How I turned my love to travel into a full time job

It’s been 2 years. Maybe a little bit more however I am counting it as 2 years as exactly 2 years ago in August I was invited to my first blogger event hosted by We Are Travel Girls. This event and meeting so many incredible girls from all over the world seriously motivated, inspired and gave me the faith to believe in my dream career. But let’s start from the beginning as I never shared it with you.

Crochet dress by Uli Herzner

How did I get to where I am? Well, first of all- my love to travel. Since I can remember I’ve always loved travelling and exploring. Already as a teenager I would spent all my little savings for a weekend trip abroad with school friends. In high school I was involved in organising student exchanges and this is how I slowly started to see the world and fall in love with it. During my last semester at high school I have decided that after the final exams I am going to work abroad all summer before starting off the University. The only question was WHAT JOB. I was 19 with zero experience. What I had in mind was simple- abroad, sunshine and money to be just fine. So here I came with a crazy idea- I have decided to do an animator course. You know these crazy people dancing zumba, playing with the kids, organising streching, aqua aerobic and generally entertaining everyone in the hotel? Yup, that was my dream job 6 years ago! So I did finish the course, got all the certificates and the last part was the casting. It was terryfing! I mean if I think of it now I am pretty amazed how brave and stubborn I was at such a young age! Well, I did get the job! I have signed my first contract and got hired by a hotel in Kos Island, Greece. Not to get too much into details ( but I really wanted you to know this story as it was such an important period in my life!) I’ve had the most incredible summer, met people from all over the world, fallen in love with Greece, languages, beautiful sunny weather and this was the place where I’ve taken my first photos and already started to think of having a blog where I could share these magical moments and captures with the world.

Here’s few images! Found them on Facebook haha! 19 year old The Blonde Flamingo

After the most magical summer in Greece I came back to Poland where I’ve started the University. Ok, let me be absolutely honest with you- I HATED IT and lasted around 2 weeks. I felt like I am literally from a different planet. I was a happy sunshine person in grey rainy country and people who mainly went to uni because parents told them to. I was trying to push myself so hard, but one day I came back home crying and told myself „ NOPE, not doing it! Life’s too short”. I couldn’t imagine myself being there and following a well-known system- uni, finding the boyfriend, getting married and having kids. I wanted to LIVE and see the world. My parents were obviously shocked and I am sure- dissapointed however I was feeling that down that I knew I have to get away. All I wanted was travelling and living surrounded by happy, energetic and inspiring people. I needed this positivity back in my life! Few days later I packed my pink suitcase and flew to London.

I wish I could say the beginning in London was colorful and easy but it was not. I really struggled. With job, with money, with lack of friends. The truth is, i have been feeling so alone and I have made many mistakes trying to fit in somewhere where I did not. I was working 2 crappy jobs. I was surrounded by people I would normally never go out with. But I was alone, I was depressed, homesick but not homesick, I just couldn’t find my place at all. At one point I was feeling that lost that I decided to go on a solo trip back to Kos Island in Greece. When I look at it now, I really think this trip helped me. It helped me to realise what’s important, what makes me happy and what is missing in my life. I was missing doing what I love. I guess many of us have been feeling this way at some point of our lives. And the key is to realise it, move our asses and change it! It took me ages to move mine really. To change the job I hated. I stuck there for way too long! But when I finally found the courtage to quit – that was the beginning of my journey! I am not going to lie it was scary! But now I know it was only my inner fear and lack of confidence. Surprisingly I found a new job very quickly. This is how I became a part of Soho House family. I’ve worked for the company for over 3 years, growing from receptionist to my dream Social Media role while constantly investing money in new travel destinations. At first, I did not know I can earn any money from it, but this was not something I was thinking about then. I was making my travel dreams come true and posting all adventures on my Instagram. One day we woke up in the morning ( after a very inspiring birthday trip to Ibiza!) with a name „theblondeflamingo” ( my Instagram used to be my name and surname when I first started). I thought- OMG it matches perfectly! I always loved these pink birds and considered myself similar with my pink obsession and weird flamingo looking legs! So The Blonde Flamingo- the new exciting beginning!

I remember how excited I was when I reached 3000 followers on my Instagram and I started to get approached by first brands. I remember tears in my eyes when the brand I love – Dancing Leopard messaged me saying they would love to send me a dress for my next trip! I literally couldn’t believe it- as I said I was cluess about how it all works! And here, after few months I was invited to We Are Travel Girls event. I think I was the smallest Influencer invited and I was honoured and overwhelmed. I remember even asking Becky and Vanessa (the Founders) why did I even get invited and they said my photos are so beautiful, colorful and that I have potential. I really needed this kick! Seeing these boss girls travelling the world, living their dream life without any limits helped me to believe in my dream. I am forever grateful ladies!

PS. We keep in touch until today and I’m attending another We Are Travel Girls meet up at the end of this month!

I’ve started to invest more and more. First in Europe escapes, then slowly started to explore other continents. Nothing was making me happier than a new stamp in my passport! I was already living the dream, my dream. I discovered places I though I would never be able to! But now I know- we can do ANYTHING. It’s a lot of sacrifice, hard work and savings but the world is wide open and we can see it at any budget. The word „impossible” doesn’t exist in my dictionary anymore.

I am not going to lie, builing my presence on Social Media wasn’t easy. While my channels were growing I kept loosing „friends”. Some of them used to tell me what I do is stupid or that they could never do what I do- let me tell you a funny thing- now they are wearing same outfits and travelling to same places as I do- greetings👋🏼 I’ve also heard that it worked out because I’m lucky. Some people used to gossip I have a rich boyfriend. Another “friend” would use me to build own Social Media presence. It’s incredible what some people can do to make you feel down or even give up. Well, I didn’t. It wasn’t easy but I had people who believed in me. My mum, boyfriend and real friends were by my side all the time pushing me towards my dreams. This journey definitely showed me what the word “friend” means. It was very painful but I’m grateful as I’ve learnt a great lesson.

This year was the harderst. I’ve been already on Social Media position and this was also when my following started to grow very fast. It was so hard to combine my full time position at work with meeting PRs, attending events, going on press trips, creating content, looking after my accounting, invoices, delivering everything on time. I was so stressed out and tired. You can read more about my struggles here. But I didn’t give up. I continued growing my Social Media career and running my business on the side. I never stopped learning, reading and exchanging the knowledge and experience with others. And here I am now, after one year of working crazy amount of hours and being completely exhausted- in Greece, on the sun bed sharing my story. It’s been around 2 months since I quitted my Social Media job and decided to travel and blog full-time. I have been travelling non stop, creating content for brands while being by the ocean and making a very good salary of out it. That was my biggest fear while quitting my full-time job as I got used to having a double salary for the past year from full time job and a blog income on the top but it’s been working out so far! I think it’s really important to have enough savings and few clients who work with you every month before making this very exciting but still a risky decision. It took me a while to get ready financially as I couldn’t imagine doing this job without having a real home. I love travelling the world but I also love knowing I have my little home in the city of my dreams- London.

I am not sure where this journey will take me from now on, but what I know is- I am living my dream and will continue no matter how hard it will be. Thank you for helping me to get here and supporting me on this journey. I am here now to support you and motivate you on yours. I hope my little story will inspire you to follow your dreams no matter what they say. Don’t try to fit in if you don’t. Write your own story.

XOXO,

The Blonde Flamingo