WanderWomanWednesday; Sophie

A huge part of travel for me is the people I meet and the friends I make in the places I get to experience. Some of, well most of my best friends are people I have met while living overseas or travelling and the number one thing we have in common is that we get it. Get what? The whole travel life. The coming and going frequently, the moving towns often and regularly. The fact that we will rarely if ever live in the same place for long. And the feeling of saying goodbye/reuniting with each other. So, when I meet people who share this passion and understanding I immediately want to know more about them and where their adventures have taken them. I find myself drawn to these sorts of people even if I've never even met them in real life, enter Instagram, Facebook & Twitter. The whole wide World of blogging has given me the opportunity to (virtually) meet people I would never have if it wasn't for this passion project I have.

Hailing from England, Sophie of Sophie's Suitcase is yet another amazing account I fell in love with when I was living in the UK. Born from a trip she took in 2010, Sophie has been travelling ever since. Whether it's a staycation close to home, a girl trip abroad, or visiting awesome places in the UK she really does it all. Sharing real and honest struggles on her stories, creating inspiring content for her blog and sharing just how she's keeping this travel life alive while planning a magical wedding in 2020, these are just some of the reason's she is April's WanderWoman!

Alright, tell all these wanderers about yourself…

My names Sophie and I run the blog Sophie’s Suitcase; I am a brunch-loving traveller with a passion for unique experiences around my 9-5 job. I have spent the past eight years documenting my travels around the world, encouraging others to follow in my footsteps and showing how easy it is to travel the world and maintain a career.

I've gained my followers through raw and relatable content, linked to my travels and my struggles with my own mental health. Blogging is my creative outlet and has opened my eyes to the world, and forged my travels, living sustainably and being honest with the world.

What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?

The blog was founded after a backpacking trip around Asia in 2010, where I counted my mum as my first follower. It started off simply as a way for me to put my thoughts and words down on the internet and has now become what it is today. It took a long time, and lots of hard work to get where I am today, but it’s all been worth it.

Did you always want to travel/what made you start?

I have always loved travel and my wanderlust has come from my dad, who also has a passion for exploration and adventure. I caught the bug early, and loved family holidays all over the world, from Portugal to Italy, and Florida to road trips around Europe. I loved living a life different to my own, experiencing other people’s cultures and getting to meet people from all walks of life.

How do you decide where to travel to?

I often make a list at the beginning of the year, and set my intentions. I usually make a list of about 20 places I’d like to visit and usually get to around ten of those. I then use the leftover ten for the following year, with any additional inspiration, and then get to work again. I also get to work with some amazing tourism boards and that often adds some spontaneity to my travels.

What is one country you would love to live in if Visa’s weren’t an issue and why?

I’d love to explore more of South America, it’s a region I know barely anything about and I would love to travel, explore and experience the way of live over there.

Top 3 bucket list places you’d love to visit?

San Francisco
Mykonos
Jordan

How do you juggle a full-time job, travelling as much as you do and planning a wedding?

Good question! Sometimes I am not sure how I manage everything but being organized certainly helps! I use my bullet journal religiously to stay on track, make notes, stay organized, plan and get tasks done. I spent 1 day a week on admin which keeps me organized and ready to tackle tasks. And when it comes to planning a wedding, it just has to sit beside work and travel, but as we are getting married in Italy, it’s actually been a pretty easy process. Our venue is amazing, they are organizing most of the logistics, and then I just need to find a dress! Stay tuned for lots of hen do, wedding and honeymoon inspired content over the coming 12 months.

What is something you wish you could share with your pre-travel life self?

Be ready for change. Travel never goes how you think it will, and even though I like to be organized you cant always be in control when you travel a lot. Sometimes you just have to let it go, move on and come up with an alternative solution!

Worst travel moment?

Getting stranded at the side of the motorway in Vietnam with my backpack and my best friend. A scary moment but one we laugh about today!

Best travel moment?

Swimming with sting rays in The Maldives last year. It was surreal and such an incredible experience! Check out my Maldives content for where we stayed, what activities we did and how to travel there on a budget.

Do you think the way your travel/how often you will travel will change once you get married?

I don’t think it will change the way I travel. At the moment I travel with my fiancé Theo 60% of the time, my friends 30%, and my mum 10% of the time. I love travelling with different people to different destinations, as I think it’s a wonderful thing to experience things with everyone you love. You can make memories that last a lifetime!

Do you think social media has changed travel, and if so, how has it changed?

Social media has changed travel, but I think for the good. It’s opened up the world of travel to everyone, instead of only the privileged. It shows that the world is a good place, the media cannot control our thoughts about certain places, that people are inherently good, and food is quite simply the best kind of therapy. Social media does have its negatives but its simply for us to learn how to manage that impact and put it to good use!

Famous last words for all the wanderers out there..

Stay curious!