Staying Creative while Traveling

One of the hardest things for me when I originally started toying with the idea of a nomad's lifestyle was the idea of where the heck I would put all my crafting supplies. Seriously, I basically had a slightly smaller version of Michael's packed into my bedroom and studio at my old place. I still dream about how glorious it was. I make everything out of everything, plastic bags get saved for plarn, newspapers are saved for paper mache, plastic bottles have infinite uses, dumpster diving or picking up stuff left on curbs has been a part of my life since childhood... My sewing and embroidery machine is second only to my laptop in what I would carry out in a fire.

Naturally, being on the road presents some challenges to my lifestyle of semi-hoarding or ultra upcycling as I prefer to term it. Namely, where the heck do I store all my tools.

Unfortunately the answer is I do not.

But thankfully, I have learned a few things that help indulge my inner urge to craft.

1) If I'm in one spot for a few months and I really need something that isn't crazy expensive (like jewelry findings), and I can't find it at a reasonable price locally, ebay is always the answer.

2) You can craft with almost anything if you try hard enough. Basket weaving with wood, spinning with locally available fiber. Not having access to your local craft shop can be immensely good for your creative juices as they need to flow extra hard.

3) Find something you love that is transportable. If you scrapbook, try smashbooking. If you sew, try hand embroidery (so fun). Write everything you can anywhere you can. Make your hobby work for you, instead of you working for your hobby.

4) Digital design work can be almost as satisfying. Obviously I have this blog, and while I do have mountains of work to get done as far as design and layout, it's something to play with. Recently, me and one of my Winnipeg friends also decided to launch an online t-shirt company (shameless self promotion) filled with wonderfully nerdy t-shirts available in limited time prints. No clue how successful it'll end up but it's another outlet (and another income source that enables me to be location independent).

Do you consider yourself crafty? What kind of art do you make while traveling? Let me know!

Cheers,

March Reading List - What's on my Kobo!

Hey internet friends!

As you may have guess by my affinity for writing, I am a self proclaimed book worm. Always have been, always will be. I was the kid who got in shit for hiding a flashlight under her blankets so she could stay up past her bedtime reading Harry Potter. As an adult, I am comfortable admitting that I have done the exact same thing in an even more spectacular blanket fort, and had to blame myself in the morning when I was exhausted and did not make it to class. Sorry Mom and Dad.

Any who, my questionable life choices and overall nerdiness aside, I've been working on this 100 books a year challenge I set myself on GoodReads (which is proving to indeed be a challenge). I have this crazy notion that posting a monthly reading list may just a) inspire some people to download a book or two and b) maybe hold me a little bit accountable to doing something other than Pinteresting in my free time

MARCH

Already in progress

1)The Subtle Knife: His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
I tackled The Golden Compass in Feb, I want to actually get through the entire trilogy and enjoy the scathing commentary on Catholicism before I get back into a Catholic Studies classroom in the fall.

2) Yes Please by Amy Poehler
So I kept seeing book lists that say every woman should read this book and being about halfway through I completely agree. Amy Poehler is a wonderful writer and goddess and if she ever happens to read this I hope she decides that we would be good friends and that I am a helpless 20-something year old in need of a mentor who I also live with.

Starting soon! For realsies!

1) The Amber Spyglass: His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
I will finish this trilogy and I will do it soon.

2) Bossypants by Tina Fey
Another amazing woman who is totally welcome to adopt me should she ever feel the need. Teach me your golden ways.

3) Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us by Seth Godin
I've been told that finding my tribe is the key to a solid blog, and that seems to stem from this book. I feel like I could have a pretty rad tribe. Matching tshirts will be essential.

4) A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson
I read Wild by Cheryll Strayed and it was fucking fantastic. More books about distance hiking and more incentive to plan a quest on the Trans Canada Trail, though bikes are my preference for speed factor (sorry Mom and Dad, I know how you feel about this idea).

I think that's enough of a list to not be super overwhelmed by, yet also keep me out of trouble.

What are you reading this month? Tell me in the comments so I can add it to my list!

Cheers,

Creating a 5 Year Plan

Recently, I've been browsing around the internet for writing prompts (here's an excellent list for March) because I assume that at some point, you will all get bored in reading my weekly life updates and want some actual thoughtful and semi-well written information. So in that spirit, I present to you my thoughts on 5 year plans, mission statements, bucket lists, and over arching life goals. Ready?

Do it. 

I know that may seem like a bit of departure from my usual devil-may-care, travel everywhere, do whatever, laid back, low stress, life advice. Hear me out. I have a 5 year plan. The thing is, my 5 year plan goes though at least one significant change about every 6 months. 

Planning out approximately 5 years in advance gives me TONS of motivation when I'm stuck in the occasional months where I am not traveling, laying on a beach, or spending the vast majority of my time playing with craft supplies. 

No, I do not plan out every day on my wonderful 5 year plan. It's a simple document in my Notes app on my Macbook, readily accessible and incredibly easy to change. 

I like to block things out in semester long periods, because I find them to be sensible dividing points. Janurary - April I do one particular thing (in the present case, Maui), then May - August I do another thing (Victoria), then September - December one more thing (in this case, my schedule reads: take classes either online or in Winnipeg and make some progress on your degree ya bum). 

I think it's healthy to give yourself lots of "breaks" in life, and try tons of new things in new places. Dividing my year into 3 sections encourages me to do that frequently, and has the added benefit of working quite well with my on again off again approach to University. 

I also like to have a side list of goals for the week + month in my paper day planner, just to keep me on task. One of the biggest challenges I find myself faced with in daily life is my desire to throw myself into a million and one projects, which inevitably leads to things being half finished if they aren't written down.

How do you structure your 5 year plan? What kind of goals are you reaching for? Tell me your life!

Cheers,

Day 34: Spinning yarns and omnomnoming

tiny lizard friend I made this morning

 Today was another blissful day off to enjoy living in paradise. I decided against adventuring, mainly because I felt lazy, and also crafty as all hell. My inner housewife is still lacking the love earned from feeding the ravenous masses I called roomies and neighbours in Winnipeg (love you all). I breakfasted on some super simple but delicious french toast and devoured the majority of a coconut toasted in the same pan. My belly is happy.

Cinnamon Raisin Toast made into french toast with fresh coconut (also toasted). I like toast.

Next step: Crafternoon. Finally pulled my test yarn out of it's several day solar dye bath in old moldy Spriulina/water/vinegar solution! Also harvested some more cotton, carded and spun for literally 4 hours with time flying by.

Who knew Spirulina dyed so pretty?!

I cannot get over the wonderful shade of teal the cotton changed into, and the unevenness and multi-dimension to the color is basically making me fall over from sheer joy. #dying. Next step, trying to get a pink with avacodo pits and skins. The internet told me it was a thing. Also basket making.


Cheers,

Justifications to Travelling NOW and Finishing School Later

I know when I finally got around to breaking the news to both of my parents that I was taking another

semester away from my University to take a working vacation, they took it... alright. Thankfully, they both were bitten by the travel bug pretty young as well, and tend to be wonderful supportive people. However, I would be crazy if I didn't walk in with a few reasons other than "wanting to see the world" and "insatiable wanderlust", otherwise I would get the dreaded lecture about "abandoning my education and destroying my future". 

Study Abroad

This may seem like the obvious one, but it has to be said. Many schools offer excellent opportunities to work on your classes while abroad. I know in my case, tutition is the same, and you just need to finance your cost of living/flights/etc., which is often cheaper outside of Canada. Check in with student services and see if this works for you!

     

Working Holiday Visas

Working holiday visas are a great way to get yourself into a country for a full year and still be entitled to work legally wherever you want in the country, however they usually have age restrictions at 30 or 35. As someone with the intent of life long travel on a limited budget, working while I'm gone is pretty essential. This might mean being a waitress or bartender and less of a focus on classes for a semester, but everyone needs a break sometimes right?

Online Classes

I'm lucky in the fact that my university offers a good selection of classes online, so for example, I'm still technically going to be a full time student while I'm in Maui this semester on a WorkAway project. If you can pull off being location independent while not actually putting off your education (or not putting it off as much by only taking one or two classes), why not? Online classes are often actually a bit cheaper as well!

Summer Classes

I know this is a bit of an odd sidebar, but many people don't consider that most schools offer intense summer classes where instead of spending a semester on a course, you crank it out in a month. Traveling during the Fall and Winter off season can be a lot more affordable than going in summer prime time, so picking up courses in the summer can be a great way to offset missing time during other semesters.

Travel Interning

Chances are, at some point in your college career, you're going to be doing an unpaid internship. It's great for resume building and has kind of become an expectation (I have my qualms with it, but that's me). If you use WorkAway, go WWOOFing, volunteer overseas, or any combination, PUT IT ON YOUR RESUME. Most long term hosts will be more than happy to write you a simple reference letter if you get along, and you'll be gaining valuable skills in your placement, even if they don't seem to directly correlate with your chosen field.

Reasons To Keep a Handwritten Journal

Personally, I've been on and off as a journaller throughout basically my entire life. Last time we cleaned out my Mom's place we found some very basically worded fuzzy pink one dated from when I was 8 years old. I love keeping a record of what's going on in my life and how it makes me feel. So without further adieu here's a few reasons to hop on the bandwagon!

1) Write to work things out
I often find, whether I'm on the road or at home, life tends to throw crazy challenges our way. Looking back, my longest journal entries tend to be an explanation of whatever semi-dramatic event is going on in my life, but from the first sentence to what often becomes several pages, I see myself find solutions to the problem. Writing helps to slow you down a little, think consciously, and come to a defined conclusion.

2) Physical copies to reflect on
As much as I love the Facebook memories feature, and my old blog posts, or my old anonymous livejournal, I love paper. I love physical copies of books, and pretty covers that make me smile. As much as my journal is also one of those highly personal things that I don't let other people browse through, I also recognize that someday I will no longer be on this earth and nothing reflects my thoughts better than those memoirs, should someone want to hold on to them.

3) Boost Creativity
In my opinion, the only way to get better at anything is to experiment and practice until you find out what works best for you. I spend a lot of time changing up my writing style and playing around with new ideas on real paper before I throw them all over the internet, and I would like to think it helps!

4) Books don't need batteries
Long term travel doesn't happen without my Macbook present. But every now and again, I want to go camping for the weekend, or hang out at my Dad's permaculture homestead, or go on a short road trip, on hop on a train/plane/cruise without free wifi. If I'm not going to have wireless access, I don't see the point in hauling my laptop around in addition to a journal when I'm literally only going to use it to play the Sims or Roller Coaster Tycoon (I like a lot of "bad" vintage games).

I hope I've given you enough inspiration to start journalling, or increase the amount that you already do, maybe from once a month to once a week, a few times a week, of even daily.

Cheers,

4 Ways to Make Money (Legally!) While Abroad

1) Blog
I couldn't write one of these posts as an ever traveling woman who blogs both for business and to keep family and friends updated on where I am at any given moment (many still think I'm crazy and will end up living the plot of "Taken"). That being said, new bloggers don't make much. Take some time, build something pretty, throw a couple ads on, and create good content. I'm a firm believer in journaling being good for the soul, and while I maintain my own more personal thoughts on paper, keeping an interesting record of things online as well is a great way to look back on your thoughts. You can read a million wonderfully written articles online about SEO, blogger vs wordpress, and how to use basic HTML. For reference, at the time I'm writing this, I use blogger because it's simple and free, though buying your domain name through a service like GoDaddy will usually run you under 20 bucks a year and looks a lot more professional in my opinion.

2) Teach English
This has become a massive industry that is fantastic for determined life long travelers. Personally I'll be doing my certification next summer when I'm back in my home city tackling a bunch of education and sticking around for a few months. Some countries require a degree but others do not. Pay at the very least usually covers a middle class standard of living, though some countries like South Korea can become quite lucrative with perks like your flights and accommodation included with salary so if you're content to stay in one country for a while you can really build up that travel fund!

3) Sell Photos Online
If you're anything like me, when you're on vacation, you tend to take a bunch of epic photos not only of yourself and companions, but of the scenery and interesting landmarks as well. Sites like Shutterstock will pay for your photographs, so you can create a nice little passive income stream from all the great shots you get!

4) Working Holiday Visas
Many counties offer working holiday visas for people ages 18-30/35, which allow you to legally work and reside in a country, usually for a period of one year. Whether you want to stay in your current field, bar tend, or find a completely random position is up to you!

How I'm Financing Extended Travels

 One of the major concerns my friends and parents seem to be having with the idea of me flying off on a one way ticket for at least a few months, is quite understandably how the hell I'm planning to pay for it. It's a pretty reasonable question in all fairness.

1) Selling my Crap
I may be a college student, but oh boy do I have a lot of stuff. Spending the last year splitting a house with a few awesome girl friends meant I've acquired a good chunk of funiture, in addition to my stockpile of clothing and art supplies. I'm holding on to a few things, but for the most part I'm posting whatever I can't carry on Kijiji and Craigslist (I'm keeping my mattress, one clothing rack, a few milk crates, my sewing machine, old journals, and a few sentimental things, in storage with my parents). That means my bookcases, futon, coffee tables, mirrors, most of my clothing collection, all going bye bye. I'm trying to use up as many art supplies (read: yarn) as possible before I go, and selling the product dirt cheap just to move it out of the house.

2) Budget Travel / Working Vacation
There are enough wonderful options on the internet to find people willing to exchange labour for food and meals while traveling, so I'm not going to list every option here, but the one I'll be signing up with first is workaway.info, given that 2 years of membership is only $29 US and they have listings all over the world. Visas for every country are different, but luckily since I won't actually be "working" per say, I can easily spend up to 6 months in the United States exploring.

Be smart! Set Google flight alerts and look for the best possible deal! Eat street food instead of at the 5 star places! Do a quick search for free activities in the area you want to see if it's touristy! Economize so you can be there longer instead of confining yourself to 2 weeks out of the office once a year!

3) The Sweet Joy of Working Online
While I do want to focus my travels on the obvious joy of traveling, and I do think blogging is a beautiful way to keep track of my life while simultaneously sharing it with the world, I would be lying if I said that blogging for income isn't something I've done before, am pursuing now, and enjoy. By using my affiliate links and clicking the ads that interest ya'll, you can directly support me making great content and finding radical awesome new spaces. It's a wonderful cycle!