About Ella
I am Ella – a digital nomad, minimalist, and collector of stories. I do not live in one place, but between many. My home is the road, the unexpected, the unfinished. I write about life on the move – about countries that have changed me, about encounters that have touched me, about moments when everything was hanging in the balance.
Minimalism for me is not a trend, but a way of life. With light luggage, I travel through the world – and deep into the soul. I share stories of dangerous moments, quiet lessons, moving conversations. I observe, process, reflect.
I have often been asked if I could publish my experiences. The number of questions I receive is great – about my life, about the countries, about the reasons why. For a long time, I wanted to remain anonymous, in the background, silent. But now I give myself a push.
It is a lot of work – and every day new impressions, new conversations, new stories add up. It may sometimes take a while until new posts appear. But when they do, they come with depth.
My texts are honest, raw, personal. They deal with letting go and holding on, with being a stranger and arriving – within oneself. I write for people who live differently, think differently, or simply want to feel that they are not alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can you afford to travel constantly?
I live minimally and consciously. Instead of luxury, I choose simplicity. I work remotely, volunteer, or help with projects. That is how I can travel – not because I am wealthy, but because I am willing to live differently.
2. How do you find volunteer opportunities and remain on the move for so long?
I find volunteer opportunities through platforms, recommendations, or directly on-site. Sometimes something happens completely spontaneously. Openness, helpfulness, and authenticity are often the key.
3. Have you ever been in a dangerous situation?
Yes, there have been moments that were not easy – but often the greatest danger lies in fear, prejudice, or misjudgment. I rely on my intuition, stay alert, and learn from every experience.
4. Do you travel with a world travel ticket?
No. I travel spontaneously – depending on where I am at the moment, what my budget looks like, and where my feelings take me. There is no fixed plan, just one direction: onward.
5. Isn’t it dangerous for a woman to travel alone?
It can be challenging, but also incredibly empowering. I am cautious, but not fearful. Respect, self-confidence, and a clear stance often help more than mistrust.
6. How do you deal with homesickness or loneliness?
For me, the whole world is home. It is no longer a fixed place – but a feeling. Still, there is the pain of separation. I repeatedly let go of people and places. Yet I experience happiness and pain at the same time. I am a human being, just like everyone else.
7. What do you always carry with you?
Currently, a 30-liter backpack with a tent, sleeping bag, cooking utensils, clothes, a mobile phone, power banks … It can be more or less at times. Additionally, a 20-liter daypack for day trips or – on the plane – as extra hand luggage. That is all I own.
8. How do you stay in touch with the outside world?
Mostly via Wi-Fi, local SIM cards, or offline apps. I use my mobile phone, messenger apps, offline Google Maps, translation apps – and sometimes I just leave the phone off. That, too, is part of life on the move.
9. How do you organize visas and entry requirements?
I inform myself online beforehand, ask other travelers, or get information directly at the border. Not everything runs smoothly, but with patience and friendliness, you can get through almost anywhere.
10. How do you choose your destinations?
Intuition, encounters, recommendations – or simply a feeling. Sometimes it is a place on the map, sometimes a conversation. I listen to my heart, not to trend lists.
11. What do you eat while traveling?
From street food to village stew, everything is included. I eat what is available – often simply, often heartily. I love discovering new tastes, as long as they are prepared honestly.
12. Have you ever had health issues while on the road?
Yes – nothing major, but back pain, diarrhea, or exhaustion are part of it. I take care of myself, take breaks, and carry a small travel first-aid kit. And often, people help in the most natural way.
13. Where do you sleep? Always in hostels?
No. Sometimes in a camp, sometimes with families, sometimes in volunteer accommodations, sometimes on the floor. I adapt. Comfort is relative – trust is more important.
14. How do you support yourself in the long term?
I currently have a part-time online job and occasionally work remotely – for example with websites, texts, or social media. Additionally, I live very simply, need little, and often take volunteer opportunities where accommodation and food are provided. My greatest luxury is time – not money.
15. Were you afraid to live like this?
Yes. I had to, and still have to, go against many societal norms, leave my family behind, take risks – and I have even been broke at times. Everything has its price. But on the other hand, experiences await that I would never have had if I had stayed. The fear goes along – but I keep moving forward regardless.
16. What is the most beautiful thing you have experienced?
Too much to put into words: a sunrise in the middle of nowhere, a deep conversation without a shared language, a child taking my hand. Beauty lies in the moment.
17. What was the most difficult part?
Letting go. And moving on even though you don’t know where to. But that is exactly where the magic lies.
18. What would you advise others who also want to live this way?
Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Start small. Live honestly. You don’t have to be strong – only brave. It’s not about what you have, but who you are.
“I Would Love to Do That Too, But …”
Answers to the most common excuses that are the same in every country.
I have heard these sentences in many countries – they sound similar everywhere. And I understand them. But often they do not come from the heart, but from fear. From the idea that one must be perfectly prepared first. Yet everything begins with a small step. And with the realization that every way of life is justified – but not every excuse helps us move forward.
„I have family.“
Me too. I wasn’t born from the sky. I love my family, but I still chose to go my own way. Sometimes, love also means being true to yourself.
„I have no income“
I didn’t always have one either. Sometimes, I only had an idea, courage, and a little trust. There are ways to get by with little or work on the move – not always comfortably, but it’s possible.
„My passport isn’t good enough.”
Start with the countries that are possible. The world is vast, and even nearby there are adventures. Many borders are created first in the mind – and sometimes they open there first.
“I’m too old, too young, too overweight, too insecure, too feminine …”
I am not standardized either. I am curvy, wear glasses, have fears and insecurities. But life does not ask for labels. It asks: Do you want to?
“Everyone who travels is rich … staying in hotels … drinking cocktails on the beach.”
That is a nice image – but it has little to do with my life. Sure, such travels exist, and that’s fine. But I live on the road, with a sleeping bag, simple food, sometimes on the floor, sometimes in a bus. Not because I have to, but because I have chosen to. Anyone who is only looking for all-inclusive postcard romance is in the wrong blog.
Conclusion:
Most people who think that way are not too weak – they are just trapped in their dreams. Every day, there are millions of possibilities. But whoever chooses one must be ready to let go of others. And that is okay. Not everyone has to travel. But everyone is allowed to be honest with themselves.