Why the VAN is REALLY Gone │ I Quit Vlogmas (Here's Why)

A vlog about gaining confidence through discomfort & healing after a narcissist. #vlogmas2023 #vlogmas
Get a channel Badge (little van sticker beside your name): / @questoutwest
IG/TT: @questoutwestvlog @natasha.hynes
www.natashahynes.com/
Natasha’s other channel: / natashahynes
Natasha Hynes, from Montreal, Canada, bought a Dodge Sprinter van in 2021 with the dream of waking up in the mountains of the West Coast. After downsizing her life to move out of a toxic living situation and into a van with her 3 cats, Natasha crossed the country overcoming many obstacles along the way.
Over the following four months she would cross the country two more times, once on her way to document a historic moment in Canada, and another after being abandoned without a vehicle by her then co-traveler on the wrong side of the county.
While facing many life-threatening scenarios along the way, she made her way back to her van on the west-coast. Her vlog, Quest Out West, chronicles the good and bad of van life, travel, and life struggles without the glamorous bias you see on social media, with the ultimate goal of inspiring you to face your fears, transcend limitations, and go after the life you really want.

[@LSChestersMom]

I really loved your version of vlogmas.... you are great whatever you do :) You have my support.

[@QuestOutWest]

🤗

[@cyndeeh]

Wow. Thank you for sharing that with us. I didn't like you at 1st,tbh,but you grew on me. Your a multi-layered woman. Very intelligent. I wanted the same in my younger years,a huge homestead,with lotsa animals,and land. Self-sufficient. I hear you. Wonderful goals!

[@nananalalala204]

I think if you just keep sharing whatever you're feeling/doing/interested in sharing, the right audience will find you. Personally I watch all your vids for the character (YOU!), not the plot. I love the mix of self love/personal growth, and you just being you (being thoughtful, authentic, and funny : )

[@cyndeeh]

AGREED!

[@BlissfullyBearFoot]

In Cochrane Ontario, they are offering 10$ plots of land to “keep home ownership alive” not sure the entire details but it was posted last week. Looking forward to the next video 🤗

[@QuestOutWest]

😲 holy crap! Thanks! Im gonna look into this.

[@tommynickels4570]

Me, too !

[@VK-qe7if]

That sounds amazing. 👍

[@lauraslanesvanlifetravels]

FYI: I enjoy these (talking directly on subject matter) types better than DYI because I don't really do any of that type of stuff...and yes, I enjoyed the van life vids more but I still enjoy these as well. Just sharing so you know, I still watched your vids just for the funny parts! lol

[@VK-qe7if]

Hi Natasha, I actually feel a little relieved that you got rid of the van, please don't take that the wrong way) but I really felt for you living in such a small space, and with your cats, and your worries about it either being too hot in the van, or too cold for the cats, and well for you to. I like the idea of the animal refuge, and I don't mind what you put in your videos, cause I just like to see how you live your life, and obviously your cats are a big part of that. I'm sorry if I've missed any of your videos, but I do usually catch up with them. I'm not feeling like Christmas this year cause its the first Christmas without my father, and it's looking like just me and my brother on own again this year. I'm receiving benefit, and one of benefits is called PIP ( Personal Independent Payment) and the Department of work and pensions ( DWP) did a review a few months ago and decided that they aren't going to pay my mobility part of my benefit anymore, for some reason. It's not as if I'm going to get better, so I appealed it, and they still say that they aren't going to pay it, so now I have to appeal again, and I find doing anything like that very stressful. But I really hope you can get some help with your health issues.

[@QuestOutWest]

The governement is full of psychopaths. Im sorry you have to deal with that.

[@scherriray.raindrop]

Theses are a few of my favorite things 🎶🎵☺ Im here solely for you and the content you create. Lool forward to being a part of your journey 💗 Happy Holidays 🎄

[@jeanpayne2823]

I love all your videos i don’t care what it is i love your personality .❤️

[@Luvpig]

I've really enjoyed your videos.❤❤❤

[@hoosiergirl1]

Watching about van life may have pulled me to your channel but I watch just because I enjoy your personality and the way you address the everyday ups and downs of life. You can also be quite hilarious! (Eggnog!!) I'll be watching..bumps in the road and all. We all have them. Sending you all positive energies!

[@QuestOutWest]

💖

[@shellcshells2902]

I'm not Canadian so my question may be stupid.. I have medical conditions that deems me not able to work. Are you able to 'file' for disability there in Canada and then maybe be able to get some kind of reduced housing because of the disability? My heart goes out to you❤

[@QuestOutWest]

Im working on it. Ty. 👍

[@patrickhair2808]

I like all your content. I work a lot so don't always get to watch your videos. But it's always a pleasure to see and hear from you.

[@rainbow_warrioress]

I enjoy all your videos. 😊

[@ketoauntie7301]

Best of luck with your health issues Natasha. My prayers to ALL of us who are suffering from Abusive relationships, whether present or past 🙏🙏🙏 There are so many health ramifications from abuse, and emotional/verbal/financial/spiritual abuse effects you as well in so many ways 😕

[@billiebareed]

Amen 🙏

[@annettegreen6689]

Like others have said i like you're videos for you, not the van life. Im now totally invested in your journey wherever it might lead. Take care of yourself first though ❤❤

[@jimlotus]

IM SORRY YOU ARE HAVING HEALTH ISSUES THAT IS WHAT IM GOING THROUGH I HAD CANCER AND IVE BEEN STUCK HERE BECAUSE OF IT I WANT TO TAKE OFF AND TRAVEL LIKE YOU WERE DOING BUT MY HEALTH KEPT ME STRANDED HERE, HOPE YOU GET BETTER AND LIFE BECOMES MORE FULFILLING 😊🌈🤠🙏🏿

[@billiebareed]

Whatever you do, stay awesome, stay you! I agree with what some of the others have said. I keep watching your videos because of your personality and the way you confront daily life. Wether it is in a van or not. I watched the vlog mas too and indeed in some of them I've noticed a low energy, and still, you film and edit. If I would have a channel, I would disappear for a few days and not even show up on camera and go incognito. I admire you for your perseverance! You keep on going, no matter what.

[@billiebareed]

P.S. : What I tried to say is, that when I feel I have low energy on some days or feel bad or tired, I shut down and I tend to isolate myself, so I cannot imagine myself to show up on camera when I feel low energy. If I had a channel. So with what I have said I didn't want to sound like giving somebody a sermon. English is not my mother language, so I am afraid that I didn't express myself well.

[@QuestOutWest]

You expressed yourself well 👍💖

[@billiebareed]

Ty! 🙂@@QuestOutWest

[@caroloum5323]

I have watched a lot of your videos over the years. Please keep doing them. There so different and you never know what your going to get. Sure some are better than others but all worth watching. Take care look after yourself. 😊

[@TheDailyDose404]

My notification bell keeps getting turned off!!! I’m not joking. I’ve turned that damn thing back on half a dozen times. Without that on you don’t get notification of a new video. Has anyone else had this issue?

[@stela_solar]

I was extremely harassed in my last two jobs and this made it difficult for me to find the courage to re-enter the market (a short but intense period of burnout left me out of the game for a while). As my last reserves would run out in two months, I had to forcibly return to work. But this time I followed the wise advice of a psychologist who told me to work at a time of low stress and movement, and that's what I did. I got a job from 11 pm to 7 am and it was the best thing that ever happened to my professional career: my salary went up (the night shift pays more), I deal with very few people (15 people in a 10-story building) and I'm finally managing to save money to live off-grid in a few years. By the way, in one way or another I wore shoes similar to yours and I could blossom after finding the right environment. May your vessel also enjoy favorable winds in the coming weeks! 🎉🚢🍀

[@noelmilleryoga5993]

Hi. First time here, but finance is a channel in itself. Discussing your finances, budgeting, generating income, etc is so interesting.

[@Mizz.Person]

I haven't seen you in my feed... :/ back now! 😊 p.s. Congrats on your book!!.

[@QuestOutWest]

Thank you 💕

[@dream2be611]

You have to do what you have to do. Just make life fun. Focus on yourself. Work on your happiness 😊

[@gogglespizano1890]

Thanks for the video 🙂 Perhaps you have already touched on this...are you planning on reaching out to your mom or dad at all since you're back in Montreal? wishing you well.

[@QuestOutWest]

Why would I plan to reach out to the people who repeatedly destroyed my life and my self esteem.

[@gogglespizano1890]

@@QuestOutWest ya thats fair enough. I hope you are doing well these days 🙂

[@_ReturnToFreedom]

I have found that I almost miss your latest videos that don’t have your face really prominent in the thumbnail. I’m not interested in the diys, I just watch cause it’s you. And I also think ur funny (but could tell u were tired and bored in the last ones). So - maybe they’re also getting missed because of thumbnail. Buuuut - Natasha…. What about music??… I just went to your very first video and was so shocked to hear/see your performance. Wow. I also think talking about your book with your real life examples would be great. You’ve given really good advice on your lives. Maybe ur meant to keep going with the book stuff… u know?!?!… no? Yeah? I think people just want to know what’s going on with you…. Cause we like you. Hahaha “messing with my flow”.

[@QuestOutWest]

Yes you have a good point about the thumbnails. I think that's another good idea about the real life examples related to the book topic. Thank you. 💖😄 As for music, I'll see how I can fit that in somehow. Just not sure how yet.

[@christianthauvette8350]

💪

[@Bebe-og3bc]

You know I enjoy all kinds of stuff but my favorite was you traveling. Do you have a car?I thought it was great when you met "Chrome". Lol

[@QuestOutWest]

I dont have a vehicle at the moment. Hopefully soon.

[@Mizz.Person]

Some ideas? Tell a story, lioe history or mystery, murder? Read aloud short stories? Do short, deep dives into random things? Travel virtually and take us along? 😀 Edit: take us out. Grocery shopping? Wander thrift stores? Local mall for coffee? Local park to spot wildlife?

[@QuestOutWest]

These are great ideas. Thanks!

[@lucsmith2092]

@17:11, I do hope that was an idle throw away comment! I hope you can eradicate the insomnia and feel able to move forward soon. Your plans for next year sound very exciting. Cults always make for interesting viewing 😂. I am sorry I was one of the viewers who didn’t watch the Vlogmas episodes, I think it was a cultural issue, as an Australian I just went WTH IS VLOGMAS?

[@QuestOutWest]

Ah... I didnt realize that. Vlogmas is a KZbin thing. You are likely not the only one who didnt know.

[@nuellynuelly]

Are you still living in Bc?

[@QuestOutWest]

Not at the moment. Im in Quebec right now.

[@olegz710]

You have a talent for story telling. You should branch out into true crime

[@QuestOutWest]

Ty 😊

[@patchouligirl7954]

Hi Natasha, may i send an email to you

[@QuestOutWest]

Yes of course. [e-mail]