Dream Big, Live Small : Chasing Dreams From a Van
BY : ALLY MCELROY
“You’re the one that lives in a van?” Yep, that’s me – Ally, the unconventional one. I live in a 77 sq. ft. DIY camper van with my husband and two pups. My days are a mix of teaching yoga in beautiful locations and guiding entrepreneurs to kickstart their businesses. People often find my lifestyle intriguing, though the road I’ve taken – defying norms, leaving an unfulfilling job, and building a business from scratch – hasn’t been easy. My secret to creating success for myself? I clung to my vision, nurtured self-belief, and embraced failure. All of these dreams made me queasy with fear at one point, but that was fear’s attempt to hold me back. I kept going — I held my vision of how I wanted to live, work, and feel. And now, I’m living a life I love, running a wildly fulfilling business, and connecting with incredible people worldwide.
Before I keep going I want you to know this: your dreams are within reach. I’m wholeheartedly certain of it. Your fluttering stomach and sweaty palms stem from a vision that is uniquely yours. All you desire is absolutely attainable. If your daily grind is leaving you unsatisfied, your weekends are mere escapes, or you just yearn for more, remember – you don’t have to stay stuck. You hold the power to create a life you love, chase the emotions you desire, and ignite your passions. Sure, there’ll be setbacks, life’s curveballs, even unexpected shattering moments, but they shouldn’t stop you from chasing your dreams.
I was asked to share a little bit about my journey of chasing my dreams, and I’ll offer actionable tips to unleash your own possibilities. I hope this blog inspires you to live a life you love, even if it’s not considered “the norm”.
From the Classroom to Van Living
At 21 years old, I jumped headfirst into a whirlwind of change – moving to a new city, getting married, and starting my teaching career. That first year in the classroom was a rollercoaster, but amidst the challenges, I discovered my passion for entrepreneurship while building a side hustle selling essential oils. As the pandemic reshaped our lives a year later, I worked tirelessly to match my teaching income while nurturing the dream of creating a personal brand dedicated to helping others create lives they love.
The turning point came when my husband and I decided to embrace van life — we self-converted a van & launched my brand, Ally Lauren. The road offered healing and a chance to reshape my dreams. Along the journey, we faced challenges – like my husband’s temporary loss of vision – and triumphs, ultimately settling in Washington, DC. I became a certified yoga teacher, balanced teaching yoga with running Ally Lauren, and coaching aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide. At the end of 2022, the road was calling to us once again, leading us back to full-time van life, where I now teach yoga while offering exclusive business coaching. My experience is a reminder that embracing change and believing in ourselves can lead to the most extraordinary transformations. I’d rather bet on myself and see what I can create than leave my dreams unfulfilled.
Taking Action Today for Tomorrow’s Dreams
So now that you know a little bit about my story, let’s chat about HOW to dream. Going after what you want is daunting. I get it. So grab some pen & paper (maybe a coffee & turn on your fave playlist because obviously #vibes) and journal through these questions for every aspect of your life — health, career, relationships, community, spirituality, etc.
- Reflect on your passions: Take time to identify your true passions and interests. What activities make you lose track of time? What brings you joy and fulfillment? What lights your soul on fire? Your dreams often stem from these areas.
- Visualize your ideal life: Close your eyes and imagine your ideal life. What do you see? Where are you? What are you doing? What are you wearing? Who are you with? What do you look like? How are you feeling? Write down your ideal daily schedule. Write down the items you own. Write down EVERY detail. Visualization can help clarify your aspirations and motivate you to pursue them. Do this as often as you need to help you re-center on what you want for your life. Don’t be afraid to refer back to these visualizations & what you’ve written down, especially on days when you’re lacking motivation or experiencing self-doubt.
- Set bold goals: Don’t be afraid to set ambitious goals that excite and challenge you. Goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) to give you direction and purpose. If bold goals feel too overwhelming, break them into smaller actionable steps. Each achievement, no matter how small, brings you closer to your ultimate goal. This works y’all — when I was creating The Yoga Club, my online yoga membership, breaking down my goals into small actionable steps helped me stay on track & have a successful, stress-free launch.
- Focus on the feeling & detach from the outcome: It can be so easy to put your worth in what you do, how productive you are, or how much money is in your bank account. But focusing on the feelings you want to foster as a result of your goals will leave you in a much better mental state. For example, instead of saying, “I want to go on a diet to lose x number of pounds,” say, “I want to fuel my body with organic whole foods so I can feel more energized & positive throughout my day.” If you can detach your worth from the outcome, you’ve won in my book.
- Embrace your uniqueness: Your dreams should be a reflection of your individuality. Don’t compare yourself to others; embrace what makes you unique and build your dreams around that. I believe in you, sis, but step one is believing in yourself. If you do not have self-belief you will not make it very far — every minor setback will send you into a tornado of self-doubt. Put your blinders on & embrace your individuality.
- Learn continuously: Read, explore, and seek new experiences. Learning opens your mind to new possibilities and helps you refine your goals as you gain insights. What do you want to read about? What do you want to explore? What kind of new experiences do you want to have? Set boundaries with the things that are taking away your joy and replace them with spending time learning something new.
- Face fear with courage: Fear of failure or the unknown can hold you back. Embrace fear as a sign you’re stepping outside your comfort zone and growing. This is often the one thing that holds people back from taking action on their dreams, but there comes a point where you either decide to leap or you stay where you’re at. Take the leap, y’all — every single time.
- Stay persistent: Dreams take time to manifest. Stay committed, even when facing obstacles. Persistence is often the key to success. Foster your resilience & keep going. Your dreams may not happen on your timeline, but hear me again… you are responsible for creating a life you want.
- Surround yourself with positivity: Spend time with people who uplift and support you. Surrounding yourself with positivity can boost your confidence, self-belief, and drive. Make a list of all the people in your life that inspire you & bring more positivity in your life. Once a month, make sure you’re connecting with these people. Your life will be better, trust me!
- Practice gratitude: Gratitude shifts your focus to what you have and what’s going well in your life. This positive mindset can fuel your motivation to pursue your dreams. Each morning & night, write down 3 gratitudes. This simple practice can shift your focus on all the good things happening in your life.
- Stay flexible: As you journey towards your dreams, be open to adjusting your path. Flexibility allows you to adapt to changing circumstances and seize new opportunities. A slight detour could be exactly what you need as you pursue your dreams.
- Celebrate progress: Acknowledge your achievements along the way. Celebrating milestones, no matter how small, keeps you motivated and reinforces your dedication. It’s also just fun to celebrate so make it a priority.
- Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself. You *might* (in which I mean positively) encounter setbacks, but they’re part of the journey. The journey of chasing your dreams is one of the most beautiful parts, enjoy it. Treat yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a friend.
- Take action today: The first step is often the hardest, but it’s also the most important. Start taking action toward your dreams today, no matter how small the step. & then keep taking the next step and another and another. Before you know it, all these small steps will have brought you to your big dream.
The Road Ahead: Final Reflections
My unconventional journey of living in a van, teaching yoga in breathtaking places, and guiding entrepreneurs in their businesses has taught me that dreams are not only attainable but also worth relentlessly chasing. The path to realizing your aspirations may be terrifying, and it will undoubtedly have its fair share of setbacks and challenges. Yet, the key lies in unwavering self-belief, a clear vision, and the courage to face your fears head-on. Remember, your dreams are uniquely yours, and you possess the power to create a life you love, filled with the emotions and passions that set your soul on fire.
Your dreams may not align with the conventional norms, but that’s perfectly okay. In fact, it’s your uniqueness that will shape the most remarkable aspects of your journey. So, reflect on your passions, visualize your ideal life, set bold goals, and learn continuously. Face fear with courage, persist through obstacles, and surround yourself with positivity. Practice gratitude, celebrate progress, and always extend self-compassion. Above all, take your first step today — it’s the small steps that lead to the fruition of your most significant dreams.
Your dreams are not confined by societal norms or the expectations of others. They are the expressions of your innermost desires, waiting to be brought to life. Remember, you have the power to create a life you love, chase the emotions you crave, and ignite your passions. Move with confidence and determination, and may your journey be as extraordinary as the dreams you hold close.
Connect with Ally
Ally is a high vibe, yoga-flowing, van-living, holistic business coach. Her super power is helping people find joy, peace, & confidence in life & work. Whether it’s through her yoga classes, 1-on-1 coaching, or self-paced courses her framework will guide you to live a life you love.
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ally.lauren.m/
Website: https://allylauren.com
Email: ally@allylauren.com
