From Burnout to Freedom: How Vanlife Changed My Life

Meet Chloe Crowther

Meet Chloe Crowther, an adventurous spirit from the UK who has always had a deep love for the outdoors. Whether it’s hiking, surfing, or simply soaking in nature, Chloe thrives in open spaces. Her journey into vanlife wasn’t meticulously planned—it naturally unfolded as she followed her passion for adventure.

When she discovered her T5 Volkswagen, everything clicked into place. The van became her gateway to spontaneous travel and ultimate freedom, allowing her to explore at a moment’s notice. Over the years, she has fully embraced the vanlife lifestyle, creating a life of mobility, connection, and adventure.

Finding My Way to Vanlife

For me, vanlife started with a T5 Volkswagen—my entry into the VW tribe ✌️.

The first time I got the VW wave, I thought, "Oh my God, this is a thing!" I’d always been around vans because my ex used to do up old VWs. He was into real old-school restorations, even importing right-hand drives from America. But the T5 was mine, my own ticket to adventure.

I’m fortunate that my work allows me the freedom to go where I want, when I want. I love hiking, the beach—anything that brings me closer to nature. Having a van just made that lifestyle so much more accessible.

The VW Vanlife Community

But vanlife isn’t just about the van—it’s about the people.

The VW community is unlike any other. You don’t really see the same camaraderie with Ford or Mercedes vans—maybe because Sprinters are often used for work. But with VWs, it’s a lifestyle, a culture. There are meetups all over the world, and it has this modern-day hippie vibe. When you meet another camper van owner, you just click. We share the same mindset: a love for nature and a desire to escape the hustle and bustle. For me, I’d rather be in open spaces than in the city any day.

Converting My T5: A DIY Adventure

Once I had my van, the real adventure began: the conversion.

When I got it, it had some back seats, but they weren’t even screwed in properly. I found the van just ten minutes from my house—someone had planned to convert it but couldn’t afford to. I got it for £3,500, which was an absolute steal.

I stripped out the old insulation and started fresh. I added new insulation, soundproofing panels, spotlights in the roof, and little lanterns around the sides. The whole system is wired up to a solar panel and a split battery. For the interior, I bought a pre-made U-shaped unit instead of a rock-and-roll bed. It means when I park up with friends, everyone piles into my van because of the seating setup, and it easily folds into a bed.

I’m not a DIY expert. When I was redoing the flooring, I was on day four of nonstop work, getting frustrated that the screws weren’t going back in—only to realize I had the drill in reverse. That’s how clueless I was! But I did it all myself, and it was so rewarding.

If you’re thinking of vanlife, I always tell people: do the conversion yourself. It’s personal, it’s yours, and it feels like an achievement when you step back and think, "I did that."

Traveling with My Dogs

No adventure is complete without my dogs.

A big factor in my van build was making it dog-friendly. I have a chihuahua and a cocker spaniel (we had three, but one sadly passed last year).

I used hexagonal soundproofing panels on the walls because if they get dirty, I can just pop one off and replace it. My flooring is vinyl in a classic VW checkered print—easy to clean, which is essential when you have dogs tracking in sand and mud. My storage cupboards are painted in gloss so they wipe clean easily.

Favorite Trips & Vanlife in the UK

With my van and my dogs, I’ve explored some incredible places.

One of my go-to destinations is Wales. It’s only four hours from home, so I can go whenever I want. It’s got great surf spots, mountains, and beaches—everything I need. I also did a solo trip to Scotland, where I hiked Ben Nevis and then found this secluded spot by Loch Lochy. I parked next to a converted bus and ended up making a new vanlife friend. That’s the beauty of this lifestyle—you meet like-minded people everywhere.

I prefer off-grid camping, but if I’m out for more than a few days, I’ll hit a campsite for a proper shower. The longest I’ve stayed out is just under a month, but usually, I do four or five days at a time.

Working on the Road

For me, vanlife isn’t just about travel—it’s about financial freedom.

I used to be a personal trainer, managing gyms, until I hit severe burnout—so bad that I couldn’t walk properly. The doctors couldn’t figure it out, but my nervous system was shot. That forced me to rethink everything.

One of my PT clients introduced me to affiliate marketing, which is what I do now. I was skeptical at first—it seemed too good to be true. But it’s real, and it gives me the freedom to work as little as I want while still earning. The financial side is amazing, but for me, it’s all about freedom. I mentor others now, just like my PT client helped me, to show them how they can break free from the 9-to-5 grind.

My Van’s Electrical Setup

Staying off-grid means having the right setup. I have solar panels, a split battery, and a power bank. I don’t have Wi-Fi or a TV—it’s just for charging my laptop, phone, and some lighting. I also have backup battery-powered fairy lights. For heat, I initially bought a diesel heater, but it was too big for my T5, so I passed it on to my dad. Instead, I use a small fan heater plugged into the power bank.

Looking to the Future

So, what’s next for me? Right now, I’m part-time in the van because of the dogs and my partner’s job in the army. But my goal is for him to retire early so he doesn’t have to do anything, but by the end of the year, he’ll be earning what he does in the army through my business. Once he’s free, we’ll upgrade to a bigger van and spend longer periods traveling.

I think I’ll always have a home base because of the dogs, but eventually, I see us doing three months away, three months at home. That flexibility is what this lifestyle is all about.

Advice for Aspiring Vanlifers

If you’re considering vanlife, just go for it. If you love nature and freedom, vanlife is worth it. And if you can, build your own van. It doesn’t have to be expensive—my whole setup, including buying the van, was under seven grand. It’s a budget-friendly way to create something truly yours.

Oh, and if anyone has a hack for stopping sand from getting everywhere, let me know! I sweep, I use a mini USB vacuum, and still—it’s everywhere for weeks.

Follow My Journey

I share my vanlife experience and help others find financial freedom on my Instagram: @wild.wanderer.chloe.

If you’re curious about my work, there’s a link in my bio where you can fill out a form or just DM me. I always say, if you want this lifestyle, you can have it. It’s possible, and I’m here to help.