We recently had the chance to connect with Nicholas Rosen and have shared our conversation below.
Nicholas, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
Over the past six months, I have been wandering. I’m deciding on the direction I should take in the later chapters of my life. The current state of the world has prompted me to reflect on what I truly want most out of life that would bring me happiness and the best ways to achieve it. Do I want to be a risk-taker and try something new that would make me happier, but might not be as reliable in the current job market? Or do I want to stick to my previous decisions, which I know will at least keep me satisfied?
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an independent travel blogger and freelance writer. During the early days of the COVID pandemic, I rediscovered my passion for writing. I continued to nurture my love of travel, transforming it into a continuously growing brand that has become my lifeline. It’s unique in that it represents my own voice, just like many others. I focus on providing recommendations for fellow travel enthusiasts seeking to broaden their horizons through diverse cultures, cuisine, and experiences, from both my own and others’ perspectives.
I continuously work on my writing while also developing my skills in marketing, content creation, SEO, social media, communication, and public relations. Learning these has brought me new opportunities across the travel and tourism industry.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The moment that shaped my perspective on the world was traveling while I was serving in the military. Being able to step out of my comfort zone, meeting new people I would have never met otherwise, and experiencing the day-to-day lives of other cultures in other countries really helped shape my view of the world. It prompted me to take a more interested approach to current events, politics, the economy, religion, and individuals, to stay properly informed.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would focus more on what makes you happy and set a goal towards achieving it.
I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. This safe and dependable degree would help secure a job and career, even if I weren’t passionate about it, but one that would support me. In hindsight, after discovering my passion for travel writing and all it entails, you should use your early years to develop the necessary skills, degree, or certifications required to achieve a career in that field early on, rather than starting at a later age. Don’t choose the easier path. Choose the right one.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie in the travel industry and travel writing is that anyone can do it successfully in a short period of time. It’s a very niche community and can be competitive. You also have to consider the use of AI in content writing, changes in the travel and tourism industry, Google’s algorithm updates, the shift from written to social media videos, and numerous other factors that may contribute to moderate success.
Some freelancers hold professional degrees, while others have been in the industry for years and have acquired their skills through on-the-job learning. Just like applying for a job position, you can continuously pitch to publications and be rejected for any number of reasons.
It’s all a matter of hard work, perseverance, and a bit of luck when you first get started. There is a lot that needs to be done behind the scenes before it reaches a reader. I’ve been doing this for six years, and only in the past two have I started to see some small upward progress.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would immediately stop looking for a stable twenty- to thirty-year career path. Instead, I would be a more risk-taker and focus on developing my brand further. Sell all my worldly possessions, empty all my bank accounts, and travel the world as a digital nomad. I would become a remote worker, such as a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) teacher or a marketing coordinator, as I travel from city to city and country to country. Living in hotels, co-working spaces, and meeting new people while expanding my brand, writing, and helping others do the same.
My alternative or additional objective would be to try the same thing, but in the campervan lifestyle. I can picture myself driving cross-country through the U.S. and Canada on a budget, enjoying a lifestyle that involves visiting small towns and attending local events. I would also take on temporary and gig work, in addition to digital nomad work, with a focus on experiencing the attractions and sites, and immersing myself in the local experiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theworldoverload.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworldoverload
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-world-overload
- Twitter: https://www.x.com/world_overload
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theworldoverload
- Yelp: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-world-overload
