Jayson and Ivan Travels

Hey there, fellow wanderers and curious souls! ⁤⁤It feels surreal to be typing this after what feels like a lifetime away from this space. ⁤⁤For those who have been here since the beginning, or perhaps stumbled upon my little corner of the internet recently, welcome! ⁤⁤If you’re new around here, let me catch you up a bit. I started this blog back in 2016, full of excitement to share my travel diaries, guides, and random things about life and food. ⁤⁤It was a passion project that gave me an outlet to express my love for exploring new places and cultures. ⁤⁤But like most stories of life and adventure, things took a detour. ⁤

By 2017, my life took a sharp turn. ⁤⁤Work picked up, I got promoted, and before I knew it, the hustle and grind of a 9-5 (more like 9-9) job consumed every waking moment. ⁤⁤Writing for the blog felt like a luxury I could no longer afford – both in terms of time and energy. ⁤⁤Fast forward to 2024, after a whirlwind of life changes and nearly seven years later, I’m back, recharged, and ready to pick up where I left off. ⁤⁤Let me tell you how this came to be, what the journey has been like, and what you can expect from the blog moving forward. ⁤

From 9-5 Grind to Freelancing Freedom ⁤

Let’s rewind a bit to early 2020. ⁤⁤Like many of you, the pandemic had me rethinking a lot about life, work, and what it means to truly enjoy what you do. ⁤⁤I’d been in the corporate world for almost 10 years, climbing that never-ending ladder, but there was always a nagging feeling in the back of my mind – was this it? ⁤⁤Was this the life I wanted to live forever? ⁤⁤Spoiler: it wasn’t. ⁤

So, in 2021, after a lot of contemplation, I decided to take a leap of faith. ⁤⁤I left my full-time job and transitioned into freelancing. ⁤⁤And wow, what a wild, liberating, and sometimes terrifying ride it has been! ⁤⁤Being my own boss gave me the freedom to dictate my time and, more importantly, gave me space to reconnect with passions I had long set aside – like writing and traveling. ⁤

Freelancing isn’t always as glamorous as some might make it out to be (there are still long nights, tight deadlines, and the hustle to find clients), but it’s given me control over my life in ways I never thought possible. ⁤⁤I’ve been freelancing for over two years now, and the flexibility has allowed me to prioritize things that truly make me happy. ⁤⁤And guess what? ⁤⁤Travel is one of them. ⁤

Why I’m Rebooting This Blog ⁤

Now that I’m freelancing full-time, I have the flexibility to travel more and, more importantly, the time to document those experiences. ⁤⁤Writing has always been therapeutic for meᅳit helps me process my thoughts, experiences, and emotions. ⁤⁤This blog was where I once shared my passion for exploring new places, trying out new dishes, and immersing myself in different cultures. ⁤⁤And I miss that. ⁤⁤I miss the connections I made with readers, the excitement of sharing a hidden gem or off-the-beaten-path destination, and, quite simply, the joy of storytelling. ⁤

⁤But here’s the thing, travel blogging has changed a lot in the past seven years. ⁤⁤The internet is flooded with content, and it can sometimes feel overwhelming to stand out. ⁤⁤However, I’m not here to chase clicks or create content for the sake of it. ⁤⁤I want to bring back that sense of authenticity, sharing stories and guides from my unique perspective. ⁤⁤It’s not just about ticking off tourist spots or following itinerariesᅳit’s about the emotions and personal growth that come with travel, and that’s what I’m excited to get back to. ⁤

So, what’s in store for this blog in 2024 and beyond? ⁤⁤A lot, actually! ⁤⁤While I’ll still be sharing travel guides, I also want to dive deeper into the stories behind the places. ⁤⁤Expect more personal narratives, reflections on how travel has shaped my life (and continues to do so), and practical tips for fellow freelancers and remote workers who want to integrate travel into their lifestyles. ⁤

It’s both exciting and a little nerve-wracking to reboot this blog after such a long hiatus. The online landscape has changed, but I’m approaching this with the same excitement and passion that I had back in 2016. I want this space to be a reflection of who I am now—a traveler, a freelancer, and someone who’s still figuring it all out (aren’t we all?).

Thank you to everyone who’s stuck around, and to new readers who are joining me on this journey. I’m so ready to dive back into this world of blogging, sharing stories, guides, and maybe even a few laughs along the way.

Here’s to new adventures—both in travel and in life. Let’s go!

If you’ve got any travel recommendations, thoughts, or just want to say hi, feel free to drop a comment below or connect with me on social media. I’d love to hear from you!