Safety in Vanlife (and in our bodies)
“I AM SAFE”
THE SECRET TO HAPPINESS IS FREEDOM
THE SECRET TO FREEDOM IS COURAGE
DARE TO BE FREE!
Safety in vanlife.
We recently had a great call with memebers of our Facebook group. The topic was safety and I want to share some highlights here:
Let’s start with a quote that resonated:
“A lot of us struggle to keep our eyes on the road ahead because of the voices of hear that we’ve been nurturing- and as we nurture these voices that chip away at our confidence, amplify our insecurites and poke holes in our worthiness, we start to find more things to be afraid of.
Our brains become wired to look for threats before seeking out opportunites. We give away our power and agency in exchange for fear and defensiveness. Instead of seeing a future full of opportunites, we see a futre in which we’re doomed to repeat our past mistakes.”
By: Michell C. Clark Eyes on the Road
What does this bring up for you?
Our fears on the road are a lot of times just in our heads. The fear is based on the story we are telling ourselves- which has to do with what messages we have been fed our whole life.
“You can’t do that, you will get hurt.”
“You can’t stay alone, what if someone will harass you?”
“You aren’t _______ (strong, brave, smart… insert whatever) enough.”
These messages get lodged in our head and heart from a young age. Now our task is to discern at what is real and what are thoughts. (hint: our thoughts are not always our reality.) Don't get me wrong, our worries are valid (to a point) and what keeps us safe. This is our innate fight/flight nervous system response. You don't have to ignore this. Just look at the full spectrum of the situation and tune into what your body is telling you. (our minds can play tricks on us!)
Definitely trust your instinct. This is something we hear over and over. If a place does not feel safe to you, leave. Your body will tell you if something is not right. You may feel your heart race or a constriction in your chest or throat. Maybe you feel tension in your shoulders or jaw. Maybe your stomach feels like it is tied in a knot. These are all cues to listen to. This is your nervous system sending a message.
Consider: When you get this message from your body, what do you do it? Do you trust it?
Another nugget to share was to get out of your comfort zone- only as much as you feel good about. Each person has their own edge. The more successes you have when you are at your edge, the more confident you become! Keep trying new things. Keep feeling the discomfort while discerning the messages you are receiving. Be patient with yourself and talk to others about their experiences.
Top 10 safety items discussed:
Take a self defense course
If you have a firearm or taser, know your state laws.
Carry bearspray. It can be used in multiple instances.
Having Starlink or some form of reliable internet allows you to make a wi-fi call from anywhere if you do not have cell service. It is also nice to have if you need You-Tube for any troubleshooting.
Always park so you can easily leave.
Keep your key fob nearby and use panic button if needed.
Never open the door for anyone who knocks and you don't know who it is.
Keep your windows covered so people can't see you.
Arrive to your campsite before dark so you know what your surroundings are.
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS AND DON'T HESITATE TO LEAVE IF IT DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT.
BONUS TIP: Get a "guard" dog who will alert you.
Practice…
With the above in mind, try is create a routine for yourself. Going through your personal checklist can help you feel a bit more grounded and safe. It can insure that you don’t forget something. After a while it becomes second nature. Here is a general idea of our routine:
We always try to arrive to our campsite before dark so we can scope out the area. We look to see who is around and what is our exit route. Is there a safe place to walk the dogs? Does it look like the area is clean and cared for or is there trash everywhere and looks like a party spot? Be aware of where your nearest contact to civilization is in case you need assistance. (If it is far away, this doesn’t stop us. It is just good information to know.) Once we feel good about staying at the spot, we decide where to park. This is important if you want to make a quick exit. Try to park with your nose facing out so it is easy to leave. Then, settle in and enjoy our evening- allowing our nervous system to rest. Think about how long you will stay there and if you want to have anything outside your van overnight. When it is getting dark, we let the dogs pee one last time, climb in and put up our window covers so no one can see in. Playing music helps to drown out any unwanted noise and keeps our spirits up. We always lock the doors at night when we go to bed and have our key fobs nearby. We sometimes unswivel the drivers seat so we are ready to drive away if needed.
In summary, get curious about the messages you are receiving and those you are believing. Discern the those messages in your head and your body. Above all, trust your instinct! You CAN stay safe. Find your courage; discover freedom and happiness!
