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Woman Dumps Her Boyfriend, Quits Job, and Lives Van Life with Dog

©Instagram,divineontheroad

I think that a young woman named Sydney Ferbrache may have figured out the meaning of life.

The 24-year-old travels all over the U.S. in a van with her dog Ella. Before she took the big plunge and decided to live the nomad life, Ferbrache dumped her boyfriend, worked three jobs to save enough money to buy a van, quit her jobs, and now works remotely from her laptop.

Not a bad plan, if I do say so myself!

And of course she’s on Insta. So here are some awesome pics of Ferbrache and Ella on the open road!

1. A portrait of the traveler.

2. With her constant companion.

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Ella is forever unamused ? I’m currently sitting in an airport with a traditional pre- flight margarita. Today is the first of 5 full days without my girls or the van! It might seem silly but these two are literally next to me all day, every day. I’ve left Ella for two nights once but have never been away from Pearl since the moment I scooped her up. I’m flying home for the holidays and coming back this weekend. Of course they’re staying with the only human I trust, @theasherhouse who is obviously more than capable. But damn, am I anxious without them. Also welcome to the first non van photo I’ve basically ever posted. Not sure why but let’s change things up a bit finally. ??‍♀️ I know I did this not too long ago but I have 4 hours until my next flight and a couple more drinks to go.. ask me things so I can answer! Dogs, vans, me, life, anything you want ❤️ HAPPY HOLIDAYS FAMILY!

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3. Looks like a great set-up.

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I was on the road and constantly moving ALL of last year without ever digging to the bottom of my storage benches or really even cleaning out the corners of my van (which was very much needed). So we’ve been taking a bit of a breather in Tahoe with @theasherhouse to reset and enjoy these last couple weeks of staying put. I never realize how important it is to slow down until I’m actually doing it. For now, the plan is to explore California until it starts to warm up and then head all the way to Alaska ??? My goal is to move as slow as possible to soak up everything throughout the PNW and British Columbia. I’ve never been north of Portland so I’m SUUUPER excited to see what this year in crazy, new places will bring. – Also, check out last week’s podcast episode with my parents if you haven’t already! They give great advice to parents/guardians whose loved one wants to live a different type of lifestyle. Plus advice to the loved one on how to best approach the conversation! ❤️ I love hearing your thoughts on each episode so let me know what you think once you listen. HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIENDS. ? PS: you’ll never meet a dog with a bigger attitude than Ella ? This picture speaks for itself.

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4. A cup of tea to start off the day.

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Someone asked the other day “how do you know that you’re not running away from something by doing van life and just starting a new life altogether?” The thing is I know I was running from something. I was running full speed away from everything. My life was the opposite of what I wanted it to be so I ran from it and created a new life. I kept my family and friends close but that’s about it. I changed, my belongings changed, and my perspective changed. I would’ve never been face to face with my past if I hadn’t started over. I didn’t forget about it or ignore it. I ran away from it and then sat in a van looking at the mountains with tears streaming down my face thinking about everything I had gone through. I was always too strong to acknowledge that I had been through shit too. Others may have faced worse but that doesn’t mean my past doesn’t count. A couple years ago I was too busy to think for longer than a few seconds so I just didn’t. I put my head down and went to work. Went to school. Followed the rules. But the rules didn’t help me like they’re supposed to. Being screamed at by my boss and comparing myself to everyone at school wasn’t getting me to where I needed to be. So I ran. And it changed everything.. And I will always be grateful for running. This isn’t to say that you should run too. It’s not a solution for everyone but it was a solution for me, and I’m not ashamed of it at all. PS: I thought there were no dogs while taking this photo but later realized.. that was not the case ?

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5. That’s quite a view.

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Ella was the dog that got me through it. She put her head in my lap when I cried in the desert. She made me belly laugh when we were alone for days at a time. She gave me purpose and showed me love and made me strong. I’ve started every morning and ended each night outside every single day on the road because of her. She’s kept me from hiding out in this little space of ours. She gets me outdoors, she keeps me crazy, and she makes me understand the idea of motherhood. She’s not always well behaved and she’s actually a wild teenager right now. But when she climbs up on the bed and nuzzles her face into my body, it brings a kind of peace I didn’t know before. This child has seen it all. Been with me through what feels like everything. She doesn’t know any one place as her home but if she sees me, she knows she’s there. We’ve laid next to each other hundreds of nights staring out these doors in silence for hours like we were watching a movie. And while the screen might change, my date has not. – Pearl is the dog I got when I was ready. She brings a lightness and breath of fresh air to the table. She lets me cuddle at noon when Ella only wants to do sprints. She’s my right hand while Ella is my soulmate. @theasherhouse pack came into my life once I was ready too. And taught me that I could have a million dogs and love them all the same. Totally and completely equal. Each with a different personality and quality to love. But no dog, for as long as I live, will be Ella. She is a once in a lifetime dog and everything would be different without her.

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6. Made a friend!

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We were in Lake Tahoe for so long that things were starting to feel a little stagnant.. But we are on the move again! Heading to Oregon for a bit before Idaho then ??‍♀️ While I was in Tahoe, I fostered this little angel (Pearl) and ended up adopting her. Because how could I not, just look at her. Ella is obsessed with her but I’m not sure the feeling is mutual just yet ? @theasherhouse will be meeting back up with us later today so the pups will be all together again. Also, this week’s podcast is out and all about the finances behind van life. I talk about the prices of both my vans, builds, and break down my monthly budget. I also give some advice to anyone wanting to start this lifestyle but is afraid their finances don’t allow for it. Should I start recording the podcast on video too for YouTube?! Not sure yet. Would love your thoughts. ❤️ PS. Have you seen more captivating eyes than Ella’s? I think not.

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7. Happy birthday to the pooch.

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My girl turns 1 year old today!! ??? I had no idea how much Ella would impact my life and these adventures on the road. She’s become my other half this last year and I can’t imagine doing any of it without her. I remember looking at this little puppy in the passenger seat when I drove her home for the first time thinking “holy sh*t, what did I just do”. I was far more nervous about being responsible for another life than I ever was traveling alone and being responsible for my own. But she makes me laugh on days when I don’t talk to one other person. She forces me to get outside first thing in the morning and feel the sun on my face. She keeps me responsible, accountable, and overall just a better, happier human. You are everything my girl and nothing would be the same without you. ❤️ You deserve this entire plate of pupcakes but pls don’t throw them up on me later. ?? HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY ELLA!! I love you, I love you, I love you.

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8. Riding shotgun.

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This morning we went for a long walk through the neighborhood I grew up in. We walked down the court where I played kick ball with all the other kids, showed Ella the trailhead that leads to my secret hideout, and passed the park where I kissed my first love. My whole life I was so desperate to leave this place. I wanted to escape so badly and would dream of all the places I’d get to explore some day. But it’s funny now that I get to do exactly what I always dreamed of, I drive thousands of miles across the country to get back here. To see the place I deemed mundane and boring. To type this from the kitchen table where I ate breakfast every day before school and had to endure way too many “family talks”. Traveling for me is exciting, intoxicating, and constantly teaches me new things that I would probably never learn otherwise. But being home is familiar, comforting, and re-teaches me all the things I’ve already known but forgot somewhere along the way. – So many of us are desperate to escape. To get out there and leave it all behind. But I wish I would’ve seen this place for what it was all along. Don’t be like me and wait until you return to find the magic where you are now. There’s a kind of beauty in the boring that you won’t find in the excitement.

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9. Working from the van.

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This is what most nights really look like for me. No crazy views. No insane scenery. Sometimes there really are mountains but most nights there are just bushes in the parking lot. Ella laying at my feet and my best friend on the phone. Working on my laptop and way too much coffee for one person. It’s these moments that make living in a van feel so normal. But it’s also these quiet, normal moments where it usually hits me.. I’ve actually created this life for myself. I worked really hard and still do every day. I figured out what I wanted and I did it. It’s not impossible or just luck. You can do the exact same thing. No excuses. Just figure out what you want and get there. And whenever you doubt yourself, just look forward to the first mundane moment where it hits you and you realize you actually did it. You created your own happiness. Amazing views are cool but these moments are everything.

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10. Looks like quite an adventure!

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Although it’s a little bitter sweet, I’m so excited to get started on this next build. I’m still coming up with different pieces of the layout but I’m sure it’ll all come together soon! Super happy with my decision to go with the Ford Transit this time around and I’ll definitely talk more about that this week. But I am still trying to come up with a name for this girl!! So please please leave any suggestions below but it is definitely a girl! . ??‍♀️ This summer is a summer full of change and I’m doing my best to keep my eyes forward on the future and what’s to come. Can’t wait to share this whole process with you guys!! ❤️

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All I can say is that I’m incredibly jealous of this lifestyle.

What do you think? Does it look like fun or way too difficult for you?

Share your thoughts with us in the comments!