Tattoo Artist’s Van Life Funded by Social Media

on September 24, 2023

Elen was struggling with too much space and a not-so-great landlord in her Glasgow apartment. So when she went on a 2-week European tour in her van and saw how amazing nomadic life could be, she finally took the plunge into full-time van life!

She spent six months making the van livable and might purchase a larger rig next year and start the conversion process again. While on the road she became famous enough on social media to start making money from her content — and she met her partner. In other words, van life has brought her many good things! Enjoy more of her story below.

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Leaving Toxic Rental Situation for Full Time Van Travel

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Images via @transitdadd69/Instagram

I have always dreamed of living out of a van, but it became a reality in late 2022 when I was living in a flat in Glasgow and the living conditions were getting more and more difficult for me. I already had a van which I bought earlier in the year but hadn’t considered living in it full time until then.

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Images via @transitdadd69/Instagram

I really struggle with having too much space: staying organised has always been a struggle for me, and I was finding life in the flat very hard to manage along with a landlord who was unwilling to help with any of the issues that we had. This, combined with a trip in the van to Europe in which I lived in it for two weeks really gave me the push I needed to downsize and take control of my living situation.

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Images via @transitdadd69/Instagram

I bought the van, and then I built everything in it myself. It took me around six months to make the van liveable, and it is still to this day a work in progress. I’m always finding ways to improve it, and will probably buy a slightly larger van next year and build the whole thing again!

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Images via @transitdadd69/Instagram

Tiny living has given me so much control over my life. Having fewer possessions has been liberating and knowing that I always live exactly where I park the van is very empowering. I live everywhere! I started to document it through my Instagram account and it has now become the way in which I plan to make a living – I gained 80k followers this year and it’s turned my life around.

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Images via @transitdadd69/Instagram

I never realised people were so interested in my way of life, and it’s been incredibly exciting to share it with the world. I took a big road trip through Spain and Morocco in my van earlier this year and I met my current partner while I was in Barcelona. Now I live with him in Spain! It has changed my life, fundamentally, for the better in so many ways.

Tattoo Artist’s Van Life Funded by Social Media

Images via @transitdadd69/Instagram

I am a tattoo artist and I usually make a bit of money by tattooing people I meet on my way. In the past I’ve stayed around Glasgow, worked for a few months to save and then gone on a big trip. Next I plan to make money through social media by documenting my travels, working with brands and promoting tourism destinations.

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Images via @transitdadd69/Instagram

Keeping things organised is definitely a hard part of tiny living, as it is very important to stay on top of things all the time! I find this helpful, however, because it forces me to stay organised.

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Images via @transitdadd69/Instagram

It’s also unpredictable because I never know where I’ll park next. Sometimes it can be a challenge to find a good space for the night – but this is entirely worth it for the benefits.

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Images via @transitdadd69/Instagram

Knowing I don’t pay rent to a greedy landlord is extremely rewarding, as it the freedom from unpredictable bills. And not having any strings attached to anywhere in particular means I don’t get stressed about too many responsibilities!

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Images via @transitdadd69/Instagram

Highlights:

Elen’s bad rental experience finally pushed her to live in the van she already owned.
She never expected her social media following to take off, but it did, and it funds a lot of her regular expenses.
As a tattoo artist, she also makes money on the side doing tattoo work.
She has plans to upgrade to a larger rig.
During her travels, she met her awesome partner, which has truly changed her life for the better.