Solo travel tends to bring up a lot of questions and even more fears.

In this episode, I explore some of the most common concerns people have about travelling alone: safety, loneliness, navigating unfamiliar places and languages, dining solo, and dealing with the unexpected without a safety net. 

I share real-life moments from my own travels, including a recent conversation with fellow travellers in Cambodia, and an early solo experience in Paris that challenged my comfort zone more than I expected.

Beyond the practicalities, this episode also dives into the quieter, less talked-about layers of solo travel — the psychological and emotional ones. We look at why solitude can feel so confronting, how our constant need for distraction has disconnected us from ourselves, and why learning to sit with your own company can be one of the most empowering skills you develop.

I also share the ways I consciously create connection while travelling alone — from walking tours and online communities to simply saying yes to social moments — and how solo travel has strengthened my confidence, resilience, and trust in myself.

This episode isn’t about convincing you to travel solo. It’s an invitation to look honestly at what holds you back and what becomes possible when you feel anchored within yourself.

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What if being single isn’t a “waiting room” for real life… but a fully valid, freedom-filled choice?

In this honest, wide-open episode, I share what I truly believe about dating, relationships, and being single in my 40s and why I don’t subscribe to the idea that everyone should be partnered. We’re living in a new paradigm where being single isn’t shameful, and where many women are no longer willing to enter relationships out of habit, pressure, or survival.

I reference the viral Vogue piece “Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing now?” by Chanté Joseph and reflect on how modern women are protecting their time, energy, joy, and sanity and why “having someone” is no longer the prize if it comes with emotional labour, unequal effort, or feeling like you’ve become someone’s manager/mother.

I also talk about dating as a digital nomad: the reality of dating apps, plus other (often more wholesome) ways to meet people — nomad meetups, shared interests like swimming or hiking, social media connections, and the underrated art of striking up a conversation in real life.

At the heart of it all, I share what I’m no longer available for, what I’ve learned from toxic dynamics, and why a strong friendship and clear boundaries are the foundation of any relationship I’d choose now. And yes — even though I’m single, I still believe in love. I’m open, I’m ready, and I’m willing to pause the nomad life long enough to explore something real, if the right person comes along.

If you’ve ever felt the pressure to “figure it out,” settle, or explain your choices — this one’s for you.

You can also connect with me: 

1. On Instagram: @soulfulnomadlife

2. On Substack for more 'behind the scenes' stories (I also record the articles as audio files so it's like listening to a podcast): soulful nomad life

How do you actually choose your destinations as a location independent remote worker/digital nomad?

In this episode, I share how I navigate nomad destinations, from my more carefully planned first year (especially the first six months), to how I now travel in a much more spontaneous and intuitive way.

I talk about creating a financial runway for peace of mind, balancing curiosity with budgeting, and how I think about expenses across an entire year - including when and why I choose to splurge on places like New York or London, and how it all evens out over time.

You’ll hear my approach to slow travel (staying a month or longer), mixed with shorter “exploration trips” to scout out new destinations before committing. I also share practical tips on finding accommodation, from using long-stay Airbnb discounts, negotiating directly with hosts, and searching via Google Maps, to alternative options like pet sitting and word-of-mouth recommendations.

This is a practical episode filled with real-life strategies, honest reflections, and a few stories from the road, especially around settling in, creating routines, and why returning to places you already love can make nomad life feel more grounded and sustainable.

If you’re curious about how to choose destinations thoughtfully, without burning out or blowing your budget, this episode is for you.

You can also connect with me: 

1. On Instagram: @soulfulnomadlife

2. On Substack for more 'behind the scenes' stories (I also record the articles as audio files so it's like listening to a podcast): soulful nomad life

In this episode, I share how my love for travel showed up long before I ever knew what a digital nomad was; from childhood role-playing adventures, to choosing schools far from home, to studying and living overseas.

I walk you through the winding path that took me from leaving home, to moving to the US and Australia, building a corporate career, and buying into a very traditional idea of what “success” was supposed to look like. And then, the moment when that version of life no longer fit, and everything quietly fell apart.

This episode is about the crossroads that followed: choosing authenticity over expectation, building a business alongside a full-time job, letting go of certainty, and slowly reshaping life in a way that felt more aligned. Even when it was uncomfortable and far from easy.

I also share how minimalism, patience, and a global pause helped prepare me for the digital nomad life, and what it actually took to make the leap in 2022, including facing fears around belonging, loneliness, stability, and trust.

This is a story about living with less, traveling slower, returning to places that feel like home, and learning that freedom doesn’t come from escaping life but from choosing it consciously.

You can also connect with me: 

1. On Instagram: @soulfulnomadlife

2. On Substack for more detailed stories (I also record the articles as audio files so it's like listening to a podcast): soulful nomad life

Thank you for being here! I am Jarka and this podcast, soulful nomad life, has been long time coming. 

My friends have encouraged me on a number of occasions to share my stories, I would often get compliments about the way my voice sounds and some would listen to my voice notes as a way of calming their nervous system.

So here I am sharing stories about living a location independent lifestyle. Although I am not a big fan of 'labels', but being a digital nomad is probably the best way to describe where I am at this stage of my life. 

I've lived abroad for 27 years now and of those, almost 4 years as a digital nomad (as at January 2026). This episode sets the scene on what to expect from this show. From the practical realities of being a location independent entrepreneur to the soulful shifts that happen when you change places, meet new people and step outside your comfort zone. 

I'll be sharing real stories from 'the road', honest reflections and from time to time also practical insights helping you navigate a digital nomad lifestyle, if this is something you are interested in or already doing. 

If you are curious about work and life beyond borders, love meaningful travel stories or simply enjoy thoughtful conversations with a playful edge, tune into this intro episode to learn more. 

You can also connect with me: 

1. On Instagram: @soulfulnomadlife

2. On Substack for more detailed stories (I also record the articles as audio files so it's like listening to a podcast): soulful nomad life