The good news
Last week I was thrilled to find out that While I’m Young has been shortlisted for Best Travel Blog in the North East Blogger Awards.
There are just two other (fabulous) blogs in the running to be crowned best travel blog, and I’m very proud to feature on the list of top North East based bloggers. It’s a particularly flattering recognition for me because I only moved to Newcastle at the beginning of 2015. It’s like I’ve been accepted by my new home!
Like many bloggers, I had no idea what I was doing when I started out. All I knew was that I loved writing. While I’m Young began as a place to build a portfolio of my journalism work, but quickly morphed into a travel blog when I came back from a three month backpacking adventure. Recording my trip gave me a chance not only to share my experiences with an ever growing audience, but also to relive them. I soon found that my posts were inspiring others to travel and well, I got excited.
As time went on and my readersip grew, While I’m Young has become a source of inspiration for other twenty-somethings who want it all. When I graduated from uni, I was a bit lost and moved to New York for a while. Lived the high life (okay: I worked in a dive bar that served the best chicken pot pie in town) then snapped back to reality, flew back to the UK and took a Digital Marketing job in the North East. I never planned to end up here, but it’s proven to be the best thing that could have happened for my blog. The skills I’ve gained have made it possible for me to strengthen the website and grow my personal brand, as well as enjoy a career that I truly feel suits me.
Since moving to the North East, my content has focused on travel and lifestyle experiences within the area, as well as in far-flung destinations like Cuba. When people ask me who visits the blog, I tell them that it’s people like me – twenty somethings with heads full of career goals and hearts full of wanderlust.
In the space of a few short months I’ve had the opportunity to meet other bloggers and discuss our vocation (bloggers just love networking / grilling each other!). At a time when I had just moved to a new area with no contacts, this made me feel so much better. With this encouragement and support network, I’ve been motivated to put even more effort into my blog and this has resulted in some exciting brand collaborations and a steady growth in traffic. Yay!
The bad news
Last week I also found out that I was being made redundant from that job I love so much. I know, poor me.
In fact, I found out about the awards when I returned to the office after a boozy lunch with my colleagues, commiserating our redundancies. I’m gutted because I know how lucky I am to have come back from New York to a shiny new job that indulged my passions, and also because we had no warning so I haven’t saved up! If I’d known this was coming, I wouldn’t have been quite so careless with H&M treats and cocktails in fancy bars. It would have been PJs and Strongbow for me, so that I could afford to travel when I lost my job. Right now, Canada is calling my name but I’m too broke to answer its calls.
I’d like to take this opportunity to point out that impending unemployment is no fault of my own – the whole company was told to start looking for jobs. Lucky us.
A silver lining
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I have a tendency to jump to the worst case scenario, but I haven’t exactly plummeted into despair – yet. To be honest, I feel pretty positive. I see it as an opportunity to try something new (remind me that when I’m crying into my Asda Price porridge over Jeremy Kyle in a few weeks).
I’d love to take on more freelance writing jobs and just work from cute coffee shops all day. Tom’s gotten really excited about the prospect of me working from home, and is threatening to buy a dog. Problem is, I’m a tiny bit scared of dogs and would probably spend the weeks where I’m supposed to be training it just cowering in a corner, terrified it will bite me.
Who knows, maybe this is a sign that I should give full time blogging a go? Being made redundant may just be the best thing that’s ever happened to me. With more time to focus on my extra-curricular activities, maybe I can build my ideal life.
Being shortlisted for Best Travel Blog in the North East Blogger Awards has given me the confidence to believe that While I’m Young will continue to grow and lead me on adventures both within the region and further afield.
Let’s see what happens next!
Rachel Kershaw says
Congratulations on the nomination! It’s true what they say, one door closes and another one opens, I’m sure good things are waiting round the corner for you! I won the travel category last year and it certainly helped open a few doors! Good luck on the night! x
Dannielle Lily says
Thanks Rachel, I didn’t know that you won last year, well done! I’m honestly blown away. Considering the timing, I’m feeling really positive and excited – every cloud hey! x
Chloe says
Ah no!!!! That sucks!! I’m a great believer in everything happens for a reason so I’m sure there’s something great for you round the corner x
Dannielle Lily says
Thanks Chloe! Keeping my chin up and you’re absolutely right, all part of life’s plan for me x
CeecesTravel says
Heya!
Awesome and interesting post!
Its funny how these things happen at the times they do. I went through something very similar last week. And to look back at that and to look at myself now, its competely crazy. Just got to keep believing and working towards what we want in life.
On the dog note, as someone who grew up with dogs and had a father who was a show jumping dog champion I have only one piece of advice. If you’re not 100% comfortable with dogs or any other animal, don’t get one. Its a bad relationship between dog and owner for years that usually ends unfairly for the animal 🙁
Rather get a pet you’re comfortable with and only if you want pets. 🙂
If you’re looking for online sites to find work, I have just joined up to Upwork previously known as E-Lance. They’re a great site to be on. And I like the various opportunities that are available.
And As Always…..
#LoveAndTravelHugs©
Cee
Dannielle Lily says
Thank you for your advice Cee, and a big thanks for sharing that tip about Upwork, I’ll take a look! Hope everything is working out for you x
Emma Hart | Paper Planes & Caramel Waffles says
Oh Dannielle, I’m so sorry to hear about your job 🙁 That sucks so much. I have my fingers crossed for you in finding a new one! As for the blogger award nomination though, a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS 😀 That is awesome news!! Can we vote for you because if so, I’m going to do it right NOW!
Dannielle Lily says
Aww you’re a sweetheart Emma, thank you! I’ll be totally fine, although I’m not sure if that’s just false confidence at the minute! Everything happens for a reason 🙂 I don’t actually think voting is open for the awards, it’s just a judges panel as far as I know but thanks anyway, I appreciate it x
Tiffany says
I’m so sorry to hear about your job. Congrats on the nomination. Hopefully this is all for a reason!
Dannielle Lily says
I hope so too Tiffany!
Kitty says
Such a mixture of emotions must be quite overwhelming, but you seem to be taking it in the best way possible so well done and just keep looking up! It sounds like a wonderful occasion for new opportunities! Good luck and huge congrats on being shortlisted! I can’t wait for the awards night!
Kitty | clothesandstuff.co.uk
Dannielle Lily says
Thank you Kitty! It might just have not sunk in yet but for now I’m just excited about starting fresh. Congrats to you too! Hope to chat to you then 🙂
Dave (Silverbackpacker) says
Congratulations on your Blog nomination. I like your site very much. Enjoyed your tale of train travel in Thailand 🙂
Sorry also to hear about your redundancy. If you would like to contact me on my email i do have a solution for you which would fit in with a travel lifestyle 🙂
Dannielle Lily says
Thank you very much Dave!
Heather Cole says
Ups and downs in life are totally normal, it’s how you deal with them that counts, and you seem to have that covered pretty well! Congrats on the nomination, despite having only recently arrived in the NE! Have to laugh at the thought of you cowering in a corner if you got a dog….we’re exactly the same here! Hubbie wants one, but I’m scared of them, so we’d have the same scenario in our house too! Good luck with the new job and the blog work, success always comes to those who plough on!