What Two Months of Bus Life Has Taught Me (And How It Relates to Business)
Intro: Bus Life & Business Life Aren’t All That Different
Two months into living full-time in our converted Skoolie, and oh my lanta, I’ve learned more about flexibility, patience, and rolling with the punches than I thought possible.
The funny part? Every single lesson we’ve picked up on the road ties right back into business.
From waiting on weather delays to making last-minute changes in travel plans, to celebrating small wins (hello, AC in the bedroom) it’s all connected.
If you’ve ever felt like business isn’t going “according to plan,” this one’s for you.
P.S. I chatted about this on Instagram, and shared some travel pics too!
Flexibility Is the Real Plan
You can map out your route, check the weather, and even prep the snacks (priorities, right?), but sometimes you’ll still get detoured.
Business works the same way. You can have the perfect content plan, the prettiest brand colors, and a strategy mapped out, but things will shift. And that’s not a failure, that’s the process.
Actionable Tip: Build flexibility into your business plan. Instead of locking yourself into rigid content goals, create a system where you can pivot. Example: have a bank of evergreen content ready so if life throws you a curveball, you’re not stuck staring at a blank screen.
Growth Happens in the “In Between”
We thought the highlight reel of bus life would be the big moments: national parks, epic hikes, dreamy campgrounds. But the magic has honestly been in the in-betweens, chatting with our hosts at a Boondockers Welcome site, shaking our heads at everything that falls or breaks while we drive on mountain roads, or the dog that sits in the driver’s seat patiently waiting for us to return from the grocery store.
Business growth is the same way. It’s rarely the launch day or the “going viral” post that makes the impact. It’s showing up consistently, building community in your DMs, sending that weekly email, and being present with your people.
Actionable Tip: Track the “in between” wins in business, the conversations, connections, and collaborations that don’t always look big on paper but compound over time.
You Don’t Miss What Was Never Meant For You
We’ve missed turns. We’ve skipped places. We’ve scrapped plans. But here’s what we’ve found: every time we didn’t go where we thought we would, we ended up finding something even better.
That’s true for business too. Maybe a client passes on your services. Maybe a launch flops. Maybe a post doesn’t get the engagement you hoped for. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It often means you’ve cleared space for the right opportunities to show up.
Insider Tip: Start reframing “losses” in business as redirections. Ask: What might this be making space for instead?
Take Action: Bring Bus Life Into Your Business
Here’s how you can apply these lessons today:
- Check your strategy for wiggle room. Can you pivot if plans shift?
- Celebrate the small stuff. Not just sales, but connections, growth, and presence.
- Reframe setbacks. Treat them like detours leading you somewhere even better.
The Road Is the Business Plan
Two months in, bus life has taught me that the road is never straight (or paved for that matter), the plan is never perfect, and that’s exactly where the beauty lies.
Business is no different. The detours, the in-betweens, and the flexibility are where the magic happens.
So here’s my question for you: What would change in your business if you started treating the detours as part of the plan instead of mistakes?
Let’s Stay Connected
If you’re ready to stop treating social media like a “plan gone wrong” and start making it the place where your business connects, converts, and grows, I’d love to help.
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Hey! I'm payton
the face and voice behind Payton B Virtual Solutions
I’m your business BFF and #1 hype girl when it comes to making social media (especially Instagram) feel lighter, more intentional, and actually effective.
From wherever I’m parked in our converted Skoolie, I help small business owners create visibility, build genuine connections, and stop spinning their wheels on socials. Around here, you’ll find real-life lessons (yes, bus life included), client strategies, and practical tips you can actually use.
Also worth knowing: I’m a Gilmore Girls superfan, a crispy Coke-in-a-can enthusiast, and a believer in progress over perfection.
