NOT SO VAN-TASTIC
WHEN Allison Sharpe first purchased her van, she thought it would be the dream - but with the new life also came a stream of problems no one ever warned her about.
In 2019, Allison quit her job and gave up her cosy home in the sunny California for life on the road, first living in her car and now in a Chevrolet Express van.
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The van life, which she regularly shares on her YouTube channel, has come with positives and new experiences Allison could've only dreamt of.
As a nomad, the travel influencer is always on the lookout for delicious food, scenic places around the States, and different adventures.
But whilst life on road - something that has become increasingly popular over the years - may sound exciting to those stuck in the regular 9-5 race, all is not as it seems.
Allison recently took to YouTube where she opened up what life is really like when you're a solo female traveller spending your days on the road.
One the more negative aspects, she said in her video, hit her like a ''ton of bricks''.
It's getting hot in here
A common misconception, Allison said, is that van life means you can travel anywhere no matter the weather - but this is far from the case.
During her first summer on the road, Allison found herself feeling ''very heat-strokey'' and fatigued.
''I felt like I was gonna pass out, it was just too much. I was sweating constantly.''
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Despite looking out for tips online and forking out for gadgets to help this, she quickly learnt that there was no cooling off in a cramped van.
''It's not as freeing as one might think.''
Introverts do need company
''Everybody's not built to be alone 100 per cent of the time, none of us have been built that way.
''It's not healthy to isolate yourself all the time.''
Those posting their journeys on social media also often share their newly-made pals at meet-ups and others events - but according to Allison, this is not the full picture.
''I've met some people and it's great, don't get me wrong.
''But when you see these videos of people gathered at the desert at a bonfire [...] that does happen - but that's not all the time.''
As someone who doesn't drink or party, Allison has also struggled with meet-up apps where others seem to predominantly be into smoking weed or playing loud music.
''That's not the vibe for me, it's not a perpetual party here out on the road.''
The not so free freedom
Sharing her experience so far, Allison said that living in a van doesn't come with the huge amount of freedom many of us believe it does.
Even when you've found a spot you quite enjoy, drivers are urged to move their vehicles every night.
Some evenings, she said, it gets to 11pm and you realise you need to pack everything up in the back and hit the road.
Finding new parking doesn't happen straight away either and having to constantly move ''is hard on your body and also hard mentally''.
Time to quit job?
Although living in a van can be cheaper than staying in a traditional home, there are a number expenses that don't just suddenly vanish.
As well as still having to budget for food, gas and other essentials, Allison reminded that you will also need to think about health issues and accidents.
''Things are not always gonna go as planned, so you're going to need to set some money aside.
''You should definitely have a plan in place, so that when something breaks you are prepared for it.''
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All good things come to an end
At the start of her journey, Allison was convinced that this would be something she'd do forever.
But just three years later, she's realised this no longer is for her.
''I'm tired [...]. It's not the small space - it's all the other things that go with it.
''You still have family issues, health issues, relationship issues, all the issues.
''Every issue that you have in a house or an apartment, it's all the same issues you have in a vehicle.''
At some point, she added, most people will also want stability in their lives.
''I'm gonna need to find a place to rest.
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''I've got a good few years left in this van life and then I'm gonna want to do some different things.
''I really with that I would've watched some videos about this earlier.''