Vanlife Essentials: Tips, Tricks & Products That Have Got Us This Far...

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Living on the road is an adventure like no other, but it comes with quirks and challenges. One thing I’ve learned: the right gear doesn’t just make life easier—it keeps the adventure rolling, rain or shine. From staying organised to being ready for the unexpected, these essentials have been my reliable companions on this journey.

Battling Damp and Condensation

Condensation is the silent menace of vanlife, creeping in on misty mornings and cold nights. Disposable hanging and standing dehumidifiers are my first line of defence. Affordable, compact, and effective, they keep moisture at bay, ensuring dry bedding, clear windows, and a more comfortable living space.

Navigating and Staying Safe

An A-Z Road Map 2025 and a Trekker explorer map with a navigation compass are vital for staying on track when signal disappears off-grid. Paired with a well-equipped first aid kit, they ensure I’m prepared for anything. A survival shovel also earns its keep, proving indispensable for everything from digging out tyres to makeshift solutions in remote spots.

Storage That Keeps You Organised

In a van, organisation isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. Smaller plastic lidded Tupperware containers keep pet food fresh and spill-free, while a 32L plastic storage box holds clothes neatly and efficiently. A 6L box for kitchen utensils and cutlery saves you from digging through drawers, ensuring everything has its place.

Hygiene, the Off-Grid Way

Just because you’re off-grid doesn’t mean giving up on comfort. A folding toilet paired with a Bivvy Loo starter pack handles the essentials. Adding toilet wipes, all-body wipes, a Shewee, and a urine bottle to the mix ensures you’re prepared for any situation, no matter how remote.

Staying Warm in the Cold

Winter vanlife can be magical if you’re prepared. Snoods and high-quality sleeping bags are staples for frosty nights, and a gas canister heater provides instant warmth but remember good ventilation is essential during use be safe. With a good stock of gas canisters, you’ll be ready for whatever the weather throws your way.

Cooking in Compact Spaces

Cooking in a van requires simplicity and practicality. A gas stove and a whistling kettle paired with some camping pans are must-haves for brewing tea or making hearty one-pot meals. To keep ingredients fresh, an injection-moulded cool box and good-quality ice blocks extend your time off-grid without compromising on food quality.

Water on the Go

A folding water bottle is great for extra water storage, but I often rely on 5L supermarket water bottles for drinking water. They’re affordable, easy to replace, and fit perfectly into my van’s setup.

Being Ready for the Unexpected

Vanlife is full of surprises, and being prepared is key. A rechargeable pump saves the day with flat tyres, while a jump-start power bank ensures you’re not stranded with a dead battery. A reliable torch and head torch are invaluable, whether for fixing something in the dark or exploring the outdoors after sunset.

Power Without Solar

Since my van doesn’t yet have solar panels, a 12V multi-port lead is essential for charging devices. Battery-operated lights create a warm, homely glow, and with a stash of AA and AAA batteries, I can stay powered up for days, even off-grid.

The Little Things That Matter

Some of the smallest items can have the biggest impact. Screenwash tablets keep the windscreen clear after muddy lanes or salty air. And while they’re small, disposable dehumidifiers work quietly to keep the van fresh and liveable.

Ready for the Road Ahead

This kit isn’t just about surviving—it’s about thriving. Every item earns its place by making life on the road easier, freeing me up to focus on the adventure. Whether it’s staying warm, organised, or prepared for the unexpected, these essentials help transform a van into a true home on wheels.

So, what’s on your vanlife must-have list?

Taking a Winter Break: Vanlife Paused, Not Stopped.

Vanlife has been an incredible adventure for us, but as this extremely cold winter sets in, Tash and I have had some long talks about what’s best for us right now. After weighing up all the options, we’ve decided to take a short break from full-time vanlife—but only until next year.

Initially, we hoped to find accommodation in Lincolnshire to stay close to the places we love, but with so little on the market, it just hasn’t been possible. Thankfully, we have a great relationship with our previous letting agents, and after a few discussions, they’ve worked with the landlord to let us move back into our old property for the winter months.

The past few days have been tough as we’ve been going through our storage unit to refurnish the house. It’s strange stepping back into a more fixed lifestyle, but this temporary change gives us a chance to reset and prepare for the next chapter.

Our Transit Connect has been a brilliant little van, but its limitations are more apparent in these harsh conditions. Without solar panels or 240V power, we’ve been relying solely on 12V, which has made things increasingly difficult in the freezing weather. I’ve been feeling anxious about it all, but sometimes you’ve got to adapt to keep moving forward.

That said, there’s a silver lining to this break. I’m big on Christmas, and with the limited cooking facilities in the van, it would have been a struggle to make it feel special. Now, at least, we’ll have a warm, cosy, and merry Christmas to enjoy together. It’s a small comfort that makes this transition a bit easier to accept.

This pause is only temporary, not the end. We’ll still be doing the odd night away and exploring whenever we can, but for now, we’re stepping back from living on the road full-time. Marking this chapter, our vanlife journey began on my 31st birthday, 31st May 2024, and we’ll press pause on 1st December 2024, exactly six months later.

In the meantime, this break gives us a chance to reset and focus on a few essentials. I’ll have access to my PC again, which means I can refine the blog and create better content. I’ve also upgraded to a new phone, which will make managing everything on the road much easier. Plus, the van needs some maintenance, its MOT is due in January, and I’ve got a few tweaks I want to finish on the build—all of which we’ll tackle while we’re temporarily off the road.

And let me be clear—the blog isn’t going anywhere, and neither are the posts. Whether it’s days out, short trips, or planning the next leg of our journey, I’ll still be here, sharing every step of the way.

This is just a new chapter in the same story. Vanlife will resume before you know it, and we’ll be back chasing the open road in no time.

Finding Freedom in Chaos: How Vanlife Helps Me Manage BPD.

Living with borderline personality disorder (BPD) is like trying to steer a ship in the middle of a storm. One minute, the seas are calm, the next, waves are crashing over the deck, and you're gripping the wheel, hoping you won't capsize. That’s been my reality for the last 11 years. But somewhere along the way, I found something unexpected—a way to ride out the chaos. Not in therapy rooms or medication alone, but on the road, in a van, with nothing but the open sky and the hum of the engine to keep me grounded.

This life—living simply, moving freely—has done more for me than I ever thought possible. It hasn’t "fixed" me (I don’t think anyone with BPD is looking for a quick fix), but it’s helped me manage the highs and lows in ways I couldn’t imagine while stuck in one place.

What It's Like Living with BPD

For those who don’t know, BPD isn’t just a bad day or feeling a bit moody. It’s intense, overwhelming, and often feels like you're at war with yourself. One moment, you’re on top of the world, buzzing with excitement or connection. The next, the slightest comment or thought can send you into a spiral of self-doubt, anger, or sadness. It's a constant push and pull, like your emotions have the volume turned up to max.

For years, I struggled to cope. I’d isolate myself for weeks, too anxious to face the world, drowning in my thoughts. I felt stuck—physically, emotionally, mentally. The walls closed in, and the more I tried to suppress the chaos, the louder it got.

Why Vanlife Was the Escape I Needed

When Tash and I decided to give vanlife a go, it wasn’t some grand plan to "find myself." It was more about breaking free from a life that didn’t fit anymore. But as the weeks turned into months on the road, I realised how much this lifestyle was giving me.

Solitude in Nature: There’s something about waking up in the middle of nowhere—fields stretching out around you, the sound of birds instead of traffic—that settles my mind. Nature doesn’t demand anything from me. It just is. And in that stillness, I’ve found moments of peace I never thought possible.

Freedom to Adapt: With BPD, routine can feel like a trap, but too much unpredictability can be just as hard. Living in a van gives me control over my environment. If one place feels too noisy, too crowded, or too triggering, I can drive somewhere else. It’s freedom, but on my terms.

A Simpler Life: There’s less "stuff" in vanlife—less clutter, fewer distractions, and fewer societal pressures. The focus shifts to essentials: where to park, what to eat, and how to make the most of the day ahead. Stripping life back to basics has been like pressing reset on my brain.

It’s Not Always Easy

That said, vanlife isn’t some magical cure-all. There are hard days. Days when the small space feels suffocating, or my emotions run wild and there’s no "escape room" to cool off. Impulsivity, one of the hallmarks of BPD, can also make decisions on the road tricky. Am I moving because I need to, or because I’m running from something?

Then there’s the challenge of relationships. Tash has been my rock through all of this, but being in a van means we’re in each other’s pockets 24/7. Communication becomes crucial, as does recognising when I need to step outside, breathe, and reset.

How Vanlife is Helping Me Heal

Despite the challenges, I’ve grown more in the last few months than in years before. The solitude has given me space to reflect, the freedom has helped me regain control, and the connection with nature has brought a calmness I didn’t know I was capable of feeling.

Vanlife hasn’t changed who I am—it’s helped me embrace it. The intensity of my emotions is still there, but I’ve learned to channel it into positive experiences. Watching a sunrise after a tough night or pulling over at an unexpected spot to marvel at a view—it’s those little moments that remind me I’m alive, and that life, despite its chaos, is worth it.

To Anyone Else with BPD...

If you’re reading this and you’ve felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’re at war with yourself, I want you to know you’re not alone. Vanlife might not be your answer, but the idea of creating a life that works for you—a life that gives you space, freedom, and room to grow—is something worth chasing.

For me, the road has become my therapy room, the van my safe space. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine. And for the first time in a long time, that feels enough.

BPD is a part of me, but it doesn’t define me. Living on the road, I’ve found a way to manage the storm—not by fighting it, but by learning to ride the waves.

And who knows? Maybe the road ahead will have even more lessons to teach. For now, I’ll keep driving, keep exploring, and keep finding the freedom that comes with embracing life’s chaos.

Life’s Detours: A Quick Stop in Staffordshire

Vanlife is all about freedom, but sometimes the road throws you a detour. I’ve found myself in Staffordshire recently, where life’s been a bit louder, faster, and honestly, not quite the peace I’ve gotten used to on the road.

What’s Been Going On

Without giving too much away, let’s just say it’s been a series of things needing my attention – and not the kind that can wait. The fast pace and constant noise have been a full shift from vanlife, where mornings start with fresh air and nights end in silence under the stars.

Reflections from the Pause

This detour has been a reminder of why I chose life on the road. The open landscapes, solitude, and calm that come with vanlife are worlds away from the constant buzz I’m navigating here. It’s grounding me in a way I didn’t expect, reminding me how much the quiet and freedom mean to me.

Looking Ahead

Once this chapter wraps up, it’s back to the road where I feel most at home. Thanks for being part of the journey – can’t wait to bring you along for the next adventure.

How Vanlife Helped Me Reconnect: A Journey Beyond Four Walls.

For a decade, my life felt like it was on pause. Living with anxiety, PTSD, and borderline personality disorder (BPD), I found myself locking the world out, hiding behind four walls that became my safety net but also my prison. The world outside seemed overwhelming, and I convinced myself that retreating from it was the best way to cope. But, after 10 years of isolation, something shifted. I was done hiding.

That’s when vanlife came into the picture.

Breaking Free from the Four Walls

Choosing to live in a van wasn’t some romanticised escape for me—it was survival. The open road, remote landscapes, and the peace of nature became a lifeline. Being constantly on the move let me leave behind the suffocating routine of anxiety. Just parking my van in a quiet, remote spot felt like a release. It's not that I was running away—if anything, I was finally confronting the chaos in my head, but on my own terms.

For anyone struggling with their mental health, the idea of living untethered from the comfort of a home might seem terrifying. But for me, the van became my safe space, a home I could take anywhere. Instead of shutting the world out, I was opening myself up to it—at my own pace.

The Healing Power of Solitude

Before vanlife, the noise in my mind was relentless. Auditory hallucinations are part of my experience with BPD, and being in crowded places or busy cities only made it worse. But parked up somewhere remote, with just me, my partner Tash, and Biggie, our cat, the silence was a kind of medicine. Out there, with nothing but the wind and the occasional crackle of the fire, I could actually breathe. No pressure, no expectations—just me and the road.

Of course, solitude forces you to face yourself. It’s not always easy. I had to get comfortable with my thoughts, my fears, and the raw reality of my mental health. Some nights, the anxiety still crept in, even in the middle of nowhere. But those moments were different. Out there, I had space to process them instead of being overwhelmed.

Nature’s Role in Reconnection

Living on the road isn’t just about leaving the daily grind behind—it’s about reconnecting. Not just with yourself, but with the world around you. Nature has this grounding effect. The open skies, rolling landscapes, and the sounds of the outdoors—it puts things into perspective. On tough days, when my BPD was particularly full on, I’d take a walk along a trail or watch the mist lift over the hills from the van. There’s a simplicity to vanlife that cuts through all the noise, the pressures of life.

Vanlife showed me that it’s okay not to have all the answers. There’s no end destination, no rush to get anywhere—just the journey, and that’s more than enough sometimes.

The Challenges of Living with Mental Health on the Road

Let’s be real—it’s not always easy. Living in a van with PTSD and BPD throws its own challenges into the mix. Some days, the anxiety ramps up, and even the freedom of the open road feels like too much. Being in remote locations can sometimes stir up feelings of isolation. But I’ve found little routines that help. Simple things like making a brew in the morning, writing in a journal, or just sitting and breathing for a bit.

Tash has been my rock through it all. After 11 years together, she knows when to step back and when to step in. And Biggie’s always there, just keeping things steady with her presence. Having them with me on this journey makes it feel like a team effort—we’re in this together.

So again, Why Vanlife? (This one will come up a lot)

At the end of the day, vanlife gave me something I didn’t even realise I needed—freedom. Not just the freedom to travel wherever, but freedom from the invisible walls I’d been living behind for years. Every day on the road is an opportunity to see something new, to move at my own pace, and to reconnect with who I am, beyond the labels of anxiety, PTSD, or BPD.

Vanlife isn’t a cure. My mental health is still something I live with, and I’ve come to accept that. But the life I’m living now gives me the space to manage it, to get through the tough days, and to fully embrace the calm and clarity that comes from being out there in the world.

If you’ve ever felt trapped by your own mind, there are ways to break free—even if it’s something a bit unconventional. For me, it was a van and the open road. For you, it could be something else entirely. The key is to keep moving, even if it’s at your own pace.