The Lesson I Should Have Learnt After 30 Countries (But Didn’t)
This is may feel like repetitive advice… but don’t leave packing until the last minute…
… like I just did 🙄
Because you’ll regret it.
And let me correct myself. It's not impossible to pack within a day or even hours before your departure. You’ll probably be just fine. However what I learnt is that it didn’t leave me days to remember if I forgot anything or review what I was planning to bring to know if I’m overpacking or bringing excess a.k.a. not being a minimalist.
That was my mistake.
I thought after 30+ countries and more than 3 years of longer-term travel I could do this without any prep time, who’s the dummy now 😅🙋🏼♀️😆I brought way too many clothes with me and although I'm traveling by car this time and yes do have space for all the luggage, I don’t feel organized, still searching to find where I put things and simply, it’s just too much s**t.
The grace I’m giving myself is it’s the first time I’ve travelled with this much activity gear. I have my running vest, running shoes, hiking boots and manage to fit my bike in my car (without a rack 😏 just a little tetris in the trunk). I can’t wait to have the gear to make being outside and exploring areas just that little bit easier!
In the last hour of packing I looked at my OWN packing list to make sure I wasn't forgetting anything. My Packing List reminded me to bring jewelry (for nice meals out or networking events), it’s so handy to have for double checking!
I have a smile on my face to be back in the province of British Columbia, an area of Canada that really is what the license plates say Beautiful British Columbia. We drove through the Rocky Mountains (which imo beat the Banksko, Bulgaria mountains every one raves about) and as we continued west, we began seeing lakes ☺️I’m not an experienced swimmer or boat person, but there’s an instant sense of ease when you can look out on water and there's nothing in the way of your viewpoint for kilometers, *exhales*.
That sense of ease is going to happen staring at the Adriatic Sea in October for my first group trip and pop up co-living with the Your Travel Friend community! If you're not following me on Instagram or a part of the community then you'll have to check it out. if this is the second or third time you're hearing about it don't forget to book a call to reserve your spot because early bird ends June 29th.
Ciao for now,
Anna
MONTENEGRO GROUP TRIP
POP-UP COLIVING IN THE BALKANS
It's time to get s**t done in June. Cross that item that has been on your to do list forever, book the trip you've been procrastinating and pursue the project you've been putting off.
Where Your Laptop Meets the Adriatic Coast
1 MONTH POP-UP COLIVING
Experience living on the shores of Montenegro with a group of instant friends! Nestled in a laid-back coastal town, this one-month workcation is all about good connections, big ideas, sea views, and strong Wi-Fi. You’ll engage with a crew of curious, driven digital nomads — coworking by day, exploring by sunset, and building something real together under cotton candy skies.
September 27 - October 27, 2025
✨ EARLY BIRD ENDS JUNE 29 ✨
FAVOURITES
📺 Watching
There were incredible takeaways from Trevor Noah’s chat with Esther Perel, communicating theories + ideas I’ve never quite been able to vocalize.
🍌 Num in my Tum
Incorporating this creamy collagen to my morning coffee while I have space to pack it to help support hair + nail growth
✈️ Travel Fav
Bringing a shampoo bar was a must have in the toiletry bag. Makes showers easy, mess-free + much lighter too.
WHERE SHE BUILDS | EP. 2
I dove into my journey from a structured life in Vancouver to embracing the digital nomad lifestyle. Shandi and I discussed how the pandemic influenced my path, my experiences across Europe, and the rewards and challenges of life on the road.
In this episode I shared insights into freelancing, launching my YouTube channel, and building community through travel. We dive into my entrepreneurial evolution—from organizing group trips to navigating imposter syndrome and redefining success beyond money.
COMMUNITY
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