Stop playing a game you can't win

This weekend reminded me how good it feels to switch off properly.

I’ve been up in Noosa visiting friends, and it was exactly what I needed. No doomscrolling, no screen overload, no disappearing down internet rabbit holes. Just real conversation, sea air, and the joy of being present rather than stuck behind a screen all day.

(Plus a solid 2 hours just floating around in a pool on Fri morning 😎)

This is one of the reasons I fell in love with travel in the first place.

When you’re moving from place to place, your focus naturally shifts to what’s around you. You’re figuring out how to get to your guesthouse, what to eat, or how to communicate with someone who doesn’t speak your language. You stop checking the headlines because you’re too busy living the moment.

But when I stay still for too long, I find myself sliding back into the noise. One quick glance at my phone turns into 30 minutes of scrolling. The news starts to creep in. And before I know it, I’m stressed about things that have nothing to do with my actual life.

Yes, there are real tragedies happening in the world. But hours of scrolling and online debates rarely solve them. They just leave us more anxious, more exhausted, and less present in our own lives.

Modern life is designed to keep us plugged in. The more we scroll, the more money the platforms make. But stepping away from it, even briefly, shows how much mental energy we waste on things we can’t control.

Nomadic living gives us a chance to break that pattern. You spend more time in the real world, meeting people, experiencing different cultures, and noticing how life works beyond your own bubble. It becomes easier to stay grounded when your days are shaped by curiosity and connection, rather than headlines and notifications.

So this week, why not stop playing the game. Take a break. A real one. Put the phone down. Step outside. Call a friend. Do something completely un-Instagrammable. And just… be.

If you’ve been feeling a bit overwhelmed or overstimulated lately, this article’s for you.

SIDE HUSTLE HIGHLIGHT

Sell Stock Music or Sound Effects

Got a knack for music or just love playing with sound? Thanks to AI tools like Suno and Boomy, creating sellable tracks is faster and easier than ever, even if you don’t have a studio or traditional production skills.

Content creators, filmmakers, podcasters, and businesses are always on the hunt for royalty-free music and sound effects. Instead of hiring composers, many buy pre-made audio from stock libraries like Pond5, AudioJungle, and Soundstripe. That means you can create a track once and earn every time someone downloads it.

Whether you're a musician or just curious about using AI to create sound, this week’s guide shows you how to get started without overcomplicating things.

You’ll get:

• A list of simple AI and traditional tools to help you create music and sound effects

• A step-by-step workflow for setting up your process—whether you're using AI, a DAW, or both

• A shortlist of stock music platforms where you can upload and sell your audio

• Helpful starter tips on organising your tracks, adding metadata, and uploading to platforms

If you love experimenting with sound or want a creative way to earn while you travel, this guide is your jumping-off point.

📥 Download your quick start guide today.

RANDOM THOUGHTS AND RESOURCES

1. My FB income has increased by 268% simply by being more consistent with my posting schedule. I’m still not retiring on it ( you’ll see in the post 😂), but I’m looking forward to testing more post types in the coming months and seeing what’s achievable. Read this weeks update on my 20 Week Substack & FB Sprint!

2. I recently came across Road Scholar, a travel company designed for 50+ explorers who love learning while they roam. Think history, culture, wildlife, walking trips and more—with expert guides and small groups. If you're after something a bit deeper than just sightseeing, this could be a great fit. Let me know if you've tried them, I’m intrigued!

3. Did you know repo cruises are a thing? 🚢 Short for “repositioning cruises,” they’re when cruise lines move their ships from one region to another between seasons like from Europe to the Caribbean or Asia to Australia. And they’re often much cheaper than regular cruises, because they’re one-way and have more sea days. My husband and I are looking into them for our future travels and I found this deal site - Vacations to Go (you have to register to see the deals, but it’s free and I used a separate gmail account so I don’t get flooded with emails). Let me know if there are any other resources you recommend for ‘repo cruises’!

4. I just discovered the Instagram account of 95 year old Grandma Droniak, who has over 3.5M followers and posts hilarious, sassy videos about ageing boldly. It’s a great reminder that starting something new later in life is still possible, and can even go viral! Age truly is just a number when you’ve got passion and a phone with internet. 😂

THIS WEEK’S TOP READS

TRAVEL TRIVIA

Which African country has the highest number of pyramids?

Most people associate pyramids with Egypt, but this African nation actually has more pyramids than any other country in the world—over 200! These ancient structures, built by the Kingdom of Kush, are smaller and steeper than the Egyptian pyramids but just as historically significant.

Can you name this country?