal now and again, many hotels and pubs offer a free place to park up in return for buying a meal or a drink at their premises. Britstops is a huge directory - both in print and online - of places across the UK that offer this, and it's well worth keeping this site in mind as you travel. What is offered varies greatly from venue to venue; some provide EHU and facilities, and others simply a parking spot for the night.

Whatever the facilities, it's a great reason to have a good hot meal and a safe place to stay during your off-grid ventures.

Privately owned spaces and farmland

You can also find some good-natured people who offer their farmland or even driveways for a night or two - but do be careful - particularly if you're a lone traveller. Occasionally, you will also find campsites offering reduced long stays during winter. Anywhere completely free is nearly impossible to find now; no thanks to soaring electricity rates. In fact, the only free vanlife site I've found to date is the Vanlife Community and Retreat near Glasgow, Scotland. There, you can stay for free for a few days (without EHU) and chill with fellow vanlifers in their clubhouse.

Finding places through online communities

Friends are paramount as a vanlifer, and there are many fellow travellers in Facebook Groups, such as VanlifeUK, or Lassies with Campervans (Scotland) who can recommend places to stay or give you some local insights. Be an active part of your local Facebook groups, and you'll never be far from someone who might be able to jump-start your van or provide a little friendly banter on long days or nights. Importantly, this is as close to community as we vanlifers can often get; finding places to gather physically is difficult in any part of the UK. Which brings me to the next unexpected bump in the road: loneliness.

2. Loneliness can sneak up on you

Even for the most introverted types, loneliness can become a problem if you’re living and working on the road on your own. It doesn’t matter if you're travelling the most idyllic parts of the country; loneliness doesn't care about location.

I recharge my batteries from being alone, so living a slightly more civilised version of ‘Castaway’ appealed to me. As long as I had water, food, fuel and reception (and a supply of vape fluid), I felt I could go on forever.

In the first months, I threw myself into this life of solitary bliss. However, when I began worrying that Wilson, my water butt, might be too cold at night, I realised it was probably time to reconnect with the world. Wilson agreed.

Being Alone and Loneliness

Being alone doesn’t mean being lonely. But checking in with yourself every now and again, enables you to recognise when one might turn into the other. That sort of stuff just sneaks up on you when you're not looking.

Also, reconnecting with the world is only as difficult as you make it.  Aside from keeping in touch with friends and family, you’ll soon find your go-to spots - and often, these are also favourites of other vanlifers. Very quickly, you’ll be recognising faces and rooting around for the other cup in your van:)

I now have vanlifer friends I frequently meet in certain spots, and something about fellow nomads makes it easy to connect. We share the same appreciation of the unique freedoms that vanlife brings ...and the same gripes about leaky roofs and the price of gas.

Vanlifers have their our unique reasons for taking a step out of the hum-drum drudgery of suburban life, and that, I think, is also part of what brings such disparate people together. You'll find every kind of person on your travels: part-time van lifers, veteran vanlifers, retirees, young freelancer couples, divorcees and widows; you name it, they're ditching bricks and mortar for a life less travelled. All have their own unique story about what took them on this path, and there are solid friendships to be made. Even if they're not your kind of people, chances are, one or both of you will be gone in the morning! So, if you're feeling isolated, stretch yourself a little. Say hello.

3. Keeping yourself fit and healthy takes more effort

With access to woodland paths, rolling hills and windy beaches, you might imagine van-life is the _perfect_ way to get - and stay - fit. At least I did. I planned to be up at sunrise, go for a brisk morning walk and then start my day full of vim and vigour. 

But for some of us, it’s easy to get a bit too comfortable in our tiny spaces. Particularly in bad weather or during busy work periods. Frequently, my smart watch registers so few steps at the end of the day that I have the nerve to tap it to see if it’s working! On these days, the majority of steps are probably from the motion of brushing my teeth - and perhaps reaching for the snack cupboard.

Keeping fit in a van requires a little more motivation if you’re not the active type, so make a point of fitting exercises you like into your week. Otherwise, you may find your belly gets a steering wheel groove.

Here are some tips to prevent you from turning into a vanlife potato:)

Try bodyweight exercises:

My van is so tiny that I'm severely limited in the exercises I can do in my van. In fact, the width of the walkway is the exact dimension of my butt! However, if you have space, bodyweight exercises are a versatile and space-effective way to stay fit in your van. Simple movements like squats, push-ups, lunges, planks, and burpees help to engage major muscle groups - no equipment needed.

Adapt these exercises to various levels of intensity and incorporate them into your daily routine. No space? Go outside. No one cares if you're doing the rhumba along a woodland path with your earbuds in. Give dog walkers something to smile about 🙂

Embrace the outdoors

Explore what's around you. Visit nearby parks, hiking trails, and scenic spots for brisk walks, runs, or just an easy day of rambling. Choose to walk into town if it's nearby; that way, you also save fuel - and your parking spot if it's likely to get busy throughout the day.

YouTube your way into a new fitness method

I’ve learned the basics of Tai Chi - enough to walk out onto the beach at sunrise and not look like a total numpty. (Or look like one and not care). There’s so much out there, and it’s all utterly accessible …with phone reception. Teach yourself a new way of exercising and build your fitness as you learn.

Choose the hard way to do things

Exercises that mimic everyday movements, such as carrying groceries, climbing into your van, and setting up camp, can enhance your strength, balance, and flexibility. If you have time, and there's a longer or harder way to do something which helps your glutes or core, choose it.

Maintaining your fitness while living in a van is about prioritising your well-being. Adapt your fitness routine to your van life lifestyle, listen to your body - and don't forget to give yourself a pat on the back for your efforts. I try to make sure I do something worthy of being called exercise every day - even if it's just to keep my Fitbit happy 😀

4. Living on a budget can be a struggle

Around half a million people live permanently in vans, motorhomes and caravans in the UK, and many of them have chosen this life to cut costs. However, it only works if you do it right! The first few months of vanlife can be more of an expensive hobby than a frugal way of life until you learn how to live cheaply on the road. But it's still simple maths at the end of the day; plan better, spend less, and you’ll have more money left at the end of the month. 

Embrace your inner minimalist

If there’s something that Vanlife has taught me, it’s that we don’t need half the stuff we have in our lives! The less you have, the more you learn to make do with what you do have. While I need good work tech, most of my ‘living accessories’ are bare essentials. Invest where you can in good equipment to avoid the false economy of buying cheap products that you'll have to replace.

For example, after chomping through batteries for my pretty off-grid fairy lights, I bought quality rechargeable LED lights which have paid for themselves over the years.

Learn Van DIY Basics

Some small van issues (particularly older mechanical ones) can be fixed - or patched - with a little DIY knowledge. When I started out with Lily, my tiny ageing campervan, I knew nothing about her inner workings. In truth, I don’t know a heck of a lot more, but I’ve learned to swap fuses on cold nights when the heating's gone out, or to check the wire that goes to the alternator before I decide that my battery’s dead ..because I've had to. 

It's not just for practicality that it's good to know the basics; the more you know, the better prepared you are for a trip to the garage. Mechanics are less likely to try it on when you rock up with an informed view of why your engine splutters like a cheap coffee maker.

Use rainy days to get clued up on minor van repairs and maintenance tasks on YouTube or online forums. This can save you a lot of money if it’s something that can easily (and safely) be fixed by yourself.

Plan your Meals 

Avoid spontaneous and costly takeaways by levelling up your culinary skills and making a meal plan. Create grocery lists - and stick to them, planning your shopping excursions around discount times at local markets to save a few pennies. And if you're near a town, download the TooGoodToGo app. You'll find supermarkets, local shops and even places like Costa on this app, Book your bag of goodies and go in and pick it up at the end of the day. Money saved. Treats secured:)

Embrace Free Activities and Entertainment

Find activities in the area that don't cost money. I often ask what's on when I'm at the local shop, and amidst the 'Wooly Wednesdays' knitting groups and Philatelists' Association meetups, I often find something worth going to. And if you're holed up in your van with bad weather for a day, try some crafts or learn a new skill on YouTube. For instance, if you never learned to play an instrument, why not pick up a second-hand guitar and be that person round the campfire who can nearly play a whole song?

Make a log of free places you find

When you find free sites, good public parking areas and rest stops, make a note of them. This can help you plan good places to stay next time you're in the area, and stave off temptation to find a campsite in a hurry. I also put little notes next to ones where I've picked up some intel, like a walk I loved, a good cafe, or of things to avoid. If you're going to be travelling fulltime, you're likely to get to the point where people ask you where you've been recently, and the most you can come up with is 'Around'.

Use your skills to earn

Work remotely: There are many creative ways to use your skills and earn while travelling. I started my content creation business working on project platforms such as UpWork and PeoplePerHour, before going mobile, but you'll find many others online. Remote workers are in high demand just now, and that looks set to continue as businesses seek to reduce their staffing costs.

Seasonal Work and Volunteering: Consider seasonal work opportunities, such as farm work, hospitality, or tourism, to generate additional income during peak seasons. Volunteer your skills and time in exchange for accommodation or other benefits. Websites like WorkAway have a lot of opportunities, both in the UK and overseas

Monetise Your Van Life Experiences: If it's your bag, you can share your van life experiences through a blog, vlog, or social media channels. Many vanlifers I know do this and make a good living from it, monetising their experiences through advertising, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing. It takes time to build a following, but it costs nothing but your efforts (and consistency!) and may become a viable side hustle that can finance your nomad lifestyle.

Barter and Trade Skills

Engage in bartering and (legal 😁 ) skills exchange for goods and services. Offer your skills - which could be anything from bike repair, to catering or tech work, in exchange for items or services you need. As the current economy hurtles down the sewer, the bartering system is making a comeback - be ahead of the curve:)

Living on a frugal budget as a vanlifer need not be a life of deprivation or sacrifice. It's about making conscious choices, adopting good habits, and keeping an eye out for bargains!

5. Personal Safety is an Everyday Concern

Being alert to potential danger is a sad reality of vanlife - particularly if you're a lone female traveller. There have been occasions when I've felt uncomfortable with a place I've parked in, and instead of moving on, I have lain most of the night with one eye open. That's not good. Be sensible; do the things your mother (or other responsible adult) would tell you to do to stay safe, and that includes:

Being tuned in to your Personal Safety

Try to avoid isolated areas or remote locations unless you know the area, or have been vanlifing for long enough that you are confident in how to keep yourself safe. This will seem obvious, perhaps, but choosing a location you're happy with can tumble to the bottom of your priority list when you're tired from travelling all day.

Although I haven't had any malicious lurkers (that I know of!🙈), I've heard, first-hand from those who have had to clamber into their front seats in their pants, and screech off like an F1 driver, having found someone trying their doors in the dead of night.

Keeping your van in good condition

Act quickly on leaks, grumbles or squeaks. The sooner it's seen to, the better - and, more likely, less costly. But more than that, you know your van will work when you need it to.

Staying aware of Scams

Listen to your gut and walk away from situations that sound too good to be true. These will probably be few and far between - which makes them all the more noticeable when they pop up. I've been approached by several people over the last few years, offering (quite aggressively!) to buy my van on the spot on the promise of BACS payment. This might be a common scam that some have fallen foul of, so be wary and do your due diligence!

Locking up your devices

Keep your valuables in a place where others can't get to, or are unlikely to find. This is even more important if you have windows in the back that passers-by can see through. Opportunists love opportunity!

Paying attention to how and where you park

Frequently, you'll find thoughtless van owners parked in dangerous locations, from passing places to road corners and tight laybys. Worse still - you'll notice large vans parked up so that the rear end completely prevents anyone from walking (or wheeling in a wheelchair) along the footpath behind them. Don't be that person. Park where it's safe - for you and others- and consider how your van might affect the public. It's the few who spoil it for the many!

Being Prepared for Emergencies

Equip your van with an emergency kit that includes essential items like roadside assistance tools, flashlights, a whistle, and reflective gear. You just never know when you'll end up stranded with a flat or dragging your exhaust along a country road. A good first-aid kit is also essential; life is rougher than suburban life, so take yourself back to your Boy/Girl Scout days and pack for every eventuality. Heads up; never be short of paracetamol. You don't want to be stuck with a headache two hours from the nearest Spar.

Vanlife is what you make it! 🙂

As with any kind of lifestyle, vanlife has its ups and downs. But the more you get right at the beginning (she says, wistfully), the easier it will be to make the most of your adventures. Yes, there will be wrong turns, rainy days and no end of weird and wonderful people on the way. However, vanlife is more than just a lifestyle; it's a journey of self-discovery, of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, and learning to appreciate the simple things that others don't see.

And that, I feel, makes the few bumps in the road absolutely worth it:)

Want to read more? Try Vanlife Hacks: Mastering Minimalism with Clothing