The Van Lifestylist Blog

Real talk, practical tools, and honest lessons to help you skip the expensive mistakes and build your freedom on the road.Whether you’re just starting or already roaming the highways, here you’ll find:

  • 🔍 Real lessons from failures and wins

  • 🛠️ Practical tips and tutorials you can apply now

  • 💬 Reflections, mindset support, and stories to inspire

Van Life, Remote Work, Lifestyle Guides Catina Borgmann Van Life, Remote Work, Lifestyle Guides Catina Borgmann

Balancing Work and Travel: Time Management, Boundaries, and Workspace Tips

The desire for a remote work lifestyle often comes with the challenge of staying productive while exploring new places. Whether you’re a full-time nomad or a part-time traveler, balancing work and travel requires intentional strategies. Here's how to maintain a harmonious blend of productivity and adventure:

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Van Life, Lifestyle Guides Catina Borgmann Van Life, Lifestyle Guides Catina Borgmann

Feeling Stuck on the Road? Tips to Reignite Your Van Life Journey

Stuck in the Mud? Stuck in a hole? And how about if you feel stuck Living on the Road? Whenever you feel stuck, know that you don’t have to do it alone.
Whether you're physically stuck or feeling lost in your van life journey, know that it’s okay to feel unsure. Challenges are a part of life on the road, but they don’t define the entire experience. Reach out, breathe deeply, and take one small step forward. Remember, the road is always open for those willing to keep moving!

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Van Life, Insurance, Lifestyle Guides Catina Borgmann Van Life, Insurance, Lifestyle Guides Catina Borgmann

Protecting Your Minivan Camper: Essential Insurance Tips

Dive into the essential guide to safeguarding your minivan camper home on the thrilling journey of van life. In our latest blog post, we unravel the secrets of van insurance, providing you with a blueprint to protect not just your mobile home but the dreams it carries. From liability and collision coverage to personal property protection, learn how to secure your home on wheels and embrace a lifestyle of discovery with confidence. Discover how choosing the right insurer becomes your ally in adventure, and why maintaining a home base is key to navigating this lifestyle smoothly. Plus, get insights on documenting your journey as a celebration of self-discovery. Are you ready to venture into the unknown with peace of mind and a spirit of adventure? Click to read more and find out how to stay insured, stay wild, and stay free on the road to self-discovery.

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Van Life, Pets, Lifestyle Guides Catina Borgmann Van Life, Pets, Lifestyle Guides Catina Borgmann

Life on the Road with My Dog: Van Life Adventures

Embark on a heartwarming journey of van life with your furry best friend by your side. Discover the joys and challenges of hitting the open road with your dog in our latest blog post. From preparing your pet for van life to finding dog-friendly destinations, we share essential tips and personal anecdotes that will inspire and guide you. Learn how to create a comfortable and safe environment for your pet, and make every mile an unforgettable adventure. Ready to explore the world from the comfort of your van with your four-legged companion? Click to read more and unlock the secrets to a pet-friendly van life experience!

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Van Life, Lifestyle Guides, Beginner Guides Catina Borgmann Van Life, Lifestyle Guides, Beginner Guides Catina Borgmann

27 Essential Things to Know Before Starting Vanlife

Ever wondered what lies behind the allure of van life? Dive into this post and uncover the secrets to a successful journey on the road. This eye-opening guide is packed with firsthand experiences and wisdom from seasoned van lifers, offering a unique glimpse into the realities of this nomadic lifestyle. From practical advice to unexpected challenges, we've compiled 27 essential insights that every aspiring vanlifer needs to know. Click to read more and transform your vanlife dreams into reality!

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Van Life, Lifestyle Guides, Holiday Tips Catina Borgmann Van Life, Lifestyle Guides, Holiday Tips Catina Borgmann

Embracing the Holiday Spirit in Van Life: A Guide to Practical and Joyful Gifts

Looking for the perfect gift for a van lifer this holiday season? Check out our guide where we’ve compiled a list of both practical and enjoyable items that are sure to bring cheer to any van dweller's journey. From must-have travel accessories to cozy comforts, these picks are carefully chosen for the road.

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Van Life, Minimalism, Lifestyle Guides Catina Borgmann Van Life, Minimalism, Lifestyle Guides Catina Borgmann

Downsizing Tips for Vanlife: The Essence of Minimalist Living

Welcome to vanlife, where decluttering and downsizing is our friend! What is easy for some is difficult for others. Get ready for some valuable insights and tips on how to effectively downsize and declutter your belongings in preparation for a van life lifestyle. I will share my personal decluttering formula, offering practical steps and strategies to simplify and organize your possessions, including clothing, keepsakes, and important papers.

Here is your practical guide to downsize and declutter your belongings in order to embrace the freedom and simplicity of van life.

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Van Life, Van Conversions, Lifestyle Guides Catina Borgmann Van Life, Van Conversions, Lifestyle Guides Catina Borgmann

Making Van Life Comfortable: RoadLoft Conversion Kit Review

Start Van Life with an affordable solution. The RoadLoft is easy to install without alteration to the vehicle. It was designed by experienced travelers to meet all your needs on the road. The layout includes a kitchen, multi-access storage, a toilet area, a bed with a panoramic view, and a table and bench seat. Best of all, it is made of sustainable materials. Marine quality wood that is hyper-resistant to humidity and protected by an ecological multi-layer varnish on all cutting surfaces. The assembly method is resistant to road vibrations. The RoadLoft conversion system is a great investment! All the modules fit together to store in the back of your vehicle even when it’s not in use. It will follow you everywhere, even if you change vehicles. A purchase that retains a very high resale value. Are you convinced? Use coupon code RLVLS for a Free Cozy Kit.

RoadLoft paid attention to every detail to facilitate your best vanlife experience!

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Van Life, Lifestyle Guides, Challenges Catina Borgmann Van Life, Lifestyle Guides, Challenges Catina Borgmann

The Truth About Van Life: Challenges You Need to Know

There are struggles of van life that no one talks about or that often go unnoticed by outsiders in the pursuit of this alternative lifestyle. Living the van life dream is not always what it seems. Get ready for light to be shed on the challenges that you may not anticipate when embarking on this adventure.

I hope to provide valuable insights and practical tips to help anyone considering or already living the van life. By sharing our struggles, I hope to empower and support those navigating through the highs and lows of this lifestyle. I firmly believe that with the right mindset and preparation, one can overcome these challenges and make the most of every moment on the road.

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Van Life, Van Conversions, Lifestyle Guides Catina Borgmann Van Life, Van Conversions, Lifestyle Guides Catina Borgmann

The Surprising Reasons I Chose a Minivan for Van Life

From its spacious interior to its impressive affordability, my chosen minivan provides the ultimate blend of comfort, functionality, and affordability. With ample room for a cozy bed, a workspace, kitchenette, and plenty of storage, it ticks all the boxes for an incredible van life experience. But it's not just about the practical aspects – this minivan allows me freedom and the ability to live life to the fullest. I'll reveal the practical ways I've customized my minivan to cater to all my needs, proving that limited space is no obstacle when it comes to creating a campervan. Discover the array of advantages that come hand in hand with embracing a minivan for van life. I'll delve into the reasons why this unconventional choice has been a game-changer for my nomadic lifestyle. Let me inspire you to embrace the minivan life too.

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3 Steps to Discovering Your Life Purpose

Determining our purpose in life can be one of the most daunting and complicated questions humans try to answer. There is no right or wrong way to determine this; it usually comes with a lot of trial and error. Sometimes, you need a guide to get you going, so let’s look at a step-by-step process exploring your feelings and options. By the end, you should have a reasonably solid tool to employ in helping to give you meaningful direction immediately!

There are three steps to the process of discovering the purpose of your life:

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Lifestyle Guides, Personal Growth, Inspiration Catina Borgmann Lifestyle Guides, Personal Growth, Inspiration Catina Borgmann

Have You Ever Tried a Silence Fast? Benefits and Insights

Have you ever tried doing a silence fast?

I know you're wondering what a silence fast is. A silence fast is exactly what it sounds like – practicing silence. If you are ready to stop reading, don't. Give me a chance!

‍Many different cultures have used silence fasting to provide a sense of grounding. Stop just for a moment and listen. What do you hear? I can hear my refrigerator running, my fingers hitting the keyboard, and a dog barking in the distance. Now try closing your eyes. Do you hear even more things?

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Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Is it time to get out of your comfort zone?

Comfort zones are great. They're familiar, secure places where we feel at home and comfortable. But sometimes, it's time to get out of your comfort zone and experience something new. Here are some common reasons people stay in their comfort zones:

You've always done it that way.

It's easy to get stuck in your comfort zone. After all, why would you want to leave when you're comfortable and not being challenged? But if you always stay in your comfort zone, how can anything change? If there is no change in your life, nothing will grow or improve--and ultimately, this means stagnation and mediocrity at best. Who wants that? Challenge your status quo!

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Van Life, Lifestyle Guides, Personal Growth Catina Borgmann Van Life, Lifestyle Guides, Personal Growth Catina Borgmann

Having an Off Day or Week? Try These 2 Simple Solutions

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel less than great. Crabby, grouchy, sad, and bored are all words you could use to describe what I’m like in those days and I’m probably not the best company. The thing is, days like those are part of the deal with being human – it’s not an elective. There will always be off days, and that’s okay.

But what happens when you get a whole string of those off-days, maybe lasting weeks, months, or even years? Too many of us say that we’re in a rut, feel stuck, burned out, or bored, and admit that we don’t want things to be that way, but we don’t know what to do to change. That’s the problem, when you’re in a rut, you don’t have the energy or motivation to change things for the better, and it’s tough to find the insight or resources you need to make that jump.

Here are two fun and easy ways you can use right now to climb, or better yet, leap, out of the rut and start to get something better for yourself.

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This Is Some Heavy Stuff: Reflections on Life and Van Life

I get in moods where I just want to get rid of all the extra things and stuff I have accumulated. I feel the weight of all the excess, and I want to simplify, clear out, and clean out. I moved to North Carolina just over 4 years ago. Preparing for that move meant getting rid of a lot. I only took with me what would fit in my Trailblazer.

Since that move from Nebraska to North Carolina, I've moved a total of nine times! Yes, nine. There was no intention of moving after that initial move, but life happens and circumstances change.

I just passed the year mark of living at my current place. A year! It is the longest I have lived in one place during the last four years.

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Mental Health, Personal Growth, Lifestyle Guides Catina Borgmann Mental Health, Personal Growth, Lifestyle Guides Catina Borgmann

The Truth About Suicide: Understanding and Coping

The suicide of Stephen “tWitch” Boss has caused some good discussion about mental health, suicide, and how someone’s life can look so perfect on the outside but be far from perfect on the inside.

What made the news more shocking was that tWitch appeared to have it all – a happy, positive, beautiful life. I didn’t follow his career, but I knew who he was from The Ellen DeGeneres Show. He was so likable, and I, like many others, felt we got to know him a bit during his time on Ellen.

‍Suicide is so misunderstood, and it’s something you can’t have a conversation about after the fact. No one can reflect on the day and tell you what they were going through that led to their death. It’s too late. The signs don’t matter. The reason doesn’t matter. It’s often viewed as a selfish act, and I could not disagree more.

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Personal Growth, Lifestyle Guides, Inspiration Catina Borgmann Personal Growth, Lifestyle Guides, Inspiration Catina Borgmann

The Power of Being Optimistic and Positive

"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." – Winston Churchill

When faced with a problem, an optimist starts figuring out ways to solve it or turn the experience into a positive one. A pessimist, however, will grumble and moan about whatever they see as wrong with the given situation.

According to the world's foremost expert on optimism, Dr. Martin Seligman, everyone is born optimistic. And yet, 95% of adults are pessimists, not optimists. What goes wrong? Some people see the glass as half empty. Others see it as half full.

Your mindset is the biggest influence on your viewpoint. If you are determined to make something happen, changes are more likely it will. Likewise, if you tell yourself you can't, I promise you, you won't!

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Personal Growth, Lifestyle Guides, Inspiration Catina Borgmann Personal Growth, Lifestyle Guides, Inspiration Catina Borgmann

Discovering Your Authentic Self

We all have an ideal version of ourselves that we aspire to be. Maybe you want to be thinner, richer, or more successful. Or, maybe you just want to be happier and more fulfilled. Whatever it is, there's often a disconnect between who we are and who we want to be. This gap is what psychologist Dan McAdams calls "the authentic self." So, what exactly is the authentic self, and why is it important?

Keep reading to find out.

What Is the Authentic Self?

The authentic self is your true identity—who you are at your core. It includes your values, beliefs, and motivations. Importantly, it's also dynamic, which means it can change over time as you grow and evolve. Unfortunately, many of us never take the time to get in touch with our authentic selves. We allow our lives to be controlled by outside forces like our jobs, families, and society. As a result, we end up living inauthentic lives that aren't aligned with our true desires and passions.

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