Each week we feature an interview with a member of the Superstar Blogging community. These interviews highlight the ups and downs faced on the road to success, illuminating helpful tips and tricks along the way. If you want to get inspired and succeed in the world of travel blogging, video, writing, or photography then consider these interviews must-read material! This week we are featuring Melissa, a member of the Business of Blogging course. She blogs at Wanderess Bleu.
Tell us about yourself!
Hello! My name is Melissa known as Wanderess Bleu. I chose this name because a wanderess is a woman that travels the world in search of meaning. Bleu is French for “Blue” Bird, a symbol of an experienced traveler and spiritual awakening. I have a MA in psychology and MBA. I have been traveling around the world for 20 years while maintaining a 9-5 job and being a single Mama. I have used travel for personal growth and allow it to transform me into a fearless bad ass solo female traveler! I’ve been in the course for several months.
I’ve always considered myself an old soul interested in ancient places and foreign minds. In high school and college, I was fascinated by ancient ruins, mysterious places, indigenous tribes and history in general. In my mind, I would travel to the place I was learning about and imagine life back then. My senior year of high school was a struggle and my mother gave me a bribe. She said that if I could just complete the year, she’d take me anywhere I wanted to go. I chose Italy because there was stories of having family in a little town called Foggia and I wanted to meet these mysterious Italian grandmothers.
What are some of your favorite places you’ve been to?
In 2014, I traveled to Northern India with my oldest daughter that was turning 9 years old. I felt like I had stepped back 300 years in time. It was surreal to witness my daughter expand her mind and be amazed by the people and places we visited.
In Rajasthan, we visited a small village and we spent time with women milking cows. They were very kind and very curious about us. They had never seen a child with blonde hair in person and were fascinated. My daughter experienced a shift in perception of others. The women looked very different from us but there was a mutual connection between us all based on respect and kindness.
How did you get started blogging?
About 3 years ago, I reached a major tipping point. I was experiencing serious disconnects in my life. My 9-5 job required that I wear a business suit and work in corporate America. I felt awkward and dispassionate. When traveling, I’d put on my favorite Boho clothes, banged up old sneakers and take my favorite worn out blue bandana. The moment it would wrap around my head, I’d instantly be transformed into my true self. There is a quote, “Travel Far Enough, You’ll Meet Yourself”. I literally woke up one day and realized that I was living someone else’s dream. Months later, divorced and grieving the loss inspired my first solo female adventure. I went to Indonesia and Thailand searching for meaning. With no travel companion, I had to rely on my own inner guidance and was fully in charge of my experience. At times, traveling in foreign lands with no friends or acquaintances can be lonely. It forced me to be present and search for brief moments of genuine love and connection with strangers.
Returning home, I felt overwhelmed with what I learned about myself and others. There were experiences of rawness, truth and madness about the world swirling inside.
With the rise of social media I began sharing experiences to my personal Facebook page. The reaction was life changing! It became evident that others felt inspired and interested when I shared my travel adventures. There were requests for travel advice pouring into my inbox, while others flat out asked if they could travel with me some time. Writing about my travel adventures became a source of comfort, creativity, and relief from grieving. When I chose my first travel name it was a difficult decision. I didn’t feel strongly connected to it and set up a website. My learning curve was slow and I had no idea how to make money with a blog. There was no guidance available at the time to support my new endeavor. Despite this, I made a few key connections. I owned a food truck at the time and The former president of The Food Network happen to try my food. While cooking, I had shared my passion for travel. He contacted me months later citing that I had the right personality and “look” to make it big. He was interested in collaborating with me to make travel videos. Meanwhile, I made contact with an award winning travel show producer that was interested in seeing a “sizzle reel” for a possible travel related project that I’d host. Then a popular large blog site asked to feature my trip to India on their site.
Lastly, I began writing about transformational life experiences when traveling. A major indie journal loved my writing and published several articles. This gave me another level of confidence in my ability to write and influence others. I was beginning to spread my wings.
How long have you been blogging?
I started last year but didn’t understand how to do it the right way until this year!
What struggles have you had during your blogging career?
I am a very deep thinker and powerful insights about life become the result of a global adventure. The struggle is that sometimes my insights take time to develop and become more clear. It takes time to formulate my thoughts and I go without a post for quite some time.
What have been some of your recent successes?
My greatest success recently was a solo female backpacking adventure crossing into 4 countries across the Middle East. This gave me a new level of confidence and freedom as a traveler.
How do you stay focused/effective?
I remind myself that I don’t want to work a 9-5 job the rest of my life!
I also have networked with other travel bloggers for guidance and support. I had an opportunity to hang out with Matt Karsten (Expert Vagabond) and found that to be extremely helpful.
What do you enjoy the most about blogging?
Sharing global adventures with others.
Why do you keep blogging?
I experience travel on a deep level. A global journey will fill me with useful life insights that can help others on their life journey. It can feel overwhelming at times and writing/blogging helps to release that emotion.
What advice would you give to a new blogger?
- Slow down.
- Take better pictures.
- Take trip notes.
- Be organized.
What is one thing you wish you knew BEFORE you started blogging?
I wish I would have taken better pictures and took trip notes.
What apps do you use that make blogging easier when traveling?
I can’t function without a currency converter!
What is one thing you can’t travel without?
My blue wanderlust bandana!
What travel blogs or books do you recommend?
I love TheBlondeAbroad — her photos and fashion are mind blowing!
Do you have any blogging regrets?
I have made many mistakes not taking the time to switch from taking a pic on my cell to my Canon rebel. I’ve missed lots of photos because of this!
Tell us about your blog and where we can find you on social media.
My blog shares photos and deep insights about relationships, love, letting go — all inspired by my trips around the world. I am also a rockstar indie writer and I have been published by Elephant Journal. Lastly, I’m trying to encourage guest bloggers to submit raw, personal, mindful living articles to my site. Not everyone is published but those who are enjoy at least 5 min of social media fame attention. If you have a potential story, contact me!