My Life as a 25-Year-Old Woman Living in a Car for 3 Years
Hey friends! I’m 25 years old, and for the past three years, I’ve been living full-time out of my car. That sentence still makes people tilt their heads. The first thing they usually ask is, “How do you actually get anything done?”
Fair question. Life on the road can look like a never-ending vacation from the outside. But in reality? I still have deadlines, bills to pay, and goals I’m chasing—just like anyone else. Only, I do it all from the front seat of an SUV, a picnic table in a state park, or a bench outside a coffee shop.
Staying productive and motivated while living out of a vehicle isn’t always easy—but I’ve found a rhythm that works for me. So in this post, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I structure my days, keep myself focused, and stay driven while living this nomadic life.
☀️ Morning Mindset: Starting the Day With Purpose
Mornings set the tone for everything, especially when you don’t have a traditional schedule or a physical home to keep you grounded.
My daily non-negotiables:
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Wake up early (usually around 7 AM, sometimes earlier in summer)
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Make my bed (aka folding my sleeping bag and resetting the space)
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Stretch or go for a short walk
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Drink water and make coffee
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Journal or brain-dump in my notebook for a few minutes
Even if I have nowhere specific to be, I try to treat weekdays with intention. That simple morning routine keeps me grounded and reminds me that I’m not just floating—I’m building something out here.
🧠 Staying Productive: My Road Life Work System
I work remotely as a freelance writer and virtual assistant, which means I need Wi-Fi, power, and focus. These three things are sacred. Here’s how I keep it all flowing:
🏕 Where I Work
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Libraries (my #1 productivity sanctuary)
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Coffee shops (with a drink budget of max $5 a day)
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Picnic tables or parks (tethering Wi-Fi from my phone or using an offline doc)
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Inside my car (front seat turned into an office with a tray table and sunshade)
🧰 My Work Gear:
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Laptop
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Hotspot data plan (I use my phone or a mobile router)
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Portable battery bank (Jackery)
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Clip-on fan (if it's hot)
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Lap desk or tray table
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Noise-canceling earbuds
📅 My Weekly Routine:
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Monday: Admin, emails, setting the week’s priorities
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Tuesday–Thursday: Deep work hours (writing, client projects)
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Friday: Planning content, errands, grocery run, laundry
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Saturday–Sunday: Light editing or journaling, nature time, content ideas
I aim for about 4–6 hours of focused work most weekdays, but I build in tons of flexibility. The beauty of road life is being able to shift everything around weather, mood, or location.
💪 How I Stay Motivated (Even When I’m Exhausted)
Motivation looks different when you’re living out of a vehicle. There are days I feel totally unproductive because I couldn’t find a decent place to park or the Wi-Fi was trash or I just didn’t sleep well.
Here’s what helps me keep going:
1. Daily Wins
I track small victories—even if it’s just “answered 3 emails” or “went for a walk.” Seeing progress, no matter how tiny, fuels me.
2. Vision Board (in my glove box)
Yes, really. I printed out pictures and quotes that inspire me and taped them inside a plastic folder I keep in the car. When I’m discouraged, I flip through it.
3. Passion Projects
I run a small blog (this one!), a YouTube channel, and occasionally take photos for fun. Having creative outlets that aren’t tied to money keeps me excited about the future.
4. Community
Even though I live solo, I stay connected with friends through voice memos, group chats, and occasionally meeting other nomads on the road. Having someone to share my wins (or vent to) is essential.
5. Remembering Why I Started
I chose this lifestyle on purpose. I wanted freedom, simplicity, and time to figure out who I really am. When I feel burnt out, I remind myself that this is the life I built—one decision at a time.
🎯 Goal Setting & Keeping Myself Accountable
I set monthly goals in my Notes app and check in weekly. Here’s how I do it:
Example Goals:
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Write 4 blog posts
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Hike 2 new trails
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Finish a book
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Earn $X from freelance work
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Film 1 YouTube video
I check in every Friday and review what worked and what didn’t. I don’t beat myself up if I miss something—I just shift and recalibrate. Progress over perfection, always.
🛠️ Productivity Hacks from the Road
Here are some random tips I swear by:
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Time-block your day. Even just blocking “10 AM–1 PM: client work” makes a huge difference.
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Batch cook food. Less time cooking = more time for focus.
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Have a “no-WiFi” task list. For offline places, I edit blog posts, brainstorm content, or journal.
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Don’t skip breaks. I walk, stretch, or lie in the grass. It resets my brain.
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Rotate locations. New views = new energy. Even moving my car to a different park helps.
💡 Final Thoughts
Living in a car doesn’t mean giving up productivity—it just means redefining it. I've learned to work smarter, not harder. I’ve created systems that flow with my environment instead of fighting against it. And honestly, I’ve never been more connected to my own creativity and purpose.
Productivity isn’t about being busy. It’s about being aligned with what matters to you.
So whether you’re a full-time nomad, weekend warrior, or just feeling stuck in your current routine—I hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration to build your own rhythm.
Thanks for riding along with me! Let me know in the comments if you want to see my exact work setup, how I land freelance gigs on the road, or how I manage Wi-Fi in remote places. Always happy to share and connect with fellow dreamers and doers. 💻🌲✨
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