TEDxGoldenBridge believes in creating and presenting new every day. One of their initiatives known as #IdeasWorthInspiring was born in the similar way.

The idea behind the initiative of spreading ideas that are worth inspiring is related to the people. People who are willing to grab the opportunity and the people who accepted those opportunities. TEDxGoldenBridge wants to spread the message of taking the chance by picking up the journeys of people who have already walked through that path. This initiative talks about the lives of normal people who made their lives extra ordinary by doing what they love.

This episode of #IdeasWorthInspiring features Ms. Pooja Singh.

You Only Live Once! Pooja Singh, our guest for #IdeasWorthInspiring, strongly believes in this mantra. A Financial Analyst by profession and a full-time solo traveler by passion. Born in Haryana. A Travel Blogger who loves the sunsets from different parts of the world, A Digital Content Creator with up to 245K followers on Instagram currently with variety of collection about her memories, An Entrepreneur who runs a company ‘Riding Solo’. Not only this she has also started a hostel chain called ATS (All Terrain Stay) which allows the best stay options for travelers.

We are on the same boat, trying to get the real meaning behind the “YOLO” quote. One life and 100 different dreams. And we make thousand mistakes while achieving them. These thousand mistakes teach us millions of lessons. The one who learns them and does not repeat them, is the one who is really living by the “YOLO” quote. Every day brings a new beginning. Every day brings a new life.

We had an absolutely amazing conversation with her. We loved the way she replied to each and every question with sincerity and kindness. Here is the conversation of Pooja Singh with TEDxGoldenBridge for #IdeasWorthInspiring Session. We started with the most common question that any person would ask to a traveler during this situation.

Q- How as a traveler, you dealt with the covid situation?

A: This situation helped me to do what right now I am doing because initially when there was a lockdown, I used to have a normal routine, Mumbai life, two hours to and fro, Mumbai traffic you know. But after lockdown, something clicked and somehow, I decided not to continue the work anymore and I want to start something of my own and travelling is my passion and it is what I want to do. So, I would say lockdown somehow helped me.

Q- How was the experience of your first ever solo trip?

A: That was in 2018, my first solo trip to Goa. I was working with L&T that time and I was in finance department. After the board meetings I was so frustrated and I wanted to go alone somewhere and nobody was ready to go that time, so I said its okay and I just booked my tickets that time and I took the bus from Mumbai and went to Goa. And those 4 days of trip was like amazing. I was hanging out spending time with myself, went on a solo date. I loved it so much and I realized that traveling solo is not that bad and not that unsafe.

I am really lucky in the case of supportive family and parents and its only because of them that I am able to travel fearlessly and I am doing what I want and my father was in Army so I used to travel since childhood

Q- So at the initial stage did you had to convince them?

A: Never, even when I quit my job and told them that I am no longer working with reliance and I want to travel full-time. So, they just thought how you will survive because I was getting a fixed salary and this was the only concern. Before that I am travelling from past years so they are pretty okay with that.

Q- What do you prefer more among travelling alone and travelling with a group?

A: I always prefer travelling solo because if I am travelling alone, I have my own space, I can choose places, because when you travel with a group you have to mold with them and if they are not a morning person so you can get late sometimes, and If I want to spend 3-4 hours at one place and they don’t want to go and cover those places so, that’s why I want to travel solo. Sometimes group is also fine but not every time like 80% I prefer solo travelling and 20% group.

Q- Do you ever feel exhausted while travelling?
A: *laughs* I can relate! Because since last 3 – 4 days from Instagram and I am not posting anything, no stories, just relaxing. Last few months were very hectic because I was just continuously travelling and travelling and I just recently went to Kedarnath, Manali and those 10 days were very hectic. Tracking, going there and then coming back so from last 3 days I am just relaxing. And travelling is not so easy. Of course, when you see it, you feel like wow this girl is travelling there and the next moment she is in Manali and in the next moment she is in Delhi and then again, she is in Uttarakhand because these all places are very far and then after she is in Goa. so, it looks attractive but when you are doing it it’s little bit tiring. But I am absolutely loving it. And its 100% better going to the 9 to 5 job.

Q- How did you ended up living in Manali?

A: I was actually planning to shift from the past 3-4 years. And Manali was decided randomly. I was not completely sure for Manali. I was planning to shift to Mussoorie- Municipality in Uttarakhand. But then this year we went to Manali and we thought okay we can start our hostel here because I really love the vibes and this lock down, I was stuck in Manali and we recently started out hostel in July. The place and atmosphere are really nice. Nothing was decided earlier everything happened here in Manali only.

Q- How was your trip to Kedarnath?

A: It was amazing! And its empty right now. No one is travelling because of E-permits because tickets are already sold out. And it’s so peaceful, you can easily walk, and no honks.

Q- We had the World Tourist Day recently. So, what does it signifies to you?

A: For me personally, everyday is same. Travelling all day and I love it. Every day is special for me in this case and I feel like I am celebrating all the 365 days as a Tourist Day.

Q- How did you manage your finances and travel in the initial days as a traveler?

A: Initially I was working in a corporate company and I worked there for almost 4 years. I was earning good enough salary. So, that’s how I started my funding, booking flights and everything and it helped. But now, I have enough money to travel. I get fundings from other resources like sponsor funding etc. initially everybody wanted to know how I started travelling but I saved from my salary and that’s how I managed to travel.

Q- Could you tell us about the one incident that made you realize that you want to become a full-time traveler?

A: Last lockdown. I was going to office and following the normal schedule, normal life, getting salary, travelling on weekends and sometimes I used to get good leaves and I would go here and there. But then in the last lockdown I realized about my passion for travelling and how I much I live doing that. So that’s how I decided to quit my job and become a full-time traveler.

Q- Please tell us something about your travel company and your hostel ATS (All Terrain Stay).

A: I just joined the company recently and I was planning to join this company since so long. It is a travel company based out in Uttarakhand and Himanchal.  We organize trips and I like the culture we have a good bonding with the founder Raj.in fact I was looking to open my company but then I thought we can make it work together, and it could save my fundings also. To open a company in your own is not easy at all and it needs a lot of funds. So, I joined this company as a co-founder this year, after quitting my job. This year in march I wanted to expand it and I wanted to open a hostel chain. So, we went to Manali, we were looking for locations and we also went to Goa for the search but I liked Manali better. So, we started up the construction and we ended up opening the hostel chain. (She also has a surprise planned for all the travel lovers). This was something that I always wanted to do, opening a hostel chain of my own. Because I love interacting with people. And we converse about so many things and I like how people share their experiences with us. Its also like it because somewhere we have the same mindset about destinations and travelling. And I am also opening my NGO maybe in next 2-3 months.

Q- Who was the one who inspired and motivated you throughout your journey?

A: I would say my family, but more than that my sister is my inspiration. She is a doctor and because of her I started travelling. She supported me a lot throughout, wherever I wanted to go, I take her along with me. Every time I have any doubt regarding something that I want to do, she is always there. Her name is Sarita and she is my true inspiration.

Q- During the lockdown there were so many restrictions, so did you face any sort of difficulty while travelling?

A: Last year it was but this year its not. I heard about the second wave and the lockdown when I was in Goa so I came back to Manali because I didn’t want to be stuck there. Its much better now. People are now gradually accepting the situation and almost 50-60% of travelers are double vaccinated so everything is open now and getting back to normal.

Q- One specific thing that you love about being a full-time traveler?

A: It has become a habit now. Like no Monday blues, no getting up early and you get to become your own ruler, no plans, I can go anywhere and anytime I want. So, this is what I like. I don’t have to book anything in advance, I don’t have any concerns about the leave days. You can just go whenever you want, chill, relax, spend how much time you want.

Q- Is there anything that you miss about your old days when you weren’t traveling?

A: I don’t miss anything. I love the way I am living right now. My friend sometimes calls me after seeing my Instagram stories and whenever they want to go on some trip, they consult me. I am loving the life in mountains. People go to mountains for 2-3 days for vacations, similarly I go to city for vacations now.

Q- Would you like share something your journey to the people who also wants to pursue this or just a message for them.

A: It’s not that easy. If you are currently working somewhere, just read about it and gather some good enough knowledge so that you can decide whether you really want to do it or not. It may definitely look fascinating from outside, but when you dig deep down you get to know how difficult it is. Travelling can be tiring for so many. You need to accept your body, can you do it? Can you travel full-time with your own expenses? Think about these things first. Start travelling, start making content, videos, and see if you are really enjoying it.

Just take some time to understand yourself, at least 6 months I would say and if still you want to do it then give it a try. You also have to think about managing expenses.

Q- One small message for the team TEDxGoldenBridge.

A: You are doing great! Not everyone knows a blogger like me and through this people are getting to know such people. I have seen your videos and I have seen your posts and you are doing great. You are picking out talent from people and you are showing to public. That is what we really need as blogger, entrepreneur and many of us who need some platform and you are guys are doing that. Really hats off.

Content Curated by Nuzhat Mansuri