Inspiration To Start Solo Traveling
I had a
philosophy that if I could spend 5 years learning in university, I could devote
5 years to
learning while traveling the world.
I also
wanted to chase the sun for an entire year (as a Canadian we get 5 months of
winter.) I discovered how incredible travel is and the adventure, excitement, and unknown of exploring new destinations keeps me coming back.
How I Choose Where I Want To Travel Next
Sometimes
it’s wherever the cheapest flight or best flight deal will take me, other times it’s at
the suggestion or recommendations from friends and family.
Often, I
see photos online and in books of places I haven’t been that inspire me to
travel there next. I love outdoor adventures and unique landscapes so I’m
always looking for a destination that provides access to nature.
How Often I Travel
I used
to travel for 6 months at a time, and now it can be a week or a couple of months.
I always
struggle with what to pack and tend to be an over-packer. The hardest part for me is deciding what to take!
When I
choose a location, I try not to over-research as I like to be surprised when I arrive.
But I do make sure to note what type of clothing is appropriate where I’m traveling
(hot, cold, rainy, modest, etc.) and do make sure to have some basic language skills
and know the currency conversion before going. I also like to have one-night accommodation
booked in advance, then I usually plan on the fly.
Things I Pack For My Trips
Packing
is my nemesis – I am such an indecisive person! If it’s a work trip, I usually pack in
a rolling suitcase but if it’s more adventure-based, I take my backpack with
me. Packing cubes help me keep things sorted and organized inside each bag.
As for
specific items, I always like to carry a scarf with me as it doubles as a
blanket or dresses
up a casual outfit for a night out.
Depending on how long I’m in a country, I
still like to carry
a guidebook with me. I like to read on buses or trains versus always looking
for WiFi or
purchasing a sim-card to depend on connectivity. And a small packet of laundry detergent
makes it easy to wash socks and underwear on the go without doing a whole load.
Memories Of Meeting Locals And Exploring With Them
One of
the best parts of traveling solo is the people you meet along the way. I
always meet
more people when traveling solo than when traveling with others.
I’ve spent weeks
and months traveling with new friends from around the world and they’ll always be my favorite
memories.
From road tripping with an American across South Africa, Eswatini
and Lesotho, to hiking the Inca Trail with two sisters I met in Peru, sharing
the experiences
with them made my travels so much richer.
What
Encouraged Me to Create My Own Blog
I had so
many people asking me questions about traveling and where to travel that I decided
to start a little corner of the internet to share tips and tricks as well as
some of the
stories from my adventures.
It was an easy way to share the information I was learning
as I was traveling. I never intended it to be a full-time business, it was
originally started
as a passion project but it’s been incredible to see it grow over the years!
My
Bucket List and the Number of Countries I've Visited
My
bucket list always seems to get longer, not shorter! The more I see, the more I
want to see.
I’ve been to more than 60 countries and traveled across all 7 continents. I’d
love to spend
more time in Asia and visit the Middle East for the first time.
There are
several countries
there that are on my bucket list. I would also like to travel to the Maldives.
One of
my favorite trips was spending 19 days heading to Antarctica and getting to stop in
the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. It was a dream come true to step foot on my
final continent.
I also spent 6 weeks in the Galapagos Islands. I spent my time obtaining
my PADI divemaster course and got to dive with some of the most unique and incredible
animals in the world including hammerhead sharks, mola mola, and manta rays.
The Challenges I Faced & Compromises I Had To Make To Start Living A Digital Nomad Lifestyle
I was
lucky that I didn’t get a teaching job I interviewed for. That was the catalyst
to encourage
me to travel rather than take a full-time teaching job. It was a moment in life when my
path diverged and I’m so glad it worked out this way.
As for
compromising in order to pursue my travel career – I’ve definitely had to limit
my spending
and say no to lots of nights out and experiences with friends and family to focus on
saving every penny I could for travel.
The first
few years were the hardest, especially when I wasn’t making any (or very much)
money. But it’s been worth the struggle both in terms of growing to be who I am
today and building a business to what it is now.
What Digital Nomads Need To Have To Sustain Their
Full-Time Travels
I think
people should have an open mind but also realize that it’s not motivation that keeps
you going, it’s plain, old stubbornness. I joke that the only reason I am where
I am today
is because I was too stubborn to give up. Consistency pays off in the long run.
While
tech gear is important, you don’t need the best or most expensive. Start with affordable
items and build your tech kit as your business grows.
How I Manage Costs
I joke
that if I wasn’t a travel writer, I would be a finance writer. I love budgeting
and making
my money go further. I saved up a set amount to travel each abroad, roughly $2000
CAD a month. Then I tracked it in an app on my phone to make sure I wasn’t spending
more than that. It isn’t always easy but it helps me keep my trip on a budget.
How I Think GAFFL Can Be Helpful For Travellers
Sharing
travel expenses with other travelers is a huge benefit. Whether it’s splitting
a room
when traveling or renting a car together, it’s so much more affordable when
you can
share the cost of it with someone.
It’s also nice to have companionship on the
road as it
can get lonely. You don’t have to do everything together, but it’s nice to have someone
to depend on or simply watch your bag while you go to the washroom.
Whether
it’s a local or another traveler, it’s always reassuring to have someone you
can connect
with on the ground in a destination. You might be thousands of miles away from home but
people are so welcoming all around the world.
My favorite
app when traveling is Google Translate (you can download it offline). It helps
you connect with locals and shows that you're trying to immerse yourself in a country
and not expecting them to speak English. A little effort goes a long way to building a connection
My Advice To Readers Who Want To Travel Full-Time As A Digital Nomad
Have a
bit of a plan in place before you go but also be open to the experiences that come as
you work and travel. It’s a 50/50 split of flexibility and focus. Be creative
in your approach and try to be different than others – that’s what will make
you stand out.
Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Started Traveling
I’ve learned
so much from traveling, I even wrote a blog about 50
things I’ve learned when I
stepped foot in my 50th country. It sounds like a cliché, but travel truly changed who I
am. It allowed me to be more open-minded, confident, and curious about the world around
me.
People may be different from me, but if I approach their differences with curiosity,
there’s always room to grow and learn from one another.
