I sleep in my car full-time, I barely have space to sit up and I need so many pillows but it’s not all bad
AFTER leaving her rental flat due to financial issues, one woman found herself living in her car.
She explained that an underlying health condition meant money was a little tight but that she was making the most of her living situation.
In her viral video, TikTok user Jamie (@heavytraveler) showed her followers how she arranges her car to sleep every night.
The US based-poster revealed in a previous video that she had to leave her flat after having difficulty with her disability payment.
She was unable to work due to both mental health and mobility issues and was struggling with the cost of living.
Jamie had to move her stuff into storage before moving into her car full-time.
She revealed that she still spends the odd weekend visiting family and sleeping on their sofas.
The TikToker talked her audience through her bed set-up, explaining that she was still waiting on a four-inch roll-out mattress from Amazon.
“This is how tall I am, not a lot of head space,” she explained as she sat upright on her makeshift bed.
Jamie revealed that she often parks up next to a busy area, such as a 24 hour gym, for safety reasons.
She also places coverings on her windows while she sleeps to create privacy.
“The key is a bazillion pillows, I’m not even lying, all these pillows used to be on my bed, I am just a pillow freak,” she told her viewers.
Jamie demonstrated how she sets the seven pillows up in a “bed-like” shape.
She placed a fitted sheet over the mountain of pillows and arranged herself so her hips weren’t on her console.
Jamie lay with her head towards the back window and revealed that she was “actually pretty comfy.”
She thanked her followers for donating to her Amazon wish list, and wished other vehicle dwellers a “happy car camping.”
TikTok users shared their thoughts on the set-up in the comments section.
Rules on living in a car
CAR LIVING is on the up as people struggle to deal with the cost of living crisis, and others are seeking a nomadic existence.
Here’s all we know about the rules on car life in the UK.
In the UK, you are legally allowed to live in your car— just so long as you follow a few rules.
The only requirement is that your car has passed its MOT and is entirely road-legal.
If legally parked, there aren’t rules against sleeping or living in a car.
The trend of car or van living has taken off in the United States, where some have been forced to leave rented accommodation after landlords put up the rent.
Others have opted to live in their vehicle in pursuit of a free, nomadic lifestyle, where they can travel all over the country.
There are certain circumstances in which it’s not legal to sleep in a car in the UK.
Firstly, you must be in a safe parking spot, not in violation of any parking restrictions.
Certain car parks, lay-bys, and national parks and forests have restrictions on overnight parking, which means you can’t sleep there in a vehicle.
If restrictions are broken, you could be fined or even have your vehicle towed.
Secondly, you must not be above the legal drink-drive limit or under the influence of any drugs, if you intend to sleep in your car.
If over the limit, you could be charged with being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle in a public place, even if you’re not driving.
The ban on sleeping in your car when you’re drunk comes under the Road Traffic Act 1988.
The rule says you can be found guilty of an offence if in charge of a vehicle on a road or public place “after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in his breath, blood or urine exceeds the prescribed limit.”
“You are awesome! I hope you are able to find a place soon,” wrote one viewer.
“Good dear. Be safe!” said another encouraging follower.
“I’m so sorry for all that has happened to you in the past few months. You’re really going through it,” commented a third person.
“We all go through a tough time, I hope you eventually catch a break and able to get back on your feet,” wrote one viewer.
“I lived in my truck for a year, it was the happiest I have ever been. I miss it so much. You’ll do fine, good luck, hun,” said another TikTok user.