Now reunited, Lucy said, “Even when I was doing it solo, I loved the freedom and independence of going where I wanted, when I wanted and trying to set myself up for the future. I never saw the 9-to-5 for myself. When Hayley and I talked about going the house-sitting, van, and performing life together, I was kind of like, ‘This is the missing piece of the puzzle to share it with someone I’m in love with and plan to be with.’”
They do have to be organised though. Often musician gigs and housesitting stints are booked up six months or longer in advance. The money they save from not paying bills and housing, they put into Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). This lifestyle means they can save for their future in a way many people in normal 9-to-5 jobs can’t. One essential item they were surprised they needed for housesitting is a massive box of weights. It’s an important part of their daily habits: regardless of where they are, to remain physically and mentally strong, they need to lift weights.
They maintain a sense of community and are keen to build more community by putting their housesitting van life story out there on Facebook and YouTube and reconnecting with people through events and music. They recently performed in a queer variety show event, which are safe spaces that encourage open discussions about topics like female sexuality.
Hayley was recently at a party and someone asked her where she sees herself in five years. Hayley answered, “I see myself doing what I am doing right now—playing gigs and house-sitting with Lucy.”
Lucy added, “Hopefully, when we travel back to Nashville in the US, we aren’t staying in an Airbnb but able to house-sit and stay there awhile.”
You can track Lucy and Hayley’s journey on YouTube and check out where they are performing next on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/LucyandHayley
