Blogging changed my life in that it changed my career path, my ideas about the world, and who I am right this moment. Blogging has brought about a whole new person in me, and I absolutely love who I've become. So many other people have been positively influenced by blogging and living in this online world. This new series will introduce you to some of my friends I've met in this huge blogging community! I hope you enjoy meeting every single one of them.

Meet Rachel!

First off, tell us a little bit about yourself and your blog.

I’m a twenty-something blogger in Chicago, living with my boyfriend and our rescue dog. Wayfaring Rachel is a place for people who are constantly pursuing a new “destination” - whether that means the best restaurant in their neighborhood, a way to travel a new country, fashion for their adventures, or health/fitness advice for busy lives.

What inspired you to start blogging?

I’ve always had a nomadic life, with all the ups and downs that come with it. I’m attracted to new places and experiences, but all that moving around can come with hurdles. I wanted to create a space to inspire people to explore the world around them, and to help them do it. For example, I always struggled with traveling and then coming home even more stressed out, so I made this guide to plane productivity - even if you’re without Wi-Fi!

What tips do you have for crazy busy bloggers who want to get involved in Yoga?

Absolutely! I did a post on free yoga videos that range from 10 minutes to a full hour - I always keep these bookmarked so I can do them in a hotel, at the airport (several have yoga rooms now!), or anywhere else I can find.

How did you got where you are?

Connection and exploration are the secret sauce for any venture, I think. You have to know what you value, who you are and who you want to be, and have a genuine interest in building relationships with other people. Yoga has been a really transformative practice for me, enabling me to strip away any noise and focus on building a life I love.

In what ways do you connect with other bloggers?

I met Maxie McCoy at the Create & Cultivate conference in Chicago, and she is a constant source of inspiration. I never delete her emails - that’s the truest definition of blogger love I can think of. I’ve also met wonderful people through Windy City Blogger Collective and would advise all bloggers to search for a similar local group.

What do you hope to achieve with your blog?

I want to connect with fellow wanderlust victims, show off some amazing places, and inspire other people to explore - even if that just means seeing their own city with new eyes.

How has blogging changed your life?

Blogging has enabled me to meet some amazing people (hi!) and travel to places that have changed the way I view the world. I learn so much with every new connection, destination, success, and failure, so I can’t wait to see where blogging takes me in the future.

I want to give a BIG thank you to Rachel for blogging here today! I hope she has been an inspiration for all of you bloggers (new and old). Please don't forget to check out her blog and let her know that you found her via Danyell Bailey's Blog--I'm sure she'd love that!

Also, if you are interested in being featured in my next Blogger Series, please feel free to email me ASAP!