Well, its official, Packs Light Crew.
As of July 2, we are halfway through 2025 🌺
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Welcome back to The Exit Row.
When you're flying, sitting in The Exit Row, you're next to the escape hatch. It always made me think... being one decision away from open sky, a little chaos, and a world of possibilities? I want to keep that feeling of adventure, optimism, and potential at all times. That's what this newsletter is.
I'm growing, glowing, and going places—and y'all are coming with me.
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A few weeks ago, it felt like the entire creator economy packed their linen sets and flew to the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, in France. It’s basically the Grammys of marketing, and the Beyoncé concert of content creation.
For weeks, my social feeds were full of packing lists, rooftop party invites, panel clips, and celebratory LinkedIn posts...
And yeah, I had a few chances to go.
But the opportunities were unpaid, and going to Cannes is literally like, $5,000 between flights, hotels, food, and actually getting in to these events. It's not casual.
And when I really tuned in to myself... it seemed like a lot of hustle and handshaking and work, on top of it all.
A few days later, I was offered an unpaid press trip to Croatia. No flashy activations. No panels. No one watching.
Just turquoise water, sunny mornings, delicious seafood, and a small group of storytellers. Something told me to say yes.
And long story short, while in Croatia I executed 2 brand deals that secured me more than $50K+.
Who knows, maybe I could have secured double that by going to Cannes and working my a** off...
But I think I'd rather work smarter, not harder.
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This isn’t a diss on Cannes. For some, that trip was a career-making moment.
But for me, it was a clear lesson.
Their way is not the only way.
With an abundant mindset and intention, success can flow to you. You don't always have to struggle to "deserve" success.
and,
FOMO can’t touch you when you’re grounded in where you are, who you are, and what you’re building.
I know some of you reading this might feel this way too.
You see your friends, your family, or your faves jetting around the world, getting that new job, or some other success, and wonder, "When is it my turn?"
But maybe your turn looks different.
Maybe your turn will come when you abandon doing what everyone else is doing and following your intuition. Maybe your big break will happen when you change the formula, or do something unexpected.
Maybe you don’t go anywhere this year. But in two years? You hit 10 countries.
Or land that dream remote job.
Or finally work up the nerve to take that solo trip. You never know.
Don’t rush it.
Don’t compare it.
Just keep watering your own grass, and trust it’ll bloom vibrantly, right on time.
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I've been working my hardest to be more consistent on YouTube lately, and you all have been a huge part of that.
I’m talking untold travel and dating stories, travel experiments, and the kind of travel hacks you can only get when the video is 15 minutes+. (So if you aren't already subscribed, please support me!)
In my most recent video I did a real-world test of AI as a travel guide, in partnership with Microsoft Copilot.
Fears I had going into the video:
- Would using AI stress me out with info overload?
- I care about supporting local tour guides... is AI a threat to them and their livelihood?
But then I started to think, could it answer questions even my tour guide didn’t know? Like...
- “Knowing me, where's the perfect place for me to eat dinner today if I’m looking for a great view of sunset?”
- “What's one way I can get closer to my New Year's Resolutions on this trip?”
- "Based on my food intolerances, what are some Croatian dishes I should watch out for? Give me the list of Top 10 most common."
The video also serves as my 5 Day Croatian itinerary, so watch it to see my experiences and steal my recommendations! And please leave a comment on the video.
It supports my work as a creator so much, because my goal is to work with Copilot again!
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- 💪🏽 ClassPass: One year using ClassPass to work out more regularly with my insanely irregular schedule. I've used it to do classes in Bali, Taiwan, LA, Seattle, DC, and of course New York... Use my link to get a 2 week *free* trial this summer!
- 📸 Flytographer: One year ago Flytographer took my favorite "I just moved to New York City!" photos ever. Highly recommend, and they're great while you're traveling.
- 🧳 Vacuum-Sealed Packing Cubes: The product that helped me travel 2 weeks in China with just a backpack and a carry-on suitcase. You gotta try it this summer!
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Baggage I'm claiming ✨: For all my marketing and creative folks: I'm looking to hire a Content Manager. A person or agency who can help with ideation, execution, and strategy with content here at Packs Light. This is an experienced role and is ideally someone who's work on the brand or agency side of social media before, or specifically does content management and strategy for macro-influencers. If you know anyone who'd be a good fit, reply to this email with your/their LinkedIn profile or portfolio!
What's next: July marks 6 months since launching my baby, the all-in-one funded travel platform, SeekPTO 🥹 To celebrate I'm working with one of my favorite long-term brand partners, Intrepid Travel,to give away a free spot on an Intrepid trip valued at over $2,000, exclusively to our members in there 💸🔵✈️
It's only $8/month to join, so it's worth your investment to join. Especially because you're joining to have access to the other paid, funded, and sponsored travel opportunites we share every day in there.
The giveaway will only be open July 16 - 31, so join today if you want in.
P.S. As always, reply to this email with thoughts or questions. I'd love to hear from you ladies.
Gabby 🌺✈️❤️🔥
