Hi, I’m Debbi!

Explore the world through my eyes as I empower YOU to travel alone on a budget while hiking, eating, and more.

10 Lessons from Living Abroad

September 8, 2020

In the past seven years, I’ve been fortunate enough to call four other countries my “home.”…

Continue Reading 10 Lessons from Living Abroad

Why it’s Important to Chase Your Wanderlust

Krystianna Pietzrak

September 1, 2020

Guest writer Krystianna from Volumes & Voyages details her travel story as well as 7 reasons…

Continue Reading Why it’s Important to Chase Your Wanderlust

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30 Things You Can’t Find in Australia as an American Expat

5 Lessons My First Solo Trip Taught Me: Guest Post by Alexis Cannella

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mydebstinations

✨ Geeky expat in 🇦🇺
🌏 Empowering women to travel solo
💻 Writer + global gallivanter since 2013
⬇️ Inspiring through the Force (blog + bylines)

Why you should never judge a book by its cover: Yo

Why you should never judge a book by its cover: You never really know what’s going on in the photo.

💜 This was taken in December 2017, when I was actually at an extreme low point - depressed, extreme anxiety, and incredibly lost in my career.

💜 But you’d never know that if I didn’t tell you.

💜 From 2013-2019, I NEVER shared the real stories behind my travels. We edit, curate, and enhance images to be the absolute “perfect” representation of ourselves.

💜 Is this why it’s seen as such a “bad” thing to talk about our mental health struggles, uncertainties, and all the times we feel lost in life? (Sidenote: If you HAVEN’T had a quarter-life crisis by now, are you even normal)

💜 There’s a story behind every picture - especially for solo travellers. And maybe I’m just nostalgic, but I attach my memories of who I met and how I was feeling in that photo, rather than the places I visited.

💜 While this was my first time experiencing a snowstorm and getting to walk through thick layers of snow (my dream!), it was one of the most unhappiest points in my travels.

💜 I preoccupied myself with visiting every landmark and as many famous food spots as possible to avoid dealing with my mental health, and in many ways, it was just like running away.

If you’re struggling with your mental health while travelling:
✨ Reach out to a close, trusted friend and tell them that you’re having a hard time. It takes seconds to message, and I guarantee they’ll text back. I usually only confided in one person whom I could trust when I was feeling lost, and it always helped.
✨ Stay off social media. Scrolling photos mindlessly while ignoring my mental health struggles was only detrimental to me during my stages of depression, since I’d compare how every other girl was travelling “successfully” and “happily,” sending me into a further rabbit hole.
✨ Take long walks in nature and journal by any form of water (lake, waterfront, beach).

💜 Remember that recovery (in regards to anything) takes time. It’s a process, not an overnight thing. You’ll see a gradual shift in your thinking if you work at it every day - but you can’t expect it instantly.

💜 Show how much you ‘lilac’ jacaranda trees

💜 Show how much you ‘lilac’ jacaranda trees!

💜 It’s springtime in Sydney, and despite this entire week being showered with buckets of rain, I delightfully got my first peek at jacaranda trees last week.

💜 Jacaranda trees aren’t native to Australia (they’re originally from Central + South America), but they’re absolutely stunning when in bloom.

💜 The average lifespan of a tree is 50 yrs. old, and some may live up to 200 (?!) yrs. old if cared for well.

⬇️ If you’re visiting NSW in the spring, save this for future planning:
💟 The jacarandas bloom in late October and November (late spring + early summer)
💟 They’re primarily in Sydney and various parts of NSW
💟 Best jacaranda spots: Circular Quay, the Rocks, Kirribilli, Paddington, University of Sydney, Royal Botanic Gardens, Camden, Grafton, Lavender Bay
💟 For tips on photographing jacaranda trees, check out accounts like @laurenepbath, who dedicated a full post to camera tips (and yes, waking up before sunrise is a MUST).
💟 Other sources to bookmark: @timeoutsydney @culturetrip

*Note: While I saw the jacarandas in person, this is obviously an edited photo - do not risk your life (or others) by standing in the middle of any street just for photos! There’s something called Photoshop, people 🤗

How do you stay successful AND productive in quara

Readers are always ‘booked’ up with their sche

Have you ever had your tarot cards read and everyt

Have you ever had your tarot cards read and everything ‘Aladdin’ed up?

✨ HUGE thanks to @taymakesmagic @kirstengotstyle @sophiekraymer for pouring their heart, soul, and so, so much time into these gorgeous, unique edits of tarot cards for another fun #DisneyBound collaboration.

➡️ SWIPE to see more fun animated videos + turn your SOUND ON for a tarot reading of your own!

🌙 “The Chariot is a sign of encouragement. You’re traveling into a whole new world, so channel your power into your current goals and make them a reality. Assert yourself and have courage.”

⭐️ The Chariot card is about overcoming conflicts and moving forward in a positive direction. You need to keep persevering, and through determination, hard work, and commitment, you will be victorious.

💫 In the animated “Aladdin,” Jasmine exhibits traits of the Chariot when she is adamant about marrying due to a law, and is allowed to marry Aladdin based on her bravery and resilience. In the live action film, Jasmine gets her own solo song of empowerment, “Speechless,” which empowers women to SPEAK UP and USE THEIR VOICE.

🌙 Have you ever had your tarot cards read? Spill below!👇

✨P.S. For more readings, there are FOUR different versions featuring all 11 different cards! Check out their posts to see the different versions.

𝛵ℎ𝑒 ℳ𝑎𝑗𝑜𝑟 𝓐𝑟𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑎:
♥️ Alice- @kirstengotstyle
💫 Sorcerer Mickey- @southernrosecosplay
🗝 Sora- @francisdominiic
👑 Aurora- @the_huntysaurus
🏰 Phillip- @fairytale_fruit
🐅 Jasmine- @mydebstinations
🐻 Merida- @caleighallen
🔮 Dr. Facilier- @jeremythetea
✨ Wendy- @kazthequeenofglitter
🧜🏻‍♀️ Ariel- @taymakesmagic
🐶 Max- @lovealwaysnova
☀️ Rapunzel- @sophiekraymer
🐒 Jane- @livinlavidaally

𝛵𝑎𝑟𝑜𝑡 ℛ𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠:
🎨 Edits by @sophiekraymer, @taymakesmagic, and @kirstengotstyle
🎙 Voiceover by @stephanoelle

I’m a work in progress, as we all are. 💗 Thi

I’m a work in progress, as we all are.

💗 This is a brief glimpse into who I am. I don’t want to JUST be a writer, I want to be a writer who enacts change, fights for justice, and uses her words to empower and inspire others.

✨ Make a difference and leave your legacy in whatever form that takes. ✨

Beggars can’t be ‘Pikachu’sers! 🙈 Gettin

Beggars can’t be ‘Pikachu’sers!

🙈 Getting this Munchlax stuffed toy cost me $12 worth of tries at a SEGA claw machine in Tokyo.

💴 In total, we probably spent over $50 combined on Gacha and claw machines (we lost track after awhile), but the experiences and sheer fun of it all were ALWAYS worth it.

⁉️ Sidenote: In Japan, did you know you can ask the workers at the claw machines to rearrange the toys so that it’s easier for you to get the toy you desire?

🍱 I’m obsessed with Munchlax because it’s known as the “Big Eater Pokémon” and its gluttonous ways are kinda like how I’m always a bottomless pit for food.

🙋🏻‍♀️ As a Virgo, I have a bit of that problematic, “I’m not leaving here until I get this!” type of attitude, which is why this silly accomplishment mattered a lot to me.

😇 My point?

✨ Be proud of your accomplishments.
✨ Be in a constant state of improvement (learning, growing, adapting).
✨ Network like crazy in order to further your growth.
✨ Start a monthly professional life journal that tracks every success and struggle you have in your career (kudos to @annie.franceschi for the idea).
✨ Toot your own damn horn occasionally (but don’t get cocky).
✨ Refine your LinkedIn.

👏🏻 Do all this while practicing kindness and compassion, and you’ll go far in life.

Have a monster of a time! 😈 The world’s firs

Have a monster of a time!

😈 The world’s first Godzilla theme park opened in Hyogo last week 😍

🦖 Housed in Nijigen no Mori theme park, this Godzilla attraction features a 120 metre-long statue of Godzilla’s upper body.

✨A 162 metre-long ziplining course propels you straight through its teeth. If you’d prefer zipping around Godzilla on the outside, you can take the shorter 152-metre course. There’s also a Godzilla shooting range nearby, in which you aim for targets on the giant monster.

👹 Additionally, there’s also a museum with 100+ “monster” figurines, as well as some actual props and costumes from ‘Shin Godzilla.’

🍛 Finally, there’s also a Godzilla-themed cafe, complete with a black Godzilla curry with spicy chili oil (¥1,680) and three black Godzilla burgers (¥3,500) stacked onto a long skewer, modelled after its tail.

HOW COOL IS JAPAN?! 🇯🇵 For the full details, read the article at @timeouttokyo_ ❤️

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