Hey Roamers! I’m Katie, the girl wandering around the world with a backpack, a camera, and way too much optimism.
How I ended up living this way:
I started travelling long before I had any idea what I was doing. At 17, I bought a van before I even had my driving license and took it across Europe, living purely off vibes: no plan, no job, just stubborn determination and a ridiculous amount of optimism. When I got back, I sold the van to fund the next adventure and headed to Asia. I backpacked Indonesia for a month, got bored with beaches, and booked a last-minute one-way flight to Nepal, where I trekked through the Himalayas, hitchhiked, and met some of the most incredible people I’ve ever known.
Flying home after all that, I felt completely lost… so naturally, I bought a car and moved into it. Nellie, a 2012 Nissan Qashqai that had only ever been driven to the local shop, ended up taking me across Europe again. She carried me to places I’d only dreamed of, introduced me to lifelong friends, and, after some convincing, became the reason I started sharing my adventures on YouTube.
Fast forward to now: I’m 20 years old, I’m fresh back from Norway, where I did some of my wildest solo camps yet. Somewhere along the way, I became a version of myself I never expected, full of spirit, confidence, laughter, and excitement for whatever comes next.
About me
On YouTube and here on this website, you’ll find:
Real solo travel stories: the good, the chaotic, and the “Katie… seriously?”
Gear I actually use (and often abuse) on the road
Candid behind-the-scenes moments from life in vans, cars, tents, and the middle of nowhere
Tips for anyone craving adventure but unsure where to start
Honest, unfiltered experiences from a girl just trying to figure it all out
Questions I get asked a lot:
Why? Why did you decide to live this way?
Honestly? Because nothing else ever made me feel as alive or as me as exploring does. I tried doing the “normal life” thing, but I always felt restless, like I was waiting for something that never came.
So instead of waiting for the “right time” or the “right people,” I created my own timeline. I bought a van at 17, crossed Europe with zero experience, and realised that the world felt more like home than any routine ever had.
I live this way because it pushes me, teaches me, fills me with confidence I didn’t know I had, introduces me to incredible humans, and turns ordinary days into wild stories. Life is short: I’d rather spend mine roaming, learning, and laughing when everything goes sideways… because, well, it’s alright.
How? How do you actually make this life work?
Pure stubbornness, optimism, and figuring things out as I go. Seriously.
I didn’t start with money, a plan, or any idea what I was doing. I sold my van to fund a trip, worked random jobs, lived simply, lived in cars and vans, and learned how to stretch every penny. As my adventures grew, so did my little online community, and sharing my journey eventually became part of how I support this lifestyle.
It’s not glamorous behind the scenes, lots of problem-solving, lots of making things up on the spot, lots of trusting myself. But that’s the magic of it. You don’t need to have everything sorted to start. You need to take the first step and keep saying, “but it’s alright — I’ll figure it out.”
Aren’t you scared?
Of course! Being alone in the world can feel intimidating, but I’ve learned that fear doesn’t have to stop you; it just makes the adventure more exciting. I plan ahead, trust my instincts, and remind myself that most moments that feel scary end up being incredible stories later. And honestly? I’ve gotten really good at laughing at myself along the way.
How do you stay safe?
I’m careful, but I don’t overthink it. I research destinations, follow local advice, and stay aware of my surroundings. I always have a backup plan, keep my essentials close, and trust my gut. Most importantly, I respect the people and places I visit, which goes a long way in keeping things smooth. Being cautious doesn’t mean missing out; it means making your adventure last longer.