Reader, Spring is here in Canada. I think. I hope. We're fluctuating between 12℃, full sun, what feels like patio season for us coming out of winter with the looming weather report of more snow on the way 😔 April is a teaser month, making me re-think about spending winters in Canada + how many of my long-term travel + digital nomad friends are flocking to Southeast Asia (places like Da Nang, Chiang Mai, Lombok) or South America. I really should have warmed up at Carnival in Brazil this year...
8 days ago • 2 min read
I've talked about loneliness, finding friends while travelling solo + how to find social circles while travelling in past newsletters Reader. It takes effort, to meet people, to maintain relationships, to put the effort to see one another again when you're 7,000km away. And this applies to family, friendships, romantic connections + business acquaintances. You have to be the driver if you want relationships to flourish + develop. 1.5 years later this effort has paid off. Let me tell you the...
14 days ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, Thanks to those of you who voted in my poll last about interest in a pop-up coliving, it was great to receive feedback in the brainstorming phase. I need your help again. I've been working behind the scenes to enhance the "Your Travel Friend" brand + online presence + I need your vote on which colour palette of the YTF logo you like the best. VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE LOGO COLOUR It's helpful for me to understand what colours bring you joy, evoke emotions, or you simply just like...
22 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, My last couple of months have been interesting + polar opposite to my 2024. I've been stationery in Canada for a few months itching to have a change of scenery so I took up my sister’s offer to visit her in a different province + take my first flight for 2025! Which reminds me to tell you NOT to buy an expandable suitcase when purchasing your next carry-on. Why? One of my flights was on on a small dash 8 plane + thankfully my Samsonite just barely fit in the carry-on overhead. If I...
29 days ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, Sunday really refilled my energy battery + left me smiling. I host a monthly Community Call + it always brings me such joy to see people from around the world connect. We had people calling in from South Africa, Spain, Italy, America, Canada, Brazil + Germany representing nationalities of French, Canadian, South African, American, Austrian + English. WOW what a cool global bunch to engage with. As the Community Calls grow, there will be a limit of how many travel friends can join...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, The cold front in Western Canada does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon with a hovering average of -17℃ in the daytime. That won't stop a group of Calgarians from doing possibly one of the most Canadian things this weekend - the Skijordue. I thought it would be fun to showcase a little bit about Canadian culture, + how we entertain ourselves on weekends even if the expected high is going to be -15℃ without windchill. The Skijordue is like wake boarding except the boat is a...
2 months ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, It's day 5 of a self-assigned hibernation here in Canada as the weather has been around -25 ℃ + honestly why turn into a popsicle when you don't need to 🥶 This week has reinforced how lucky I am to work remotely + from anywhere, including inside ☺️ That being said...I am an extroverted introvert overall + as much as I love my retired roomies, I'm itching for a change in social conversation + a change of environment. My three go to locations to find focus whether that's for remote...
2 months ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, There's one thing about solo travelling, moving to a new location as an expat, remote working + being in your own hometown after nomad life, that all have in common. You're looking to make new friends as an adult. 🙋🏼♀️ There's a few ways I've found (slow) success to meet new folks when not directly integrated with other travellers or a digital nomad community: Join Creative Lunch Club for less than €10/month you get paired up with 2 other creatives to have lunch (or coffee). I've...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, Hello if you're new to the newsletter + hello (again) after I took an unplanned break from weekly updates! Although January is almost over (where did the month go?!), I want to take it back to highlights of 2024, so you can get to know me better! By far the most countries I have ever been to in one year! Bulgaria, Poland + Bosnia and Herzegovina were for sure surprises in terms of how much I enjoyed being there. The city of Ljubljana was a gem that took my breath away! Inspired by...
3 months ago • 2 min read