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Life Done Differently: One Woman's Journey on the Road Less Travelled
What do you do when everyone around you is embracing parenthood or focused on their careers, and you're not sure either path is right for you?
Lisa Jansen decided to find out.
At 33, Lisa had everything she ever wanted; A successful career in marketing, amazing friends, and the great outdoors of New Zealand as her playground. She was happy. Until one day, doubts started creeping in, and Lisa found herself at a crossroads.
Unsure about whether she wants to embrace a career-focused life or follow in her friends' footsteps and start a family, she began to wonder what else there is.
Desperate to find answers, Lisa decided radical change was needed. She quit her job, bought a campervan and set out to explore beautiful New Zealand. On her five-year journey, she met incredible people, explored breathtaking scenery, conquered obstacles, challenged society's norms, navigated a global pandemic – and discovered what life has to offer when you don't want to follow the traditional path.
In Life Done Differently, Lisa shares her epic journey.
Lisa Jansen decided to find out.
At 33, Lisa had everything she ever wanted; A successful career in marketing, amazing friends, and the great outdoors of New Zealand as her playground. She was happy. Until one day, doubts started creeping in, and Lisa found herself at a crossroads.
Unsure about whether she wants to embrace a career-focused life or follow in her friends' footsteps and start a family, she began to wonder what else there is.
Desperate to find answers, Lisa decided radical change was needed. She quit her job, bought a campervan and set out to explore beautiful New Zealand. On her five-year journey, she met incredible people, explored breathtaking scenery, conquered obstacles, challenged society's norms, navigated a global pandemic – and discovered what life has to offer when you don't want to follow the traditional path.
In Life Done Differently, Lisa shares her epic journey.
- GenresTravelNonfiction
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2023
49 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 24, 2025
Not a book I would read again or recommend which seems harsh but apart from the epilogue and odd moments in the book that described some of the views along the way I just found this book a bit repetitive. Although an honest account of her travels I just felt the story never gained any real depth or maybe I was waiting for something exciting to happen and it just never did.
June 2, 2025
Lisa Jansen's nomadic life is captured in the pages of this book. Originally from Germany, Lisa was living and recreating in and around Auckland, New Zealand, when she decided to change her life up and adopt a #vanlife approach to her life. Lisa pulled away from traditional bricks and mortar employment and moved away from friends (at least in a more traditional sense) and embraced the open road.
Lisa's adventures sounds amazing, but the book is nestled in these adventures rather than the focus of the book. What this book does instead focus on, as the title suggests, is how to embrace and approach a life path that isn't the same as the path well trodden by most people of a white or blue collar persuasion.
Van life for Lisa wasn't without dramas, including living vanlife through Covid lockdown in NZ, but overall, Lisa lived her true path and evolved comfortably in and through this lifestyle.
A well written book. Thanks for sharing your life's insights and adventures.
Lisa's adventures sounds amazing, but the book is nestled in these adventures rather than the focus of the book. What this book does instead focus on, as the title suggests, is how to embrace and approach a life path that isn't the same as the path well trodden by most people of a white or blue collar persuasion.
Van life for Lisa wasn't without dramas, including living vanlife through Covid lockdown in NZ, but overall, Lisa lived her true path and evolved comfortably in and through this lifestyle.
A well written book. Thanks for sharing your life's insights and adventures.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2024
I liked the author’s approach of be true to yourself and don’t be afraid to “live live differently” and enjoyed her insights, but the book is really just a travel log of the places she visited and what her days looked like. I went into the book expecting something different and more along the lines of exploring childfree life & that decision, so while I enjoyed reading her story, it was of less interest to me that I thought it would be. As others have said, it was also very repetitive at times. If you live in New Zealand or plan to travel there, this book will give you lots of great ideas for places to visit!
March 2, 2024
When i started the book it felt amazing but half way through I feel it was quite repetitive. A lot less chapters could have said what the author had to say. But having said, it is commendable for anyone to do life done differently!!
May 26, 2024
inspirational!
isa was originally from Germany but moves to New Zealand and decides she loves it so much she wants to stay planted. After years of living there and working a full time job doing work she enjoys, she decides to shake up her life a bit while she is in her 30's and try out the nomad life and buys a camper van. She lives in that van for the next 5 years, works remotely and thinks deeply about the way humans live. Her book includes honest feedback of her choice to travel in her 30's while many of her friends are doing the opposite and planting themselves with marriage and kids. I appreciate the raw and truthful way she expresses her thoughts on the subject and have felt the same way as her at times.
This book brought about many emotions I have had bottled up about how annoyed I am that people assume that it is any of their business if we have kids or whether we even want kids. I know from personal experience, my parents mentioned many times as I was growing up how badly they want grandkids and honestly, I don't think that is right. First of all, it makes us feel like if we don't follow the "plan," then we are letting people down. Second, what if I physically couldn't have kids and then I have to feel bad about my body and also feel like I am letting my parent's dreams of having grandkids down? Not ok. I hope books like these get people to start talking differently. I tell my kids constantly that their future choices on this topic are completely up to them and that I have no desire either way, which is the truth.
In this book, I hear sadness that she doesn't have more friends taking the same path as her and I get it! Even though I have 2 kids, I have felt that same sadness as I have also chosen to take the non-traditional route and work less that the average person and have a lot of time to myself to do things that interest me. But I have noticed that most of my community who surround me have chosen the path of the typical 9-5, plan. Even the many friends I have who don't have kids, don't have time for me because they are so busy with work. I would go as far to say the American work schedule is leaving little time for people to have time to bond with one another. And that is why I have started making more friends with people who are retired or who are in a similar position to me and don't work full time. In 10-20 years many of my friends will start retiring and I will be ready for them! I just hope we aren't too old to enjoy the journey at that point.
Life is always going to change and every section only represents one season. I know from experience, the child raising stage is really only about 5/6 years for each kid, to get them to a point where they will survive if you let go of their hand. After that, I can almost bet that her friends will be begging to join her so they can get some peace and quiet. People will look to her for advice on living the relaxed life and she will have all that experience to help lead the way. My husband and I got a travel trailer a few years back and I see us doing a combo of renting out our house and living in the trailer when we aren't in our permanent home. Thank you for writing this book Lisa! Here are some of my favorite parts of the book:
“Instead, I rented the smallest and cheapest storage option I could find and filled it with everything I wanted to keep but didn’t want to take with me. Over the years, that has proven to be a good decision. It means I can leave winter clothes behind in summer and vice versa, have somewhere to store things I want to hold on to but don’t have space for in the van, and I’m not burdening friends.”
“However, there was one thing that bothered me. It was hard to go beyond campground small-talk…I met some amazing people, but I often felt frustrated with the lack of depth of the conversations I was having with them.”
“I realized that there was a fine line between being confident about who you are, and how you want to live your life, and being unapologetic, inconsiderate, and overly set in your ways.”
“I don’t mind still having to work a bit in my 60’s or even 70’s if it means I can spend time in my 30’s and 40’s enjoying life. After all, I can probably still sit at a desk and stare at a computer screen when I’m 60. What are the chances I can still kitesurf or climb mountains?”
isa was originally from Germany but moves to New Zealand and decides she loves it so much she wants to stay planted. After years of living there and working a full time job doing work she enjoys, she decides to shake up her life a bit while she is in her 30's and try out the nomad life and buys a camper van. She lives in that van for the next 5 years, works remotely and thinks deeply about the way humans live. Her book includes honest feedback of her choice to travel in her 30's while many of her friends are doing the opposite and planting themselves with marriage and kids. I appreciate the raw and truthful way she expresses her thoughts on the subject and have felt the same way as her at times.
This book brought about many emotions I have had bottled up about how annoyed I am that people assume that it is any of their business if we have kids or whether we even want kids. I know from personal experience, my parents mentioned many times as I was growing up how badly they want grandkids and honestly, I don't think that is right. First of all, it makes us feel like if we don't follow the "plan," then we are letting people down. Second, what if I physically couldn't have kids and then I have to feel bad about my body and also feel like I am letting my parent's dreams of having grandkids down? Not ok. I hope books like these get people to start talking differently. I tell my kids constantly that their future choices on this topic are completely up to them and that I have no desire either way, which is the truth.
In this book, I hear sadness that she doesn't have more friends taking the same path as her and I get it! Even though I have 2 kids, I have felt that same sadness as I have also chosen to take the non-traditional route and work less that the average person and have a lot of time to myself to do things that interest me. But I have noticed that most of my community who surround me have chosen the path of the typical 9-5, plan. Even the many friends I have who don't have kids, don't have time for me because they are so busy with work. I would go as far to say the American work schedule is leaving little time for people to have time to bond with one another. And that is why I have started making more friends with people who are retired or who are in a similar position to me and don't work full time. In 10-20 years many of my friends will start retiring and I will be ready for them! I just hope we aren't too old to enjoy the journey at that point.
Life is always going to change and every section only represents one season. I know from experience, the child raising stage is really only about 5/6 years for each kid, to get them to a point where they will survive if you let go of their hand. After that, I can almost bet that her friends will be begging to join her so they can get some peace and quiet. People will look to her for advice on living the relaxed life and she will have all that experience to help lead the way. My husband and I got a travel trailer a few years back and I see us doing a combo of renting out our house and living in the trailer when we aren't in our permanent home. Thank you for writing this book Lisa! Here are some of my favorite parts of the book:
“Instead, I rented the smallest and cheapest storage option I could find and filled it with everything I wanted to keep but didn’t want to take with me. Over the years, that has proven to be a good decision. It means I can leave winter clothes behind in summer and vice versa, have somewhere to store things I want to hold on to but don’t have space for in the van, and I’m not burdening friends.”
“However, there was one thing that bothered me. It was hard to go beyond campground small-talk…I met some amazing people, but I often felt frustrated with the lack of depth of the conversations I was having with them.”
“I realized that there was a fine line between being confident about who you are, and how you want to live your life, and being unapologetic, inconsiderate, and overly set in your ways.”
“I don’t mind still having to work a bit in my 60’s or even 70’s if it means I can spend time in my 30’s and 40’s enjoying life. After all, I can probably still sit at a desk and stare at a computer screen when I’m 60. What are the chances I can still kitesurf or climb mountains?”
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October 6, 2024I wanted to love this book but I found it very dry. Just a list of places traveled to in New Zealand in her van, while claiming every place was more beautiful than the last, yet not inspiring in me a desire to travel there at all. There’s very little dialogue, so you don’t get a sense of any characters, let alone the author. There’s one page where she explores complicated feelings about being childfree, and then some rushed analysis in the very last chapter, but that’s it. There’s more talk about rust in her van that needs to be repaired.
As a childfree person, I am all in favor of “doing life differently.” I believe in making your own choices and living in ways people don’t understand. However, this author didn’t make her choices sound appealing at all- it sounds like she was hunched over her laptop while working as a digital nomad for 5 years straight. Maybe also doing some kite surfing- which I learned absolutely nothing about while reading this book, despite it being her favorite hobby. She leaves out details I would have found interesting to learn about- for example she talks about loving to read- how was she getting books while on the road? Library digital downloads? Kindle? Audible? Also, there’s an introvert and then there’s a recluse- I personally feel that community is important and one of the things that makes us human and she had very little support other than phone calls to friends and family (which we heard nothing about). A lot of this book was like “I visited xyz place with my sister a few years ago but we were rushed so I wanted to come back and really enjoy it.” Ok, so what did you enjoy? Just looking at more nature that you poorly described to us? She spent way more words describing her van’s semi-annual warrant of fitness inspections (yawn) than a five-week long relationship with a man who she met at a campsite- that brief affair results in about two small paragraphs of reflection about how she’d rather be single.
She could have used this as an opportunity to talk about the realities of van life. She glosses over having to take short showers because the water tank was small. She doesn’t even really explain how she cooked or what she ate (aside from one mention of a chicken stir fry in a paragraph about how she doesn’t like to cook).
Also, this is a nit-pic but the author has already published a book on happiness, prior to this one. Yet she did not seem happy in this book. So why would I read her book on happiness when she clearly doesn’t know what she’s talking about?
I think if someone is so passionate about a nomadic life and water sports, she could have described them in a little more interesting detail. She could have also used phone conversations with friends as a framing device for what was going on in her life. I’m sure she’s an interesting person, but this book didn’t show this at all.
All in all, a disappointing representation of the childfree community.
As a childfree person, I am all in favor of “doing life differently.” I believe in making your own choices and living in ways people don’t understand. However, this author didn’t make her choices sound appealing at all- it sounds like she was hunched over her laptop while working as a digital nomad for 5 years straight. Maybe also doing some kite surfing- which I learned absolutely nothing about while reading this book, despite it being her favorite hobby. She leaves out details I would have found interesting to learn about- for example she talks about loving to read- how was she getting books while on the road? Library digital downloads? Kindle? Audible? Also, there’s an introvert and then there’s a recluse- I personally feel that community is important and one of the things that makes us human and she had very little support other than phone calls to friends and family (which we heard nothing about). A lot of this book was like “I visited xyz place with my sister a few years ago but we were rushed so I wanted to come back and really enjoy it.” Ok, so what did you enjoy? Just looking at more nature that you poorly described to us? She spent way more words describing her van’s semi-annual warrant of fitness inspections (yawn) than a five-week long relationship with a man who she met at a campsite- that brief affair results in about two small paragraphs of reflection about how she’d rather be single.
She could have used this as an opportunity to talk about the realities of van life. She glosses over having to take short showers because the water tank was small. She doesn’t even really explain how she cooked or what she ate (aside from one mention of a chicken stir fry in a paragraph about how she doesn’t like to cook).
Also, this is a nit-pic but the author has already published a book on happiness, prior to this one. Yet she did not seem happy in this book. So why would I read her book on happiness when she clearly doesn’t know what she’s talking about?
I think if someone is so passionate about a nomadic life and water sports, she could have described them in a little more interesting detail. She could have also used phone conversations with friends as a framing device for what was going on in her life. I’m sure she’s an interesting person, but this book didn’t show this at all.
All in all, a disappointing representation of the childfree community.
August 30, 2024
If you’re looking for inspiration on different ways to shape your life, this travel memoir might be the perfect guide. Its author, Lisa Jansen, emigrated to New Zealand (NZ) from Germany and fell in love with the place, deciding to call it home. We meet her in her early 30s, living a dream life - she has a great home, amazing friends, a successful career in marketing and adores the outdoor spirit of NZ.
However, Lisa is also aware that she’s drifting apart from these friends as their lives go down separate paths - as in the parent vs non-parent divide. Lisa isn’t at all sure that a settled life of marriage and kids is really what she wants. She starts to think about how life could be done differently and eventually settles on vanlife - she buys a campervan, gives up her rented home and most of her possessions, and takes to the road. Luckily for Lisa, she’s able to retain her job on a part-time remote basis, ensuring that she still has an income. This adventure gives her the perfect chance to explore her adopted homeland, live life on her own terms and think through what sort of future she wants for herself.
And so begins a five-year journey not only across the highways and landscapes of NZ, but also through an evolving period in Lisa’s life. She weighs up her total freedom against her ambivalence around having children, eventually realising that she’d much prefer to remain childfree. But it is also a difficult period in NZ, as Lisa navigates the challenges of the Covid pandemic when, in some ways, everyone was suddenly as isolated and remote as she was.
This nomadic memoir captures the complete freedom that can potentially be achieved (obviously not all of us necessarily have this opportunity) if we embrace not being bound by the same social, financial or familial pressures that many women who have chosen motherhood are tied down by. But, ultimately, the ethos behind the book is about being true to yourself and who you are - not everyone will want Lisa’s vanlife or would thrive following in her footsteps, but we can still aim to be our most authentic non-mother selves.
However, Lisa is also aware that she’s drifting apart from these friends as their lives go down separate paths - as in the parent vs non-parent divide. Lisa isn’t at all sure that a settled life of marriage and kids is really what she wants. She starts to think about how life could be done differently and eventually settles on vanlife - she buys a campervan, gives up her rented home and most of her possessions, and takes to the road. Luckily for Lisa, she’s able to retain her job on a part-time remote basis, ensuring that she still has an income. This adventure gives her the perfect chance to explore her adopted homeland, live life on her own terms and think through what sort of future she wants for herself.
And so begins a five-year journey not only across the highways and landscapes of NZ, but also through an evolving period in Lisa’s life. She weighs up her total freedom against her ambivalence around having children, eventually realising that she’d much prefer to remain childfree. But it is also a difficult period in NZ, as Lisa navigates the challenges of the Covid pandemic when, in some ways, everyone was suddenly as isolated and remote as she was.
This nomadic memoir captures the complete freedom that can potentially be achieved (obviously not all of us necessarily have this opportunity) if we embrace not being bound by the same social, financial or familial pressures that many women who have chosen motherhood are tied down by. But, ultimately, the ethos behind the book is about being true to yourself and who you are - not everyone will want Lisa’s vanlife or would thrive following in her footsteps, but we can still aim to be our most authentic non-mother selves.
September 4, 2023
This book will make an insightful read for anyone who's questioning whether the well-worn path of climbing the career ladder, buying a home, getting married, and having kids is for them. As well as for anyone curious about van life, taking on a new travel adventure alone, or getting to know New Zealand.
When the writer's friends all seemed to be taking a more traditional path in their mid 30s, Lisa opted to explore stunning New Zealand in a van to uncover what she really wanted from life. Life on her own terms, that is. Not just life as we are told it should look from a young age.
I loved learning about all the beautiful corners of New Zealand in Life Done Differently. The layout, maps and succint chapters headings were brilliant. Lisa also doesn't shy away from the difficult details of vanlife or travelling alone. And she explores the topic of choosing and living a childfree life in a thoughtful and inspiring way.
When the writer's friends all seemed to be taking a more traditional path in their mid 30s, Lisa opted to explore stunning New Zealand in a van to uncover what she really wanted from life. Life on her own terms, that is. Not just life as we are told it should look from a young age.
I loved learning about all the beautiful corners of New Zealand in Life Done Differently. The layout, maps and succint chapters headings were brilliant. Lisa also doesn't shy away from the difficult details of vanlife or travelling alone. And she explores the topic of choosing and living a childfree life in a thoughtful and inspiring way.
September 11, 2023
What a lovely book! A very inspiring read by an independent young woman that decided to follow her own path. I loved reading along with her travels in a campervan through New Zealand, learning about its ups and downs, and the amazingness that is Aotearoa. Lisa bravely shares her highs and lows, strengths and insecurities as she winds her way through this amazing country. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to explore NZ on wheels, as well as anyone standing at a crossroads in life, or a standstill. Lisa will unabashedly give you permission to change things around, and tune into what really makes you happy, and follow that trail to see where it leads. Life is too short to live it any other way than your way!
May 20, 2024
A great read! Lisa's story is well written and very interesting. The book covers all aspects of her new life.
I found the travel aspects most interesting, it made me realise there is so much of NZ that I haven't explored yet. I would love to travel like this (with my wife).
Some of the book went into a lot of personal mental detail, which I found a bit tedious. But it made me think that you don't have to follow what everyone else does with their life. Everyone is different and it's up to each person how they want to live their life. Nice work Lisa.
I found the travel aspects most interesting, it made me realise there is so much of NZ that I haven't explored yet. I would love to travel like this (with my wife).
Some of the book went into a lot of personal mental detail, which I found a bit tedious. But it made me think that you don't have to follow what everyone else does with their life. Everyone is different and it's up to each person how they want to live their life. Nice work Lisa.
August 6, 2024
This was an enjoyable read about a very interesting topic and I loved the vulnerable story Lisa was willing to share. It’s a topic not talked about enough and I resonated with so much of it as someone who is childfree by choice myself and a NZer who loves exploring her backyard too.
I did find this book repetitive in places, one sentence after another just slightly reworded - it almost began to felt like word count padding when I could recognize it happening chapter after chapter. It was the one let down of this fantastic memoir.
I did find this book repetitive in places, one sentence after another just slightly reworded - it almost began to felt like word count padding when I could recognize it happening chapter after chapter. It was the one let down of this fantastic memoir.
October 21, 2025
This was a good intro to the “van life” troupe of books out there. I liked it. Lisa was a deeply introspective person so if you don’t pages of “I wonder if this is the right thing for me….” - then this probably isn’t the book for you. But then - who the hell travels round New Zealand for 5 years in their own without a bit of soul-searching along the way?
I visited Kiwi-land decades ago. Lisa’s description of some of these places makes me want to go back!
I visited Kiwi-land decades ago. Lisa’s description of some of these places makes me want to go back!
January 19, 2025
I really enjoyed this read which combined two of my bucket list things to do - New Zealand and van life. As a single woman, this is a really empowering read that provides the encouragement needed to get out there and give it a red hot go. Coupled with wonderful descriptions of out of the way places, this is as much a travelogue as a how to.
March 13, 2024
An insightful journey to self-discovery. Easy to read though some parts felt a little repetitive.
All in all, this book sparkled a meaningful milestone for me in thinking about myself and what I would truly want in my life.
All in all, this book sparkled a meaningful milestone for me in thinking about myself and what I would truly want in my life.
March 17, 2025
I really wanted to like this book but found it quite monotonous and boring. I was enticed by the authors voyage to van life and inspiring lifestyle. However, the book reads as more of a detailed itinerary of the places visited in NZ opposed to any depth in self discovery or realisations.
October 19, 2023
A must read for anyone seeking the non traditional way of life .
November 13, 2023
This book opened my eyes to my own life and how I am not fulfilled. Now I am looking into my passion travel!
Read
November 18, 2023The world needs more stories like this one!
December 26, 2023
Very good read would recomend to anyone who has lives life differently or is thinking of it.
February 14, 2024
An honestly told reflection on five years as a fulltime nomad and solo female traveller.
February 21, 2024
I enjoyed this book, but giving it three stars as it was a bit repetitive. Some real honesty which is refreshing!
April 27, 2024
A very good read .Lisa has written about her approach to this rat 🎡 wheel we call life .
Not all approach it the same way .
Not all approach it the same way .
May 1, 2024
A quick, easy,and enjoyable read.
June 10, 2024
Amazing book that really showed not only an alternative to the normal path of life but showed it as a joyful and exploratory pathway towards living your best life!
I've been interested in van life for a while but all the books I've read have been in the US (as are most 0f the people I follow on SM!) so it was lovely to see a story of someone doing the van life thing in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Would highly recommend to anyone feeling a bit stuck in their life or just interested in an alternative travel memoir!
I've been interested in van life for a while but all the books I've read have been in the US (as are most 0f the people I follow on SM!) so it was lovely to see a story of someone doing the van life thing in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Would highly recommend to anyone feeling a bit stuck in their life or just interested in an alternative travel memoir!
October 22, 2024
Read this as part of my adventure book club monthly read. Really loved hearing about Lisa's adventures and change of life.
May 27, 2025
Well written and entertaining. Looking forward to hearing about what next!
August 25, 2025
Good description in parts made me not want to live in a van
January 29, 2024
A great easy read. Really enjoyed reading about the different places in NZ and love Lisas' look into Life Done Differently - ie. deciding to choose a path that is perhaps not the typical one ie. relationship/children, 9-5 job. As a society we can be so judgemental on how others decide to live their lives and I think Lisa touched on this brillantly. Keep moving Lisa and do what suits you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2024
repetitive
I enjoyed the concept of the book but if every time Lisa repeated herself was removed, the book would be half the size
I enjoyed the concept of the book but if every time Lisa repeated herself was removed, the book would be half the size
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews