I’ve inadvertently been coined a travel blogger, probably because 90% of my content now relates to travel topics – either UK or international. Either way, travel has fundamentally been the one constant in my life since I decided to leave my sixth form college all those years ago and delve in to the travel industry as a profession back in 2008. It seems such a long time ago that my 17 year old self decided that it was the path I was going to take and ultimately set my soul on fire.
I’d blogged from around 2011, quietly, on the side lines. I never drew attention to my little space on the web (this blog was originally called “Rebecca Likes to Travel” before becoming “QueenBeady”) as I didn’t want others to read my little life anecdotes, I implore you don’t look back on those archives because Christ knows what was going on in that little head of mine at the time. But, nonetheless it was my little baby that served a purpose at the time (and still does!) and that was to feel a little less lonely through the week when husbands, family and friends were working and I worked weekends instead.
Working in the travel industry at first was something that excited me, the uniform made me feel like a cool air hostess and finding people’s perfect holidays always put a smile on my face. The first place I worked as an apprentice, had a coconut air scent and I can still remember the smell to this day and how it made me feel like I, myself, was on holiday too. It was fascinating, fast paced and a world I was sucked in to very quickly! I was lucky enough to visit Dubai and one of the world’s largest cruise ships, oh and find myself all the cheapest deals on our view data system for future breaks away!
Travel seemed to become a huge part of my identity very quickly. Everyone would ask me to find them the latest deals and the hottest new spots to travel to, and if it wasn’t that people would be quizzing me on my own adventures and asking me where I was heading to next. I was a walking, talking travel lover who wanted to spread my knowledge and love for venturing around the globe as much as I could.
Fast-forward to 2019 and sadly, I no longer work in the travel industry (think low wages and very little perks for a heck of a lot of work and responsibility in travel management) The recession made it harder to close deals, there were redundancies left, right and centre and the industry was changing a lightning speed – and not in a good way. So, in 2014 I had decided that it was time that I took myself out of the equation of strict rules and regulations, tightening of belts and the looming worry of our shop being the next one to close (weirdly enough, a year after I left, it did!) so, instead I moved on to bigger and better things for myself but the passion for travel was always still there and residing in me, it was a sad but necessary decision that I needed to make. For my sanity and my bank balance!
Travel was no longer a part of my daily routine which to be honest, totally sucked. I loved that I’d broken free from certain barriers that were stopping me from progressing in life but the lust to still share my love for holidays was still there. That’s when my blog started to become more travel focussed, my passion was reignited.
That year I booked my very first luxury holiday. Because, I could now. I had the freedom of better wages to book even more incredible trips around the world. Something I thought I would never be able to do after leaving the travel industry behind. The year after I travelled to four amazing countries, plus had lots of wonderful trips here in the UK.
I think for me, travel means so much because of the amazing experiences, cultures and memories I have from each and every trip. Each new destination is a bucket list destination because it’s a dream each time we hop on a plane. We get to engage with the locals, eat the authentic food dishes and create so many happy times with my husband that it’s something I can cherish for as long as my mind will let me.
We’ve enjoyed our first trip as husband and wife within a few days of getting married, which will forever be the honeymoon that I’ll always look back fondly on. I’ve swam with dolphins in the wild. I’ve seen wonders of the world. I’ve been in the cells of Jewish holocaust survivors. I’ve seen and experienced things that have elated me and others that equally shook me to the core. These things I would not have been able to do had I have not got on a plane and ventured to foreign lands. It’s definitely what I call, “character building.”
It’s been an escape from turbulent times, when works been hard to deal with or the sale of our house seemed to take forever and a day. When shit things happen in life there’s nothing a hot country, sand between your toes and a Pina colada won’t solve if you put your mind to it. I’m constantly glued to my email, be it work or for my blog and going on holiday is one thing that totally shuts that typical millennial behaviorism down. I pick up a book, I make use of the water sports on the beach. Sometimes, I just stare out to sea for as long as I possibly can to completely free my mind. I’m my least anxious when I’m away so my mental health benefits massively.
I’ve overcome body issues whilst being abroad. My body has fluctuated between being slim to putting on quite a few extra pounds over the years and I’ve dealt with it each time with gusto. Wobbly bits or no wobbly bits, my body is ready for any beach – whether people like it or not. My story has gone on to inspire others to share their experiences of being “bikini body ready” (cue the eye roll for that term!) and how we’ve all come to accept our bodies are ready for our bikini’s no matter what.
The opportunities travel blogging has brought me are second to none, I’ve boarded the skies and explored closer to home – but each time I feel refreshed and ready to tackle anything because my mind is so clear from experiencing something new. I’m totally honoured when a travel brand reaches out and wants to work with me.
We’ve slummed it in really rubbish 2 star all inclusive’s where we both learnt to laugh at things when they wrong. We’ve stayed in 5 star luxury hotels that have catered to our every whim because we decided we worked hard and we deserved it. I’ve hopped on budget airlines, to the Dreamliner. I’ve taken coach trips and travelled Eurostar. Whatever the means or the method, I really don’t care – as long as I’m heading on an adventure.
It may sound strange to some that travel can have such an impact on one’s life, but truly, it has. I feel like I’m the best version of myself (yes, corny I know) when I’m away because I’m happy, carefree and worrying less about life. I mean, who doesn’t want to feel like that on a regular basis? It gives me a pretty damn good excuse to keep searching for cheap flights, that’s for sure.
Twitter | Instagram | BlogLovin | Pinterest | Facebook
Sign up to the QueenBeady Community Newsletter here!
