How it all started
From the office to Vanlife
Today, I live year-round in a campervan named Dory, traveling across Europe with my dog, Bruno. I fund my life on the road with seasonal work in the Netherlands, but my goal is to work fully online—from anywhere. But I haven't always been here. This life definitely wasn't a master plan—it was a leap into the unknown.
Life before Vanlife
Just two years ago, I was stuck in a classic cycle. I had a well-paying job, a mortgage, a long-term marriage, and great friends. From the outside, it looked like I had it all. But inside, I felt empty.
I was living on autopilot—doing exactly what was expected of me. Because wanting something more for yourself is "selfish," right? And wanting something different than most people is "crazy," isn’t it?
I’d always dreamt of traveling. Even as a child, I talked about going out to see the world. But fear, worry, and the lack of understanding from those around me swallowed those dreams whole. I learned to stop wanting more than I already had and just be grateful.
The moment everything changed
Then came Bruno—a dog from a shelter. He began to unlock the box of dreams I’d buried so deep inside. Every day, I looked into his sad eyes when I had to leave for work. I wanted to be with him 24/7; I wanted to show him the world. At the same time, I felt my toxic environment eating me alive—I started to hate my job, the people there, and eventually, myself.
And then, it happened.
A friend offered me a chance to go work in the Netherlands for a few months. Without a second thought, I blurted out: "Yes." A sense of relief and happiness washed over me—like a heavy weight falling off my shoulders, letting me breathe again.
First steps toward Vanlife
I originally left for five weeks to work in a warehouse in the Netherlands. I traded a warm office for manual labor in a freezing warehouse (and I hate the cold from the bottom of my heart! 
). But the feeling I had there was indescribable. It’s something you have to experience.
After two weeks, I knew exactly what I wanted and what I didn't. Upon returning, I quit my job. My husband and I sold our apartment, paid off the mortgage, and used the rest to buy a campervan. No experience. No plans. No savings.
I had never even slept in a tent, let alone a campervan. But I knew—I felt—this was it.
“Sometimes you have to jump - you'll find out if you can fly on the way down.”
Sometimes love just isn't enough
My husband and I gave Vanlife a chance—we spent 10 months in the Netherlands and then traveled through Spain. I felt completely at home in this lifestyle. I felt freedom, happiness, peace, and fulfillment.
But my husband didn't. What brought me life killed his spirit abroad. He was doing it for me, not for himself. And that couldn't work.
Our paths diverged, and I set off on a solo journey with Bruno.
Sometimes the greatest act of love is letting go - of yourself, and of the other person.”
Today
Today, I live simply, freely, and at a pace that makes sense to me. Life on the road with Bruno has brought back that feeling of being truly alive.
It’s not perfect. Dory (the van) is always breaking down. Money isn’t always guaranteed. And I’m not working fully from the van yet—I still return to the Netherlands for seasonal work to fund my travels.
But I’m not giving up. I believe I will succeed in transitioning to fully remote work—that’s my goal. Working from wherever I am, without being tied to one place.
And even though I’m not quite where I want to be yet, it’s mine. It’s real.
Bruno loves this lifestyle, too. In the Czech Republic, he lay on the couch all day, waiting for us to come home from work. Today, he travels, discovers new places, and meets new people. And me? I’m finally living life on my own terms.
Work on the road: Finding balance
For a long time, I thought the only path to freedom was to start working fully online. I wanted to escape the classic five-day work week and the endless wait for a vacation. I gave it a try, but I hit a harsh reality. When you combine a full-time manual job with building your own business on the side, the result isn't freedom—it’s exhaustion and a constant struggle to keep up.
My days were revolving entirely around work, and that’s not what I want. I’ve realized that neither of the "classic" paths suits me:
- Being an employee: Being stuck in a job I hate, living only for weekends and holidays? I’ve been there, and I know I don't want to live like that.
- Being an entrepreneur: Being constantly on edge, carrying all the risk, dealing with taxes, and fearing a drop in clients? Right now, that’s just taking away the peace I’m looking for on the road.
That’s why my current solution is seasonal work.It suits me to work intensely for a few months and then travel for a few months without the pressure of managing an online business.
This doesn’t mean I’m giving up my skills in web design or writing. It just means my path is constantly evolving. I’m learning to choose the direction that is financially sustainable at the moment and, most importantly, the one that gives Bruno and me the peace to actually live, not just survive.
“Because work isn't my life.
It’s the tool that allows me to live the way I want.”
Why I share my story
I want to show you that it doesn't matter what others think. What matters is what you want and how you feel. It’s not selfish to want more for yourself. It’s not crazy to want something different.
True friends and people who really love you will understand. They will wish you well and support you. You only have one life. It’s short. You are responsible for your own happiness. If you want to travel—go and travel. If you want to live differently—live differently.
Niky
If my story resonated with you or you enjoy following my journey, you can support me by buying me a coffee.
It helps me keep creating and travelling.
If you haven't had enough of me yet 😄, you can watch my interview with Lukáš Langmajer on his YouTube channel S Lukášem pod markýzouwhere we talked about vanlife and life on the road. Please note that the interview is in Czech only and does not have English subtitles.
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