Life Done Differently
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Life Done Differently The Nomad's Ultimate Guide to NZ One Size Does Not Fit All
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Life Done Differently
Following your own path in life
 

Welcome to my blog

This is where I share my personal journey. I write about what it’s like to live in a van and my experiences and thoughts as I navigate life outside the norm. For each blog post I write, I follow two simple rules: Be authentic and be honest.

 
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Vanlife
Self-Discovery
People
A New Adventure
A New Adventure

After 15 months living the settled life, it’s time for a new adventure. I’ve got a new dream – and it’s a big one.

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Lifestyle, Self-Discovery, HappinessLisa JansenMay 4, 2025 Comments
30-Day Digital Declutter Reflections: The Best, the Hardest and the most Surprising Parts
30-Day Digital Declutter Reflections: The Best, the Hardest and the most Surprising Parts

My wrap-up of my 30-day digital declutter: what I loved, what challenged me, and the unexpected lessons that changed how I use technology—for good.

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Lifestyle, Happiness, Inspiration, Self-Discovery, Self Love, People, CreativityLisa JansenApril 12, 2025 Comment
Random Thoughts from my 30-Day Digital Declutter
Random Thoughts from my 30-Day Digital Declutter

Yesterday, I finished my 30-Day Digital Declutter. thought I’d just share some more or less random thoughts I wrote down during the last 30 days.

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Lifestyle, Happiness, Inspiration, Self-Discovery, Self Love, People, CreativityLisa JansenMarch 31, 2025 Comment
Planning my Digital Declutter (a la Cal Newport’s Digital Minimalism)
Planning my Digital Declutter (a la Cal Newport’s Digital Minimalism)

Here’s how I’m preparing for a 30-day break from optional tech, inspired by Cal Newport’s Digital Minimalism.

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Lifestyle, Happiness, Inspiration, Self-Discovery, Self Love, People, CreativityLisa JansenFebruary 25, 2025 Comments
The Fickle Art of Living with Intent
The Fickle Art of Living with Intent

You would think that after over seven years, I’d have living with intent figured out. Well, I don’t. Turns out that living with intent is a fickle art that requires constant work – especially day-to-day.

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Lifestyle, Happiness, Inspiration, Self-Discovery, Self Love, PeopleLisa JansenFebruary 16, 2025 Comments
A Year of Making Friends and Building Community
A Year of Making Friends and Building Community

Almost a year ago now, I settled in Christchurch with the intention of making friends and building community. A year later, I’ve been reflecting on how far I’ve come and what I’ve learned along the way.

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Lifestyle, Happiness, Inspiration, Self-Discovery, Self Love, Childfree, PeopleLisa JansenDecember 8, 2024 Comments
4 Weeks Without Social Media – What I Learned
4 Weeks Without Social Media – What I Learned

As my self-imposed social media timeout is coming to an end, I’ve been reflecting on the past four weeks. I thought I’d share a little bit about what the experience has been like.

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Lifestyle, Happiness, Inspiration, Self-Discovery, The Why, Self LoveLisa JansenJuly 8, 2024 Comments
I’m Taking a Social Media Timeout. Here’s Why.
I’m Taking a Social Media Timeout. Here’s Why.

Lately, I’ve been struggling more and more with social media and the impact it has on my life. I’ve started to wonder what life would be like without social media. So I’ve decided to find out.

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Lifestyle, Happiness, Inspiration, Self-Discovery, The Why, Self LoveLisa JansenJune 9, 2024 Comments
How to Live With Intent – Process and Exercises
How to Live With Intent – Process and Exercises

Recently, I’ve worked through a process and series of exercises to ensure I continue to live with intent. I thought I’d share my process with you in case anyone else feels like a big check-in.

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Lifestyle, Happiness, Inspiration, Self-Discovery, The WhyLisa JansenApril 20, 2024 Comments
Life on a Campground: The Good and the Bad
Life on a Campground: The Good and the Bad

I’ve been living on a campground for more than two months now, so I thought it’s time for an update. Here are the best and worst aspects of it.

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Lifestyle, Vanlife, Caravan LifeLisa JansenApril 1, 2024 Comments
Meet Eddy – My New Home on Wheels
Meet Eddy – My New Home on Wheels

I bought a caravan! For many, this will be old news. But given not everyone is on social media, I thought I’d do a blog post as well.

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Lifestyle, Vanlife, Caravan LifeLisa JansenFebruary 3, 2024 Comments
Vanlife 3.0 – With a Twist
Vanlife 3.0 – With a Twist

Yes, that’s right, I am re-joining the vanlife community! But with a twist.

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Lifestyle, Inspiration, VanlifeLisa JansenJanuary 9, 2024 Comments
My 2023 Recap
My 2023 Recap

I had some time the other day, so I created a little recap of 2023.

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Lifestyle, Housesitting, Travel, InspirationLisa JansenJanuary 2, 2024 Comments
6 Years a Nomad
6 Years a Nomad

As I celebrate my sixth anniversary as a nomad, I reflect on how my nomadic life and the motivation to live this way has changed over the years.

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Lifestyle, Self-Discovery, Happiness, The Why, Housesitting, Travel, VanlifeLisa JansenDecember 4, 2023 Comments
Reflections on staying put for 15 weeks
Reflections on staying put for 15 weeks

After 15 weeks in Nelson – the longest I’ve stayed in one place in almost 6 years – I’m getting ready to move on. Time for some reflections.

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Lifestyle, Self-Discovery, Happiness, The Why, HousesittingLisa JansenSeptember 3, 2023 Comments
Sacrifice
Sacrifice

I’ve been thinking a lot about sacrifice lately. Don’t worry, I’m not talking about the type that involves lambs or virgins.

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Lifestyle, Self-Discovery, Happiness, The WhyLisa JansenJuly 15, 2023 Comments
A much needed reset
A much needed reset

For the last few months, I've been feeling uninspired, a bit lost and stressed. Now, it's an entirely different story. Life is great again! What changed? Everything! 

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Lifestyle, Self-Discovery, Happiness, The Why, Self LoveLisa JansenJune 11, 2023 Comments
Maybe I should roll the dice
Maybe I should roll the dice

This is something I wrote in my journal today. It’s a bit random, a bit weird and a bit messy – and a perfect reflection of where my head is at these days.

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Lifestyle, Self-Discovery, Happiness, The WhyLisa JansenApril 23, 2023 Comments
Life After Vanlife
Life After Vanlife

It’s been almost six months since I sold my van, said goodbye to vanlife and returned to a more normal life in Auckland. I have to admit that the transition hasn’t been easy.

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Lifestyle, Self-Discovery, Happiness, VanlifeLisa JansenJanuary 30, 2023 Comments
The Tiny House Trial – Two Months Later
The Tiny House Trial – Two Months Later

I honestly can’t believe it’s time to write this post, but my two months living in a tiny house are already over. So, was I sad to leave the tiny or happy to move on?

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Lifestyle, Tiny House, Self-DiscoveryLisa JansenNovember 12, 2022 Comments
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