Hi! I’m really glad you’re here. My name is Christine, I’m a traveling creative entrepreneur following my flow through life. I believe in creating more Sundays in your everyday and designing an intentional lifestyle around what lights you up, and that’s why I’ve made this blog The Daily Sunday.
As a passionate freelance graphic designer, digital nomad, travel influencer and photographer, I have explored it all! I’m a true believer in making things happen the way that suits you and your dream lifestyle.
I’ve been on a nomadic pursuit for 4 years while chasing my dreams, at a fraction of the cost of my living expenses back home in the states. I don’t travel sparingly, I travel intentionally, and I want to share my best tips, tricks, and methods that have made this all possible for me. I’ve tried it all and can offer what I’ve learned to save you tons of time and trial and error, and in inside look into the digital nomad lifestyle as a solo female traveler.
I grew up with a “thrift minded” mentality which takes me through everything I do today. I equally value quality and merge the two to have amazing experiences around the globe. People call me resourceful as I’ve found ways to “live my best life” for free, or relatively inexpensively. What that looks like for me is having beautiful experiences that inspire creativity, stable internet access, a journal, nature, and an oat milk latte by my side.
I am a firm believer in an exchange-based economy, and that mindset has allowed me to trade my way through many expenses while traveling. For example, I spent an entire summer in Montreal rent-free in exchange for pet sitting. It flowed so seamlessly week by week through word of mouth, facebook groups, and TrustedHousesitters. And I’ve booked 95% of my flights with credit card points through my Chase Saphire Reserve.
Quick & random facts about me:
- I’m a Cancer sun, Aries moon & Sagittarius rising (isn’t it obvious?!) and geek out on all things quantum creation
- I’m an introvert and I recharge my batteries by people watching/writing in cafes, spending time with animals, and endlessly learning on my laptop
- Solo traveling helped me overcome my depression and anxiety. While I still have tough days, I’ve transformed my mental health through mindfullness practices
- My journey with studying energetics + wellness began in 2010 and has evolved into a passion of helping others understand and create their own realities
- I’ve always been a closet entrepreneur and began my first business at age 14. Since then I’ve had many projects including a crystal jewelry store, clothing lines, e-commerce business, and more!
My background + roots
Let’s rewind to a little background on me. I’m from a very small town in the woods in the smallest state in America where everyone knows everyone. I mean literally, the population is 7,000 and my high school was amongst masses of turf fields. Most people mistake my state for an island (Rhode Island, heard of it?)
There wasn’t much to do where I’m from, so I spent a lot of time on my computer. I’ve always had a passion for hyper-learning, starting various business endeavors and having an online presence. I began my graphic design career thanks to designing layouts + websites on Neopets, then opened a hair extension store on Myspace (coontails anyone?) and had my own clothing company Electrocute Apparel at 16. Then started my own Etsy my freshman year in college, and after evolved onto selling on Shopify and Amazon.
I’ve always been shy about the entrepreneurial side of my personality, but have finally learned to embrace it as a part of who I am, and to give myself the permission to change my mind and jump around from one idea to another. When I discovered that I’m a Manifestor in Human Design, it all made sense.
How my obession with traveling began
I hadn’t been anywhere more than a couple of states away from home until I went to university and realized I had an option to study abroad. After mulling over Italy and England, I finally chose London because it felt like a “safer” choice for my first international trip. Meaning, they spoke English, and the university was in an enormous park with an on-campus dark-room. Say no more, I’m on my way…
It’s sort of the old adage that goes, you don’t know until you know, you’ll never know until you go. Maybe I made the second part up, but you get the picture. What I’m saying is I didn’t really have a fair perspective of how enriching life could be and how alive I could feel completely losing my identity and having the chance to re-create myself. Free of previously formed assumptions that I felt I never really chose in the first place that made up my identity. I was simply known as “the American with red hair” for better or for worse. Little did I know this was the beginning… of my love for both traveling and crumpets.
my first trip to the Algarve felt one with the pigeons of Barcelona attempting “london trendy”
What started as a curosity had evolved into something more…
After I had my brief 4-month stint as a student in London with a few weekend trips to other European countries in between my sporadic class schedule, coming back to America felt like the last thing I wanted to do. I remember all of my friends at university being homesick and ready to go home, as I was in stark contrast ready to never leave Europe.
Somehow I begrudgingly got on the plane home with my huge suitcase and an oversized pink gym bag stuffed with tacky souvenirs from Camden Market and piles of zines (I learned quickly how not to pack), but I knew that trip had been the birth of something new and substantial.
It was like my brain had been cracked open and there was no dimming the light that now flooded through, no going back to my old way of living.
There were so many new and exciting oppertunities and different types of people! I had more meaningful interaction with people in 4 months than I had in the first 20 years of my life and felt more connected to the world after finally having more than a conceptual image of it. I just knew I needed to keep doing what I had been doing but on a larger scale. I wanted to see more, experience more, and get to know more of the world and what it was all about outside of a curated cookie-cutter touristic experience.
So I designed my life around my curiosities, forged my path as I’ve always done, and made this nomadic lifestyle a priority.
Of course, I had some business to finish up first, such as a degree and the pursuit of some savings to carry me through, but the search for adventure was on my mind the whole time.
Becoming a Digital Nomad
Fast forward a couple years, it’s 2016. I had no idea where to go, who to ask, or how to start. There were so many options I was lost in the overwhelm of blogs, Pinterest, and nicely-curated Instagram feeds. I was told by society that I needed a lot of money to travel, but had an inkling that there were ways to do it on the cheap while still having wonderous experiences.
I didn’t want to stay in 16 dorm-style hostel rooms with bed bugs in a dark Irish alley (I did end up doing that, once and only once) but didn’t want to break the bank either and go the hotel route. Plus, hotels are no fun anyway, especially when you’re alone.
So I dove in headfirst doing all the research, figuring it all out myself on how other people were making their way around the world, specifically girls like me doing solo trips. They seemed so brave, like they had something I didn’t. Now looking back the only thing was confidence and a fuck-it mentality. Luckily both those things come with biting the bullet and diving in headfirst.
After talking to enough people doing what I wanted to do, I booked my first plane ticket. After that, it became real and things start falling into place more or less. When I travel I like to follow a rough itinerary with room for flexibility, to say yes to the spontaneous adventure that will come up or a change of plans.
I tend to go with how I’m feeling and god knows that changes by the hour, so I’ve learned to give myself that opportunity to rest if needed and follow the ebbs and flows of my mood without too much pressure to see and do everything in a short period of time.
That’s why I prefer slow travel now. There’s time to chill and have the opportunity to decompress while not stressing about cramming everything into a short timeframe. It’s of course a luxury that not everyone can afford, but I’d like to argue that you can if you so choose. With the booming digital age we now live in there are so many ways to make money online it’s ridiculous. And you don’t need years of experience either, just a will to learn.
I’m here to show you my favorite ways to travel, hidden gems I’ve found along the way, share tangible resources, and give you the low down on how I’ve traveled for the last 3 months rent-free. I can’t wait to help you live life intentionally on your terms. Drop me a comment below and let me know how I can provide value to your life and support you.
Hello Christine!!
I find really Interesting how you talk about nomadic living while working too online etc!! Honestly I find your blog super interesting!!! I’m currently living in spain and I am a tattoo artist who has been traveling since 18yo! Tattooing in uk, Australia and Canada and now back in Europe! I think being nomadic is the only way forward!!!! And I love seeing people doing it across the globe so much! My next trip is back to the uk just not too sure how I feel about a summer there lol hahahahah I much rather Mexico! But for work I think uk would be good. Anyways just wanted to leave you a lil comment saying well done , keep up and obviously please keep sharing all those tips !!!!! Super helpful!!! I’m still struggling with being fully nomadic and the unstable income of tattooing but it is a matter of time for
Me to drop my house lol completely!!!
Thanks again for this cool blog and if you’re curious and want to do something while in Europe here is my details
@monki_diamond
Thank you for your comment! Wow, so interesting to hear how you’re making it work for you tattooing. Keep following your dreams and building your portfolio on IG, then you’ll be able to travel anywhere and have clients come to you! <3
Hi Christine, I came across your blog on Pinterest and read your post on the ripple effect of human kindness and it really resonated with me. I’m a cancer sun, leo moon and sagittarius rising so no wonder I connected with your blog so much. Looking forward to reading more of your posts 🙂
What are your best recommendations for a pet sitting website?
Trusted Hosuesitters!