About Us:
Hi Friend,
Welcome to The Joyful Travels! I’m Citrine, the soul behind The Joyful Travels. As a single mama, digital nomad and joyful traveler, with my two incredible Children, I’ve been exploring the heartbeats of Nepal and India, one soulful journey at a time.
As a travel schooling family, we blend education with experience, cooking local dishes together, learning new languages (at least we try), and soaking up the beauty of different cultures. I work remotely as a healer, writer, and creator, allowing us to live freely, slowly, and intentionally. The world is our oyster, and we’re savoring every beautiful moment of this joyful adventure.
We travel to beaches, mountains, forests, historical sites, and spiritual places, (discovering Temples, Churches, Gurdwaras, Monasteries and sacred spaces of all kinds along the way,) because we believe that every religion at its core teaches one simple truth: to find love in everything we do and to be kind human beings. These spiritual visits are a gentle reminder that love, peace and unity are universal, beyond names, labels or boundaries.
I’m a beach girl at heart, the ocean makes me feel truly alive. Sunshine, sand and salty air, that’s my vibe.
And South India holds a special place in my heart with its mystical, ancient vibes. The South is where I found my creative essence again, and since my children were born in Mysore, it naturally holds a special place in my heart.
This blog is a cozy space to share the magic of our journey and family-friendly travel tips, hidden gems, soulful rituals, local food guides (we love to try local cuisines wherever we go!) and our experiences. Whether you’re a fellow wanderer, a homeschooler, or someone dreaming of a freer, more connected life, you’re so welcome here.
I am not comfortable showing my face on camera yet but I am here, behind the screen, pouring my heart out through these words. This Blog is not just for some list of destinations, tips and travel hacks but it’s a part of our Soulful Journey and the heartfelt stories along the way.
Digital Nomad Mom’s Travel Journey
If you’re curious how I started my digital nomad journey with two kids, just keep reading.
I grew up in the city of Temples, Kathmandu, Nepal, surrounded by mountains, culture and rich heritage. At 18, I packed my bags and moved to Bangalore for college. I did my BBM and MBA in Human Resource Management, but deep down, I knew the 9-to-5 life wasn’t for me. I quit my Corporate job in 2005 as I was already on a little soul-searching journey, trying to figure out what I was really meant to do.
Reigniting my Creative Sparks:
In 2006, I moved to Mysore, and that’s where my creative journey really began. For a while, I immersed myself in photography. I dreamt of joining Shari Academy in Mumbai, but life had other plans. Instead, I trained with Anand Sharan in Bangalore, and those sessions were magical! I’d roam around with my DSLR, completely obsessed, capturing everything from everyday still life to vibrant food scenes.
Beauty Blogging Journey:
That camera ended up opening a new door for me!
I started photographing ingredients and objects around, and something clicked. In April 2007, I launched my very first beauty blog ( the current one is the rebranded blog of my older version). I had always loved sharing ancient beauty secrets with friends and family and now I had a platform to share them with the world. That mix of visuals and words lit a fire in me. Blogging became my full-time path faster than I ever expected.
In 2008, I released my first eBook, Anti-Aging Beauty Secrets (which I’ve now rebranded as Radiant Ageless Beauty Secrets). Over time, my blog naturally evolved into a holistic health space in 2014, after the births of my two children in 2012 and 2013. In 2009 I took up Aromatherapy and Herbalism Courses and started my Career as a Holistic Healer. And when Homeopathy entered my life in 2011, the entire healing game changed! Homeopathy is truly Magical! And I am always so happy to share my Homeopathic Hacks with you!
But then came Google’s wild algorithm changes in 2019 and suddenly my traffic dropped, just because I was speaking openly about natural alternatives. So much for freedom of speech!
So I took a step back. I separated my beauty and health content and began to explore other passions. And now, I’m bringing everything back with a fresh start.
Some of the Incredible Places we have lived in India and Nepal:
- 20 years in Kathmandu.
- 10 years in Bangalore.
- 12 years in Mysore. I will also be writing about the surrounding gems like Coorg, Ooty, Kannur, Masinagudi, Bandipur etc. on this Blog.
- A few years in Chitwan and Biratnagar in Nepal.
- And a few months of beautiful stays in South Goa and Haldwani (Uttarakhand).
- Other gems like Coorg, Yercaud, Dandeli, Mangalore, Punjab, Himachal, Kerala, Siliguri, and more have also been part of our travel journey.
- And the Journey of exploration continues.
Why a Travel Blog About India & Nepal?
Because the heart of a journey is found in stories and ours begin in India and Nepal.
People often ask why I didn’t choose the US, especially with my parents and brother’s family living in Michigan. My answer is simple: I feel right at home in India and Nepal. There’s an ancient, soul-stirring energy here, a sense of belonging. My spirit recognizes these lands. They feel like home.
I want people to experience the real India and Nepal, not just the surface-level tour packages that everyone talks about. I want them to feel the raw beauty of these places, the spirit that flows through every street, temple, and mountain. Visiting India and Nepal isn’t just about travel, it’s a profound, spiritual experience.
What am I up to these days?
🌹 Writing my very first Romance Novel on Soulmates and Reincarnation.
💸 Building my Financial Freedom Tribe by helping my fellow travelers (and anyone who wishes to achieve Financial Freedom) become Financially Free so that they can live their joy and passion without worrying about Money.
So you see, we’re a family of wanderers, learning, exploring and savoring each place. And the journey continues. The world is truly our classroom and playground.
Here on The Joyful Travels, I share not only our soulful travel adventures but also the income streams that help me live this free, purpose-driven life as a digital nomad mom. I want you to know that you don’t have to be a mom or a traveler to be here. If you’re someone who dreams of a more joyful, authentic and freedom filled life, you’re in the right place.
Thank you for being a part of this journey! I hope my words spark something joyful in you too 🙂
With love,
Citrine & the Kids,
The Joyful Travels
