I was always terrified of the day when I would stop doing seasonal work and traveling like I did, scared that it would mean I had to return home and fall right back into life, in the exact same spot that I had run from. Like time would somehow rewind like a clock, and I would realize nothing had changed.
Terrified of what that would mean for my mental health, this new person I had become, and the joy I had found. Scared to death that it would all be ripped away from me like a bandaid, revealing that I was just as broken and lost as I felt when I left that autumn day in 2016.
As it turns out, that wasn't remotely true. Yes, coming home was like ripping the bandaid off, but instead of finding an open wound, I found a healed scar and a new place to call home. ❤️
And so so much more. 😭❤️
Finding a free camping spot in Lofoten away from the crowds in June felt like heaven on earth, especially on a night like this. And I couldn't have asked for a better company to stroll the beaches or enjoy a bag of snacks with while drinking lukewarm box wine from a tin cup. It was warm enough to sleep with the tent flaps open all night and the wind was a gentle breeze. Upon waking up, seals were swimming just outside the tent and I could've stayed there all day, watching them swim up and down the shoreline.
Thank you Mother Nature, this is going straight into my core memory bank.
Finding a free camping spot in Lofoten away from the crowds in June felt like heaven on earth, especially on a night like this. And I couldn't have asked for a better company to stroll the beaches or enjoy a bag of snacks with while drinking lukewarm box wine from a tin cup. It was warm enough to sleep with the tent flaps open all night and the wind was a gentle breeze. Upon waking up, seals were swimming just outside the tent and I could've stayed there all day, watching them swim up and down the shoreline.
Thank you Mother Nature, this is going straight into my core memory bank.
For as long as I've remembered, I've felt like I don't belong in my hometown and kept searching for ways to get out of it. I've always cried on the day I was set on returning. Always, every trip, no matter how short or long.
The only time I have ever felt on my own accord that I truly wanted to "go home" was during my 2nd year in Australia. And I did. I flew home for a couple of months and spent the summer in Europe while the cafe I worked at in Oz was closed for the winter. And even then, I ran off to Europe and didn't end up spending a lot of time at home.
I just want to write this post if you have similar feelings about your hometown. It's okay to not feel like you belong in the place you grew up in. It's okay not to want to be there.
I used to feel so much shame for feeling this way, but I've come to accept it. Even better, now I've found a home I'm excited to return to. 🥰
I looked through all the captures from Lofoten and suddenly realized why my jaw felt so relaxed after this trip. 😂
While we were in Lofoten, I accidentally called a 500m mountain a "short walk." 😂 ... woopsi
Sand between your toes, the calm waves rolling into shore like a lullaby and the warm light from the sun reaches for you from the horizon.
Midnight stroll on Lofoten hits differently in June.
Karlstad is exceeding expectations over and over 🌞
If you're traveling Sweden this summer, stop by for a coffee, kayaking adventures, or a hike!
Summer is around the corner, and now is the perfect time to tick Smögen off your bucket list before peak season starts 🌞
Any other places in Sweden that we should visit before peak season starts?
I will never regret spending 7 years working seasonal jobs and seeing the world slowly.
Living season to season, paycheck to paycheck, with massive gaps in between has its disadvantages for sure. And damn, it is stressful at times.
But the lessons I've learned along the way, and the memories and experiences I've had...
They are priceless.
In Värmland there's a spot where you can enter a horizontal mine entry and see for yourself how the caves look from within.
Even stunning in early spring! 😍 Just a heads up that it is very icy and slippery, speaking from experience... 😂
Discover the enchantment of Tinas Stoll, a historic mine in Högbergsfältet. ❄️ ⛏️
Winter perks: no crowds.
Winter pro: Icy.
Don't forget to save this to your Swedish bucket-list!
Okay, no gate-keeping here! Promised I'd share how much I've managed to save over the years while I was traveling and working seasonal jobs! 🙌
"Did you break up?" 😳 Nooo, my travel bug just itches more than my boyfriends, and that's okay!
It's okay to have different needs and wants in your relationship. I'm currently in Hemsedal for 2 weeks while Mattias is at home, but that doesn't mean we are breaking up! Quite the opposite.
Let's change that narrative. I believe the healtiest of relationships is the ones where you allow each part to be completely themselves 💙
Morning coffee next to a frozen waterfall
Take my word for it, there's nothing like sipping your morning cup of coffee in the crisp air next to a semi-frozen waterfall in a winter wonderland destination!
❄️ Rjukandefossen outside of Hemsedal is a great spot, save this post to remember it on your next visit!
"6 months ago you were homeless and now you have a home and a business". A funny comment my boyfriend did the other day.
I mean, technically he is right, but I prefer to call it "voluntarily rootless for 7 years". 😉
And, unemployment is just a necessary "travel break" in between seasons, nothing wrong with that!
It's all about ✨️perspective✨️. Don't you agree?
a different perspective!
A little shift in perspective goes a long way!
Wait to the end & save this post! When I woke up to thunder and rain I'll admit, I thought about not showing up for the tour with @getyourguidecommunity ...
Visiting Caminito del Rey was a bucket-list destination and it was the only chance I had before I was leaving Spain. Besides, if it was that bad, surely they would cancel... right?... right?
Turns out, they are equipped with tunnels for emergencies when it rains. Fortunately, the weather changed drastically and we didn't have to use them! ☀️
An unexpected perk was the minimal crowd on the track, a consequence of the forecasted rain. It's a reminder that sometimes, having faith brings delightful surprises. 🥳
A heartfelt thank you to @getyourguide for delivering such a memorable experience.
#getyourguidecommunity
You'll find another place in Malaga with free entry at the bottom 👇 Did you know that on Sundays, 2 hours before closing time, the Picasso Museum is free to visit?
Save this post for your next visit!
Pssst. Alcazaba and the Gibralfaro castle is also free after 2PM on Sundays. Happy exploring! ☀️
You might think that the days of finding cheap flights are over, think again and read this! 👇
Save this post for your future bookings!
USE A VPN 🖥
VPN, a virtual private network, masks your IP address and makes it appear as if you are browsing from a different place. Use a VPN to compare flight prices by comparing domain endings.
Flying to France from Sweden?
Check .se first, change VPN, then check the same site using .fr
Sometimes there's not a big difference... other times it could be 100€ difference.
CLEAR COOKIES 🍪
Websites use cookies to track our searches, why wouldn't flight companies do the same and bump up the price on the route/dates you're interested in?
By clearing cookies and using the "incognito" tab you minimize the risk.
Choose flexible dates 📅
If you have a schedule that lets you be spontaneous, checking the "flexible dates" box 📦 is where you want to be!
The websites I always check:
Google flights
Skyscanner
Google Flights & Skyscanner both have an "everywhere" option which is super helpful to find cheap deals. Happy hunting, and don't forget to check regularly because price changes happen all the time!
By thinking in layers when you pack for a winter destination, not only do you increase your adabtility to temperature changes, which can change drastically.
❄️ Help regulate moisture and insulate body heat
❄️ Maximize the usage of each item you bring with you
I'm a big fan of being able to use one piece of clothing in more than 2 ways when I travel! Saves space in your bag
❄️ Increase flexibility
❄️ Make you more comfortable. The risk of freezing or overheating is minimized
❄️ Flexibility for activities
