A quick note before we dive in to this week’s interview! I know I’ve been majorly slacking on keeping this series going on a weekly basis, sorry about that! If you missed the last few interviews, click here, here or here. I’m renewing my efforts to get on a blogging schedule (of some kind!) so you can expect more regular posts from me. I have so much I want to share, and am excited to get back to business. If you’re reading this, thank you for your patience, and for sticking around! Now back to your regularly scheduled programming…
A Little Intro:
If you’ve poked around the travel blogger space, or simply been around Instagram long enough, you’ve probably come across @heleneinbetween. She is an incredibly talented, hard-working blogger, photographer, dog mom, and overall awesome human who currently resides in Heidelburg, Germany with her husband Michael and their two pups after making the big move from Dallas, TX to Europe. I really admire Helene’s work ethic, the helpfulness of her content, and her authenticity online. She doesn’t claim to be perfect or present herself in an unrelatable, flashy manner. Helene is very real, her online vibe reflects that, and I think that’s largely what keeps people coming back for more. I often find myself scrolling through her blog, jumping from post to post for an embarrassingly long amount of time because I just can’t stop reading! Her writing style is engaging, and her content is genuinely helpful for anyone with an online presence. Okay, enough gushing, let’s dive into the Q & A and let Helene tell you more about who she is and share her story in her own words! Enjoy!
P.S. If you missed my last post (the first from my Copenhagen trip!) it contains one very cute pup and a lot of gorgeous Scandinavian interior design, soooo…
Q & A with Helene Sula of @heleneinbetween
Who or what inspires you to travel?
My husband and I moved abroad with the explicit purpose of traveling the world. When we first started traveling, after we got married, we quickly realized how much fun it was and how much we learned along the way. My Mom and Dad taught a study abroad program and I was lucky enough to go, they are the spark that ignited my love of travel. Michael and I have actually been dating since high school, and he got to come on one of the study abroad trips. I think that was the tipping point for him as well.
As for my travels now, my goal is to see as much of Europe as I can! There is so much to see on this amazing continent, which is why we moved to Heidelberg, Germany – to be in the center of it all!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVw30WPh0he/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVM66VYhXH3/?taken-by=heleneinbetween
What are you currently reading/watching?
I am obsessed with the TV show Narcos. I just can’t get enough. I also loved the book “While You Were Breeding.” I like books that I wish I wrote. I’m also a huge fan of anything by Liane Moriarty!
What equipment do you use for capturing your travels?
I always bring my DSLR camera and remote. If my husband isn’t going to be with me I love a good tripod!
What would you say has been the hardest part of moving abroad for you and your husband?
Getting a visa. You don’t just fly into a country and expect to live there. We moved abroad with no jobs and no promise that we could stay. It took tons of research and hard work, but we were able to get a visa so we could stay in beautiful Germany!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BV4nBD8BfyL/?taken-by=heleneinbetween
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVFULAcheiL/?taken-by=heleneinbetween
How did you transition from a traditional job to what you’re doing now?
I’d like to say it was nice and easy and that it went slowly, but that’s just not true. I was so unhappy for years and years in my corporate role in social media and marketing and was looking for a way to get out. When I launched my first course, Instagram for Success, I made the transition immediately. It was two years ago that I decided to take the leap, and so far, so good!
What is the soundtrack to your travels?
The thing is, I am a huge music lover! I love everything from electronic music to Motown to classic rock to pop to rap. But for my European travels, you can’t beat house music (electronic).
Who are your favorite Instagrammers at the moment?
Oh, there are so many! I love to follow fellow travelers and I particularly like @travel_inhershoes, @elisecook, and @laurenswells.
What is one thing your followers would be surprised to learn about you?
The reason I started my blog was that I fell 20 feet rock climbing! I had just started the blog when I had the fall, then I restarted it when I was out of work for 6 months recovering. Because I had so much time off, I was able to really dedicate so much time and effort to it. So, it all started with a fall!
My recent trip to Bulgaria was so surprising. I knew it was inexpensive and once under communist rule, but I found a thriving city that was easy to maneuver with so many hidden gems and terrific food.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVcYZb3Bfyc/
That’s an easy one! St. Augustine’s famous words, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel only read one page.”
I’d like to think I’m a fairly expert carry-on packer. I once packed for a 22 day trip to Asia in one carry-on backpack. Here is absolutely everything I pack as a travel blogger.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVH6JRZhKp0/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BU7bTbzBznU/
What are two things new bloggers should be doing but probably aren’t?
Keep it simple, Don’t go crazy on the blog design, keep it simple, and just focus on awesome content. Next, don’t be afraid to share from others. This builds your authority and puts you in good graces with other bloggers as well.
I think it has to be Greece. It just felt like a different world, without the extremeness I found in Thailand. The colors, the people, the food, it’s all pretty incredible. Can’t wait to go back!
There is no perfect timing. You just have to start. Trust in the process and in yourself and reach for your goals.
Where to next?
I live in Germany but still have so much to see here! Going to Berlin, Germany then to Vienna, Austria. Can’t wait!
Huge thanks to Helene for taking the time out of her busy life to share with me! I highly, highly recommend checking out her blog and Instagram (linked below) for lots of helpful, inspiring content and beautiful photography. Also, thank YOU for reading! Yes, you. You’re awesome. Don’t you forget it.
I find Helene veery inspiring. Her photos are great and her adventures are so exciting. She is always doing something fun. I appreciate her honesty too. Thank you for sharing your interview with her.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Gillian! Thank you for reading! I totally agree with you about Helene – it’s inspiring to watch her live out her dreams and really take advantage of living in Europe (one of my not-so-secret dreams).
Absolutely inspiring! My husband and I are longing to move out of the U.S. for a few years and see where it takes us. Love her advice to keep it simple when it comes to blogging.
I can totally picture you two living overseas! Think of all the fun adventures! I’d love to move out of the U.S. for a bit too – it does seem a bit daunting but seeing people like Helene do it makes it seem more feasible, right? Thanks for reading, Kallsy!
It’s wonderful what you’re doing here. This community of women is changing lives! I loved learning about Helene. I’m a fan of both of you! Great post. Keep going, please! 🙂
Your comment totally made my day! Thank you so much for reading and for all your support, Erika! Means a lot. I’m loving connecting with everyone, and can’t wait to see where it all leads <3
Love this interview Sierra! I have been following Helene for a while & it was nice to read about her the other way round. She is by blog idol! Lol
Thanks Lucy! You and me both – I spend waaaay too much time scrolling through her blog. Ha! Glad you enjoyed learning a little more about her!
Great interview and interesting perspective on life! Thanks for sharing.
So glad you enjoyed it, Courtney! Helene is a pretty awesome gal.
I love that quote! “The world is a book, those who do not travel only read one page.”
Never gets old, does it? Thanks for reading, Rob!
I’m in social media marketing right now but don’t have to guts to quit just yet. Not that I don’t enjoy my job or anything, but it’d be nice to really pursue my passion for traveling. Definitely an inspirational figure and great feature!! Glad to have found another blogger to follow 🙂
You two definitely have similar stories! I totally get what you mean about not being ready to quit and take the plunge quite yet. I certainly don’t feel ready either. But hearing stories like Helene’s inspires me to think more seriously about where I want to be and how I want to live my life. So glad you enjoyed learning more about her – her blog is incredibly helpful and her Instagram is, as the kids say, #goals. Ha!
I’m such a huge fan of Helene! Really enjoyed this interview and inside-look at her life. Looking forward to reading more of your interviews and following YOU of course! 🙂
Aw, thanks Maya! Appreciate the love 🙂 Helene is the best! So glad to hear you enjoyed learning a little more about the gal behind the blog!
Love being introduced to fabulous new bloggers! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Yay, thanks Lauren! Enjoy Helene’s blog and Instagram, she’s seriously awesome and so fun to follow!