6 Months in New England

October 18, 2019 - Lifestyle

Two days ago, I wrote this on the train on my commute. Just wanted to share a little update on how happy I am to be right here in New England… and how I continue to fall more in love with Boston…

Every day I look up. At the beauty surrounding me. The tall buildings. The seagulls flying overhead. The opportunity. Watching the chaos of the people going to and from work is truly inspiring. People just living their day-to-day lives… seems so simple but brings me the greatest joy. Because this is where I get my energy. My extroverted self thrives here. Watching each person walk by and knowing each one has a unique story. Something they’re trying to do and reach and accomplish. And I don’t ever take my moment here for granted. Because this wasn’t a single step, it was a calculated plan.

I’ve been dreaming of this for years. And my heart is so happy. I can’t explain the pure bliss walking through the streets of Boston brings me. I remember dreaming of bigger places and things when I was younger. Being somewhere that made me feel ALIVE. I hate to discredit the great places I’ve lived before because they are great, but they weren’t my heart’s desire. And the heart wants what the heart wants.

I’m lucky to have a partner who trusts and respects me enough to have gone down this path. And it wasn’t easy. Not at all. But we still had fun along the way and I learned more about myself than I ever thought possible. My husband is everything I could ever want or need and so much more than I deserve.

Some days I’ve driven through the suburbs and felt like maybe I’m still in Minnesota, but when I step out of my office off the Boston Harbor on a chilly October day, the cool scent of sea salt water hits my nose. Breathing in ocean water like breathing in life. We aren’t in Kansas anymore darling. And then on my walk to South Station, I hear a number of languages in the flocks of tourists. People actually want to visit here – and honestly, I’m still a tourist too. I keep falling more deeply in love and already have that strong Boston pride… and I’m never letting it go.

I’m currently sitting on the commuter rail writing this. Another place of pure bliss. Most people bury their heads in their phones (which while writing this post in notes I am too), but I look around and wonder where each person is going. I keep thinking maybe I’m still in my “honeymoon phase,” but this is another part of my day that makes me thrive. I see a few familiar faces every day and smile. Sitting on this train reminds me I’m just one small part of this big world. Coming here has been humbling. I feel so lucky to be a part of it in some way.

And as I continue on my new journey, one thing’s for sure… I will always be looking up. ❤️

Working Whilst Traveling: Is It Possible?

October 6, 2019 - Lifestyle, Travel

As all travel lovers will know, when you get the bug you just need to get out there. You could leave everything behind in an instant, but unfortunately, you still need money if you’re going to be able to hop on a plane. Working should be properly considered before you fetch out your bikini, but what do you need to do if you’re going to be able to both travel and work and is it really possible to balance these things out? We’ve noted down some points that are worth considering.

Freelance work

If you want to be able to travel with sufficient funds, then you need to consider freelance work. Not only does it prevent any stress that comes with getting a temporary job wherever you’re staying, but it also means that you have a consistent source of income. Think about what you can do: maybe you’re a great photographer or a gifted writer. Then, make it happen!

Bar work

No matter where you are in the world, people always need waiters, waitresses and bartenders. Before you head out to an area, you can see what jobs they have available for English speaking people online (and other roles if you’re multilingual). Whilst you may need to brush up on the local language if you’re going to be able to earn some cash, it’s certainly possible to find alternative jobs in a lot of places.

Stay in touch

It’s increasingly easy to stay in touch with clients through various online mediums, but you need to make sure that you have access to everything that facilitates your work. Check out sites like https://physicaladdress.com if you want to get all of your postal mail scanned to your email address, and look into other ways that you can stay on top of your communications with clients.

Check out hotels

Before you book into a hotel or hostel, you need to read the reviews as a freelancer. If your work depends upon WiFi and they have the slowest connection in the world, then this is going to get in the way of your work. Look for a good connection, but also a tranquil working space. Being stuck in a busy dorm room trying to work really isn’t an ideal situation!

Make a schedule

As is the case with life when you’re not travelling, having a schedule is key. It means that you’re able to see when you’re committing time to recreation, and when you’re going to focus on work. Whilst travelling can seem like a full-time holiday, you really do need to strike a balance, so work some fun time into your schedule and be sure to commit a portion of your day to working hard to fund it.

So, if you’re thinking about working when travelling, then it is a possibility. However, you need to assess all of your options and make sure that you have access to the right facilities. If you stay focused, you’ll be well on your way to earning some cash whilst enjoying all of the world’s gifts!

4 Tips For Seasonal Gift-Giving

October 2, 2019 - Holidays

It barely feels like a week ago since the Christmas tree went down, and yet the autumn leaves are falling, and it is time to start thinking about getting the winter clothes back out. Christmas seems to always be just around the corner, no sooner have you recovered from the last one and it is time to start thinking about the next one! 

When it comes to the most wonderful time of the year, one of the biggest things that people stress about is gift-giving. Partly because of the sheer expense of buying all of your loved ones the gifts that you feel they deserve, but also the worry of what to get, and whether you think that the person receiving will like it. 

Start Early 

One of the best ways around both of these problems is to start buying your Christmas gifts as early in the year as possible. Often, stores will have genuine reductions toward the end of the summer as they clear out their stockrooms in order to make way for all of the more expensive Christmas stock. No company wants unwanted inventory hanging around because it is an expense for them to keep it. It takes up space, and they will need to keep handling it, which costs time and resources. As it is now essentially dead money, you will see these items getting sold in some cases for lower than their cost prices. If you are savvy with your shopping, you can grab a real bargain when these reductions go live. 

Bag A Black Friday Bargain

The end of November offers some great retail opportunities as stores do their very best to entice you in with the best offers that they can muster. With some great discounts on many high ticket items, Black Friday offers are some of the best ways to get those essential big gifts. 

Getting in early is often the key, and it’s always good to know in advance who will have what on offer. Many retailers like to keep this information tight to their chest so that competitors won’t undercut them. However, there are ways that you can research some offers in the days running up to the event. 

Give Home Made Gifts

One way that you can really show that you care and have thought about someone is to give them a homemade gift. If you are skilled in any particular craft, why not put this to good use this holiday season with a present that your loved ones will cherish?

You may want to think about painting a portrait of your friends or family members, or a picture of a place that is special to them. You could craft some jewelry, or even make some homemade cosmetics and toiletries. 

Gifting Time

One of the best ways that you can show that you care about someone is by giving them the gift of your time. How about giving them vouchers for decorating their home for them or helping them out in the garden. Sometimes things like this can be more appreciated than a gift that ends up not getting used.

Photo by STIL on Unsplash