Let’s just say this gently and honestly.

If your idea of digital nomad life comes only from Instagram and TikTok, you are seeing maybe ten percent of the story. And that doesn’t mean those moments are fake. They’re real. They’re just incomplete.

Digital nomad life is beautiful, empowering, and freeing. It is also uncomfortable, grounding, lonely at times, and deeply personal. The reason so many people struggle with it is not because they aren’t cut out for travel. It’s because they weren’t prepared for the parts that don’t make it into highlight reels.

If you haven’t already, reading How to Become a Digital Nomad: A Realistic Step-by-Step Guide will give you the full foundation before diving deeper into this lifestyle.

The Day-to-Day Reality Most People Don’t Show

Most digital nomads are not on vacation all the time.

We still work. We still have deadlines. We still have stress. We still have days where we would rather stay in bed and not open our laptops. The difference is that your environment changes, not your responsibilities.

Some days you’ll work from a dreamy cafe. Other days you’ll work from your bed because the WiFi only works in one corner of your apartment. One small thing that’s helped me feel more comfortable working in public spaces is using a laptop privacy screen insert link, especially when I’m in busy cafes or coworking spots.

Freedom Sounds Amazing Until You Realize You Are the Structure

Freedom comes with responsibility.

When no one is telling you where to be or when to work, you have to create that structure yourself. Routine is what keeps digital nomad life from turning into chaos.

Having a consistent setup helps more than people realize, which is why I always travel with a lightweight laptop standinsert link and a portable wireless mouse insert link. Small comforts make a big difference when your environment is constantly changing.

Loneliness Is Part of the Experience (And That’s Not a Failure)

Loneliness is one of the most surprising parts of this lifestyle.

You can love being alone and still feel lonely. You can feel grateful and still miss familiarity. That doesn’t mean you made the wrong choice.

Learning how to sit with yourself, build community intentionally, and create small routines is what makes this lifestyle sustainable long-term. If mindset is something you’re navigating, The Mindset Shift You Need Before Becoming a Digital Nomad goes deeper into this emotional side of the journey.

Is Digital Nomad Life Worth It?

For the right person, absolutely. But only when you’re honest about what the lifestyle actually requires.

Digital nomad life isn’t about escaping your problems. It’s about meeting yourself in new environments and growing through it.

You don’t have to romanticize it to love it. You just have to understand it.

Until next time,
xoxo,
Dru <3

The post What Being a Digital Nomad Is Really Like (Not the Instagram Version) appeared first on justlikedru.

If the reason you haven’t packed up and booked your flight yet is because you feel like you need to financially be in a perfect spot in order to become a successful full-time digital nomad, you might be waiting forever babe. There’s literally no one set MAGIC number you need to hit. The truth is, most people don’t start with an unlimited amount of savings or even a consistent stream of passive income. We just start! We start with a plan, a little bit of financial breathing room, and the willingness to adjust. If you haven’t read How to Become a Digital Nomad: A Realistic Step-by-Step Guide, start there for the full scope of budgeting for the start of your journey as a nomad, there’s A TON of info there.

It’s Not About a Specific Dollar Amount

You’ll never find one single number that makes digital nomad life safe or sustainable. It’s just honestly not a thing.

What you’ll need to do to protect yourself financially before you head out solely depends on the location you’re traveling, whether you already have reliable income or not, and your personal tolerance for uncertainty in the financial department. A realistic approach most nomads take when first starting out, is having one to three months of living expenses for your specific starting location, plus a small emergency safety net.

One thing that genuinely helped me feel more organized and less stressed was using a physical travel budget planner. There are so many good ones on Etsy, and being able to write everything out made it way easier to see where my money was going and plan realistically.

Having an Abundant Savings Account Won’t Save You

TO BE HONESTTT, having a ton of money saved up without an actual financial plan set in place can actually be more anxiety inducing than you’d probably think. What’ll happen in because you have no plan and a ton of money is that you’ll feel like you’re good money wise, so you might tend to buy things you don’t actually need, or you’ll just keep watching your account so heavily that expenses begin to feel heavy and an extra (not necessary) stress factor.

Adequate planning is what will keep your mind calm. Especially if you’re a very financial aware person. Knowing your numbers and having a set plan for them will give you SO MUCH control.

If Etsy isn’t your thing, I also recommend grabbing a travel budget planner from Amazon! They have a ton too, I just typically go for Etsy because they’re printable, rather that a full book and babe, we need all the luggage room we can get over here, ya feel me? LOL!

Either one works, it’s all up to your person preference but I do definitely recommend choosing one or the other. You’d be surprised at the power in writing your finances down. Trust me, do it.

Budgeting Is About Awareness, Not Restriction

By no means does budgeting mean you’ll be cutting all the joy from your experience. It honestly will make it enjoyable! It’s so easy to blow through money when you’re traveling so this is just a boundary set in place to help you make more intentional choices when it comes to swiping your card!

If you want to know more about other mistakes new nomads make, and the best ways to avoid them… head over to my Beginner Mistakes New Digital Nomads Make (And How to Avoid Them) blog, as it’s the perfect follow up to all the things we just talked about here (:

Always remember!!!! Being prepared will beat being perfect EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

Ciao for now,
Dru <3

The post How Much Money You ACTUALLY Need to Become a Digital Nomad appeared first on justlikedru.

I heard you’ve been scrolling on TikTok and keep seeing people talking about UGC (user generated content) and how they’re getting paid to create content for brands, and now you’re wondering:

“What the hell is UGC???”

“Can I be a UGC creator and work with brands too?”

… “HOW ON EARTH DO I START???”

Easyyyy trigger lol, you’re in the right place! Take a deep breath, because I got you!

Get comfy, grab a pen and some paper to take a few notes and let’s break it all down so we can get you on your way to making REAL money and working with REAL brands as a UGC creator (because yes, you can absolutely do this, and no, you don’t need a huge following to start!).

Let’s begin ?

What is UGC?

Short and simple, user-generated content (UGC) is when everyday people (like you and me) create content for brands to use in their marketing.

You know when you’re scrolling on your instagram feed and like every 3-4 post or 2-3 story post is some random person making a post about about a product that helped them solve some huge problem they’d been having and couldn’t figure out what to do, and it has one of those “sponsored” labels at the top left corner of the vid??

YUP! 9/10 thats UGC.

And as authentic (or sometimes cringe-ily non authentic depending on the creator lol) as it may seem, it’s totally a brand deal and that creator likely got paid to make the video for the brand to use and run as an ad.

Now, despite a common myth regarding content creation and brand deals.. UGC isn’t about being an influencer or having thousands of followers (because you can literally have no social media accounts and be a successful UGC creator) it’s about brands wanting authentic, relatable content that speaks to their audience in a natural way.

Literally think TikTok videos, Instagram reels, or product photos that feel real rather than polished, nothing that has influencer lever high quality $1,000+ professional camera type, overproduced or edited, standard “collab” styled videos. THAT’S UCG!

Brands love UGC because for one, it builds trust. It feels like real people, using their products and posting about it because they like to post, not because they’re famous on social media and are getting paid to promote a link or something like that.

And for two, brands (especially new/small businesses) can’t always afford to pay influencers the rates they’re asking for which tend to be $10’s of $1,000’s of dollars for one post!

From a standard Instagram or TikTok/social media user, consumers would rather see a real person using a product than a staged commercial by an unrelatable celebrity they love like the newest winner of love island, or Alix Earle.

So because of this, companies are willing to pay smaller creators a pretty penny for good-quality content they can use in ads, social media, or on their websites.

How to Get Started with UGC

Getting started with UGC doesn’t require an overpriced, super fancy setup or even years of experience. It’s actually quite simple. Here’s everything you need:

A Strong Portfolio

YOUR PORTFOLIO IS GOLD!!!!
TAKE YOUR TIME WITH HER, LOVE HER, NURTURE HER, BECAUSE SHE TELLS A BRAND EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU CAN OFFER THEM AS A CREATOR.

This is where brand go to see what kind of content you can create before they’ll be willing to collaborate with you.

DON’T MAKE ME MAD! NO- YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT CAN NOT SERVE AS YOUR PORTFOLIO. STOP BEING LAZY, GET ON CANVA, AND MAKE SOMETHING NICE.

Depending on how serious you are about getting started, it won’t even take long.

When I first started UGC I had just gotten fired from my 9-5 that I HATED so I wasn’t playing any games at all. I had rent to pay so I knocked out my portfolio in like 5-6 days. There’s a ton of free templates you can use on canva. Do some research about what types of videos you should include in your portfolio, grab some everyday products you use and love that you find laying around in your home. And start filming!

You’ll need about 9-12 videos for a well thought out, and organized portfolio to put together and present to brands that will showcase your abilities to create content centered around the benefits of buying their products in an engaging way.

Pro tip: Just re-emphasizing this once more… you don’t need brand deals to create a portfolio! Just grab products you already own and start filming mock UGC content. No one will know if you’ve actually worked with the brand or not. Fake it till you make it.

A Compelling Pitch

Once your portfolio is ready, it’s go time!! It can seem scary, but whomp whomp, who cares… it’s officially time to reach out to brands.

Since you aren’t someone with a ton of followers, and automatic brand visibility, it’s your job to make sure brands notice you, and the only way to do that is to reach out to them.

Start in the dm’s, introduce yourself, tell them the type of content you create (your niche), and let them know that you love their brand, what it stands for, and after doing some research on their audience + their current marking strategy you have some ideas you would love to share with them. Ask for an email address you could send more info to and BOOM! Wait for a response (that you may, or may not get but hey! that’s the name of the game, the answer will always be no if you dont try), you’s be surprised at the number of brands that are willing to give out their email address even to people like you who have never worked with a brand a day in their life.

Once you’ve been given an email address basically just follow up with them via e-mail, re-introducing yourself as a creator, expressing your interest in working with them in an official collab, and pitching a few ideas you have as to how you can best deliver engaging content that converts to that specific audience.

Both of your pitches should be short, compelling, and personalized. Brands get tons of emails and DMs daily, so you need to stand out.

Your pitch should:

• Show that you understand the brand and its audience.
• Highlight your skills and how your content can benefit them.
• Have a clear ask (Are you offering a free sample video? Asking for a paid deal upfront?).

Engaging Content

Your content needs to stop the scroll, plain and simple. The attention spans of people scrolling on social media these days lasts about 3 seconds before they scroll to the next video, so capitalize on those three second seconds because they are valuable.

UGC has evolved so much. These days, it isn’t really so much about just being able to show a product, it’s more so about storytelling and making people feel like they need to try it themselves because it made such an impact on you (a “regular-degular” human being).

Tips for engaging UGC:

• Keep it short and to the point (5-15 seconds is ideal for TikTok & IG Reels).
• Show how the product fits into your everyday life.
• Use trending sounds and fast-paced cuts to keep it engaging.

What Equipment Do You Need?

Listen carefully, you DON’T need a $3,000 camera setup to create amazing UGC!! I’ve ran a successful UGC business for going on 3 years now and I literally USE my iPhone! I have multiple high end camera’s and literally prefer my phone.

ANDDD, believe it or not… most brands prefer content filmed on a phone. Why? Because like we discussed earlier, it looks and feels more authentic to the average consumer eye. You can still get amazing high-quality footage on an iPhone (and no, not the newest model) and good lighting.

Here’s a few tips to help you level-up on a budget:

Smartphone – An iPhone or high-quality Android works perfectly fine!! Just make sure your camera settings are optimized.

Good lighting – A ring light or filming directly near a window during peak sunlight hours will do wonders.

Tripod – This is a necessity, not gonna lie. It really helps with keeping shots steady, unique and professional looking.

Microphone (optional) – I don’t typically use one tbh, but.. if you plan on doing voiceovers, a small mic can help with crisp audio (caput has nice audio effect that will give you the same quality though).

That’s it! I told you nothing crazy was required, honestly just solid knowledge on basic content creation skills.

Ready to Land Your First Paid Brand Deal?

Now that you’ve gotten a full overview of UGC is and how to get started, it’s time to take action!! I know how it can feel, but please dont be intimated or scared. You literally got this!

If you’re feeling overwhelmed (or just want a shortcut to landing your first paid brand deal in 30 days), I can help you a little bit more!!

I created This 4-step UGC Beginner’s Guide to walk you through every step. We cover building a strong portfolio, crafting a pitch that gets responses, and actually securing paid partnerships with brands!!

Want in? Grab my guide and start getting paid for your content today!

Get the FREE instant download UGC Beginner’s Guide Here!

As always, I’m here for WHATEVER you need. Shoot me a msg on social media, or you can even sign up for a 1-on01 consultation on my website!

Until next time, Dru <3

The post What is UGC and How Do I Get Started? appeared first on justlikedru.

If you’ve ever caught yourself searching up things like “how to become a digital nomad” or “what is a digital nomad” at 2am while actively fighting sleep because you can’t stop thinking about working from a café somewhere far, FAR away… hi baby cakes. You’re in the right place (:

The digital nomad lifestyle sounds dreamy (because well.. it lowkey is lol). Working remotely. Traveling freely. No boss micro-managing your every move. No office politics or fake vibes. It’s just you, your laptop, and a life that actually feels aligned with who you’re meant to be.

But I’ll be the first to tell ya…
It can also feel confusing, overwhelming, and slight scary af when you don’t know where to start.

Don’t worry though, that’s you have me and this guide that’s about break it ALL down for you. No gatekeeping whatsoever. I’m sitting in the desk chair, at a hotel in Arizona writing every detail for you so that way, by the end of this blog post, you’ll have a clear, realistic, beginner-friendly roadmap to becoming a digital nomad, even if you’re starting from scratch.

So I hope you’re ready, because we’re about to get into it.

What Is a Digital Nomad (Like… Actually)

A digital nomad is someone who earns money online and uses that flexibility to live and travel wherever they want. Depending on your personal preference of course, some people move every few weeks, while others stay in one country for months at a time. Some like slow travel, some bounce around at a faster pace. It’s literally ALL UP TO YOU!

There’s no one “right” way to do this. Digital nomads can be:

• Remote employees
  
• Freelancers
  
• Content creators
  
• Online business owners
  
• Virtual assistants
  
• Designers, writers, marketers, editors
  
• People with multiple income streams

But the one thing they all have in common, is location freedom.

Despite what people often think.. you don’t need to be rich, you need to quit your job tomorrow, and most importantly, you definitely DON’T need to have it all figured out before you start.

Step 1: Decide What Kind of Digital Nomad You Want to Be

Right off the bat, before you try to do anythinggg else, you need clarity. Please…. don’t confuse this with perfection, nothing in life is perfect. You honestly just need some solid direction.

Ask yourself:

• Do I want a stable remote job or flexible freelance work?
  
• Do I want to travel full-time or part-time?
  
• Do I want consistency or variety?
  
• Do I need predictable income to feel safe?

Some people thrive as digital nomads with a full-time remote role. Others love the constant change of taking on freelance job or even making their money from content creation. Neither is better than the other, it’s all about what fits best for your lifestyle (and nervous system LOL).

Unfortunately, this is the part where most people get stuck and opt out of this way of life, because no one explains how to choose correctly. Double unfortunately, this exact decision-making process is WAY too much to break-down in the blog post alone, but it is something I walk you through step by step in my Digital Nomad Starter Guide, so you’re not just guessing and hoping for the best. So if you’re interested in learning more about that I would 100% download it after you’re done reading this!!

Step 2: Build or Choose a Remote Income Stream

It’s completely impossible to digital nomad without income, if it were possible I’m pretty sure everyone in the world would do it. Let’s be real, romanticizing your dream life won’t pay for WiFi babe. So, real quick, here are beginner-friendly digital nomad jobs that actually work:

Remote Jobs

• Customer support
  
• Marketing coordinator
  
• Social media manager
  
• Project manager
  
• Operations assistant

Freelance & Online Services

• Virtual assistant
  
• Content creator or UGC creator
  
• Copywriter
  
• Graphic designer
  
• Video editor
  
• Website designer

Business-Based Options

• Blogging
  
• Digital products
  
• Coaching or consulting
  
• Affiliate marketing

You do NOT need experience in all of these to be a successful digital nomad. You only need one path that matches your skills or even if they aren’t skills that you currently have they need to be skills you’re willing to learn (and, willing to learn on your own since as we discussed before.. you don’t have a boss breathing down your neck forcing you to get your shit done).

Step 3: Get Your Finances Right (Without Any Stress)

Okay next.. it’s easy to avoid this topic it since it’s probably the most stressful factor of digital nomadism (especially in this economy), butttt for like two minutes.. let’s talk about money, so that we aren’t stressing about it later down the line.

How Much Money Do You Need to Start

Most beginner digital nomads feel the most comfortable starting with:

• 2 to 4 months of living expenses saved
  
• A consistent income stream (or at least signed contracts)
  
• A basic budget for travel, housing, and emergencies
  

You don’t need to be stacked with hundreds of thousands of dollars. You just need to be prepared with a set amount that is strategically thought out.

Expenses to Plan For

• Housing
  
• Flights or transportation
  
• Food
  
• Health insurance
  
• WiFi and phone plans
  
• Emergency buffer
  

The goal isn’t to have a flawless, 100% competed financial budget set for yourself, it’s literally all about planning out something realistic the set you up for a sustainable lifestyle while on the go.

I promised our $$$ chat would be quick, so if you want to dive deeper into this topic, check out my Digital Nomad Starter Guide! Inside I’ve include budgeting prompts and planning tools to help you get your financials in order so you’re not just hoping things work out, but instead can make sure they actually do.

Step 4: Choose Your First Destination Smartly

Your first digital nomad destination matters more than your tenth or twelfth.

Beginner-friendly places usually have:

• Reliable WiFi
  
• Affordable cost of living
  
• Strong nomad or expat communities
  
• Easy visas
  
• Good healthcare access

Many first-time digital nomads start in:

• Southeast Asia
  
• Central America
  
• Southern Europe
  
• Certain parts of South America

Pro tip: Don’t get caught up in choosing your first destination based solely on Instagram aesthetics you see when scrolling down your feed.

Choose what’s easy, and what best help new nomads life yourself, seamlessly build their confidence when first stepping into this lifestyle.

Step 5: Handle the Logistics (This Too, Is Where Most People Panic)

This part may sound a little so early in the game, but it’s crucial because skipping it is actually the reason people quit early.

Things you need to think about:

• Visas and length of stay
  
• Health and travel insurance
  
• Banking and cards
  
• SIM cards or eSIMs
  
• Backups for income and tech

You don’t need to solve everything today for your entire journey as a digital nomad, just lock in for your first move and you’ll quickly see that even though things change and evolve often, you’ll become a freaking pro at it, as long as you’re not afraid to tackle the hard/boring logistics early on.

Step 6: Build Routines That Support Your Life, Not Just Your Work

Being a digital nomad is BOMBB for people who love travel and value freedom, period. Buttt, on the flip side, freedom without structure can turn to chaos REAL QUICK.

Things that help avoid this:

• A loose daily routine
  
• Movement or workouts
  
• Boundaries between work and travel
  
• Community or connection
  
• Time offline

You don’t need to romanticize the whole grind culture thing, to be successful. Setting realistic systems that keep you grounded will work in your favor in ways you wouldn’t even believe.

Common Digital Nomad Mistakes to Avoid

I want to save you some stress. So take note of some of the most common mistakes to avoid as a new, or soon to be digital nomad:

• Quitting your job before having income
  
• Overbooking travel and underworking
  
• Ignoring time zones
  
• Not budgeting realistically
  
• Comparing your journey to creators who’ve been doing this for years
  
• Thinking struggle equals success

You’re allowed to build this slowly and safely. Don’t give in to the pressure of packing up and buying a one way ticket today because you see people “doing” that on the internet.

Regardless of what they’re saying, I promise you.. THEY PLANNED FOR IT FIRST!

Is the Digital Nomad Lifestyle Worth It?

Short answer: YES!!! 1,000% YES!

Long answer: still… YES!!! But, for the right person. It’s worth it if you value freedom, adaptability, personal growth, and learning how to trust yourself in new environments.

Do notttt be fooled thought, it’s not a permanent vacation. It’s a still the everyday working lifestyle that requires intention if you don’t want to be burned the hell out.

But likeeee, idk maybe I’m biased but when it’s done right, it can change how you see work, money, and your own personal capabilities forever.

Your Next Steps (Because Clear Visions Beats Overthinking)

If you’ve reached this point in the blog, my hope is that you’re feeling better in terms of a head start but if you’ve come this far and you’re still thinking:

“Okay… but how do I actually start?”

I know yall, I KNOWWWW I keep saying it but for the last time. It’s ALL in my guide. Like, this is exactly why I created the Digital Nomad Starter Guide.

There’s a ton to cover if you wanna do it, and not just do it, but do it right from DAY ONE. So I figured, instead of overwhelming you and blasting everything in a single blog post, It’d be best to put together everything I know and have learned (through a number of mistakes I’m too embarrassed to mention), in the most thought out and intentional way possible. Which is this insantly available pdf guide.

It’s 30 pages of EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW compiled into a calm, supportive, beginner-friendly pdf download that walks you through:

• Choosing the right remote income path
  
• Planning your first move
  
• Budgeting without stress
  
• Staying safe and grounded
  
• Building routines that support your mental health
  
• Creating a digital nomad life that actually feels aligned

I honestly only made it because I wish that I had something like this before I packed up on a whim and went to Peru.

If I diddd, I probably wouldn’t have come home for two months because I was broke AF and didn’t know what to do next.

It really is the perfect tool for getting started.

No matter what, always remember that even though you might be walking into a new lifestyle alone, the community is huge and there’s so many people (like me) who do it and do it well, so by no means necessary do you need to figure it out alone. USE ME!!

I have so many resources available to you between my blog, my social media account, and I even offer coaching sessions that are 1 on 1 where I can help you plan it all out if you don’t think you can do it yourself (even though I know for a fact that you can). You quite literally just need a clear next step, each step of the way.

So save yourself the headaches, grab the Guide, and go ALL IN as you start building your version of this life you’re literally made for with confidence.

You got this. I promise!!!

Until Next Time,

Dru <3

The post How to Become a Digital Nomad (Beginner-Friendly Step-by-Step Guide) appeared first on justlikedru.

Hiiiii, so ummm, like yeaaaaa…. ya guessed right- it’s me!! In less than two weeks I’ll be off to Egypt, and I’m SO F*CKING EXCITED!!!!!!! WTHELLY!

It’s actually really crazy to think about honestly, lowkey, I don’t even know if it’s fully hit me yet but it’s really happening y’all. I’m talking flights have been booked, accommodations are in place, only thing I need is a new piece of roller luggage (bc I’m so tired of lugging this daggon duffle bag around), and to do a little bit of shopping bc duhhh… I’m going to Egypt, you think I’m bringing the same ‘ole clothes I always wear? LOL, Absolutely tf not. I need a few new pieces to show off

I’ll be spending the next two months in Hurghada, it’s a coastal city along the Red Sea, and during my time there I’ll be helping out at a super cute coliving villa called redNERD Coliving!

I’ll be coming in and working alongside another Worldpackers volunteer who I’ve been communicating with over the past few weeks while going through the application process! She’s been volunteering there for a few months now and spoke SO highly of it, she’s done a few other Worldpacker opportunities and swore this one has hands down been her favorite one yet, so I’m looking forward to seeing what they hype is all about. I’m really excited to not just be in Africa for the first time but to also be in a space where there’s other people in a close knit environment (because lets be honest, solo travel can be a bit lonely sometimes).

Since this is a work exchange opportunity, I’ll be responsible for doing a mixture of tasks. Mostly consisting of social media work, but it’s also likely that I’ll be helping out around the villa making sure everything is running smoothly, checking in guests, and basically just becoming one of the well-known friendly faces around the space! It’s giving very much continuing to live out my little remote work girly dreams but this time we’ve got some Egyptian vibes to throw into the mix too.

What’s Worldpackers?

As huge of a platform as it, there are so many new travelers that have never heard of it and would probably benefit from it SO MUCH. To keep it simple, Worldpackers is a platform that connects travelers with volunteer/work-exchange opportunities all around the world!

It’s super cool because it allows travelers to exchange a few hours of work doing basic tasks (like running the reception desk, content creation, cooking, cleaning, etc.) for a free place to stay, and in a lot of cases, you get meals (up to 3 a day), tours/activities for free, and even sometimes a little stipend!

Literally anyone can sign up (digital nomads, solo travelers, couples/pairs, backpackers, mid-life crisis/gap year girlies, like… literally anyone), and there are THOUSANDS of opportunities in over 100 countries, so there’s legit something for every type of traveler <3

I applied to a total of four opportunities before hearing back from this specific host and I was so happy when I saw the notification pop up because out of all the four I applied to, this one just felt SO ALIGNED, like it was made for me. It’s something creative, social, near the water, and I get my own private room (which was kinda important for me since this is my first time doing a work exchange opportunity).

I can yap for days about Worldpackers, the process, and the hopes/expectations I have for the exchange but I’ll save that for now. I’ll be giving TONS of real time updates on everything I experience as I navigate my way through the process, so no worries babe, that’s all soon to come <3

As for now, if you’re curious about learning more of what Worldpackers has to offer or wanna just jump in full throttle and become a member so you can try it out for yourself, here’s the link to their website along with my discount code (JUSTLIKEDRU) that’ll get you $$$ off when you sign up!

So… What’s in Hurghada, Egypt?

I won’t lie… I definitely did have to google Hurghada when I first saw the listing. Ironically, as much as I love to travel, I’m not the best with geography so if I’m keeping it all the way 100, I quickly opened up ChatGPT and asked if the location checked off all my boxes and boy oh boy, did it??!!!

Hurghada is stunningggg, I really don’t know why it’s not talked about more because when those pictures populated my jaw DROPPED HUNNY! She’s warm, she’s sunny, she’s got A TON of turquoise waters with desert mountains in the background, which means i’ll be flicking it up for the gram, scuba diving like f*ck, tanning, and doing what I do best! It’s right up my alley, and even more so given the fact it’s an Egyptian town that’s wayyyy less crowded than the other parts that are more well known. 

Not to be confused though, you know I have to see all I can during my time there, so of course I’m planning to not just explore locally, but I’ll be squeezing in some mini trips to the tourist landmarks everyone knows like the Pyramids in Cairo, the Dead Sea, and whatever other spontaneous adventures pop up along the way! 

I’m also super happy because this is the perfect time to take advantage of creating some manifestation content to hopefully catch the attention of a few new brands I’ve been dying to partner with, LOL. I use them all the time when I travel anyways so why not film about it and see if they reach out.. let me put you on real quick:

• TripBFF– This is the go-to app for planning travel days without the added stress. It lets you build out your itinerary, add activities, and get time estimates so you’re not running around missing stuff. It’s like having a super organized “type-a” friend who loves making a travel plan anddddd, it even shows you other travelers in the area so you can meet other people like you! Although I haven’t

• Airalo – A must have for eSIMs, like literally don’t go abroad without this! This is how I always stay connected abroad without hunting down a SIM card once I land or calling the Verizon store begging them to adjust my cellphone plan. It’s super easy, you just download an eSIM before you head out, and boom! You’ve got fast, reliable, coverage as soon as you touch down without any drama, roaming charges, or asking the dreadful “do you have Wi-Fi?” everywhere you go. 

• Viator – I book everythanggggg through viator and not because I have a deal with them, they just really make it super stinking easy! They’ve got it all, from snorkeling to desert safaris to food tours and museum passes, Viator is THE way to go. You can book before you go if you want, but I usually just wait it out until I get there and feel out the vibe of where it is I’m traveling to.

Let’s Goooo

To make a long story short, I’m reallyyyy looking forward to this next chapter of life. Living in Egypt for a few months, getting better with my content, meeting new people from all over the world, and.. idk, just doing something that feels different but oh so good (:

Of courseeee, I’ll be sharing all the BTS, expected and unexpected chaos, wins, and every single “what-the-hell-am-I-doing” moment, so I hope you’re ready for the ride <3 

As always, If you’ve got questions about anything or if you just simply want to follow along for the journey, make sure you:

• Drop a comment below and tell me what content you wanna see!
• Join the blog community so you don’t miss out on any formal updates/new blogs
• Follow me on IG, TikTok, YouTube, etc., to keep up with the not so clean cut adventurous that are SOOO on the way!!

Okie dokes, that’s all for now, so.. I’ll see ya’ll in Egypt right? <3

The post I’m Going to Egypt (!!!) for My First Worldpackers Experience appeared first on justlikedru.

Okay so, as y’all know I’ve been in Colombia for about 6 weeks now… LOVEE IT HERE. But, I also did something new, and signed up for Spanish classes!

Which is so funny because when I first started traveling people would ask me all the time if I was going to learn another language and I quickly answered no every time because tbh I never felt the need. In Peru I was able to get by just fine without knowing how to speak Spanish, Guatemala was a BREEZE I never blinked twice there when it came to a language barrier, and honestly pretty much the same for all the other spanish speaking countries I’ve visited recently like Mexico, Panama, and even in certain parts of Costa Rica… but Colombia??? A WHOLE DIFFERENT STORY!

They don’t speak a lick of English here. Like, I’m talking 90% to 10% ratio babes, and thennnn, to top it offfff, they speak so fast that even if I did want to try to understand what they were saying there isn’t enough time to process it before getting overwhelmed and responding with my good ‘ole reliable “no gracias” and walking away LOL.

For the first few days it worked, but given that I planned on being in Medellin for at least a month I knew that wasn’t going to get me by much longer so I hopped on Google to find Spanish classes in my area, and next thing you know I was enrolled at Valley Spanish School!

spoiler alert: signing up for classes here has by far been one of the best decisions I’ve made while traveling.

Why Medellín?

Let me take you back a bit…. So, originally I wanted to go straight to Cartagena. It was by the beach, warm sunny weather, and when I searched it on TikTok there was literally ALWAYS something fun popping up to do. But, I flew into Medellín on a Friday afternoon because they had the best flight options (since I was coming from Panama), and despite landing with the intention of only being there a week or two, by the end of the weekend I was not only enrolled in a monthly membership at the BEST hot pilates studio ever, I was also set up to start taking classes the following Monday morning! So at that point, it was safe to say I was going to be there for a while.

Medellin just has this undeniable energy, that just sucks you in. It’s warm (and not just the weather, I’m talking about the people too), affordable, and very popular amongst travelers and digital nomads. I think this is what makes it such a perfect place to learn Spanish because you can actually use it every day, and use it in a way where you don’t get judged or looked at funny because you’re learning.

I mean from chatting with your Uber driver to ordering food at your favorite local restaurant, it goes much further than just the classroom… it’s a full cultural immersion so I knew it was the perfect place to be.

Starting Classes at Valley Spanish School

Walking into Valley Spanish School on the first day, I had no idea what to expect. I took French all throughout high school and college so I knew little to no Spanish AT ALL. Like if I knew it, it was from watching Dora back in kindergarten, not because I have a small foundation like many people who were introduced to the basics back in grade school.

Despite those typical first day jitters though, everyone was so super welcoming! The teachers, the other student in my class, and even the receptionist (who greeted me in Spanish, but didn’t make me feel bad when I answered in Spanglish lol).

I’ve been taking a 2-hour beginner group class for just over two weeks now, usually with 1–2 other students. My teacher, Veronica, is an absolute dream! Her teaching style is perfect for people like me who haven’t been in school for a while because we get a great mix of real-world conversation and textbook/vocab practice.

We usually kick off class with some casual conversation, which I love. It gives me a chance to bring up things I’ve heard or tried to say while exploring the city but didn’t fully understand. Then we get into a more structured lesson where we learn vocab, conjugations, etc.

No shade at all to Duolingo, but nothing compares to actually speaking with a real human and other students. It makes it so much easier to learn because you’re getting a real understanding and not just memorizing phrases so you can pass a little “quiz” and watch a bird dance on your phone screen.

One of the many things I love about Valley is that it doesn’t feel like a stuffy language academy. It has such a relaxed and supportive vibe that makes me excited to learn something new everyday! I really appreciate the fact that the classes are so naturally interactive, I think they do an amazing job at creating a learning environment that doesn’t make the students want to hide in a corner when it’s their turn to speak.

Plus, they offer SO MANY fun cultural activities like food tastings and dance classes, along with discounts on everyday things such as tourism tours and housing options!! Like seriously, what more could you ask for?

My Spanish Progress

Whenever people find out I’m taking Spanish classes, they always ask me if I know how to fully speak it and tell me to say something. Such a loaded request because like it’s a language and I’ve only been enrolled for like two weeks so to expect me to KNOWWW Spanish is wild LOL. Like, I’m literally still very much a beginner, so do I know how to speak Spanish? I’m still going to answer with no, BUT… after just two weeks of classes I can:

• Order food like a pro (no more awkward pointing lol)
• Small talk with locals without feeling shy or quickly yelling out “no habla ingles”
• Ask for everyday things like directions, where to find something, or how much something costs
• Introduce myself with more than just my name (where I’m from, what my occupation is, why I’m in Colombia, etc.)

And MOST IMPORTANTLY… I know how to say “WHERE ARE THE RICH MEN AT???” LMFAO, as I should!

No, seriously though.. I think it’s so wild how much more connected and comfortable I feel to the country just by taking a few classes at my local Spanish school. I’m really excited to see how much I can take in while I continue to explore and move further along in my curriculum at the school (because they offer online classes, so even when I leave I plan to continue my studies)!

Would I Recommend Taking Spanish Classes?

Well that depends… is the sky blue???

DUHHH I RECOMMEND! I would recommend taking Spanish classes one million times over again, especially if you travel a lot! The dynamic changes so much that it’s really one of those things you need to see for yourself

If you’re thinking about learning Spanish, or even if you’re just planning visit Medellin, YOU NEED TO GO CHECK OUT VALLEY SPANISH SCHOOL.

They’re the best place to be. Take a few classes, or take them for a month- whatever works best for you but just trust me when I say, you need to do it! You’ll see how much better life in a Spanish speaking country is when you aren’t trying to survive off Google Translate and fake sign language.. L O L!

If you’re interested in learning more, take a second to check them out here—and don’t forget to tell them I sent you ??

Until next time,

Dru <3

a.k.a. your favorite travel bestie

The post What It’s Like Learning Spanish in Medellín, Colombia (As a TOTAL Beginner) appeared first on justlikedru.