Finding Strength in Solitude
This one is about confronting fear and finding strength in solitude while exploring the American Southwest. Thanks for being here ♡
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00:00 time flies
01:50 the open road and high winds
03:20 it can be sad sometimes
05:00 new plan
06:00 creating videos and overcoming fear
08:20 finding inspiration in music
09:35 a desert day in the life
12:30 van repair chaos
14:30 i don’t know what i’m doing
15:45 sh*t
16:20 the story goes on
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Hey! I’m Christian Schaffer, and I’ve lived on the road full-time since May 2018. This journey began in 2013 when I left the corporate world to build my career as an outdoor adventure & travel photographer. As a semi-minimalist, I eventually decided to donate/sell most of my belongings and move into my 4x4 Nissan Xterra. After 14 months of SUV living and falling madly in love with the open road - I bought a van and hired a team to build it out. Van life enables me to experience and document the beauty of our natural world on a whole new level, all while having my home and office nearby. My hope is that by sharing my own personal highs and lows along this (sometimes) wild journey, you might be inspired to hit the road or spend more time outdoors. Maybe one day I'll see you out on that open road 🚐
*My van is a 2019 Ram ProMaster 1500 High Roof, 136" WB with 51K miles*
#solofemale #vanlife #offgrid
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As a fellow introvert weirdo, I am certain that I would prefer the occasional pangs of loneliness vs the extroverts constant need for human contact.
You and me both 🤓
100% agree… as another fellow introvert weirdo 😂
More of us here than I expected!
Same here. Lol.
Yep! I agree
“Solitude has a way of inviting emotions to the surface”- Christian Schaffer. Just brilliant, i so appreciate you and your work. Thx !
Someone please finance this woman to make a full length film! I wish I was a pholanthopist after watching this. So well shot and edited. Stunning.
Philanthropist even
LOL You said it. That was quite a word though. LOL. You'd think someone who can't spell would look it up. (wiping tears of laughter from eyes.) I love you Margo. I hope it doesn't burn too much.
Fully agree! Her blend of visuals, music, and heartfelt and inspiring commentary far exceeds anything I've seen elsewhere online.
There's a few basic tools I recommend every camper owner gets, including: - A simple Clamp Meter, so you can check voltage (e.g. battery, or are wires working and live), continuity (i.e. are wires joined or not), and current through wires (to check which wire is in use for example). - Wire cutters and Strippers, so you can easily cut and remove the plastic from the ends of cables. - Wago wire connectors. So you can join any 2 cables easily, even if they are different sizes. Great for temporary or permanent joins. The 3 and 5 way ones can be used as a little bus bar/splitter too. Handy to add another item to an existing cable. - A bit of spare cable and fuses of various sizes. - If you have a lot of crimps in your van, buy a crimping tool and spare crimps. - A small, battery powered drill, and set of driving bits and drill bits. So handy for everything! Smaller is good for tight spaces which are common in the van. - A flexible drill extension, so you can get around corners or into really tight spots to screw a screw.
Wow, a crossover of 2 of my favourite KZheadrs, amazing 😂
I’m takin notes! 👩🏼💻 thank you
As an introvert, I'm always somewhat conflicted about how much isolation is normal. Thank you for making isolation feel normal and healthy.
You know, you may be out there alone when you capture your moments, but we're here when you share them with us. Great work as always. I'm pretty sure I'm not alone, but in our own way we love you and your work. Stay safe out there.
Yes! so fun to be her passenger sitting here at home, but wishing I could be there too.
Christian I personally am SO glad you continued with KZhead because of the “quality” of your Vlogs ! Those mountains were sensationally colourful, the light & shade were breathtaking! The clouds & rainbow were gorgeous! Well done with the water pump installation ….there you did it, most people would search KZhead for tips. Take care & loving your format being the best videography I have seen plus it is calming thank you! 💜🤗🇦🇺🌞
Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Christian, your storytelling is like laughter between shy people. Warm and real, appreciative of the little things… and the grand ones too. We all wish for contact, even if it’s just for awhile, but there is peace in loneliness. The hard balance. Thanks for another great episode, the scenic nightscapes and your dancing swirls were wonderful. ✌🏼
Your comment was beautifully articulated, like that of a poet. Then I read your handle, “WayneThePoet”. I am a poet as well. I’m many things, but a poet at my core. Thank you for your gift of words!🤍✨
Your words, so beautifully expressed, explain why you're so drawn to Christian's work
Christian, as a fellow solo nomad, I absolutely loved this video in particular. Your vulnerability, creativity, and insights are very inspiring and helpful. Your production quality is also always top-notch as well. The right visuals, flawless audio and levels, and that photographer’s eye that you’ve mastered. Know that others out here feel you and can relate very much. Someday, when serendipity knocks on your door, you will be more than ready. Love and hugs, Joe.
thank you Joe 🥲🙌🏻 happy travels out there
That beautiful colt in the beginning was surreal 😊
What amazes me is your courage and commitment. And then we see the reward for that perseverance in your work. And that is stunning and breathtaking. So thank you for sharing your inner world and making me appreciate beauty more with every step you take and every turn of your lens out toward us.
Great work Christian. Very talented story teller, videographer and editor.
I appreciate you 🥲 also you have a cool YT handle haha
And plumber.
It’s harder than what people think, being alone in this lifestyle or any lifestyle. But better to be alone than to be with the wrong person. So Many people don’t understand or appreciate what we do and see everyday and the sheer beauty of it! Bravo again! ❤
My shurflo water pump failed in October 2022 and it took the dealer 5 months to schedule me in for a fix in March 2023. It was during the winter months so I wasn't camping, but it taught me the importance of learning how to do simple fixes on my own whenever possible. Additionally it builds confidence! :)
solitude is the road to self discovery, self discovery leads to self love, one can not love something one does not know. and self love leads to universal love, as one does not know how to love with out loving one self.
Another great video, Christian. Been a fan since the Van Tour video. Also... Been single, been half of a couple. And no, being single isn't great, but... It's better than in-laws, compromises, power-struggles and mind-reading.
Christian Schaffer you’re normalizing vulnerability and out-loud introspection , and combining it with exquisite storytelling and filmmaking and throwing in some van maintenance and problem solving for good measure … a new genre I think 🤔👏🏽❤👍🏽
@climbinghigh96 Yes, I totally agree! As a professional photographer, I particularly appreciate how attuned she is to LIGHT. Often, her images are entirely about the light for its own sake. I love what she sees. This is not easy to master.
Muscle memory kicks in even after a period of disuse. My Air Force career was spent crawling around the inside of a fighter jet-your van is huge comparatively speaking. Thanks for the video meditation on life as it goes. 🌿
So true what you say in "it can be sad sometimes": it's hard, tough, sometimes rough but absolutely worthwhile to stay with oneself during those long stretches of solitude. One needs to equally let the good, the bad and the ugly happen. That way we do understand the difference between alone and lonely, and only then can we appreciate and embrace company. Not an easy journey. You sure make it look more colourful then it often is...
Seems like you found that strength and so much more. I like how music opens certain parts of ourselves depending on the path we are on at a particular point in time. Great video as always!
This video is stunning. You have real skill beyond what most can even imagine. It isn't the equipment, though the image clarity is fantastic, but it is your ability to 'see' what others cannot and put it together in a meaningful video. Wow!
I appreciate you 🥹🙏🏻
Agreed, she has such a good eye! She captures sunsets and sunrises like no other 😊 sometimes when I watch other videos in my head I’ll be like “if only they zoomed in or framed the shot in this way, they’re missing out!” Never with Christian!!! 👏
@@itscarolinemary Photography is all about THE LIGHT. Most people don't get that, and the simple key to better light in photographs is to prioritize shooting when the sun is low in the sky, or even below the horizon, or when the sun is filtered by thin clouds. You don't shoot the sun, you look for what the sun is doing to landscape, water, clouds, patterns. Christian's work shines because she's so attuned to the light and the resulting colors, patterns, shapes, and textures. I just love what she sees, and captures! What looks simple and obvious....isn't that at all. Christian is a master visual artist...consistently excellent.
I am a fellow photographer and have dabbled with photography my whole life. I wish I could find a way to express the gratitude I feel in watching your video tonight. I appreciate your work. I can tell you that you have incredible talent. I also appreciate your inspiration. I write to you tonight from my camper by a lake as I watch the sunset, partially inspired by you to be out here not far from where are you filmed that video. My thoughts tonight before I watched your video were that of solitude and reflection...and although I am living my dream of finally getting out and living the adventure I've always wanted to, I do wish I had somebody to share it with. I don't say that for pity or sympathy, but because your video resonated with what I was feeling as I watched it. It is a soul-searching and spiritual awakening of sorts and I love every minute of it. I am on a crosscross-country trip and have toyed with the idea of creating video segments of each stop along the way and the challenges that I've had, but the creative bug to do this eludes me (despite the fact that I think some people might enjoy watching.) Please keep doing what you're doing and stay safe. Much love
camper by a lake, watching sunset - that sounds pretty amazing ☺️
Great story, and I am going through the struggle of posting as well. Best wishes and keep up your creativity!
Damn. The way you use color in your cinematic shots and in your photography is just amazing. I truly enjoy that.
thanks Cody 🥹🙏🏻
Awesome video and narration, Christian! I always feel as though these are mini-documentaries where we get to ride shotgun with you for a brief period of time, I love it. I hope you enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend! I'm spending mine installing a garden at my place in Northern AZ, the weather has been exceptional the past few weeks. ~ Brian
Thank you Brian 🥲🙏🏻 I actually can’t wait for the day I have my own place and can dig into gardening
@@ChristianSchaffer it's been a nice change of pace, I really enjoy working with dirt so I've been having a great start to summer getting my gardens dialed in. One of my side hustles while I was nomading before KZhead took off was a seasonal gardener for the town of Mt Crested Butte (had so much fun there in the summer). I loved the freedom of the open road for all those years but I think that season of my life has ended as my primary focus is making this property my home. I've chosen to not use heavy machinery instead doing everything by hand. I'm using 100% reclaimed materials to build everything, these efforts have resulted in a very cool look/vibe to the place. Hope you have a great holiday, thank you again for another awesome video!
Your videos are medicine for me 💕. The calmness, the beautiful nature stillness footage, your raw and vulnerable self conversations about whatever you are facing at the moment. It just reminds me that we all are in this changing rhythm, figuring ourselves out. And it is okay to not feel motivated, and just rest some days. Thank you for sharing your masterpieces with us 🙏.
Achingly beautiful on so many levels. I hope someone from a good streaming service or network is watching because these videos deserve a wide audience!
Love your videos, love the photography, love the story telling, love your honesty... I could watch a new video everyday...thank you for sharing 🌷🙏
Christian I just wanted to say that I have been a subscriber for the past couple years and I keep coming back to hear your inspiring and intellectual self analysis while seeing images and video of some of the most beautiful landscapes anywhere. I am a music junkie. I relate my emotions, my life events to music -- streaming music services are my jam. Its funny how somebody says something, or I see something that immediately recalls a verse, a melody that fits. When I am notified about a new episode, I always wait until there is a period of uninterrupted quiet time so I can sit back and be inspired! I am more mechanical then artsy, but you are an artist. Good job on replacing the water pump I knew you had it in you! I wish you safe adventures, safe travels and eternal happiness!
I am an introvert and I like the control of just doing something without explaining the why's/hows. Also, I am not bothered by a need to be around others. However, when I am on vacation or somewhere and I meet a friendly stranger...I cannot shut up.
Love your videos. I traveled and camped for a year and a half and just last week found a place to live in AZ. I have to say. Since I've moved into a home and watched your videos, I kind of want to get on the road again and travel! You're inspiring. And yes, Hawaii.
I’ve noticed your videos have gone up another notch lately . You have a great eye for filming nature with a creative way of telling a story. Keep up the good work !
I LOVE your videos
I recently found your videos. What a treasure. I also travel in my converted dodge Grand Caravan a few times a year. I love the solitude after a brain injury. It took a few trips to figure why that is. It gives my brain a rest from the ongoing, incoming sensory demands of the world. Please keep posting, I’m loving it.
Hands down the best content on KZhead. The way you can balance van life, jaw dropping scenery, emotion and thoughts, and artistry is masterful.
OMG those red rocks around 3:17 :O do you remember the road/highway number?
It’s the main road that runs through the Valley of Fire
You are living my dream. Yes there are challenges, ups and downs but honestly all of life is like that - we can do it!
☺️🙏🏻
I think I've learnt more about you as a person just changing your pump than in a lot of your other lovely videos. And it's wholesome... 😊
Strength in Solitude 👍 I find that spending time by myself makes for a simpler more peaceful existence. I'm more self reliant and life in general is just easier on the nerves. I'm 66 now and still hope to travel some. Especially out west there are many beautiful places I'd like to see for myself. Thank You for sharing your first rate videos and Stay Safe!! You keep posting and I'll keep watching 🙏👍😎🐕🦺
Why did i spent hours watching these videos, I dont camp, rarely drive. hell I barely even go out.
Thank you for yet another insanely inspiring and aesthetically pleasing video! By far the best channel on KZhead! All the best from Germany
thank you 🥹🙏🏻
If I had to choose only one van lifer to watch, no question or doubts - it would be yours hands down. Every scene or view you capture is a work of art. I get the same serenity as in a museum marveling over beautiful masterpieces. Not kidding or exaggerating at all. It encapsulates what a fulfilling van life should be. Just keep in mind every time you set up your camera in challenging weather conditions, your hard work is greatly appreciated 😊
The soul of a storyteller & the heart of an artist! Christian, you are an amazing combination of talents. What a great video - thank you for sharing you heart & your journey with us! Love & Blessings on your way! ❤️🙏🏻
We ALL LOVE YOUR VIDEOS ……..YOU ARE AN AMAZING LADY! ❤
🥹🙏🏻
Good video strength and solitude
Great job with the water pump! I aways look forward to your videos. The scenery is spectacular and you capture it so well with your photography. But this time you grabbed me immediately with the opening song. The second line that says, "I honestly can't believe I'm as old as I am", is something I think about all the time. In a few months I'll be 72 years old. I just can't believe that I'm actually in my 70's! And then reality hits when I think of all the close friends that are no longer here. And the fact that health issues have forced me to postpone my extended road trip until next year. So I'll continue to enjoy your wonderful videos as a substitute. To all young people I come in contact with, I aways encourage them to engage their passions. And if it involves something physical, don't wait too long. Go for it! The time goes by so fast. As far as solitude, I'm so used to it, I actually prefer it. Continued safe travels.
Your love for nature and life in it with the van is inspiring 🙃 beautiful videos 👍
Keep at it!!! You're doing great!!
Chris, you already share a lot of your solitude moments with us. You are not alone! 😊
☺️🙏🏻
I found myself smiling as I view the beautiful scenery you videotape. I also enjoy your vulnerability while sharing. You have true talent. Thanks for sharing.
All those initial self doubts and yet now you are the industry standard. Proves what determination and talent can do. Also, I am where you were then: 365 subscribers after two years of content, struggling because I too get lowly on the road on my own despite being an extreme introvert. Would love to meet you on the road sometime. You are my hero.
As always, your stories are soothing and mesmerizing. Someone will be blessed to have you in their life.
This one seems to be the most “real” you that you’ve shared previously. It feels different - like someone who is climbing out of the shadows cast by life events and choices. I love it and would enjoy seeing more. ❤. Be blessed today. 😊
Hi Christian. I admire what you do. I enjoy watching your videos and mostly the narration.
What a wonderful story ❤️ I love hearing you're normal and get lonely too. So glad you got the water fixed I knew you would!
You got this❤ Go girl 💪😉
I love how real and genuine you are. Plus, I love your creativity. It keeps me coming back for more
Along with your narrative storytelling, cinematography, I've always really liked the music you use in your content.
Before to take pictures of what you are fixing before you take it apart that way you don't have to remember how to put it back together. 😊 great job!!
Your content is amazing. Cannot wait to get these kids raised and hit the road!
Thank you 🥲🙏🏻
You are a miracle girl and you do wonders with that camera (and waterpumps 😉) like only miracle gals can do. What a ride. Thank you so much, that was such an incredibly piece of beautiful art.
Thanks for another cinematic dream. Beautiful weaving of imagery, music, introspection, and story-telling. I didn't want it to end. Thank you, safe travels, and take care.
Such great storytelling and film production as always
Damn.... those landscapes are gorgeous !!! Outstanding job filming them ... Thx very much for sharing!! Take care :)
the southwest sure is a beautiful place ☺️
I’ve been alone most of my adult life, and have no one to blame or give credit to but myself for far too many things. This resonated heavily with me. There’s something powerful and bizarre in those moments where you realize you can accomplish what you thought were near impossible tasks on your own abilities, if you just keep trying, thinking, learning. (Sometimes I really hate it, I find myself thinking, “If one person can figure this out, why can’t a whole bunch of people working together figure out X,Y,or Z real world problem.” Or wonder why I’m complaining about XY or Z real world problem when I can barely solve the mess I’ve made for myself, lol.) But if we don’t try for ourselves, we won’t know our limits and we won’t know where we can stand to grow. In regards to fixing things, or making things, I try to keep in mind the Titanic was made by an entire company of very qualified professionals, while the Kitty Hawk was made by a pair of very dedicated amateurs*. *(n)- One who loves.
Christian, really loved this video and just thanks again for sharing your journey. Life and all that comes with it can be a challenge. We're all capable of more than we think. You have such a great attitude and outlook on life. I want my 21 yr old daughter to start watching because I feel you're a great inspiration not just to women but to us all. God bless and stay safe out there.
🥲🙏🏻
Christian, you can't possibly know the effect that the content you create and share has on others. Your videos are easily in the top 1% of that which I consume. So many create and share myriad videos in every different style. Yours, however, surface deep emotions for me. I'm quite positive that I'm not alone here. From your stills, to your video clips, to your script, to the score you choose, and mostly for your narration, everything about your videos is beyond words. With every video, I think, "This is one of her best." Then there's the next video. Superlatives fail. I, for one, am so appreciative of both the creator and her creations. Be well.
Its not lonely to be alone. To live alone, you can control your life easier. And you won’t be influenced by anything, by other partner’s karma or their own opinion. Sometimes their opinion is lower than yours, and then they drag you down also. But if you are just single and have just a normal job, then in the free time, you just eat your meal and then you meditate, and live your life as simple as possible, then you will be more and more in tune with everything. More in tune with nature.
The beauty you posses comes through in your honesty. This is why you are the winning soul on KZhead...and...life. Yup. I am hooked on your messages
Enchanting as always. Love the internal dialogue that sometimes sneaks out and gets verbalized.
In the blink of an eye another decade goes by. So don’t blink. Do. That is why I keep coming back here, especially with the new format of your videos with more day to day activities: warped table, dry hands, broken water pump. You Do. And you confront your self-limiting beliefs and give us the gift of your insight. Aspiration. Inspiration. Fear. That is a rare gift. Thank you.
100 % respect for you. Mastering the mind and emotions is the greatest treasure in life. This is what wealthy or famous people discover. And the Science of Happiness confirms that. Also focusing on the Inner Joy that Always Present - reveals each moments to be sweet and full of Love 💓🌅
an endless but rewarding journey, for sure 🙏🏻
@@ChristianSchaffer So true. And you Christian are such a delightful beacon - reminding many to Live a life worth living 🏅🌺
I keep feeling like I just went to church after watching your videos. Thanks for the videos
3 things: 1-stunning scenery as always. 2-diggin the ponytail look. 3-great DIY plumbing job.
The geology nerd and nephophile in me spends hours a day contemplating the kind of views that you capture so well. Love, love, love the whole vibe of your work.
Thank you for sharing your art with the world. I look forward to your videos every time you post♡ They are so warming, and inviting
Beautiful. Well done on tackling the repair of your water pump. It's amazing what we can accomplish when we put our minds to it. 💪🏻
I love your videos - I get excited when I see you have released a new one. And well done for getting that water pump changed - 👏
I totally get the introvert thing, as I am as well. But when you see something so beautiful and experience something amazing, it's nice to have someone there to share it with, more than just the distant internet relationships. "Happiness is only real when shared." Keep the group small, and the quality high, IMO. Nice work getting that water pump fixed. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go work on my truck. :)
“group small, quality high” amen 🙏🏻
i spent a year in a van during the last year of my bachelor degree in San Fran. theres something about you and your videos that have a direct line to my heart. i love you, Christian. thank you 🙏
I'm an expat in Germany and have been traveling around alone in my campervan and no one has ever put what I feel into words like you have. I like my alone time BUT I'd love to have someone to share it with. I think that's why I lean so much into social media. It gives me a sense of sharing my experiences with other all be it badly. I've even considered the KZhead approach to but it's so daunting. That and I'm not nearly as personable as you and a bit camera shy.
This came at a really good time for me. Love your work - keep creating!
When I lived in Colorado I would drive off into the mountains some weekends just to get away from everyone. I was never disappointed by the views. And the solitude was very refreshing.
As always, very beautiful video sequences throughout this one. Congratulations on getting your water pump fixed. Just take your time and I'm pretty sure you can figure out almost anything. 🙂 When you talked about wanting to share your experiences with people, I realized I had that same feeling on numerous occasions. I've often gone to see someplace pretty amazing when I've been by myself on business trips in my free time. I can't tell you the number of times I wished that I could have shared them with my wife or one of my kids. I know exactly what that feels like. Interesting thing is that by posting your experiences here you actually are sharing with people. It's just in a somewhat strange and time shifted way. Thanks again for your videos.
You involve your Sponsors SO SMOOTHLY into your videos, it's feels natural and is a a pleasure to watch the part, compared to other youtubers where I simply skip it. You are genius! I would use your platform as a Sponsor (if I were) because of how well you integrate the product promotion part. Amazing!
You really are so good at making these videos, I hope you know that. This was all the rights things: cinematic, inspiring, relatable, accessible, motivational. Genuinely really liked the varying styles of storytelling within this. Thanks for using your talents to inspire!
Being alone isn't the same as being lonely, but it did resonate when you spoke of occasions that you would've liked to have shared with someone else. I have been to 'paradise' many times on my own and it is no such thing. Inversely I've queued for bus tickets with good people and laughed my arse off. What I concluded was; paradise wasn't where I was but who I was with... even if that was just music...
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift and that’s why it’s called the present.
Many moons ago, I took my jeep across the Rockies to Mesa Verde, spent one night atop the divide on the way to Lake City. for the Alpine Loop. Woke up one morning to the jeep rocking, windows a fogged up, so sat up and cleared the back window starring into the face of a bull elk just looking in at me, then I notice that the whole heard, like fifty animals had taken up residence all around me. One of the most exhilarating experiences of my life.
With a lot of creators, I can have their content on in the background, but your content is always such a visual masterpiece that I set aside time to watch your videos from start to finish. Just beautiful, from start to finish.
As you say you forget just how capable you are until you’re put to the test
Your comparison to loneliness being like a muscle you need to exercise really hit home- you're right sometimes when you're with others you forget how capable you are! I really loved watching this video and loved seeing more of your personality come out- great work, as usual!
Awesome video! I put it on, on my ride home from Fort Rosecrans Cemetery on Memorial Day, where I was visiting my parents' grave. As I looked out over all those graves, I was thinking about the strangeness of time and coincidences and how I don't understand it. I was thinking about all those who passed. I was thinking about my own mortality and those I'll leave behind. And that song came on. I was driving so I just listened. I watched the video when I got home. Everything about it was a step up. The photography (the sheer volume of amazing shots strung together so structurally well), the sfx (especially the wind), the music, the story telling -- wow! Such a beautiful work of art! Thank you Christian!
love your content!
"Nonsensical limitations". I FEEL YOU SO MUCH WITH THAT!!! Most times we are indeed our own worst enemy. Thank you for adding some laughs and beauty to my day. She travels, wild one.
This was a real treat. Thanks Chris!
Love this video!!!
I travel always alone and no one really understands why but for me it's selflove not to care about someone else but only for me. I love it 😊
Simply awe-inspiring. ❤