Home Sweet Van was one of the first #vanlife Instagram accounts I followed back in June of 2017. I’m so excited to share that Juliana and Richmond recently featured a story about me on their blog! They were excited to talk solo female van travel. And, of course, I was happy to dish!
Here are some highlights:
I’m working on doing what feels right for me, not what everyone else thinks I should do.
Meet Lisa from Vacay Vans (your truly!).
Tell us a bit about yourself and your tiny home
I’m Lisa and I’m a solo female van-lifer living in my 2012 Nissan NV2500 named Freebird.
I am what I like to call a “recovering lawyer.” I left my law career a few years ago to start an interior design firm specializing in green building and sustainability.
My passion for a sustainable lifestyle led to a love of tiny homes and minimalism.
In the fall of 2017, I discovered the #vanlife phenomenon and was immediately hooked! I self-converted Freebird using sustainable, reclaimed, and nontoxic materials. I worked on the project with my then-boyfriend, but after two weeks living together in the van, we decided to part ways. Though I didn’t plan to be a solo female van lifer on the road, Â but I love living this way!
I moved so much as a kid that my concept of home has always been fluid.
(Maybe that’s what draws me to this nomadic gypsy life!) I moved every year from 5th grade to 10th grade. I spent the majority of my formative years in Tucson, Arizona, and have lived in Austin, Texas for the past 10 years.
My home, Freebird, is a 2012 Nissan NV2500high roof that used to be a chicken-catering van.
I officially moved into her full-time in March 2018. Before that, I lived in my 26′ 1979 Airstream Overlander named Winona. My friends used to think it was crazy that I lived in a 192sf Airstream, but that’s huge compared to Freebird’s mere 60sf!
What’s a quote or mantra that you live by?
For me, vanlife is about embracing my quirky creative spirit, and that can turn off some people. As a life-long people pleaser, I’m working on doing what feels right for me, not what everyone else thinks I should do.
The quote that has been guiding my way is “When you try to please everyone, you end up truly exciting no one.”
Check out the rest of their rad feature story HERE!
Interested in solo female van life? Let’s talk! Connect with me on social media or in the comments below.
Sustainable Non-Toxic Flooring for Your DIY Camper Van
Heard a feature about you on the radio today and was intrigued. They gave out your Instagram address, so I’m following you there. I’m also a former law firm employee (O’Melveny & Myers), but in their marketing department. High-five for what you’re doing!
Hi Mark, Thanks for reaching out! It was a blast being featured on KNX today & I’m grateful to be able to spread the word about this alternative way of living! Cheers to no longer working at law firms! — Lisa
Hi Lisa – I love what you’re doing – I’ve been living a reasonably similar life for the past 13 years wandering all over North America running big construction projects and no longer own anything more than what I can carry with me in my truck, and I couldn’t be happier! One thing I’m wondering though is what you’re doing for money while you travel – it appears you’re not working any sort of job. Please let me know as I’d like to become even freer myself than I am right now! Thanks and best of luck out there – maybe we’ll run into each other!
Hi Bob, thanks for your message! I actually have several different jobs. Here’s a link to my YouTube video about what I do for work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glL67nq5Bco&t=286s Best wishes!!