For the last year or so, I’ve been struggling with a dilemma. I’ve been working toward the goal to build this blog into a business that sustains both Tim and I financially, and I’ve been doing it for three years while also working full time at the university job I was once sure would be my career.
Unlike many of my lawyer-turned-travel-blogger or inn-keeper-turned-travel-personality friends that have taken this road before me, I wasn’t chained to a desk in a windowless cubicle only traveling on a week’s vacation here and there. I’ve been location independent for six years with the freedom to work from anywhere I had reliable internet. That’s included my home base in Italy and, on occasion, locations like Iceland, Greece and Spain. I also had seven weeks vacation and, more importantly, a reliable paycheck that arrived like clockwork every two weeks.
Security is a hard thing to walk away from.
But it was more than that. I felt guilty too. When Tim’s job required a move not only across states, but to another whole continent, I had nothing to lose in asking if I could telecommute. Ironically, my boss at the time and who telecommuted from another state said no. A week later, another opportunity presented itself and I accepted a new position at the university. Best of all, I would be able to have a six month period in which we would give telecommuting a try once Tim and I moved to Italy.
I worked my ass off. I worked harder and longer than anyone else for the six months leading up to our move, for the six months of my telecommuting trial period, and for the next five years that I continued to work from Italy. As the sole person responsible for social media, I answered students questions from cruise ships and the top of the Eiffel Tower. I did it willingly because I loved social media management, because it was the right thing for the students…and because my boss put himself on the line to let me work from Italy. How could I ever let him down?
Eventually I proved the ROI of offering customer service on social media and I was able to hire a team of people to do the day-to-day. I took on a managerial role that revolved around a lot of reports and graphs. I was no longer so integral to the success because I’d trained my team well. By then I was also blogging five days a week and our blog had started to take off, we were being invited on many more press trips, and I was even speaking at conferences – both in the travel and higher education industries – about social media strategy.
I wasn’t feeling challenged or fulfilled at work anymore; more like I was just going through the motions. I no longer felt guilt, but there was something else holding me back from turning in my notice.
Afraid of Failure
I’ve wanted some sort of career that involved travel since I participated in a study abroad program in Costa Rica with my high school – that was in 1997. Those chips began to fall in to place thanks to a friend and being in the right place at the right time over a decade later. Life’s funny that way sometimes.
My friend is a print travel writer. We’d meet up at least once a month for a sushi date and I’d gush (enviously) over her last month on safari, cruising to Australia, and the never ending list of fabulous places she’d been. It wasn’t until she invited me as her guest on a cruise ship launch and just about everyone on board asked if I was a travel writer or travel blogger too, that I even realized there were professional bloggers.
I had a blog, a hobby blog that is. I updated it when I felt like and wrote travel diary posts that I’d basically be mortified for anyone to read now. It must not have been totally terrible (after all, I did write for Ranger Rick Magazine when I was a kid), because Johnny Jet followed up with me a few months after that cruise and sent me on my first press trip.
Driving a reindeer sled on my first trip to the Arctic Circle
It was after that trip to Finnish Lapland that I bought my domain. I didn’t know what the hell I was doing, but I picked a stupid name and built a website to the best of my ability. It wasn’t the prettiest or most professional looking, but I wrote and wrote pushing out posts five times a week.
It’s been three years nearly to the day that I built that site. Even though more than 1 million of you visited our site in 2014 and money has been consistently coming in for the last year through a variety of revenue streams, I am still afraid of failing.
What if I fail at my dream?
Iceland, Jordan, Saba, Florida and Greece are just some of the places this blog has take me over the years
Launching Luxe Adventure Traveler
So what’s next? First is getting our brand new re-branded site finally launched. It’s been about six months in the making, but over the last week I’ve had more time (and motivation) to get with my designer and get it done.
Sneak peek at the new home page! What do you think?
You can expect the same great content we’ve always produced, but on a magazine style website. Some changes you can look forward to:
Our new homepage is a static page where we can showcase the top seasonal adventures and a stream will still show our three newest posts.
A newly updated Start Here page where you can easily discover what we’re all about and our most popular posts.
Resources where you can find travel guides produced by us with our personal recommendations of where to stay and eat and what to do.
You’ll also find our favorite gear, photography equipment, beauty products and more in our gift guides.
Another sneak peek of our new Work With Us page
Content Creation, Consulting and Services
And for our brand partners, we have a brand new Work With Us page. Over the last three years, we’ve experimented with a variety of ways we can work with brands and we’ve put together our service offerings based on both what has been most successful and how we enjoy working.
Northern Lights selfie!
Travel
2015 is already shaping up to be a busy year. We’ve already done projects in Swedish Lapland chasing the Northern Lights and I managed to not break or bruise anything during snowboard lessons in the French Alps.
We’ve got another major life change coming up that I can’t quite discuss yet, but February and March will likely be spent mostly close to home here in Italy, though we do have a short getaway planned in Istria, Croatia. Truffle hunting anyone? April and May are going to be crazy with trips / conferences in Romania and Spain. I’m also speaking about social media campaigns at TBEX Lloret de Mar before heading off to France for a Viking River Cruise in the Bordeaux wine region. I plan to wrap up my Spain-France trip by swinging by Disneyland Paris because I’m just dying to feel rat sized at Bistro Chez Remy, themed after one of my very favorite Disney movies: Ratatouille.
Now I learn to cook all over the world!
What do you do besides work?
There are two questions people love to ask me: “what do I do besides work and travel?” and “when do I sleep?” Good questions!
On the sleep matter, I spent six years working for a company nine time zones behind me. That meant odd hours and often not going to bed until 3 or 4am. Truthfully, I took naps for six years and it took its toll on me. So I’m still trying to adjust to actually going to bed at a reasonable time and getting a full nights rest.
Working full time and basically putting in full time hours to build this business left little time for anything else. I used to work out five or six days each week and as we’ve seen in the latest pictures I desperately try not to be in (imagine me snarling at Tim a la Carrie Bradshaw when she falls flat on her face in her jeweled panties on the runway and tells her photographer beau to “stop taking her f’ing picture”), I have not been working out. That already changed this week. 2015 is the year I’m going to be 35 and fabulous.
I also used to read books. You know, for enjoyment. Not travel books I’m reviewing. This month I’ve already downloaded one of the dozen or so books I’ve bought on my Kindle account in the last year and never got around to reading. And…I actually finished it! It feels so good to curl up on the couch with a cup of hot tea and read for fun again.
And I love cooking. It seems like a lifetime ago now, but I can still vividly remember when Tim and I toured the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary school in Scottsdale. I made a smart decision not to go at the time. I would have had to continue working full time while going to school five days per week for a minimum of 15 months. You were only allowed to miss three days over the course of the 15 month program. I’m pretty sure (now -back then I thought I was invincible) it would have killed me and the $37,000 tuition would have went right down the drain.
Though I never became a professional chef, I love trying new recipes and cooking at home. Just being exhausted all the time and only having an hour each night while on my “lunch” to prepare and eat dinner meant I made a lot of quick meals. Dinner had become so monotonous! But I’m slowly getting back to cooking. I’ve made the peppermint bark brownies I intended to make during the holidays and even tried a homemade tartiflette that turned out really good. Maybe I’ll even break out the recipes I learned at the Thai and Greek cooking lessons we’ve had.
Whew! That was a really long winded way of saying that I’m already enjoying discovering myself again. I think I lost a bit of myself for a while when I became all work and no play.
So, I didn’t exactly quit my job to travel the world in the sense that I plan to sell everything and hit the road on a year-long round-the-world trip with nothing more than a backpack and what I can fit in it. The nomad lifestyle just isn’t for me. I do plan to put everything I’ve got, and then some, into making Luxe Adventure Traveler a successful business. And well, traveling the world just happens to be a fantastic job perk.
Wish me luck!
Loved this post? We love when you share our content! ~ Jen & Tim
Jennifer Dombrowski is an independent travel publisher and an American expat who has lived in Bordeaux, France since 2016. She previously lived in Northern Italy in a small village near Venice for seven years where she fell in love with wine and wine tourism. She is an award-winning travel writer. She is also a travel correspondent on Traveling on the American Forces Radio Network. Luxe Adventure Traveler was named one of the top travel blogs to watch by the Huffington Post and TripAdvisor, and has been featured by top publications such as National Geographic, CNN, Buzzfeed, and Business Insider. Jennifer's photography has also been featured on publications such as USA Today and Travel + Leisure and on the Travel Channel.
Comments
Stefsays
Jennifer! I wish you all the best with your new life! It will work out, trust me! You definitely have the motivation to make it work, I’m convinced!
Good luck! 😉 though, I don’t really think you need it bc it seems to be coming true right before your eyes.
I truly enjoy reading your posts and always look to your blog for inspiration on our next trip.
P.S. I have an amazing brownie recipe that might not be chef approved but it did win me “best in show” that I could pass on. Your hips might not approve though, lol
Thank you, Jessica! It’s always wonderful to hear when we are inspiring people. And I would love that brownie recipe – I’ll just have to run an extra mile each day to work them off. 🙂
It has been so amazing to watch you grow and take on new challenges head first. I am lucky to have been remotely near your success! I am even more excited to have a front row seat, through your blog, watching what’s next for you! If you ever need an ear or a travel buddy, just ask! 🙂
Thank you for all the lessons and skills I learned and for the room to run with the crazy ideas along the way. I’ve applied so much of what I learned working for you to building this business, including being able to even create this site to begin with. I never would have had the tech skills to do it otherwise. And I must say that I’m thrilled to see you traveling now! I remember the days when you taking a vacation was pratically unheard of.
Exciting times. 🙂 You know, I think one things that’s really important to long-term happiness is willingness to change. Too many bloggers look down on having a career/full-time job outside blogging, but for many of us, that’s the right choice, and the career can be very fulfilling! But at the same time, it’s good to change. Leaving a career that has everything can be a good thing just for the sake of growing, learning, and shaking things up. Looking forward to your next adventures. 🙂
I totally agree Jenna! There’s absolutely nothing wrong with having a career outside of blogging and using your platform to inspire others as well as gain new skills. I was doing social media management long before my blog existed, but the blog gave me other skills I could apply to my job. Unfortunately for me, I just couldn’t grow any more in my job without physically being in the office and I no longer felt challenge by or engaged with my work. Maybe if Tim’s career hadn’t brought us to Italy for the last six years things would have been entirely different. But such is life. Now I can still pursue my social media passion, but on my own terms and growing my business will no doubt challenge me for years to come.
Jen what an amazing article. So glad you and Tim are living your dream. Dad and I are so proud of what you have accomplished. Good luck in your endevers.
Good luck with the full time travel business. Your articles and photos are second to none. Every time I read an article it’s like being there in person. The other tidbits you provide make the articles top shelf to say the least. I often have to visit a gourmet restaurant after seeing the food pics you publish.
Good luck Jen! I used to love cooking, and now I pretty much only cook for Thanksgiving and Romeo takes care of the cooking every single night, so I can certainly empathize on that one. Your mom’s comment actually made me tear up a little! You’re going to do a fantastic job at this new road you’ve taken.
I went to the grocery store the other day and before I knew it I had been there for nearly two hours. It was such a luxury to be able to take my time browsing every aisle. For the first time in as long as I can remember, we actually ate a home cooked meal every night at our house when we weren’t traveling last week. And not grabbing the pizza or kebabs because I have three hours of meetings and Tim worked all day is also going to help with losing the weight I’ve put on.
Alright Jennifer! Even if you won’t be a full time digital nomad forever it’s fun to let go of who you were to become someone more free, more happy and more fulfilled. I know. I have been a full time, professional blogger for a minute, and have traveled the world as a pro blogger for the last 47 months. Life’s been a blast with so many travel experiences and with so much growth, that I’d make weeds envious 😉
As one of those students you helped countless times. Thank you for everything you did for myself and other students. I know it is a different kind of stress now, but at least you’re not doing double duty anymore. I’ll keep living my travels vicariously through you, since I don’t have a passport.
Maybe once I get a job, and am able to save money. I’ll be able to do just that. I have a ton of relatives in Canada that I haven’t seen in a long time.
Really enjoyed reading your article – so heartfelt. I have been in the same dilemma as you were for the last year and have decided to give full-time travelling/photography a shot – enough of my university job 🙂 Let’s see how that goes.
Love love love this post! You are one of the best in the biz. You just look that “fear of failure” straight in the face and say “NO!” 🙂 You got this! <3
Thanks Lauren! As I’ve run myself down by being overworked and just not feeling good about myself, I lost my confidence in my abilities. I’m working on that by improving myself in a variety of ways now and it feels good. The first big confidence boost will be finally launching my new site. It feels this current site is a teenager and the new one is a grown-up with all the tools to take on the world.
Very interesting personal story Jennifer. Blogging is a lot of fun but it is also time-consuming and addictive – and finding the right balance tough. I connected with your last paragraph about interests that have fallen by the wayside. We’ve had a big year of changes and are still looking for that right balance, something we want to work on in 2015.
Good read,
Frank
Congrats, Jen, this is such an exciting step! It’s truly impressive and speaks to your hard work and dedication that you were able to build up this blog while also working a full-time job. I imagine the stability was hard to give up, but it sounds like you are making the most of your new-found freedom. I wish you continued success!
Congrats! I was exhausted reading all time and effort you were putting into both jobs! I noticed the name of the town you now live in and I was born not too far from there, in Aviano! My mother is Icelandic so I’ve traveled there too! I enjoy reading your blog!
This is my first foot print here…I truly enjoy your writing and it is inspired me. I am looking forward to visit you again and keep feed us with your inspiring writing and story. Wishing you best of luck and have a blessed day ahead !
Stef says
Jennifer! I wish you all the best with your new life! It will work out, trust me! You definitely have the motivation to make it work, I’m convinced!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Thank you, Stef!
Jessica says
Good luck! 😉 though, I don’t really think you need it bc it seems to be coming true right before your eyes.
I truly enjoy reading your posts and always look to your blog for inspiration on our next trip.
P.S. I have an amazing brownie recipe that might not be chef approved but it did win me “best in show” that I could pass on. Your hips might not approve though, lol
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Thank you, Jessica! It’s always wonderful to hear when we are inspiring people. And I would love that brownie recipe – I’ll just have to run an extra mile each day to work them off. 🙂
Jeff says
Congratulations on your new career. From what I have seen from you so far I have no doubt you will be successful at it.
Michael Joy says
It has been so amazing to watch you grow and take on new challenges head first. I am lucky to have been remotely near your success! I am even more excited to have a front row seat, through your blog, watching what’s next for you! If you ever need an ear or a travel buddy, just ask! 🙂
No limits!!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Thank you for all the lessons and skills I learned and for the room to run with the crazy ideas along the way. I’ve applied so much of what I learned working for you to building this business, including being able to even create this site to begin with. I never would have had the tech skills to do it otherwise. And I must say that I’m thrilled to see you traveling now! I remember the days when you taking a vacation was pratically unheard of.
Jenna says
Exciting times. 🙂 You know, I think one things that’s really important to long-term happiness is willingness to change. Too many bloggers look down on having a career/full-time job outside blogging, but for many of us, that’s the right choice, and the career can be very fulfilling! But at the same time, it’s good to change. Leaving a career that has everything can be a good thing just for the sake of growing, learning, and shaking things up. Looking forward to your next adventures. 🙂
Jennifer Dombrowski says
I totally agree Jenna! There’s absolutely nothing wrong with having a career outside of blogging and using your platform to inspire others as well as gain new skills. I was doing social media management long before my blog existed, but the blog gave me other skills I could apply to my job. Unfortunately for me, I just couldn’t grow any more in my job without physically being in the office and I no longer felt challenge by or engaged with my work. Maybe if Tim’s career hadn’t brought us to Italy for the last six years things would have been entirely different. But such is life. Now I can still pursue my social media passion, but on my own terms and growing my business will no doubt challenge me for years to come.
Jenna says
Yes! It’s important to feel challenged and excited and to listen to the signs when we need to change things up to find something more fulfilling.
Marlene says
Jen what an amazing article. So glad you and Tim are living your dream. Dad and I are so proud of what you have accomplished. Good luck in your endevers.
Larry says
Good luck with the full time travel business. Your articles and photos are second to none. Every time I read an article it’s like being there in person. The other tidbits you provide make the articles top shelf to say the least. I often have to visit a gourmet restaurant after seeing the food pics you publish.
Katherine Belarmino says
Good luck Jen! I used to love cooking, and now I pretty much only cook for Thanksgiving and Romeo takes care of the cooking every single night, so I can certainly empathize on that one. Your mom’s comment actually made me tear up a little! You’re going to do a fantastic job at this new road you’ve taken.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
I went to the grocery store the other day and before I knew it I had been there for nearly two hours. It was such a luxury to be able to take my time browsing every aisle. For the first time in as long as I can remember, we actually ate a home cooked meal every night at our house when we weren’t traveling last week. And not grabbing the pizza or kebabs because I have three hours of meetings and Tim worked all day is also going to help with losing the weight I’ve put on.
Ryan Biddulph says
Alright Jennifer! Even if you won’t be a full time digital nomad forever it’s fun to let go of who you were to become someone more free, more happy and more fulfilled. I know. I have been a full time, professional blogger for a minute, and have traveled the world as a pro blogger for the last 47 months. Life’s been a blast with so many travel experiences and with so much growth, that I’d make weeds envious 😉
Keep on inspiring Jennifer and congratulations!
Ryan
Ruth says
As one of those students you helped countless times. Thank you for everything you did for myself and other students. I know it is a different kind of stress now, but at least you’re not doing double duty anymore. I’ll keep living my travels vicariously through you, since I don’t have a passport.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
We’re going to work on you getting that passport and taking your first international trip, Ruth!
Ruth says
Maybe once I get a job, and am able to save money. I’ll be able to do just that. I have a ton of relatives in Canada that I haven’t seen in a long time.
Vid says
Hey Jen,
Really enjoyed reading your article – so heartfelt. I have been in the same dilemma as you were for the last year and have decided to give full-time travelling/photography a shot – enough of my university job 🙂 Let’s see how that goes.
All the very best.
Vid
Jennifer Dombrowski says
All the best to you as well, Vid! I’m sure you will do great things now that you have more time as well!
Lauren Bassart says
Love love love this post! You are one of the best in the biz. You just look that “fear of failure” straight in the face and say “NO!” 🙂 You got this! <3
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Thanks Lauren! As I’ve run myself down by being overworked and just not feeling good about myself, I lost my confidence in my abilities. I’m working on that by improving myself in a variety of ways now and it feels good. The first big confidence boost will be finally launching my new site. It feels this current site is a teenager and the new one is a grown-up with all the tools to take on the world.
Bethaney says
Good luck with your new ventures Jen! I’m sure you’ll do really well. Hopefully we get to meet at TBEX in Spain.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Thanks Bethaney and looking forward to finally meeting you at TBEX!
Johnny Jet says
You go girl! I’m thrilled to see I (slightly) helped jump start your career. Here’s your first post http://vintage.johnnyjet.com/folder/archive/Jennifer-Dombrowski-Finland-Rovaniemi-Santa-Claus-December-2011.html
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Thanks Johnny! I truly appreciate all the opportunities, support, and encouragement you’ve given me.
Frank says
Very interesting personal story Jennifer. Blogging is a lot of fun but it is also time-consuming and addictive – and finding the right balance tough. I connected with your last paragraph about interests that have fallen by the wayside. We’ve had a big year of changes and are still looking for that right balance, something we want to work on in 2015.
Good read,
Frank
Heather says
Congrats, Jen, this is such an exciting step! It’s truly impressive and speaks to your hard work and dedication that you were able to build up this blog while also working a full-time job. I imagine the stability was hard to give up, but it sounds like you are making the most of your new-found freedom. I wish you continued success!
Sofie says
You know I’m cheering you on girl!
I have faith in you x
Sharon says
Good luck and congrats for taking the leap! We just recently took the same step. Its awesome so far!
Elena says
So excited to see where the new year takes you and to follow along! Congrats on taking the step!
Jennifer says
Congratulations — I know this will be an amazing, successful next step for you!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Thanks so much, Jennifer! I am loving the new challenge and regaining so much control over my life. Upwards and onwards!
Karen says
Congrats! I was exhausted reading all time and effort you were putting into both jobs! I noticed the name of the town you now live in and I was born not too far from there, in Aviano! My mother is Icelandic so I’ve traveled there too! I enjoy reading your blog!
Tina Arssid says
Hi Jennifer,
This is my first foot print here…I truly enjoy your writing and it is inspired me. I am looking forward to visit you again and keep feed us with your inspiring writing and story. Wishing you best of luck and have a blessed day ahead !
Regards,
Tina