10 Things Every Van Lifer Should Record (But Usually Doesn't)
When you're out on the road, it's easy to think you'll remember every amazing place you've visited.
10 Things Every Van Lifer Should Record (But Usually Doesn't)
When you're out on the road, it's easy to think you'll remember every amazing place you've visited.
The incredible sunset in Cornwall.
That hidden beach in Pembrokeshire.
The tiny café that served the best coffee you've ever tasted.
But here's the truth...
A few months later, those little details start to fade.
Photos are brilliant at capturing what you saw, but they rarely capture how you felt, the people you met, or the funny little moments that made the trip unforgettable.
That's why we started keeping a journal.
Here are ten things every van lifer should record that often get forgotten...
1. The Little Campsites Nobody Talks About
Some of the best overnight stops aren't the ones you'll find in guidebooks.
Maybe it was the family run campsite overlooking the sea, or the quiet little CL tucked away in the countryside where you watched the stars from your sliding door.
Write them down.
Future you will thank you.
2. The Best Sunrise (or Sunset)
Everyone remembers the famous viewpoints.
But what about that unexpected sunrise you watched while making your morning coffee?
Or the evening you parked beside the coast with nothing but the sound of the waves?
Those are often the memories that stay with you the longest.
3. The People You Meet
One of the greatest things about van life is the community.
The couple who recommended your next campsite.
The local fisherman who pointed you towards a hidden beach.
The neighbour who lent you a bottle opener after you'd forgotten yours.
Those chance encounters often become some of the best stories.
4. The Funny Moments
Let's be honest...
Not every trip goes to plan!
Maybe you:
Took a wrong turn down an impossibly narrow lane.
Forgot where you'd parked.
Burnt breakfast.
Got caught in a Welsh downpour just as you put the awning up.
Locked the keys inside the van (hopefully only once!).
Years later, those mishaps are usually the stories that make everyone laugh the hardest.
5. Your Favourite Places to Eat
We've all stumbled across those hidden gems.
The bakery with incredible cinnamon buns.
The fish and chip shop by the harbour.
The tiny café where the owner remembered your dog's name.
They're far too good to forget.
6. How Much the Trip Actually Cost
Not because every penny matters...
But because it makes planning your next adventure so much easier.
Keeping a note of fuel, campsite fees, ferries and food gives you a realistic picture of what future trips might cost.
It also proves that amazing adventures don't always need huge budgets.
7. Your Dog's Adventures
If you travel with a four legged copilot, they'll probably be having just as much fun as you are.
Record:
Favourite beaches
Best walks
Dog friendly pubs
Campsites they loved
Funny moments
Because our furry travel companions deserve memories too.
8. The Weather
It might sound boring...
Until someone asks,
"When's the best time to visit Scotland?"
Suddenly you'll remember:
"Actually... we had four days of glorious sunshine in September!"
Keeping a quick note of the weather helps build a picture of your favourite destinations throughout the year.
9. The Tiny Details
Sometimes it's the smallest things you'll treasure most.
The smell of the sea through the open windows.
Fresh coffee while watching surfers catch the morning waves.
Rain tapping gently on the roof.
Watching your dog asleep after a day of adventures.
These are the moments photographs can't always capture.
10. How the Trip Made You Feel
This might just be the most important one of all.
Maybe it was your first weekend away in your newly converted camper.
Perhaps it was the family holiday you'd been planning for years.
Or maybe it was simply the break you desperately needed.
Write down how you felt.
Years from now, those few sentences will transport you straight back to that exact moment.
Your Adventures Deserve More Than Just Photos
Our phones are full of thousands of pictures.
But memories are about so much more than images.
They're about conversations.
The places you discovered by accident.
The people you met.
The laughter.
The challenges.
The peaceful mornings.
The adventures that changed you, even in the smallest ways.
Whether you scribble notes in a notebook, write a journal every evening, or simply jot down a few highlights each day, you'll be creating something that's far more valuable than another folder full of photos.
Because one day you'll look back and realise...
The journey wasn't just about where you went.
It was about every little moment along the way.
Happy adventures
This Is My Van Life Team
info@thisismyvanlife.com
This is my van life Journals
