I dreamed of travelling in a van for years before I bought my camper. A restlessness always stirred within me—a craving for freedom. The standard system never felt like home. I knew there was more to life than what society showed us. Finding my full potential became a goal; it wasn’t just about studying for a job and settling down. That’s why I decided to pack my things and embrace life on the road after graduating.
Meet Fien: The Free-Spirited Van Lifer
Hey, I’m Fien, and I’m from the Netherlands. At 26 years old, I graduated as a visual artist two years ago. Right after that, I bought my first car ever: a retro Mitsubishi camper from 1987. Since then, I’ve lived in multiple vans and explored many countries while travelling in a van, both alone and with others. I currently live in a self-built Renault Trafic from 1991, and I love it.
I’ve always been free-spirited. I enjoy doing things my way and seeing the world from a different perspective. I would describe myself as playful, outgoing, and positive. My life is creative and adventurous, and I genuinely care for others. I love being immersed in nature, as well as reading, writing, and videography. Recently, I started skating and surfing. It’s a slow process, but I find it exciting and fulfilling.
How My Van Life Adventure Began
After a four-month trip down the coast of Europe with my boyfriend and cat, I realised I couldn’t return to a 9-to-5 life. So, I did what felt right and bought a new van. Together with Carlo from SurfShackVans, we built it into a home on wheels in just a few weeks. I’m grateful he turned my drawings into reality. Without him, I might not have finished the van in a reasonable time. Thankfully, my dream van has become my home, giving me a comfortable base to explore beautiful places and enjoy life on the road!
Why This Van Is My Perfect Home on Wheels
My favourite thing about this van is probably how silly the front looks. I’ve always loved older vans with a funky design! The size is perfect. It’s tiny and cute but spacious enough to live in and tall enough to stand comfortably. The cozy, authentic look makes it feel like home. I designed the interior with wood and bamboo for a natural vibe and decorated it with warm, earthy colours.
Another great bonus is the number of windows that let in light when I roll up the curtains. I wake up happy when the sun shines through the yellow curtains, creating a true summer feel. In many ways, walking into my van feels like a throwback to the ’70s.
Breaking Free: Escaping the Conventional Lifestyle
Last summer, I returned to the Netherlands for six months. Paying rent and working a fixed job made me feel out of place. I tried to maintain a nourishing flow like I had while travelling in a van, but I quickly fell back into an old routine that didn’t make me happy. I had planned to escape the Dutch winter again, but I soon realised I didn’t feel at peace being back “home.” So, I decided to give up my rent and move back into my van.
Now, I’ve travelled alone for the past six months. I feel deeply that I am exactly where I’m meant to be. I truly feel at home on the road. This lifestyle brings me so much joy and fulfilment, and I embrace the reality of van life.
Building Community: The Joy of Van Life Connections
Living in a van means following a natural rhythm. Waking up with the sun shining through the curtains, and as the sun sets, I notice I’m getting tired. I no longer set an alarm clock; I choose what to do each day. There’s no pressure, no rush, and no one telling me how productive I should be. Instead, I have room to feel and think, to read and write, to create art and dance while enjoying life! I have time for play and adventure, to explore and connect with other travellers while travelling in a van.
It is so lovely how easily we travellers create temporary communities wherever we gather. I feel in tune with myself, surrounded by people who have also chosen to live life on their terms and follow their dreams while travelling in a van!
The Reality of Living and Travelling in a Van
Of course, the reality of van life isn’t always rainbows and sunshine. You must get used to lacking the comforts of a regular home. Tasks like filling up water tanks, emptying the toilet, doing laundry, or charging devices can take up a lot of time. Sometimes, I drive for more than half an hour just to get those things done. Grocery shopping can also be a challenge. In the Netherlands, I loved shopping for groceries and trying all the vegan products. Unfortunately, that luxury isn’t common in Southern Europe. Luckily, I still find enough options, and they’re often more affordable.
Now, I’m used to this lifestyle, and it has become much less bothersome. But at first, I missed these conveniences. I still miss my best friends, but they visit me occasionally. When I’m back in the Netherlands, it feels like I haven’t been gone at all. I’m grateful for the people in my life who support me in pursuing what makes me happy, even if they live completely different lifestyles.
Car Troubles: A Common Hurdle in Van Life
For me, one of the worst parts of van life is dealing with car troubles, and I’ve faced my fair share. On almost every trip, I’ve had to call roadside assistance. Last year, while travelling in a van, we faced a whirlwind of car troubles. We had to be towed about seven times and spent almost three weeks stuck in hotels before flying home. It’s challenging when the place you live can break down at any time with all your belongings inside. During these moments, I try to maintain a positive mindset and remind myself that everything will be okay!
Make sure you’re well-prepared, get good insurance, and don’t forget to read the fine print. Be aware of your rights, and always stand your ground. I’ve learned quickly not to let people walk over me, especially those who are supposed to help. For example, going to the mechanic can sometimes feel like a joke. In some regions, they don’t take you seriously, so it’s important to be assertive and direct about what you need, especially as a woman travelling alone.
Emotional Ups and Downs of the Nomadic Lifestyle
Of course, there’s also the emotional side to living and travelling in a van. First, it can be difficult in different cultural environments, where trusting my gut feeling becomes crucial. Many aspects of modern society keep us small and uninspiring, making it hard to step out of our comfort zones. I made the mistake of waiting for friends to join my dreams before buying a van. If I had continued that way, I might have waited forever. I wasn’t sure I could do it alone, but now I’m glad I did and wish I had started sooner.
Even though I love being on the road, having so much free time brings its struggles. At one point, I felt aimless and lost without a goal. It’s amazing to have so much freedom, but sometimes a bit of structure can be nice. We all crave a sense of purpose and direction.
Navigating the Challenges of Van Living
There’s also the challenge of confronting thoughts when you have so much time to think. I’ve noticed my emotions often amplify while travelling in a van. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this high in life before. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve teared up from overwhelming happiness or a heightened sense of freedom.
It’s interesting how this nomadic lifestyle can be confronting. Just being with myself or reacting to new situations can be eye-opening. I feel much more in touch with my being now. This is the purest and rawest way to experience life, and I’m grateful to have created this for myself!
Generating Income: Balancing Work and Adventure
To sustain this travel lifestyle, I looked for ways to work remotely. I wanted to travel and earn money without being tied to a specific location. A year and a half ago, I decided to invest in myself and joined an online mastermind. In this community, mentors guided me to create a life full of freedom.
In just a few months, I learned how to transition from a 9-to-5 job to working online without any special skills. I discovered that I can create an offer around any soft skill or passion. I’ve found it invaluable to build a business that fits my lifestyle, rather than forcing my lifestyle to fit a business.
Thriving in an Online Community: My Journey to Freedom
In this community, I’ve met many like-minded people from around the world. It’s incredibly valuable to be surrounded by those with similar goals. It can be tough to take a leap of faith and dive into the unknown. Being in this community motivates and inspires me to dream big; it reminds me that anything is possible if I take action and stop doubting myself!
A mastermind is essentially a group of like-minded individuals guided by mentors. This includes people with various skills who advise and support each other. The group I’m in focuses on working online and creating a life full of freedom by starting a business or offering a service. We hold each other accountable and actively support each other’s growth.
Finding Purpose: Working Remotely While Travelling
During this learning process, I discovered that I wanted as much freedom as possible with fewer responsibilities. That’s why I primarily work as a high-ticket affiliate marketer. I earn on a commission basis, meaning the more I work, the more I earn. If I don’t feel like working, I don’t have to. I spend a lot of time socialising and networking, which doesn’t feel like work at all—making it the perfect job for me!
Sometimes, I also take on virtual assistant work. This usually involves answering messages on social media, although some partnerships have different agreements. The benefit of this work is that it provides a more stable income, but it also comes with more responsibility.
The Ideal Lifestyle: Remote Work Works for Me While Travelling in a van
Besides making new friends, I’ve built many partnerships through the mastermind. Now, I collaborate with business owners I resonate with, allowing me to be my authentic self.
The benefits of having an online service include working when I feel inspired. I can follow my natural rhythm and work from anywhere. Instead of draining my savings to travel, I can save money for future dreams. One day, I hope to buy a piece of land and create a sense of community. A year ago, I didn’t expect to be living my dream life; sometimes, I pinch myself to see if it’s real.
When I started my online journey, my goal was to earn enough to travel and save while on the road. This way, I wouldn’t return to the Netherlands with an empty bank account. I can’t believe it, but I reached that goal and am now living the life I’ve always dreamed of.
Words of Wisdom: Taking the Leap into Van Life
If I could offer any advice for those considering travelling in a van, solo travel, or whatever makes you happy, it’s this: go for it! Have you ever wished you had started something sooner? Or hoped you were bold enough to take a chance? I can assure you that when I finally listened to my gut and followed my dreams, everything fell into place.
The things that once scared me quickly faded, revealing that I’m capable of much more than I thought. If you’re looking for ways to create an online income, you may be surprised by the opportunities available. Start by surrounding yourself with people living the life you desire and connect with others to learn from their journeys.
Connect with Me: Your Guide to Van Life Adventures
If you have questions about van life, solo travel, or working remotely, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram. I hope to inspire adventurous people to follow their dreams and show them that this lifestyle is possible.
If the idea of building a van alone feels overwhelming, I recommend contacting Carlo at surfshackvans. He can help you out. He assisted me with tasks I wasn’t comfortable doing while allowing me to contribute where I could. If you love surfing and want to fit your surfboards into a van, he’s your guy!
Find Her Here
Website: Vrij Eigenwijs
Instagram: Fien Onderwater
