It’s two years ago that I left The Netherlands by myself and drove in my campervan to Portugal - without a plan, goal, or end.

Here are 22 lessons I’ve learned from this wild experiment so far.

It’s been two years since I left the Netherlands by myself and drove my campervan to Portugal - without a plan, a goal, or an end in sight.

For those who don’t know me (yet!), here’s a quick recap of what’s happened since:
I lived in my campervan for two months, then moved into an off-grid wooden cabin in nature (which was scary!) in Portugal. Somewhere along the way, I completely fell in love with Julian - a guy from Hamburg I met at a party. I packed my backpack and moved into his student flat in the middle of Hamburg, where I lived for a couple of months with his eight roommates.

After that, we decided to spend the winter together in the wooden cabin - with no hot water (fun!). Eventually, I found myself living on a campsite in a tiny caravan next to the IJsselmeer in the north of the Netherlands. Sooo much fun!

For the past seven months, I’ve been living in another caravan - this time in the southwest Algarve, where we built a compost toilet and a bamboo shower.

What’s next? I have no idea! :)

But here’s what I’ve learned so far, enjoy reading!

Love, Bibi

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1. Having NO plan is THE BEST PLAN

Everything that happened was possible simply because of the fact there was no plan or pressure. No schedule. No expectations. Life got so much more interesting with this mindset. Opportunities I never would’ve seen showed up. I met people I never would’ve met. I could say yes to adventures, because I had time and an empty diary. I could change countries because there was no expectation or fixed path. It was scary at first - because I love planning - but now I really like having no plan and jumping on last-minute ideas and adventures.

2. It’s really important to first get to know yourself - and then become your own best friend

Over the last few years, I realized that the only person I’ll definitely spend my entire life with… is me. That hit me like a bolt of lightning. I knew I’d better start having some fun with myself and actually enjoy my own company. So I took myself out - to dinners, long walks, and endless little adventures. I learned to laugh at myself when I forgot something (again!), when the camper broke down, or when I had absolutely no clue what to do next. When I left the Netherlands in the van, suddenly I had to make 100 choices a day - all by myself. Do I go left or right? Eat out or cook? Sleep in the wild or find a campsite? Do I feel more at home with the hippies or the surfers?

Making all those decisions without anyone else’s expectations was such a meaningful process. That’s how I really started to know myself - and even became my own best friend.

Read an article here about my time living in the wooden hut

3.What if everything turns out better than you could ever imagine?

From a lot of people I got questions; but what if the camper breaks down, what if you don’t like it and you come back and you can’t get a house, what if you run out of money, and what is your plan anyway? I realized that a lot of us ‘humans’ are trained to think about all the things that can go wrong, but what if we turn that around? What if this crazy experiment would lead me to finding the love of my life, what if this move would make me experience real happiness, what if this move would get to know my next business partner, what if this move would give me the space to develop my own product? *This all came true ;)

4. If you feel lost, go inward and be still

If you don’t know what to do — in life, your job, your relationship — big or small: just go inward. Close your eyes. Start writing. Go for a walk without your phone. Or just sit still for a moment. That’s where the real answers come from. Really - it works.

6. “You don't have to be fearless, just 1% more courageous than your fear.”

I recently heard this quote - again from my all-time hero Elizabeth Gilbert - and I loved it immediately. Without realizing it at the time, this is exactly the strategy I used over the last two years.

Because oh man, was I scared when I drove away to Portugal. I cried my eyes out for two weeks. I was terrified I wouldn’t make friends. I was scared my bus would break down, I was scared I would not find a way to make money, and so on and so on. I was scared of everything. BUT - I had 1% more courage, and that was enough to make me go. Some people believe that courage means the absence of fear and that brave individuals simply aren’t afraid. But that's not true. Courage isn’t about eliminating fear; it’s about deciding not to let fear rule you. This quote reminds me: We don’t have to wait for fear to disappear before we move forward. We only need a small edge - this tiny 1 percent - just enough bravery to take that next little step. Lean slightly toward action, even if your hands shake and your heart races. This 1% extra courage can change a lot - or, in my case, my whole life.

7. Consciously do things that scare you - because that’s where the growth happens

Three years ago, my psychologist told me I had an anxiety disorder. I believed her immediately, because honestly, I was scared of a lot of things. I realized she could help me a bit, but the rest I had to do myself. So, I decided to face all the things I was afraid of - and it changed everything. I showed myself that most of those fears were just in my head.

Now, whenever something scares me, I try to do it anyway, treat it as practice, or see it as an experiment. For example, I used to be really afraid that my boyfriend would leave me if we weren’t in daily contact. So we tried not texting or calling for a few days. And you know what? He didn’t leave me! ;)

8. Follow the Breadcrumbs

I first heard this lesson from my meditation teacher, 2.5 years ago, during a retreat at the beautiful Mandal Retreat Center in the north of Italy. I had just quit my job and told her I had no idea what to do next. Her response was simple: “Follow the breadcrumbs.”

I asked what she meant. She said:
“Don’t try to plan too far ahead or think about next year and the year after. If you do, you might miss the possibilities that are right in front of you. You need to look up and see the next step. Your future business partner could be sitting across from you at lunch tomorrow. Your next partner might be next to you on the bus. But if your head is stuck in future plans, you might miss them.”

I didn’t fully get it at the time — but a few weeks later, it clicked. Since then, this idea has become one of the most important mantras in my life. It’s about staying open to life’s uncertainties, and trusting those small, intuitive nudges — the breadcrumbs — instead of trying to control or plan everything. "Following the breadcrumbs" became a beautiful metaphor for focusing on the present and staying flexible in a world that often demands certainty and long-term plans.

Now, I simply follow the next breadcrumb — whether it’s a new place to live, a person I meet, or an unexpected idea. From there, I jump to the next one. It’s not about having everything mapped out, but about listening to what feels right now. Living this way has given me permission to stay present, to embrace the unknown, and to trust that the next step will show up when I’m ready. And honestly? It’s has been soooo much fun.

9. Share your dreams and wishes with the people around you

One of the biggest things I realized this year is how powerful it is to share your dreams and wishes openly. The moment I started talking about what I wished for, people jumped on those ideas.

I mentioned that I would love to cook more - and before I knew it, I was asked to cook for a retreat and a workshop day. I told a friend how much I love hosting dinners for people who don’t know each other - three weeks later, we hosted a dinner together in her living room. Last year, I was looking for a place to stay in the Netherlands. I didn’t want to live in a regular house in the city; I longed to be closer to nature. I posted a short story on Instagram saying I was looking for a place for two or three months - and just like that, I found a beautiful campsite that offered me a spot, without even knowing me personally. When you dare to share your dreams and wishes, you give the world a chance to help you make them real.

10. Things will go wrong, and that’s totally fine

We are always scared that things will go wrong, and I tell you a fun fact: they will. Things break down, conversations will go differently than you expected, you will miss a flight or bus, your credit card is not working. It will all happen, and that’s totally fine. You will learn how to deal with it, and that will make you stronger.

11. It’s the little things that make life beautiful

It’s so cliché to say this, but it’s so true. True happiness is found in the little things - watching the sunset with a loved one, savoring a really good coffee in the morning, getting lost in a fascinating book you can’t put down, or enjoying fresh veggies straight from the garden.

I realized during this experiment that I was the happiest when I had nothing - or very little. When I had a small wardrobe with just a few pieces to choose from, or a fridge with only four ingredients to cook with, I found freedom. The stress of choices was gone, and I could focus on what truly mattered. There was beauty in having less. With fewer options, every moment became more meaningful, more focused.

It turns out that we don’t need to be surrounded by excess to feel fulfilled. In fact, it often gets in the way of our happiness. When we strip things down to the essentials, we find that we’re left with what really matters - and that is enough.

14. Having time is the biggest luxury

When you ask people in the Netherlands, "How are you?" the most common answer is “Busy!" But what I’ve learned is that having time - real, unstructured time - is the biggest luxury.

During my travels, I met people who had time - and it was an eye-opening experience.
Time to go out for lunch spontaneously, just on the spot. Time to stay with friends for the whole weekend instead of rushing through two quick drinks on a Friday night. Time to be bored, to let my mind wander and come up with the best ideas. Time to have deep, unplanned conversations, or call a friend for hours without any agenda.

Time is irreplaceable. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. We’re always trying to do things faster, to be more efficient. We get a "cooker tap" to boil water instantly, because waiting even for a few minutes of a boiler is a waste. But there’s so much beauty in that "in-between" time - the moments when we allow ourselves to do nothing. Real luxury is not being busy all the time. It's having the time to be, to reflect, to connect, and to breathe.

15. Stay curious and try to learn new things — they will make you feel alive

Over the past few years, I’ve pushed myself to learn new things - surfing, surfskating, ceramics, and even taking kitesurfing lessons. To be honest, there were a lot of struggles along the way, and sometimes even tears. But through it all, one thing became clear: these new challenges made me feel alive. It wasn’t just about gaining new skills (because I still can’t really say I know how to surf); it was about reconnecting with the thrill of learning itself.

Try to stay open to activities that seem like “they’re not for you” - they might surprise you in the best way. After experiencing them, you can decide whether they’re truly for you or not. There’s something powerful in stepping into the unknown, embracing the discomfort that leads to growth, and feeling the joy of doing something you didn’t think you could.

16. It Doesn’t Matter What You Do — It Matters In What State You Do It

This is another lesson I learned during my meditation retreat in Italy, and I loved it immediately - simple, yet deeply challenging. You can feel stressed on a hectic workday at the office, but you can also feel just as stressed while on holiday, lying on a beach. That was me a few years ago: even activities meant for pleasure would stress me out.

Now I realize: it’s not about what you’re doing, but how you are inside while you’re doing it. That’s what shapes the experience. Lately, I’ve been practicing this with everyday tasks, like doing the dishes (I don’t always live in places with a dishwasher!). Instead of getting annoyed, I try to approach it with a bit more ease or sometimes even joy, if I can manage it.

17. We’re never truly alone when we’re open—to the world, to others, and to ourselves.

I wrote a little story last year that describes this lesson clearly, I think.

While watching the sunset on a cliff in front of my van, a Portuguese man approaches me and says in broken English, “Wow, are you alone here? That is special. I don’t see this too often. Are you not scared?”

I tell him that I am scared - often, in fact. His English isn’t strong enough for me to explain that I’ve decided to turn my phone off for a few days. Being disconnected is my biggest fear. It makes me feel truly alone.

“I cried a lot, just now,” I say. “I have to do it and face my fears, because life is too beautiful to miss out on, right?” Maybe I’m really saying it just to convince myself.

Then, a question drifts through my mind - one that’s been visiting me more and more lately: “Am I always alone… or never alone?” As I write the last words of this story, he comes back - he’s lost something. I tell him I’m writing a story about us and read it aloud to him.

Because, in the end, I’ve decided: we’re never completely alone.

18. When you don’t take yourself too serious, life is soo much easier.

Honestly, this has been one of the most liberating lessons for me. I used to be so hard on myself - always striving, overthinking, and trying to do everything “right.” But over time, I realized that laughing at my own mistakes, being okay with not having it all figured out, and allowing myself to be silly or awkward made everything lighter. So now, when I mess up or do something weird, I try to smile, shrug, and say, “Well, that’s just part of the adventure!”. What if having fun is enough? What if that’s the whole point - and everything else is just extra?

19. Ask questions

Ask questions: to yourself, your loved ones, and to the people you don’t know. Somebody told me about this quote of Tony Robbins and I absolutely love it: "The quality of your life is determined by the quality of the questions you ask." The answers will give you purpose, clarity and direction. And above all they will make you feel connected, with yourself and the people around you. Here some inspiration:

• What is your biggest lifelesson?

• What could you do next week to get one step closer to your goal or dream?

• If everything is possible, how would your days look like?

• What does true happiness look like to you, and how close are you to achieving it?

• How do you define success for yourself, and has that definition changed over time?

20. Network Is Everything

This year, I truly learned the power of a real network—not just meeting people, but building genuine relationships. It's not about collecting business cards or adding connections for the sake of it. It’s about surrounding yourself with people who believe in you, who recommend you because they trust both your work and your character.

When I stepped away from the traditional ‘business and office life,’ I was nervous. I worried it would be hard to find opportunities on my own. But then something unexpected happened: people started reaching out to work with me—not because I chased them, but because of the groundwork I had laid, and the relationships I had nurtured.

Some of those connections became clients. Others became collaborators. I even met someone at a party who later brought me into a project. That’s when it really clicked: when you’re living authentically and doing work that excites you, the right people find their way to you. Not in boardrooms, necessarily—but at cafés, in parks, at events, or while traveling—anywhere you’re truly yourself.

Your network is everything. And it grows strongest when you are, too.

21. EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE

I’ve learned not to panic: things always work out in the end. Whatever challenge came my way, it eventually resolved. Sometimes, all you need is time, patience, and space. Take a step back, and the solutions will come. Things will be fine, really.

22. Don’t grow up; it’s a trap!

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Okay there is soo much more I learned, but I will stop here. I would love to hear from you if you have any questions or anything else you would like to share.

Love, Bibi 🧡