For a long time, Iceland was a relative nobody in the travel world. It didn’t have the popularity of Western Europe or the reputation of other Nordic countries. But thanks to Instagram and budget airline option (i.e. the now defunct WOW air), Iceland has exploded in popularity among travelers over the years.

In my opinion, Iceland is the perfect jumping off point for a solo female traveler. Its sweeping landscapes and friendly people will make you want to return again and again. My trips have been fantastic experiences, and even though people say Iceland is overtouristed, I’ve had plenty of amazing experiences without crazy crowds.

So what exactly can you expect from a solo trip to Iceland? Read on and find out.

Solo Travel Safety

One of the biggest concerns for aspiring solo female travelers is safety, which is why

Podcasts have become my jam over the past few years. Whether I’m cooking dinner, cleaning up, driving, walking, etc., having a free treasure trove of goodness to keep me informed and motivated is key.

There are thousands of podcasts out there that can teach us all kinds of new skills, tell wonderful stories, or educate us, but my favorite genre is motivation and personal development.

These are my (and my team’s) favorite motivational podcasts:

Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations

Oprah Winfrey often explores spirituality on her podcast and has interviewed many major names on the subject, like Eckhart Tolle and Pema Chödrön.

In her SuperSoul Conversations, Oprah and her guests examine life’s big questions and work to guide you to your best self. She also interviews musicians like Alicia Keys, comedians like Tina Fey, and public figures like Michelle Obama. Regardless of the specific subject matter, each episode is engaging, inspiring,

While it’s not the most common tourist destination in Canada, there’s a reason everyone who makes it to Newfoundland falls in love. Unspoiled wilderness, breathtaking hiking trails, whale watching, icebergs, and colorful communities make Newfoundland easy to fall for.

From a Newfoundland local, this post will help you plan a perfect Newfoundland itinerary:

Top Things to Do in Newfoundland

The best things to do are listed below going from east to west, but you could also do this itinerary in reverse if you’re coming in on the ferry to Port-aux-Basques.

While planning your trip, it’s important to remember that Newfoundland is a big province and takes 10 non-stop hours to drive across. To give everything in this itinerary justice would take two to three weeks, so if you have a shorter time frame just pick the regions that appeal to you most:

Eastern Newfoundland

St. John’s is the

Asheville is the nonconformist of North Carolina’s cities. It’s a part of the South, yet it doesn’t quite fit into this box. Asheville attracts both mountain enthusiasts and artsy folk, merging all of these influences to make a city that’s completely its own.

Asheville’s eccentric vibe has attracted celebrities throughout the years, from literary author Thomas Wolfe to the Obamas. Even the Vanderbilt family saw something special in the city and built the country’s largest home here!

While its increasing fame can give off the impression that Asheville is a quirky getaway for the rich, it’s totally doable on a budget. Here’s how:

Scout Out Your Stays

Nothing against hotels, but a true Asheville experience is best under the stars. If you decide to take a road trip to Asheville, there are a ton of campgrounds and RV Parks around. It’ll

The “shadow self” is the parts of ourselves that have been pushed down to the unconscious — the parts that we’re insecure about, ashamed of, or frustrated with and therefore repress.

The concept of the shadow self is based on the notion that we figuratively bury those pieces of personality that we fear would not be welcomed, accepted, or loved by others; therefore, we keep them in the “shadows.” In short, our shadow selves are the versions of ourselves that we do not show society.

So what is shadow work? This is the practice of loving what is, and setting the shame and judgements free, so that we can be our true selves.

As Victor Hugo famously said, “The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves”.

What is the Shadow Self?

Carl Jung, a

New Mexico is also known as the “Land of Enchantment”, a sentiment I wholeheartedly understand after road tripping through the state a few years ago. The staggering snow capped mountains, brilliant-colored desert sunsets, mouthwatering flavors of New Mexican food (chiles – green or red), and relaxing natural hot springs all come to mind.

I left New Mexico totally enamored with the state and have compiled the top things to do there:

Las Cruces

An hour outside of El Paso lies Las Cruces, a quiet town with a growing coffee scene and fun dive bars. Las Cruces is a great spot for an overnight stay en route to White Sands – there are several eccentric Airbnb properties in the area including former artist warehouses and shipping container homes. Be sure to check out High Desert Brewing Company for local craft beer, Chala’s Wood Fire Grill for their famous green