Why I Love to Roam Alone: Reasons for Relishing Solo Travel

I’m about to go on a solo jaunt to Rome, a city I have visited several times, flying there tomorrow. I was supposed to be going to a travel bloggers’ conference in Umbria, but due to some recent personal upheavals, I no longer feel up to being with hundreds of people.

So rather than waste my flights, I decided to take ‘time out’ on my own in a city that I know and love. I’ll even spending my first ever solo birthday abroad. My boyfriend thinks it’s unusual to have had a trip planned which would have included lots of socialising, but then make a decision to go wandering in solitude instead. Not at all.

I find it harder to be in big groups when I have a lot of stuff going on in my head, and therefore prefer my own company at such times – or at least, just the very occasional company of strangers. And while other people may dread the thought of having a week alone in a capital city, I’m relishing the idea. I always gain a real sense of self-achievement when I travel alone.

Butterflyist Of The Month: Elite Marathon Runner & Athletic Wonder Fiona Oakes

As part of a new series on Butterflyist, each month I’m going to be featuring a wonderfully inspiring person who I think is everything a ‘Butterflyist’ should be.

To launch this series for March, I’ve interviewed elite marathon runner and holder of four marathon course records, Fiona Oakes. An incredible woman, Fiona hasn’t had a holiday in over 16 years due to her devotion to Tower Hill Stables, the animal sanctuary she runs. And Fiona is currently training for the Marathon des Sables, which as she describes as the “toughest foot race on the planet.” While doing so, she wants to achieve two things – one is fundraising for the charity Facing Africa who support people afflicted by NOMA (a terrible infectious facial gangrene), and the other is to be the first vegan woman to complete this super-hard endurance race.

Having been vegan since the age of four, Fiona has already proven that athletic excellence can be achieved on a vegan diet, and has no doubt that she’ll be complete the 6-day Marathon des Sables in early April through the hot Sahara Desert in Morocco.

My Vegangelical Metamorphosis: From Animal Consumer to Soya Warrior and Proud

I have to say, it’s not entirely accurate that I’m a ‘soya warrior’. I don’t have soya that much, but it’s my other half’s new name for me. That’s because in the words of a wonderful Manchester poet called Dominic Berry, “I’m coming out as vegan.”

But why am I writing about this on Butterflyist? Because I can’t really think of any other lifestyle and philosophical change that has caused me to move so far out of my comfort zone, and into a whole new way of thinking and behaving.

The very idea of being vegan even a few months back seemed almost impossible, and stupidly, I also was worried how others would react if I did go vegan! Even though it seems people’s reactions are actually the most difficult thing for me to deal with, now I have actually ‘crossed the bridge’ to the vegan side, I realise being vegan only appeared to be harder than it is.

Here’s my eBook: The Ultimate Guide to Landing the Big Commission

If you’ve been following my tweets @thebutterflyist – you’ll know that I’ve been spending a lot of time writing my eBook, The Ultimate Guide to Landing the Big Commission. In fact, it’s the reason I’ve not managed to blog since my ‘big break‘ post a couple of weeks ago (aside from launching my very successful blog competition, of course! Though it is now closed).

This book is a guide to help newbie writers and those who haven’t yet ‘made it’ in freelancing to get on their feet. It’s full of tips and advice on how to secure that all-important first ‘big’ commission. You know, the one that will actually change it all for you in writing, and help you move up the ladder.

Win £100 Spending Money PLUS ‘Travel Health’ For Your Next Holiday! (Now closed)

Okay Butterflyists. who’s going on holiday anytime soon? And if so, reckon you could do with an extra £100 in your pocket to spend, AND a great new health product that will save you from suffering with a tummy upset?

In that case, I have a super prize up for grabs for my readers. You can be in with a chance of winning a my Travel Cash card loaded with £100, and a supply Bimuno TRAVELAID, a ‘prebiotic’ that helps build up internal resistance to the yucky bugs that cause travel diarrhoea.

Both my Travel Cash and Bimuno have teamed up with me to offer this prize, and Bimuno have also thrown in some great sun products for your skin protection, as well as a handy little rucksack! The goody bag you’ll receive is altogether bountiful.

My Big Break Story: How I Went From Nervous Wreck To The Guardian In Just 4 Months

Do you just wake up one day in a life you’ve had enough of and decide “I want to be a writer”? I did. And four months later, I’d been commissioned by the Guardian to write an article for them. Six months on with several other national newspaper commissions under my belt, I gave up my public sector job completely and went into full-time self employment as a freelance journalist.

I suppose I’d come from nowhere, into the career of my dreams. But I get so many people asking me what happened in that four month period, that I decided to write this post.

I’m hoping my story will be a source of inspiration for you, regardless of your own career choice. But for would-be writers, you’ll find some practical tips here too. Be warned though, this post is long! Make a cuppa.

7 Inspiring Women Who Live Life on Their Own Terms

The types of women I admire the most tend to be on the eccentric or kooky side, very strong-minded, opinionated, or gregarious in some way. And are women who are doing something great in some way.

The sorts of women that I would define as Butterflyists are those who are not afraid to challenge the norms, who don’t feel happy being the wallflower, who shock people, even if they don’t intend to, and who will go against the grain (in fact, a good friend of mine who has now sadly died once said to me “You know Andrea, the thing about you is that you always have to go against the grain.” I’m not sure he meant it as a compliment, but I took it as one!).

As we’re heading into 2012, I decided to put together a list of the 7 women that I think epitomise my idea of a Butterflyist. All very differently, but there’s a driving force behind each of them that I truly respect. I’d be interested to know if you think the same.