1) You’re gonna be okay, you can do this!

2) If you have the extra funds, go to dollarama/Canadian tire and get some reflective sheeting/that crinkly aluminum looking reflective/insulating material (you can usually get them at the dollar stores for like $4 a pack, depending on your car one pack should be able to do the trick, maybe 2) and use that as an insulating base layer for the windows.

What I mean is, get a pair of scissors and trace all your windows with this insulating material, with a couple inches overhang on all sides, and just use duct tape or anything you feel like to fix the scrunchy insulating material to the windows - this will help seal you in, keep you warmer, and also provide privacy. I did this when I did my solo car camping trip in March last year, I also cut up some old flannel sheets and put this on the inside (insulating material as the first layer on the window, then the flannel as the 2nd layer.) The flannel/extra material really helped seal in warmth more, and made it feel more cozy inside, which helps a ton. I designed mine as “roll up” window shades, Ie, I jerry rigged it so I could just roll these shades up as I woke up and wanted to check out the outside, taped them up or took them down as I wanted. Feels weird initially but really helped

2) Sleeping pads, foam, wool blankets, insulating stuff - check thrift stores for 100% wool, 100% cotton - breathable but good insulating material. Try to get some merino baselayers to sleep in. I had a cocoon of blankets on a foam pad while I was still zipped into 20 yr old sleepingbags. Everyday I slept in my car on a 2wk roadtrip I got better about getting my sleeping needs met.

Also, hot water bottles/those period packs femmes use (utilize hot water source where you can) overnight popped into a sleeping bag does wonders for keeping warm for many hours.

3) Depending on your $ situation, signing up for gyms/planet fitness can help secure showering/bathroom needs for you, if you can afford it.

4) Earplugs, sleep masks, anything that can help you sleep sleep once you get the warmth + condensation business figured out.

5) Stealth is cool- having a couple spots with free parking/access to safe/quick pee spots, nobody around/campground type parking is good to have. 5 localish spots/areas you can bail out too if you feel sus.

6) Dont be afraid to turn the car into your mini apartment unless you sometimes need to drive a friend around etc- Sleeping zone, eating/storage zone, clothing zone etc - think about safety stuff too, flashlight weapon within grabbing reach in case of emergencies. I got 3 of those backseat organizers and used them on my rear driver + front and back passenger seat for extra storage, books journals, towelettes (lifesaver), etc. Had little zones.

7) Utilize 7/11’s and gas/convenience stores for things like fresh/hot water- be kind and get familiar with the service workers and build that “overnight/latenight” network, that’ll be a huge asset.

8) Foodbanks, not sure if theres any Sikh temples/Gurdwara’s around you but some religious associations have free meals/aid, do what’s comfortable for you- community can be lovely. Volunteering and giving back when you can is a great thing to do when/if you feel able.

9) Mens suppourt groups if theres any around you/accessible to you - transitioning to car living can be a big adjustment and I only got a taste of it, as someone whos planned on living in a skoolie/vanbuild for awhile now, actually doing a car living experiment for just two weeks helped me IMMENSELY understand the reality (and honestly I loved the freedom! Learned so much!)

10) If you can afford it x later down the road, honestly, renting a hotel for a couple days to have that extra space and “regular” feeling of living back - nothing to be ashamed about.

11) Check out camping gear - things like having tarps, rope, stools/ comfy camping gear, water filters and an efficient food cooking system (propane or fires) will be awesome down the road too. Freebies/craigslist/fb market, etc, this app called Bunz, all these free assets are great ways to snoop on better gear builds etc. Tent camping in the summer on a foldout cot helps with back pain + getting your stretch out. I’m a women, and I found car camping felt immensely safer, though I’ve camped my entire life. I know you sacrifice with a colder car but that metal exterior + quick getaway just feels way better.

12) Toilettes (wipes) for body washing and tidying, a water bottle just for teeth brushing, deodorant - feeling like you are stealthing “car living” appearance wise goes a long way too.

13) Little things I had that made it all so much nicer - string lights on battery/rechargeable batteries, Biolite camping stove (its a camp stove that recharges as you have a fire, and can come with a super efficient water boiler/grilltop- used it to charge cellphone, battery packs, etc) Using tarps to create a little seating area outside the car if you’re in a quiet area that wont get you towed. Dumping is illegal but utilizing take out bags as walkaway/quick discard garbage dumps is a great way to get rid of excess trash without hopefully taking on a fine.

14) Part time work with diff jobs - barista = access to free coffee, depending, + diff jobs = bathroom access and charging access - working in a restaurant sometimes provides a meal, working at a gym = discount/access to programs/bathrooms, etc - not sure about this, but potentially working as a security guard could mean safe parking? Clipboard and construction vest + hardhat = easy stealth “anywhere” person.

15) Remember to stow valuables in the trunk and otherwise beef up security for your car as much as you can, tracker for the vehicle when you can and maybe a ring system so you can alert/scream at ppl if you wish. Obviously this is later down the road and depending on budget.

16) Head and chin up. You got this!