Campervan Hygge – Finding Comfort In My Tiny Space

Today I’m looking back to previous campervan trips and thinking about how they’ve benefited my overall mental wellbeing by creating moments of hygge – that glorious sensation when everything feels right with the world.

It’s been a while since I posted as Rambling Nan. Not because I’ve not been on any rambles – I have. It’s more the case that I’ve not found the headspace to blog about them. But today is different. Today I’m writing to try to overcome writer’s block. My old Mum passed away 10 days ago and what with the stress of knowing she was gravely ill and the overwhelm of paperwork following her death, my brain has frozen.

Not only am I in need of a bit of hygge, I’m struggling to write. When a freelance copywriter loses the ability to write, it doesn’t bode well for their income. So I’m hoping a bit of free writing (with no pressure to meet company goals or optimise for search engines) will stimulate the little grey cells to take action.

Right now, I’m curled up in one corner of the sofa. I have my favourite wrap around my shoulders, two labradors draped over my legs and a log fire glowing in the grate. There a comforting aromas emanating from the kitchen because I’ve chosen today to make mincemeat in advance if Christmas. There are no pressing duties to tackle and I do feel quite hygg-ish. But nothing tops the feeling I get when I’m campervanning.

Black and yellow Toyota campervan with a small tent pitched beside it

Take Latitude for example. In 2025, at the ripe old age of 60, I was gifted tickets for my first ever music festival. Grandson C, aged 14 readily agreed to accompany me, which made the whole experience even better.

C pitched his tent beside my van on the very busy campsite and he didn’t hold back when it came to campsite duties. He fetched water, barbecued burgers and was a pleasure to be round. All of which contributed to the feel good factor.

It only rained on one afternoon while we were away and, believe it or not, that’s where the hygge feeling really kicked in.

C retreated to his tent to ride out the rain shower with a Power Nap, while I ensconced myself on the bed of my camper with the door open so I could see and smell the rain. Propped up with pillows and cushions, my homemade blanket on my legs and a brilliant book in hand – I was truly in my happy place. That’s a feeling I’d love to bottle up and use time and time again.

An iPad sits on top of a green knitted blanket in a campervan with views across a rainy festival campsite

A second satisfactory campervan moment was back in the spring. I have two labradors, Milo is the king of campervanning. By nature, he’s friendly, curious and confident. Patsy on the other hand is an anxious traveller. She’s not a fan of new places, new people or meeting other dogs. Nevertheless, I hate leaving her at home with hubby when I go for a ramble, so I took her for a fairly short trip to stay at the CL site at Norfolk Tank Museum.

To my surprise, she aced it. I hope I never forget how great it felt to sit in the sun, with my knitting in hand and Patsy and Milo laid on the grass just chilling whilst museum visitors were walking and talking not 100 yards away.

Two fox red labradors gazing at a plate in the hope of sharing their owners meal

A fox red Labrador relaxes in the shade of a campervan

There’s too much going on atm to enjoy some real time campervan hygge. But that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the memories or plan our next trip. Just writing this has been a comfort in itself.

Where next? I have a great idea, so watch this space to find out what I’m plotting for 2026.