Monika at Internationelle on Full Time Travelling and Turning Dreams into Plans

I’m really excited to announce that I’m starting a new monthly series on Effy Talks Life! The series is going to be focussed on badass women who are traveling the world and working too.

You’re going to hear from people from all walks of life who will share their stories and give their best advice on how to follow in their footsteps. These interviews will be raw, real and like nothing else out there that I could find. I want to give you guys the good, the bad and everything in between.

So many people have the desire to work and travel, but just need that extra push to get started. Consider this your push!

Last month I chatted with Carrie from Bigger Life Adventures all about overcoming addiction and becoming a digital nomad. The post had an amazing reception so I can't wait for you guys to get stuck into this week.

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Monika who is co-creator of Internationelle, a travel blog with a difference. Monika currently works as a digital nomad and journalist after studying Political Science at university. She discusses what it’s like to make the leap into location independent work and how to set yourself apart from the crowd. 

It hasn't been easy (think living on 20 cents A DAY) - but it definitely makes for an interesting story!

Travelling Won't Fix You (And Here's Why)

I thought I’d come on here today and share something that I think is really important. 

When I was making the decision to go travelling back in 2016 I reached out to friends and people that I knew who had done something similar. Most of them encouraged me not to over think it and just go for it, which is great advice. Those friends gave me the push that I needed. Without them, well, who knows what I’d be up to now! 

But one friend’s answer stood out to me. Maybe because I was more honest with him about my situation. He told me yeah definitely I should come to Australia. He was having a great time. He’d made some incredible friends and loved where he was living, but not to come with unrealistic expectations. Paraphrasing ‘Girl, Interrupted’ he told me I could change the scenery, but not the situation and that really struck a chord with me.

Is Social Media Bad For Your Mental Health?

Social media cops a lot stick these days. Something we all once envisioned as the savior of our times has now become that creepy, lurking neighbor we’re all beginning to feel a bit wary of. The sort of guy you peep at through your window in the safety of your own home and start a neighborhood watch over. 

Sometimes I feel this whole social media thing is not dissimilar to being at school again.

Feeling Stuck? 4 Podcasts You Need To Listen To Right Now!

*this post uses affiliate links for more information please see my disclaimer

I first started listening to podcasts about a year ago. 

Working nine hours a day on a banana farm in tropical Australia I was desperately searching for something to occupy my mind. The work was isolating, soul destroying and anxiety-inducing to say the least. You'd look for any way to fill the time and lose track of your day. It became a game. Every minute you lost count of was one minute closer to being home. 

First, you start with music, but it gets to the point where you can pinpoint the duration of each song. Then there was that time when I forgot to pack my headphones and started playing little mind games to amuse/further torture myself. I was pretty close to breaking point.

Then finally, a few weeks into the job, a friend suggested passing the time with podcasts. I like to think of them as TV shows, except solely for your ears. The dialogue was engaging, I could learn about limitless different topics and I'd reach the end of my workday with just enough energy to return the following day.

From that day on my life was changed. 

Carrie From Bigger Life Adventures Talks Overcoming Addiction and Becoming A Digital Nomad

I’m really excited to announce that I’m starting a new monthly series on Effy Talks Life! The series is going to be focussed on badass women who are traveling the world and working too.

You’re going to hear from people from all walks of life who will share their stories and give their best advice on how to follow in their footsteps. These interviews will be raw, real and like nothing else out there that I could find. I want to give you guys the good, the bad and everything in between.

So many people have the desire to work and travel, but just need that extra push to get started. Consider this your push!

I had the pleasure of interviewing Carrie of Bigger Life Adventures. Carrie, originally from the US, is now working as a Digital Nomad and traveling around Asia. She gives great advice on finding balance as a digital nomad and how to get started with life, and travel, on the road.

But enough from me – let’s hear from the woman herself!

Is Traveling Alone Really That Safe For Women?

*this post uses affiliate links for more information please see my disclaimer

As a woman, there’s no escaping from the fact that there are extra precautions you have to take to feel safe as a solo traveler and, in fact, everyday life. I’ve been followed home, spat at, catcalled - all of it.  When it comes to traveling alone it's only natural that your fears for safety are heightened. It is, after all, the great unknown. 

When it comes to the question of whether or not it's safe for women to travel alone there really is no definitive answer. However, there are loads of simple measures you can take to increase your safety while you're away.

Whether it’s your first trip, or you're an avid traveler looking for more ways to ensure your safety - you've come to the right place.

I Tried Eyebrow Microblading - Here's What Happened!

Since I left the UK in 2016 I’ve begun to see the benefits of semi-permanent cosmetic procedures. I’m a girly girl, but truth be told sometimes I just can’t be bothered with all the responsibility that comes with it.

I’m constantly breaking my nails. I spend 99% of my time in trainers, mismatched socks or flip-flops. Don’t even get me started on shaving my legs because I’ve given up on that all together. Yup, you read right. 

Being a woman sometimes feels like a full-time career in and of itself. Add being black into the mix and it’s like a full-time career and a night job. I joke (but not really). So if there’s something I can do to cut down my getting ready time - you can be damn sure I’m going to do it.

Dans le Noir? – An Adventure in Blind Eating

Can you imagine eating a five course meal in total darkness?

When it comes to food I’m obsessed. I love getting out there and enjoying food in new ways. Whether it’s learning to cook in Bali, devouring a thirty course tasting menu in Barcelona or the eating a 50p bowl of Pho on the side of a road in Vietnam clinging on to a child sized plastic stool for dear life.

You get the picture.

Anything that involves eating and most importantly experiencing food - I’m in.

So from the moment that I heard Dans le Noir was opening it’s first dining in the dark experience in Melbourne in my mind I’d already clocked out of whatever it was I was doing and started masterminding my trip.

How to Save Money for Travel - My Best Tips and Tricks!

Two of the most common travel questions I see popping up time and time again are: "how do you save money for travel?" and "what kind of job do you have that allows you to travel so much?"

I'm by no means a travel expert, but I am a total nerd when it comes to saving money and finding a good deal. For years I've been sharing little hints, tips and job opportunities with friends. Now I'm finally ready to share them with the world (anyone who reads my blog, but the world sounded a lot more dramatic and climactic).

A lot of travel bloggers advocate making sacrifices in the short term so you can travel in the long term and to an extent I agree. However, I also think if you don’t allow yourself a single penny to spend on yourself saving for travel isn’t fun - it’s miserable. 

I believe you can still go out with friends and do a lot of the things you love – provided the things you love don't include taking the money you have and burning it.

5 Important Lessons Travelling Alone Has Taught Me

When I set off on my travels at the end of 2016 I had no idea what I was letting myself in for.

A trip that had been months in the making with a close friend suddenly went to shit and a team of two became just a one. Having invested so much time, energy and money already I made the decision not to call off the trip. Two weeks later I set off out in to the big bad world travelling alone and to say I was anxious would be an understatement. 

It was one of the most hectic periods of my life.