I've been living in my car for almost a year now and I've found that all your "tips" are right on-point. My car wouldn't start one day, I had a good Samaritan help and then immediately went and bought a battery booster. No I didn't panic or get myself into a state, I walked to the nearest coffee shop, got myself a coffee and muffin, used the facilities and calmly walked back to my dead car. When I got back to it, I simply asked someone for a boost and they were all too happy to help. Then I carried on with my day. I didn't live in the future "what ifs", I stayed in the present and dealt with the most pressing issues - getting a coffee and going to the washroom. LOL Good for you to stay in the moment! Great advice too!
Great video Brenna. I start my journey tomorrow so this came at the right time. Starting small with a couple of house sits and van life between until I build up my confidence. Excited with a little trepidation.
Brenna, I’ve been watching a lot of van life videos and today came across your site. My successful transition is THE best van life video I’ve seen to explain the steps you took to slowly transition your life step by step to the van. I so appreciate your insight, kindness and gentleness. You’ve opened by eyes to how I can just go out a bit farther each time and slowly be more comfortable. Thank you again. Blessings to you, Ann from Vancouver, BC Canada
Thanks Brenna for a very motivational and encouraging video. As Arthur Ashe said "Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can". The common theme throughout Arthur Ashe's quotes is that it all comes back to a focus on doing things, of starting rather than procrastinating or hoping for better.
Great post thanks Brenna. I think a lot of people jump in with both feet which is all very well but as you clearly state in your video - life is always best when taking smaller but positive steps. So hoping those considering "selling up" see your talk as it's fantastic advice esp from one who knows. And for the record we think you and Abby are brave - anyone who steps out of their comfort zone is allowed to claim this. Always a "joy" to see what you're both up to and being 2 Women - we so admire you both. Safe, joyful travels and good health. Lotsa love Mer, Jan and Arki S.A. xxx
Wow Brenna. I found it very moving to hear of your need to move outside of your 5 km zone and slowly build your confidence to go further. I have travelled the world and much of Australia solo all my adult life, in chunks of time varying from 2 weeks to two years, living out of a backpack and kind of take it for granted, as I love the excitement, challenges and lots of change. I must say, the van build out phase made me realise I only want to be a traveller, not a nomad. I love the shorter stints, but enjoy the mix of a home base and going out into the world, as well. I realise I didn't need that much hassle and stress, not just of using power tools, but juggling two vehicles, paying two sets of rego and insurance and that my car, was fine for my camping needs, or doing fly drive get always during holidays, with my hiking gear to car camp, as I have always done. I also enjoy my job and was not ready to chuck it in. I love that you are sharing your experience to help others take similar steps.I love my regular travels, but certainly understand why living on the road is an equally fantastic option. Following our hearts and achieving our dreams is what counts at the end of the day and there are many pathways to that.Thanks for your wonderful videos and honesty!
I also traveled through world on my own from the age of 25 but somehow managed to become a bit of a recluse in my late 40’s and didn’t like people anymore 🧐
Hubby and I had been holidaying and dog showing in rural areas every weekend in our van. It was an easy retirement plan to travel. We have now been on the road four and half years. Yes easier for me as I have hubby for the hard stuff. I do admire your strength to do this on your own. Sending hugs ps great advise for new people❤😊
Hello Brenna, I know this video was a while ago, but it was so timely for me to watch it. I’ve been following your channel for a bit and catching up on your older vlogs first. I thoroughly enjoy them; you are a natural! I now have my van, which was already converted, though not to my liking, but that will have to wait until I have time/money to alter her. Anyway, I am also going to go slowly to eventually full-time if I can do that, bravery/confidence/emotionally. (I’m also an Australian) Before I watched this video yesterday, I was planning on venturing out for shorter periods of time and coming back home to my apartment to recoup and go out again until I could really be full-time. Then, I would make my apartment a rental. Your vlog gave me more assurity that there is nothing wrong with the way I am approaching this. Thank you so much! Arna xx
Very good advice - expand your comfort zone gradually, small steps lead to bigger steps. While building your van take it out on day or overnight trips, this is what I plan to do. That way I can see what works and doesn't work. Love your channel Brenna, getting so many good and practical ideas. Best wishes!
Absolutely loved this video… I am in the transition process now. I am still working atm, I am starting to prepare my house for sale and I have ordered my van. The whole process can be very overwhelming and I get behind with my blogs and vlogs. I try to go on a day trip to a new place every fortnight with Kahra to see how she travels and I am hiring a van for a week to see how I go in 3weeks. The van I have hired is a conversion and will be harder to drive etc than the van I have order. All of it is part of my plan and transition from house/ job etc to retirement & full time van life. There is so many decisions I have to make over the next 12 months. Listening to your video you gave me more confidence and that if I feel overwhelmed that is ok too. My circle is already quite small and I am an introvert, so talking to strangers is quite hard for me, having Kahra certainly helps. Xmas school holidays I will be starting the transition for my grumpy cat! Thank you again!
@Ellie Bee thank you Ellie yes I have started a few different channels, Travel Adventures AUSTRALIA, Sandy and Kahra, which will follow more of Kahra’s adventures and Retirement to Coddiwomple Life which is the channel where I am recording my journey from Pre retirement to living for full time on the road. I do get very overwhelmed with it all and wonder if I am doing the right thing. But I have also been alone for a very long time, so I made the decision that it better to be alone and travelling than be alone living in a one place.
This video is spot on. Start with Micro changes and then it’s not so overwhelming. Reminds me of a favourite quote - Comfort is a cage. Do hard things. Well said about expectations and being too tough on yourself. X
I really love your attitude about taking each new spot you visit on its own merits, and not expecting it to be better or worse than the previous spot. That’s such a great place to start from, mentally.
.@Coralie Jump with no fear. Totally agree Coralie. You can never compare places and you can never go back to the quite the same place, as change is inevitable. Life is about expecting the unexpected. Prepare for the worst, but hope for the best, Everywhere is unique as is every person we meet. Yet there will equally be elements of sameness to some degree too!
I may go the direction of building out my own vehicle as well -> basically bc none are exactly as I would like but are very 'high-priced". I plan to take my time w/ insulation probably being my 1st major task. But I will live in it for a while & find out what would make my situation more comfortable, convenient & esthetically pleasing. 😊 I may own a tiny home as well, but my reason for wanting to go the vehicle route 1st, is to be portable & able to see family whenever, not stuck in one place w/no one nearby.
That was a wonderful video Brenna, so informative and calming. I think a lot of people will take great comfort and knowledge away after watching this, thank you for sharing. Happy travels big hug for Abby.
Thankyou you Brenna. I am beyond grateful for your wisdom in this video. Im early 50's and pushing past my comfort zones and agoraphobia to live my dream van life with my furbaby this year and every word of what you said not only resonated with me but moved me and inspired me to keep on going. Truely the best step by step advice ive heard. Thankyou so so much 🤗
Brenna you are seriously my hero. Thank you for this. I am intending to move into van life in the next 3 years, and already having anxiety about it! Your words are so simple but so helpful. Thank you again!
I'm from Michigan in the United States of America.... Thank you for being an amazing inspiration.... I hope to do the van life in 2 years when I retire .... I've been planning for a long time... I also have a base place with a friend ...that I can go in the event I have travel fatigue...... I also feel excited about traveling different ways like cruise ships , train rides and fly to Europe as well.. you're amazing person ... Keep making content and I'll keep watching ....have awesome travels .it makes us happy to watch you 😊
I absolutely crumbled, when I was going for my first overnight. I was just in my home, shaking, crying not really understanding WHY... I would only be going somewhere close, where I could easily go back home if I felt like it. But doing this, was the first step, and that meant that nothing would be the same afterwards. I think that's what shook me.. I found a good place to stay, had my dog with me, but I didn't really sleep, as the park up was visible from the road, and I was listening if people were going to stop and check out the car (since it just looks like a car and the place wasn't a typical place for cars to be "left alone" overnight) Not much sleep, but it was a great experience anyway.. Waking up there, making videos, sharing the excitement. I still have a long way to go, before living in a van, but I am slowly getting there. 😊
Hi Brenna. Thanks for your videos. They are useful to me in that you share your thoughts on "how and why" rather than just the "where I went and what I saw there" videos. To celebrate my 60th birthday I have bought a van and are having it converted. I should be ready to start my wandering journey in early March. I don't think I would have done this without considering your advice. When heading west, I will make a point of waving to each approaching Toyota van just in case it is you. Cheers, Tim.
There was a man who sat outside his petrol station along the side of a road in the Adelaide hills. Since I was a young man, I have remembered him waving to all passers-by. Unfortunately, after at least 40 years of waving he has passed away. There must be thousands of Adelaideans who grieve the loss of this man, who made all people that passed him feel a little bit special.
This is such a great video! Ive been planning my van life journey for the laat 2 years & i finally just bought my van! Ive just finished insulating it & building my bed! I am soooo excited! Also a little apprehensive! Lol but after binge watching your channel this afternoon im feeling a lot more confident! Me & my 2 girls (fur-babies) will be living the dream in the very near future! ❤
Great video :-) I love the analogy with the walking toddler. I think I need that framed!! I would also add don't listen to the nay sayers. When I was preparing to do a half lap with my boys, I was asked if I was really capable of doing it. Until that point I hadn't doubted myself in the slightest. I didn't doubt myself for long in the end, but it still put that niggling thought in my head. So my additional advice: don't listen to people who 'mean well'.
I found your channel several days ago ... or rather UA-cam connected me :) ... so I am not exactly binge watching, but picking videos as I have time. So much good advice or I guess I'd sum up: good ways to process and think about things! 18 years ago, after 6 years of dithering between various types of RVs I had opportunity to go full time as I was between houses, had a 2 year consulting contract (self employed software engineer) ... went out intending to buy an older Class C with minimal features and came home with a 2 year old 33 foot Class A motorhome with 2 slides that included all mod cons!! Then traded my Chev Suburban for a Jeep Wrangler and set the Jeep up to tow. I am not a camper but I did grow up sailing with my fam boats with cabin/galley/toilet AND my father was a mechanical engineer so I was used to fixing things and using tools. I would describe myself as over-confident in that I always know I can do things ... BUT, I also know that I need to learn a lot when I try new things. 18 years ago, UA-cam was just launched and no Instagram so my sources for information were RV forums: general and specific to my make/model. I did daytrips to learn driving/parking/setup while close to home. A retired truck driver/neighbor worked with me on backup technique. Then some overnights. Then a 10 day trip but within 150 miles of home. Things broke. Between the user manuals for my rig, the forums and phone calls to dealer/mfg I learned to fix most things on my own. Long story to say that your advice to start small and build on experience is the way I went also. My one super uncomfortable moment early on was driving through Las Vegas ... a LOT of traffic on many freeway lanes and the need to pay attention to lanes for navigation (before GPS gadgets telling you which lane you needed to be in). I had planned to stop at a Camping mega store and spend the night but I just wanted out of the city. When I got clear of traffic, I was exhausted, low on gas, propane and water. Thankfully found a place to fuel and water ( at 33 feet plus another 15 plus feet of Jeep ... and height, options are more limited). THEN, I found a pullout ... washed my face, sat and had a cold glass of water and regrouped. I remember feeling torn to just push on to find a place and knowing that I needed a break. It was a great learning moment and helped so much with future unexpected events. Now, I am looking at downsizing to a van. After crisscrossing the U.S., I want to stick to Pacific Northwest and shorter trips. I have a small 1 br/1ba house on rural acreage in NW MT so a very pleasant home base but I like to get out and about every so often. At any rate, I am learning a lot about van life options from your videos. Thank you!!
Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m really glad I started small and simple as you have said, there is so much to learn. I’m glad my videos are helping people 😊
@@BrennaLivingJoyfully I reread my comment and realize that I did not exactly start small as far as RV ... small steps as far as learning I should have clarified. I have been thinking about all you said, rewatched twice in fact ... as I am considering my own van/minivan.
Brenna your beautiful, this video is from your heart and feeling great of giving it a go. We been working hard on my camper. Today bike carrier and biscuit box with cutting board. Cheese and cracker time. Or a wrap or two. I have another family in a few years were going to do a big trip.
Stop saying..I’m not Brave….it’s a compliment to yourself , self talk is the most important thing for each of us…..you are brave….🥰 start saying, I am brave…..
That was absolutely fantastic. Thank you so much for this wonderful video. 😊 I was so surprised that you hadn’t even been camping before you took your first overnight trip in your car! Have you covered in a previous video what made you decide to do van life? Because now I’m really curious. (Also equally wondering if you have and I’ve watched it and just forgot. LOL!)
I've been living in my car for almost a year now and I've found that all your "tips" are right on-point. My car wouldn't start one day, I had a good Samaritan help and then immediately went and bought a battery booster. No I didn't panic or get myself into a state, I walked to the nearest coffee shop, got myself a coffee and muffin, used the facilities and calmly walked back to my dead car. When I got back to it, I simply asked someone for a boost and they were all too happy to help. Then I carried on with my day. I didn't live in the future "what ifs", I stayed in the present and dealt with the most pressing issues - getting a coffee and going to the washroom. LOL Good for you to stay in the moment! Great advice too!
Food always comes first 😂😂
Great video Brenna. I start my journey tomorrow so this came at the right time. Starting small with a couple of house sits and van life between until I build up my confidence. Excited with a little trepidation.
That’s the way to do it👏👏
Brenna, I’ve been watching a lot of van life videos and today came across your site. My successful transition is THE best van life video I’ve seen to explain the steps you took to slowly transition your life step by step to the van. I so appreciate your insight, kindness and gentleness. You’ve opened by eyes to how I can just go out a bit farther each time and slowly be more comfortable. Thank you again. Blessings to you, Ann from Vancouver, BC Canada
You can do it!
Thanks Brenna for a very motivational and encouraging video. As Arthur Ashe said "Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can". The common theme throughout Arthur Ashe's quotes is that it all comes back to a focus on doing things, of starting rather than procrastinating or hoping for better.
I love that quote, so simple and so true.😊
Great post thanks Brenna.
I think a lot of people jump in with both feet which is all very well but as you clearly state in your video - life is always best when taking smaller but positive steps.
So hoping those considering "selling up" see your talk as it's fantastic advice esp from one who knows.
And for the record we think you and Abby are brave - anyone who steps out of their comfort zone is allowed to claim this.
Always a "joy" to see what you're both up to and being 2 Women - we so admire you both.
Safe, joyful travels and good health.
Lotsa love Mer, Jan and Arki S.A. xxx
Thanks for all the love. 🤗
Wow Brenna. I found it very moving to hear of your need to move outside of your 5 km zone and slowly build your confidence to go further. I have travelled the world and much of Australia solo all my adult life, in chunks of time varying from 2 weeks to two years, living out of a backpack and kind of take it for granted, as I love the excitement, challenges and lots of change. I must say, the van build out phase made me realise I only want to be a traveller, not a nomad. I love the shorter stints, but enjoy the mix of a home base and going out into the world, as well. I realise I didn't need that much hassle and stress, not just of using power tools, but juggling two vehicles, paying two sets of rego and insurance and that my car, was fine for my camping needs, or doing fly drive get always during holidays, with my hiking gear to car camp, as I have always done. I also enjoy my job and was not ready to chuck it in. I love that you are sharing your experience to help others take similar steps.I love my regular travels, but certainly understand why living on the road is an equally fantastic option. Following our hearts and achieving our dreams is what counts at the end of the day and there are many pathways to that.Thanks for your wonderful videos and honesty!
I also traveled through world on my own from the age of 25 but somehow managed to become a bit of a recluse in my late 40’s and didn’t like people anymore 🧐
Hubby and I had been holidaying and dog showing in rural areas every weekend in our van. It was an easy retirement plan to travel. We have now been on the road four and half years. Yes easier for me as I have hubby for the hard stuff. I do admire your strength to do this on your own. Sending hugs ps great advise for new people❤😊
Thanks Gail🥰
Such perfect advice - just what I needed to hear! Thank you for presenting your thoughts in such bite-sized pieces.
Very well said 'enjoyed listening thank-you..
Thanks Dave😊
Hello Brenna, I know this video was a while ago, but it was so timely for me to watch it.
I’ve been following your channel for a bit and catching up on your older vlogs first. I thoroughly enjoy them; you are a natural!
I now have my van, which was already converted, though not to my liking, but that will have to wait until I have time/money to alter her. Anyway, I am also going to go slowly to eventually full-time if I can do that, bravery/confidence/emotionally. (I’m also an Australian)
Before I watched this video yesterday, I was planning on venturing out for shorter periods of time and coming back home to my apartment to recoup and go out again until I could really be full-time. Then, I would make my apartment a rental.
Your vlog gave me more assurity that there is nothing wrong with the way I am approaching this. Thank you so much!
Arna xx
Very good advice - expand your comfort zone gradually, small steps lead to bigger steps. While building your van take it out on day or overnight trips, this is what I plan to do. That way I can see what works and doesn't work. Love your channel Brenna, getting so many good and practical ideas. Best wishes!
Absolutely loved this video… I am in the transition process now. I am still working atm, I am starting to prepare my house for sale and I have ordered my van. The whole process can be very overwhelming and I get behind with my blogs and vlogs. I try to go on a day trip to a new place every fortnight with Kahra to see how she travels and I am hiring a van for a week to see how I go in 3weeks. The van I have hired is a conversion and will be harder to drive etc than the van I have order. All of it is part of my plan and transition from house/ job etc to retirement & full time van life. There is so many decisions I have to make over the next 12 months. Listening to your video you gave me more confidence and that if I feel overwhelmed that is ok too. My circle is already quite small and I am an introvert, so talking to strangers is quite hard for me, having Kahra certainly helps. Xmas school holidays I will be starting the transition for my grumpy cat! Thank you again!
@Ellie Bee thank you Ellie yes I have started a few different channels, Travel Adventures AUSTRALIA, Sandy and Kahra, which will follow more of Kahra’s adventures and Retirement to Coddiwomple Life which is the channel where I am recording my journey from Pre retirement to living for full time on the road. I do get very overwhelmed with it all and wonder if I am doing the right thing. But I have also been alone for a very long time, so I made the decision that it better to be alone and travelling than be alone living in a one place.
Love the support from my viewers 😊
I believe in you 🥰
@@BrennaLivingJoyfully Thank you 😊
@@BrennaLivingJoyfully you are very practical and inspirational 😊
This video is spot on. Start with Micro changes and then it’s not so overwhelming.
Reminds me of a favourite quote - Comfort is a cage. Do hard things.
Well said about expectations and being too tough on yourself. X
Wow, I love that quote! I have never heard it before, thanks for sharing 😊
I really love your attitude about taking each new spot you visit on its own merits, and not expecting it to be better or worse than the previous spot. That’s such a great place to start from, mentally.
Yes, it has definitely made the journey much more enjoyable.
@@BrennaLivingJoyfully I feel like it’s good advice for life in general, too, not just travel.
.@Coralie Jump with no fear. Totally agree Coralie. You can never compare places and you can never go back to the quite the same place, as change is inevitable. Life is about expecting the unexpected. Prepare for the worst, but hope for the best, Everywhere is unique as is every person we meet. Yet there will equally be elements of sameness to some degree too!
I may go the direction of building out my own vehicle as well -> basically bc none are exactly as I would like but are very 'high-priced". I plan to take my time w/ insulation probably being my 1st major task. But I will live in it for a while & find out what would make my situation more comfortable, convenient & esthetically pleasing. 😊 I may own a tiny home as well, but my reason for wanting to go the vehicle route 1st, is to be portable & able to see family whenever, not stuck in one place w/no one nearby.
That was a wonderful video Brenna, so informative and calming. I think a lot of people will take great comfort and knowledge away after watching this, thank you for sharing. Happy travels big hug for Abby.
Abby says thanks for the hug🐶🤗
Another positive thought is to recognize a problem but then move on to the solution, don’t focus on the problem
Absolutely brilliant the way you created this life step by step ❤❤❤
Thanks Bec, I’m still going step by step 😊
You are so refreshing. Practical, solid advice!
Glad you think so!
Thankyou you Brenna. I am beyond grateful for your wisdom in this video. Im early 50's and pushing past my comfort zones and agoraphobia to live my dream van life with my furbaby this year and every word of what you said not only resonated with me but moved me and inspired me to keep on going. Truely the best step by step advice ive heard. Thankyou so so much 🤗
You are so welcome! I’m glad my sharing has helped 😊
Brenna you are seriously my hero. Thank you for this. I am intending to move into van life in the next 3 years, and already having anxiety about it! Your words are so simple but so helpful. Thank you again!
Glad to be of help 🙏
My favorite encouragement is to always look at the mountain you’ve climbed not the mountain ahead of you.
Yes, we do forget what we have already achieved.😊
I'm from Michigan in the United States of America.... Thank you for being an amazing inspiration.... I hope to do the van life in 2 years when I retire .... I've been planning for a long time... I also have a base place with a friend ...that I can go in the event I have travel fatigue...... I also feel excited about traveling different ways like cruise ships , train rides and fly to Europe as well.. you're amazing person ... Keep making content and I'll keep watching ....have awesome travels .it makes us happy to watch you 😊
Love your plans😊
Spot on Brenna! Good advise to all. Drive safe & keep having lots of fun & making great videos. Elaine from Queensland.
Thanks Elaine 😊
I am thinking of travelling by myself for a few months and by watching your videos is very encouraging. 😊
Glad to be of help.
I absolutely crumbled, when I was going for my first overnight.
I was just in my home, shaking, crying not really understanding WHY...
I would only be going somewhere close, where I could easily go back home if I felt like it.
But doing this, was the first step, and that meant that nothing would be the same afterwards.
I think that's what shook me..
I found a good place to stay, had my dog with me, but I didn't really sleep, as the park up was visible from the road, and I was listening if people were going to stop and check out the car (since it just looks like a car and the place wasn't a typical place for cars to be "left alone" overnight)
Not much sleep, but it was a great experience anyway..
Waking up there, making videos, sharing the excitement.
I still have a long way to go, before living in a van, but I am slowly getting there. 😊
Sounds like you are doing great! I love how you didn’t let the fear stop you 😊
Hi Brenna.
Thanks for your videos. They are useful to me in that you share your thoughts on "how and why" rather than just the "where I went and what I saw there" videos.
To celebrate my 60th birthday I have bought a van and are having it converted. I should be ready to start my wandering journey in early March. I don't think I would have done this without considering your advice.
When heading west, I will make a point of waving to each approaching Toyota van just in case it is you.
Cheers, Tim.
I am 67 and have also been planning this life for 2 years. I am looking forward to what lies ahead in my Toyota van so you may be waving to me (:
I will definitely wave back 👋
There was a man who sat outside his petrol station along the side of a road in the Adelaide hills. Since I was a young man, I have remembered him waving to all passers-by. Unfortunately, after at least 40 years of waving he has passed away. There must be thousands of Adelaideans who grieve the loss of this man, who made all people that passed him feel a little bit special.
The smallest gesture can give so much joy.😊
Wonderful video. Very sage advice. And brilliant you , continued happy travels.
Thanks Sian😊
This is a really helpful & informative video. Thank you 😊
You're so welcome!
This is such a great video! Ive been planning my van life journey for the laat 2 years & i finally just bought my van! Ive just finished insulating it & building my bed! I am soooo excited! Also a little apprehensive! Lol but after binge watching your channel this afternoon im feeling a lot more confident! Me & my 2 girls (fur-babies) will be living the dream in the very near future! ❤
Glad it was helpful!
Very relevant and true handle the next step when it gets here but keep moving forward
So simple really 😊
Great video :-) I love the analogy with the walking toddler. I think I need that framed!!
I would also add don't listen to the nay sayers. When I was preparing to do a half lap with my boys, I was asked if I was really capable of doing it. Until that point I hadn't doubted myself in the slightest. I didn't doubt myself for long in the end, but it still put that niggling thought in my head. So my additional advice: don't listen to people who 'mean well'.
Great advice about not listening to the naysayers. 😊
Thank you for tips and advise. What a great video. Thank you so much for sharing xx
My pleasure 😊
Thankyou for your advice. You have to inspire me to have a go. Take care
Yay, go for it!
Lots of great suggestions there Brenna and nice to read the comments where you are giving others confidence 😊
Thanks Ann, we have a great community here 😊
I found your channel several days ago ... or rather UA-cam connected me :) ... so I am not exactly binge watching, but picking videos as I have time. So much good advice or I guess I'd sum up: good ways to process and think about things!
18 years ago, after 6 years of dithering between various types of RVs I had opportunity to go full time as I was between houses, had a 2 year consulting contract (self employed software engineer) ... went out intending to buy an older Class C with minimal features and came home with a 2 year old 33 foot Class A motorhome with 2 slides that included all mod cons!!
Then traded my Chev Suburban for a Jeep Wrangler and set the Jeep up to tow. I am not a camper but I did grow up sailing with my fam boats with cabin/galley/toilet AND my father was a mechanical engineer so I was used to fixing things and using tools. I would describe myself as over-confident in that I always know I can do things ... BUT, I also know that I need to learn a lot when I try new things.
18 years ago, UA-cam was just launched and no Instagram so my sources for information were RV forums: general and specific to my make/model. I did daytrips to learn driving/parking/setup while close to home. A retired truck driver/neighbor worked with me on backup technique.
Then some overnights. Then a 10 day trip but within 150 miles of home. Things broke. Between the user manuals for my rig, the forums and phone calls to dealer/mfg I learned to fix most things on my own. Long story to say that your advice to start small and build on experience is the way I went also.
My one super uncomfortable moment early on was driving through Las Vegas ... a LOT of traffic on many freeway lanes and the need to pay attention to lanes for navigation (before GPS gadgets telling you which lane you needed to be in). I had planned to stop at a Camping mega store and spend the night but I just wanted out of the city. When I got clear of traffic, I was exhausted, low on gas, propane and water. Thankfully found a place to fuel and water ( at 33 feet plus another 15 plus feet of Jeep ... and height, options are more limited). THEN, I found a pullout ... washed my face, sat and had a cold glass of water and regrouped. I remember feeling torn to just push on to find a place and knowing that I needed a break. It was a great learning moment and helped so much with future unexpected events.
Now, I am looking at downsizing to a van. After crisscrossing the U.S., I want to stick to Pacific Northwest and shorter trips. I have a small 1 br/1ba house on rural acreage in NW MT so a very pleasant home base but I like to get out and about every so often.
At any rate, I am learning a lot about van life options from your videos. Thank you!!
Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m really glad I started small and simple as you have said, there is so much to learn. I’m glad my videos are helping people 😊
@@BrennaLivingJoyfully I reread my comment and realize that I did not exactly start small as far as RV ... small steps as far as learning I should have clarified. I have been thinking about all you said, rewatched twice in fact ... as I am considering my own van/minivan.
Thank you so much every think you have said has been so enlightening, so very helpful thank you
You’re very welcome 😊
Thankyou for all your tips I do appreciate the tips
You are very welcome 🤗
I love this so much!
Thank you your video prompted me to move ahead in my journey. 😌
I wish you all the best 😊
Great timing,just the inspo i need. thank you and safe travels x
You’re welcome 😊
Enjoyed this video , it was straightforward showing how changing your life is possible with these steps. Hoping one day we will run into you & Abbi.
Thanks Sandra😊
Love watching your videos Brenna!
Glad you like them!
Brenna your beautiful, this video is from your heart and feeling great of giving it a go. We been working hard on my camper. Today bike carrier and biscuit box with cutting board. Cheese and cracker time. Or a wrap or two. I have another family in a few years were going to do a big trip.
Thank you for your kind words and I like the sound of a biscuit box😉
Great advices. Thanks.
My pleasure!
Awesome video with some great advice ❤
Glad you liked it!!😀
Stop saying..I’m not Brave….it’s a compliment to yourself , self talk is the most important thing for each of us…..you are brave….🥰 start saying, I am brave…..
Welcome!
Wise woman
Such great advice!
Thank you
Excellent video I am building up to it for next winter. Merry Christmas 🎄 hope you find a great place to stay ❤
Merry Christmas Dorothy🤶
This is such a great video!
Thank you so much!
Excellent!
Glad you liked it!
Fantastic advice 😊
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you! ❤
You're welcome 😊
That was absolutely fantastic. Thank you so much for this wonderful video. 😊
I was so surprised that you hadn’t even been camping before you took your first overnight trip in your car! Have you covered in a previous video what made you decide to do van life? Because now I’m really curious. (Also equally wondering if you have and I’ve watched it and just forgot. LOL!)
Glad you enjoyed it! I did a video called "Living the dream" almost a year ago. It is all about why I am doing what I am doing. 😀
@@BrennaLivingJoyfully I’ve started working my way through from the beginning, and I think maybe that one’s up next!
..😁pip pips