From Heartbreak to Freedom: Solo Vanlife Lessons!
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
- In an earlier video, “Why I’m Living in My Van in My 50s,” I shared how a trusted friend’s broken verbal agreement forced me to leave my three-bedroom home, losing $100K and beginning a life in my van, Van Halen.
At the time, it felt devastating. But after a year of solo vanlife, I’ve realized this experience was a profound gift of freedom.
In this video, I reflect on the lessons I’ve learned while living alone on the road, from embracing solitude to taking responsibility for my role in this life-changing journey.
If you’re curious about vanlife, personal growth, or finding resilience in unexpected challenges, this deep dive is for you.
Strap in and let’s go!
Whether you’re a fellow traveler, a solo adventurer, or someone seeking courage to follow your dreams, this channel is for you.
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🔑 What You’ll Find in This Channel
• Vanlife tips: Exploring Australia’s stunning landscapes.
• Personal stories: From hardship to healing.
• Inspiration for 45-65-year-old travelers: Rediscover your spark on the road.
• Solo female vanlife: Empowerment, adventure, and connection.
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Don’t forget to like, comment, and share this video with your fellow adventurers.
Together, we can inspire others to embrace life’s unexpected turns and find freedom on the road.
#SoloVanlife #VanlifeAustralia #LivingInAVan #VanlifeLessons #FreedomOnTheRoad #PersonalGrowth #ResilienceJourney #SoloFemaleVanlife #LifeInMy50s #VanlifeFreedom #MinimalistLiving #RoadToSelfDiscovery #OvercomingChallenges #VanHalenVan #vanlifejourney
Another awesome video.
Thankyou for sharing 🙏
@@GoodenuffCollective thank YOU ❤️🙏
Such a beautiful & gracious example of overcoming adversity!! ✨ Keep being bloody awesome Donna-Leigh 🌈
@@breelockhart4546 You have low AF standards!
@@breelockhart4546 🙏❤️
God Bless you. 🙏
@@ontheroadaustralia-soleman1911 thank YOU so kindly 🙏❤️
@@Vanlifewithdonna-leighperfect Your welcome
New sub here from another channel comment I saw you on. Few $ to help you along the way fellow traveller. We've been through similar heartache and now mix house-sitting with traveling while working. Yoshi & Co ❤
@@oztraveltrio wow wow wow. That is soooo kind of you. You are my first Super$ and I am so grateful for your encouraging words. You have made my day. ❤️🙏
Just a suggestion. You can now get a 2kw portable Aircon from Bunnings which you could put in the front seat and ask Craig to build a vent board for out the front window. 2.3kw gen set on the roof and you're all set for those Summer nights.
Best if you sleep with your head laid at the rear door for the electro-magnetic radiation from the compressor.
Storage for the Aircon in Winter, and if Craig comes up with a good design he could sell it on eBay until China takes it off him and sells it for peanuts.
Love your work
@@MarkMusumeci thanks so much for the tip. I think my friend Craig has done his fair share to help me with my van though 🤣🚐
Well done girl!! I had a similar experience where lockdown put me on a completely different trajectory but I took responsibility for my part and became grateful for a new and unexpected experience living on a canal boat in England!
@@ExpressYourselfLearning oh thank you. 🙏
Yes the personal growth we experience from adversity is incredibly valuable.
Thanks for your support. ❤️🙏
Thanks for sharing your inspiring journey this far 🙌🏼 I’ve been on a similar path, one of overcoming and progressive soul growth 💜 lessons are blessings indeed 🥰
@@traceyduncan2458 I love that. Lessons are blessings.
Yes! Embrace the highs and lows. We are where we need to be at this exact time in our life.
Everything has purpose and meaning when we are open to learnings that these experiences gift us. 🙏❤️
There are many lessons to be learnt for both young and older people alike from your story.
Many years ago now a read that when anything goes wrong, the first question to ask is.
What can I learn from this. ( unfortunately I don’t always do this )
You are a very strong woman and super inspirational.
@@leithmurray736 thank you for your kind feedback. We all have more resilience within than we may realise.
Yes, how we choose to respond to events creates our outcome.
🙏❤️
You have such a beautiful attitude x And you are doing what so many absolutely long to do by travelling around this beautiful country. Such an amazing experience and learning for you x biggest hugs x
@@chrissiejoy thank YOU Chrissie. Your support and kindness is sooo appreciated ❤️🙏
You are now, where I aspire to be.
My last relationship?
He ended up robbing me of a car and goodness knows how much money.
I have spent the last 3 years paying stuff off.
And even then?
With rent? I couldn't pay off my debts.
So now? I'm living in my parent's caravan out the front of their house for however long it takes to earn the money to pay everything off and start putting together a life in an RV or something.
(I REALLY would like a van).
But yes....
I'd like to think that one day down the track?
I can be as positive and gracious as you.
I see mobile living as my only possible option.
Being over 50?
I had REAL difficulty finding employment.
Now I'm working Casually and earning good money, mostly, for less hours.
I would LOVE to document this journey on RUclips, but I thought I'd wait till JUST before I was ready to take action....
Months of "still working, still saving, still keeping my eyes on the prize"? Would be dull dull dull haha
@@whitelytr you have been through a lot.
I really hope things improve for you very soon. 🙏❤️
@Vanlifewithdonna-leighperfect thankyou! Xoxo with continued determination and focus? I will eventually succeed... and whilst he will NEVER have my help again? And he will no doubt have to pay rent etc and experience difficulties?
I will eventually have my mobile home and have such freedom! Won't have to work AS much to be able to afford to live.
I'm hoping within a year?
I'll have it all sorted....
And be able to get out into Nature on my days off! And use that time in Nature? To heal my Spirit and move past it all.
The sooner the better! Lol
But I must also have patience...
@@whitelytr stay focused on your goal. In the meantime map out some place you want to go. How you want your van to look.
Watch some of my videos on my fitout, places to stay and being safe.
You will LOVE it 🙏🚐
Wow what an amazing woman. Trust me you don’t want debt . I’ve had many houses and none brought me any joy. They are glorified coffins. I sailed from NZ to Australia a year and a half ago with my dog and less is more. If you travel to magnetic island 🏝 you are welcome to pop in and say hi . Living one’s truth is the best gift . My saying is adversity builds courage and strength and humanity. Keep smiling 🙂. My truth is living with no jabs and seeking truth
Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment.
You are so right…I don’t want debt at my age. I feel lucky now I never got the opportunity to buy the house. My adventure so far has been such a wonderful experience.
Thank you for the kind offer.i love it up there. 🙏❤️
Well through adversity and being authentic things can change. Ted my wire hair terrier would like to met you haha . I have to say your age fit as f healthy no addictions whatsoever and we would love you to visit. Yes I’m a kiwi adventurer sailing . But hey not a dating app haha 😂 your a survivor like me . But we are strong girl 👧. Ted the wire hair terrier is fun . I’m fun to . I know your pass and it doesn’t define us ok . I came by your channel by default and it’s been interesting to say the least . But you know what. Cyber space can bring souls together
@ thanks so much for your encouraging words and your dog sounds cute.
I appreciate your support 🙏❤️
I hope this is a chapter in your life 🙏 not a whole book.
But making the absolute best of every scenario and situation is a must 👌 🙌 😊
@@clairewilliams7762 absolutely agree 🙏❤️
You have a better life now for sure, nothing worse than being trapped, sad about the money though
So very very true. 🙏❤️
never loan money to friends.. never go in business with friends.. never invest with friends brilliant ideas:)
@@goodo5691 yes totally agree. Never again!
Thank you
or family
@ 🙌
What a be arch karma will get her love your van a house is an anchor maintenance rates bad neighbours 🙄 😉
@@julieannesimms981 oh that’s so true. I had bad neighbour and a good neighbour in that house. I don’t need to worry about that anymore. Thank you ❤️🙏