Abigail Joselyn, a self-described “extrovert,” says she used to hardly ever do something, together with shopping for groceries, solo. That’s till the (now) 26-year-old determined to throw warning to the wind, give up her promising accounting job, purchase a van, and dwell in it whereas touring across the nation. Joselyn says the journey has been fairly lonely over the past two years, however she by no means regrets her choice: The solitude has made her a stronger, extra resilient individual. Right here’s her story, as advised to affiliate well being circumstances director Julia Sullivan.
After incomes my grasp’s diploma in 2021, I instantly obtained my CPA and began working at a serious accounting agency in Lakeland, Florida—one of many “Large 4.” Although I took delight in my efficiency and was good at what I did, I used to be depressing, logging super-long hours. I bear in mind my mother saying to me at one level, “While you’re not working, you’re a totally totally different individual.” My profession was sucking all the pleasure from my life.
Throughout this time, I began happening excursions any time I had an extended vacation weekend—I used to be determined for a break. On one journey particularly with a good friend, we began speaking about “van life”—nomadic solo vacationers who dwell, and discover the nation, of their autos. We adopted some individuals on social media who posted about it, nevertheless it by no means clicked in my mind that it was one thing I might do till that dialog. (I had by no means even been tenting typically, not to mention traveled wherever on my own!)
After I obtained again house, “van life” was simply one thing I simply couldn’t get out of my thoughts. I’m a fairly impulsive individual—I assumed, Why not me? Why couldn’t I do one thing like this? So I advised my dad and mom I wished to (a) purchase and construct out an empty van, and (b) see if my job would let me work remotely on the highway. After all, they (particularly my dad) figured it was a “whim” type of factor. I had what everybody wished, proper? Why would I attempt to blow up my life like that? I simply knew I couldn’t keep on my present path for for much longer. One thing wanted to alter.
About two months after getting back from that journey, I started test-driving autos and obtained actually excited. This felt like one thing I might really do. I believe my dad and mom had been nonetheless just a little skeptical, however after I made a down fee on one, issues out of the blue grew to become actual. Within the subsequent few months, they helped me put in 20 or extra hours per week to construct out my new four-wheeled house. My job was surprisingly on board—(they agreed to let me work totally distant). Nonetheless, I knew I wouldn’t have the expertise I wished—or the vitality to do that—if I used to be nonetheless working a ton of hours every week. So with some cash saved up (and the hope that I might make just a little extra by boosting my social media presence), I give up my job and ready to set out on the highway for at the very least a yr, I advised myself, to see if this was one thing I might obtain.
Abigail Joselyn
Abigail Joselyn
My mother joined me for the primary 16 days, touring from Asheville, North Carolina (the place my dad and mom had been positioned), to the California coast. It was a extremely particular, lovely journey. I believe as a result of she was with me, it didn’t really feel actual at first. When my mother lastly left, I bear in mind crying all the day. I used to be so afraid. I recall discovering just a little spot on the California seaside to park the primary night time on my own, uncertain the place I’d go subsequent. I spotted I wasn’t going house anytime quickly. This tiny van was my house now.
