44 Comments
Sep 9Liked by Molly Ella

I absolutely love this, Molly, and you've hit the nail on the head as to why I must do this too! Because I'm a boring old so and so, at 67, people don't understand why I must do it, suggesting I could stay in a log cabin or something instead. But it's the challenge, the relying on my own resourcefulness, the proving to myself that I can, that really appeals to me. I'm actually still a new driver, so maybe that's enough 'facing my fear' for now, but I definitely want to have my van in time for my next decade of adventures! Thank you for being the inspiration that you are.

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How exciting, good for you Jacqui!

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This post has come right in time. I have been thinking of registering for a silent retreat, and solo. I want to and don't want to. Let's see! Thank you for the encouragement. Have a good week ahead!

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Oh I hope you do Savita! :)

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Sep 9Liked by Molly Ella

A bracing read! I realise what a fearful stick-in-the-mud I could become, a simple trip of a few days up on the coast next week, which I've been so looking forward to, is now making me feel anxious and wishing we were just staying home. I realise I tend to project this anxiety onto others - it's not me I'm worried about, it's my dog or my husband or whatever (not entirely without reason), but still sometimes you have to take all the sensible measures and then just get on with it!

I saw a more elderly friend today, I've agreed to look after her dog while she travels down to the south of France on the train on her own, not an easy trip for her, to see family in a few weeks. She says she wants to go but is worrying about the dog, though she knows she's fine with us, but we agreed if you keep not doing things and putting them off out of anxiety you end up unable to ever do them.

So thanks Molly for the encouragement, it was very timely, and I look forward to seeing more of your van adventures!

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I can so relate Lucy, I also project my anxieties on others (especially the dog!), but they are never really necessary and I'm so glad when I manage to push through them. I hope you have a lovely trip away! :)

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"Being scared and doing it anyway" I love that. We worry too much sometimes and it's often not as bad as we thought it would be. That's me anyway. I love what you're doing, I look forward to following your van life journey here and on Youtube :)

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We really do. Plenty of van content to come! :)

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Molly, this is so helpful: 'being scared and doing it anyway' is surely what makes us feel alive in our humanity. Pushing into that is inspiring. Off to think about what I could do to flex that muscle this week!

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So true! Happy adventuring! :)

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There really is nothing better than facing your fears and realising what lies on the other side really isn't all that bad. Thank you so much for sharing this Molly, I hope to have a van one day for those spontaneous trips - our little tent will do for now!

Have a lovely week 🥰

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Thank you love, you too! :)

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Sep 12Liked by Molly Ella

thank you for sharing this. Needed this. Proud of you Molly!

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Thank you Katie! :)

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Get it girl 👏🏼🫶🏻

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I absolutely love this! You and I are so alike in this respect. I could never go back to not having our little demountable camper that we mount on the back of our pickup truck and take to remote places. The only difference I guess - my partner is always there with me. Don’t get me wrong, after 25 years together we still fully enjoy the tiny space (and are lucky enough to have a tiny house too) but,,,,sometimes I would relish the idea of doing it alone. I even feel guilty for writing that, but it is how I feel sometimes… anyway…getting out and away to enjoy the wildest places is absolutely fabulous isn’t it! 💜💜

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I haven’t yet found many others who enjoy this simple pleasure of getting out with your own little ‘snail shell home’. My offline friends tend to be much more entwined in what society may term ‘normal’ holidays 😂

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I totally get that Rachel! Not something to feel guilty about at all, there really is something special about going on solo adventures :)

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I love this! I've dealt with so much anxiety and life changes lately but I can almost remember what it feels like to push yourself out of your comfort zone and I hope I will get back to a place where I can do those kinds of things soon!

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I hope you can too lovely :)

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Sep 10Liked by Molly Ella

I've read this whilst nervously anticipating a trip I need to do into the city for work tonight and it was exactly what I needed to hear! We can't live in our comfortable little lives 100% of the time. Plus that bit of discomfort makes being back home all the more enjoyable!

Thanks for sharing your experience. It's good to know that we aren't alone in our anxieties and it was a good reminder that we grow from facing them.

Looking forward to more vanlife stories in the future!

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Aw I'm so glad you found this useful Rebecca! :)

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A good reminder that, as we grow more comfortable with our lives, it’s necessary to challenge ourselves from time to time.

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It is about getting that balance right of self care, being calm, getting to know yourself and to challenge yourself too. Well done Molly so nice to hear about your van adventure.

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So true Caroline! :)

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Yes to all of this Molly. We can do hard things! 🙌

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Indeed! :)

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Such a good point to make! We do get complacent and we do err on the side of caution more often that not these days, but good things come from outside our comfort zones. I must admit I love the idea of van life. I quite often threaten to sell everything, buy a van and go on adventures, mostly when life gets too much or too “peopley” but then I wonder if I would miss my creature comforts. Only time will tell I suppose! Can’t wait to see more of your adventures 🙂

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Yes I've had that urge many times as well!

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Honest, refreshing, and insightful, per usual!

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Aw thank you love :)

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