About me: 

I'm not an expert. I'm not a doctor. I'm just some no-name Asshole who has some anecdotes and personal experiences I can share into the void. What worked for me may not work for everyone (gasp). 

I'm a munchkin-sized person who did solo female van life. 

After returning from a Spain climbing trip (2-3 months from Andorra to Calpe), I bought a 1992 Dodge Ram B-250. From here, my friends' family helped me install electric to solar, and a sturdy base for building off of while I lived in it. I used solar only, 100w x 2 panels, for the time I was in the van. Being in WY, OR, ID, CA, CO, and UT made this pretty easy. I ran my power tools off it and ripped everything out on 'rest days' and re-centered my Feng Shui. 

Mostly based in Moab, UT I rented a shared room with one other person in what was basically a flop house of other transients, drifters, hobos, rockstars, and magical people.

To save on space in the van, and mitigate theft loss, I had a storage unit in Moab for cheap. This is where I would swap out mountain for summer climbing gear or water sports. And my van still ended up looking like I looted every curb and thrift store half the time anyway.

A lot of the vanlife influencers are just that. They might take it out to the park for the weekend or just the day and can keep it in tiptop shape because they don't have everything they own in their rigs. Not everyone has that option or wants it. It doesn't always translate to helpful tips for full-timers or those undertaking big trips. 

I live in a house now. My heart beats for travel and adventure and making good connections. It's truly magical. 

Of the time I had from living in my van, I have but a handful of photos. What I can share is the summation of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in hopes it can help someone along the way. 

Cheers, ya'll!