I thought I'd be settled with kids by the time I turned 30. Instead, I moved into a campervan with my dog.

I thought I'd be settled with kids by the time I turned 30. Instead, I moved into a campervan with my dog. My dog and I have spent the past year exploring Europe in a van. Lara Dopson Traveling wasn't how I originally pictured spending my 30s. But when I found myself single, without the commitments I'd expected to have at this age, I started thinking about what I could do with the freedom.I'd always wanted to see more of the world, and with my 4-year-old dog Maple beside me, I decided to stop waiting.Up until then, I'd worked as a financial advisor, spending my days in the corporate world, helping people plan for their futures. It made me think about all the things I wanted to do before I retired. I wanted to travel while I was fit and healthy enough to climb mountains and enjoy the places I'd dreamed of visiting.So, I sold my belongings, packed up my car, and set off with Maple in April 2025. We spent three months traveling between Greece and my native UK. I was nervous about going alone, but that experience showed me I could manage more than I'd given myself credit for.By the time we got back, I wanted to keep exploring.A trial trip convinced me to buy a van, but our early days were toughI'd seen people on social media post about van life, and I knew that was the freedom I was looking for. Two months after our first trip, before committing fully, I rented a van for two weeks and traveled around the Welsh coast.I really enjoyed living in a van; traveling with Maple was much easier when we had somewhere familiar to sleep, cook, and retreat to at the end of the day. I decided to bite the bullet and buy our very own.I ended up spending more than I intended, but comfort mattered if this van was going to be our home. I picked it up in September 2025 and drove straight to Scotland, excited about what was ahead. The first few days weren't what I imagined.The electrics failed, the boiler broke, and the skylights leaked, all while I was dealing with Scottish storms alone. I kept driving back and forth from remote parts of the Highlands, trying to find someone trustworthy who could help.Instead of enjoying our new home (and the beautiful sights of Scotland), I worried about what might go wrong next. There were moments when I genuinely wondered whether I'd made an enormous, expensive mistake.Traveling alone means handling the difficult days yourself Maple is great company, but there are times when it's tough to make every decision on my own. Lara Dopson Despite those early challenges, I kept going. After driving the entirety of Scotland, we decided to venture back into mainland Europe. We drove across France, Spain, Italy, and down the Balkans to Greece again, and I learned a lot about my own resilience.Before moving into the van, I'd thought about freedom much more than the responsibility. Now, if something breaks, I have to work out what to do, find someone who can help, and handle repairs wherever we happen to be.Everyday jobs take more planning, too. I have to think about water, electricity, laundry, and where we'll spend the night. Those worries don't disappear just because I'm parked somewhere beautiful.Safety is always another consideration. If I arrive somewhere and feel uncomfortable, I move. I've learned to trust that feeling rather than persuade myself to stay because a view is good. Luckily, I haven't had any bad experiences so far, but I am definitely conscious of my surroundings.Finally, there are times when I feel lonely. Maple is wonderful company, but she can't help me make a difficult decision or talk through a stressful day. Sometimes, I'd love someone beside me to share both the practical load and the experience.The ordinary good days make it worthwhile I've learned a lot about my own resilience and resourcefulness. Lara Dopson Now, a year later, we've explored much of Europe, from deep winter snow in the Pyrenees to summer heat on the Albanian Riviera.Some of my favorite moments have been the simplest: opening the van door to mountains, taking Maple for a swim at the beach, or finishing a hike knowing our little home is waiting nearby.I love having the time to stay somewhere because we like it. We can revisit a favorite place or change direction whenever a new one catches my attention. Maple gets to be part of almost everything I do, which was a huge reason I chose this way of traveling. Watching her live her best life brings me so much joy.Over the past 12 months, I've gotten better at handling the tough parts of van life, too. I'm more practical, more resourceful, and more willing to ask for help. Problems still upset me, but I have a growing collection of experiences that remind me I can get through them.I still think about the life I imagined having by now. Traveling hasn't erased my hopes for a family or a settled-down future someday, but it's given me a way to enjoy my life while I work out what comes next.There are days I miss the ease of a house, then I wake up somewhere beautiful, Maple ready for her walk, and I am so glad we took the leap. Read next Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Lara is a former financial advisor who swapped office life for full-time travel in a campervan with her dog, Maple. She shares their adventures and an honest look at solo van life on Instagram at @lostwithmaple. Travel dog