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If you are like me and have been using Instagram for a while, then you probably know all about 'cleaning house'. As in tidying up that following list, which, let's face it, can get out of hand at times. Again, like me, you may have fallen foul of Instagram's notorious 'guidelines' and been put in Insta Jail for too many actions (having to check if someone is following back is an extra tap, for example). Indeed, you may also have been me, heart in mouth and all, when IG detected a third-party app being used and stopped me from logging in entirely. Threatening to disable the account permanently and all sorts. Yep. That went south real quick. Which brings me very nicely to the purpose of this article. I know the struggle is real; many users often dread managing their followers and following lists, especially if trying to identify accounts that don’t follow back. Instagram does the bare minimum to help you with this, although they do have a nugget of a feature that will get you there in six easy steps with some help from our good old friends at ChatGPT. In This Post... ● Introduction ●   Risks of Third-Party Apps ●   Why This Method is Safe ●   The 6-Step Process ●   Tips for Long-Term See More... ●   FAQ ●   Any Other Questions? ●   More Social Media Tips Introduction to this Guide Instagram numbers/stats hold great importance for many users, particularly those looking to boost their follower count for increased engagement and online presence. I have totally been in the thick of a bulging community with healthy exposure, and I sure as heck know what follow-for-follow is, and how quickly those numbers start piling up. Many turn to third-party apps for identifying FNFB (not sure if I just made this up or not, but 'following not following back'). Two years ago, I fell foul of this, admittedly not knowing it could cause a block, but eventually it did. Let's just say 24 days with no access to the 'gram and potentially losing everything you have on there does give one pause for thought. So yes, let's not do that! This guide will show you how to identify accounts not following you back safely - and without breaching those tetchy Instagram community guidelines. It is perfectly within the rules and is super easy. You will have that list cleaned up in no time! Risks of Using Third-Party Apps With Instagram having been cracking down on third-party apps for some time now, users need to adopt secure methods to manage and monitor their follower connections effectively. This Instagram policy is designed to protect user privacy, banning unauthorized apps that gather user data. These apps pose risks, including: ● Privacy breaches, as they often require login information. ● Account suspensions or restrictions. ● Potential for having your account disabled for guideline violations. It is important to note that even with the best of efforts, Apple and Google App Stores will still be brimming with a ton of apps offering to do this type of service. No matter how genuine they look, pilfered IG logo and all, don't touch them! Why This Method is Safe and Effective The method outlined here is compliant with Instagram’s guidelines since it relies on Instagram’s native data-download feature and manual analysis with ChatGPT, ensuring no breach of terms. It does require a little bit of effort once you have the data, but effectively, you are doing the same thing as one of those apps we keep not wanting to talk about. Overview of the Process Below is a brief overview of the easy six-step process we will be covering: ● Obtain your Instagram data, focusing on the 'followers' and 'following' lists. ● Import this data into a suitable analysis format. ● Utilize ChatGPT (or another AI, heck, you could even use Meta's) to detect differences between the two lists, pinpointing individuals who do not follow you back. ● Once you have your list, you can begin unfollowing. Step 1: Exporting Your Instagram Followers Data: Accessing Instagram’s Download Tool Instagram offers a data download tool where you can request a full export of your profile, including followers and following lists: ● Navigate to Settings > Your Activity > Account Center > Download Your Information. ● Select the preferred format (JSON for simplicity or HTML). ● Wait for Instagram to prepare the file; this usually takes a couple of minutes. Refresh the page, and you will notice the status change. * Expand / Swipe for instructions Step 2: Downloading Your Data Files ● Download the file: Extract the compressed file to access the HTML files. IG does offer the option of downloading in JSON format, but it seems to always come in HTML anyway. ● Go to connections > followers_and_following * Expand / Swipe for instructions Step 3: Converting Data for Easy Comparison If your data is in HTML format: ● Open in your browser window ● Highlight all [ctrl + a] and copy ● Paste into Excel (or another similar cell-based app) Step 4: Preparing the Data for Analysis ● Organize your lists to create two columns - Following and Followers. ● Check that the usernames are in a consistent format. ● Delete any unnecessary fields for a cleaner comparison. Step 5: Using ChatGPT to Compare Followers and Following Now that your data is ready, ChatGPT can cross-reference the two lists and give you the names of users not following back. Open ChatGPT and use specific prompts to identify discrepancies. ● Sample prompt: There are two lists in the attached file: 'followers' and 'following'. Compare and list users in 'following' who are not in 'followers'. Ignore the dates in the rows. ChatGPT will output a clean list of non-followers. Double-check ChatGPT’s results by reviewing a few names to ensure accuracy. Minor discrepancies may occur if usernames have changed or if there were any loading errors. Step 6: How to Unfollow Accounts Safely Once you have your list, you can use the search function on IG to visit the profiles you want to unfollow and do so individually. There is no automated process with this, so you just have to take the time. Maybe even just give the accounts a nudge if they are still active, in many cases, they might not realise they weren't following you. Note: You will want to avoid rapid unfollowing to prevent temporary account restrictions. While Instagram has never officially put a number on action blocks, it is believed that anywhere between 200 - 300 actions in 24 hours could land you in hot water. That includes likes, shares, and saves, too. I would recommend unfollowing between 50-100 per day, and be wary of using repetitive actions to do so. It might take a while, but you would rather spend this time than go through the hell of your account being disabled. Believe me! Tips for Managing Your Followers List Long-Term Building a real fan base is super important to keep people interested in today's online world. It's not just about numbers; you've got to work on forming genuine connections. Taking the time to interact with your followers one-on-one is key. As they say, engagement is king. 'Empty follows' honestly does zero for your account, especially with an algorithm that changes the way the wind blows and is decidedly quite anti-social. These days, just following someone back, or indeed following them yourself first, is no given. In the end, genuine growth will only ever come from authentic connections. And if that does become your case, then doing the process in this article will probably be something you won't have to do again. Frequently Asked Questions Can I download my Instagram data anytime? Yes, Instagram’s download tool is available 24/7. Usually, requests are processed within a few minutes, but can take up to 48 hours to become available. Is it safe to use ChatGPT (or another AI) for this process? Yes, ChatGPT analyzes data you input and does not access your accounts or store any private information. Are there limits to unfollowing users on Instagram? Yes, Instagram has limits to prevent spam. Avoid unfollowing large numbers at once to prevent restrictions. The general rule of thumb is to limit the total number of actions to no more than 200 per day. Bear in mind this includes likes, follows, and shares. Will this method show me new followers? No, this method only identifies accounts that you follow who do not follow you back. Can I use this method on a mobile device? Yes, the data files can be downloaded and uploaded through cloud storage to mobile-friendly applications. The data formatting part might be a little tricky on smaller screens, but once you have your list, you can use split-screen view to easily unfollow. Do professional accounts have better tools for tracking followers? Yes, professional accounts on Instagram offer basic engagement metrics, which may help gauge followers’ interaction with your profile. However, IG does not have any option to track unfollows. Any Other Questions? Hopefully, this post has given you all of the tools you need to clean your follower list safely. If you do have any other additional queries on points not covered here, however, you are more than welcome to get in touch . You can also check out our FAQ page  for more Instagram-related questions. Leon Gregori I've been writing poetry since my mid-teens and find it natural to express myself through words. My writing is spontaneous and unstructured, following a freestyle approach. My long-form content focuses on themes of heartbreak and life. Social Media Blog With over 50k followers across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, we've learned a lot—and we're here to share it. From platform growth hacks to online safety tips, these blogs cover real advice, honest experiences, and practical tools to help you navigate the social media world.

It's with a mix of emotions that we are stepping away from Etsy after two years. The platform offered a fantastic launchpad for our products. Still, after careful consideration and a heap of frustrations, we have decided to pursue a different path for our store, Closer Lives Emporium. In this post , we share the many reasons behind our decision and our major concerns with the platform. Things that drove a massive 32% drop in Etsy's stock price in 2023, other sellers leaving in droves and the tripling of Etsy's seller fees. Not to mention the hugely controversial Etsy reserve fiasco. What did we learn on Etsy, and what exciting things do we see coming next? Read on to find out! In This Post... ● What is Etsy? ● How is Etsy Performing? ● Why We Choose Etsy ● Journey to 300 Products ● Understanding the SEO ● The Importance of Branding See More... ● The Etsy Ads Disaster ● Etsy's Direction ● Crazy Etsy Charges ● Time vs Effort ● Competition – How Tough Is It? ● The Infamous 'Reserve' Debacle ● Poor Store Customization ● Time to Quit ● Benefits of Your Site ● The Future ● Our Lifestyle Blog First Things First, What is Etsy?   Etsy is an online marketplace that caters to those who appreciate unique and handcrafted items. It's a popular destination for people looking to support independent sellers and artists from all over the world. The platform offers a wide range of products, from jewelry and clothing to home decor and art. If you're looking for something special and bespoke, Etsy is a great place to browse. Imagine Etsy as a giant online version of a craft fair. Here, you'll find a vast selection of handmade and vintage items created by independent sellers. This means you're directly supporting creative individuals who put their heart and soul into their work. So if you're looking for a one-of-a-kind piece or a gift with a personal touch, Etsy is worth checking out. ⪢ Drop Shipping and Print-on-Demand In addition to handcrafted items, Etsy is also a platform that is an outlet for the masses of drop-shippers and print-on-demand companies who have exploded onto the scene in recent years. Drop-shipping and print-on-demand (POD) companies like Printify are fulfillment models that allow you to sell products online without holding any inventory. With drop-shipping, you partner with a supplier who stores and ships products directly to your customers after you make a sale. POD takes it a step further - you design custom products (like t-shirts or mugs) and the POD provider prints them on demand only when someone orders, handling the fulfillment for you. Both models free you up from managing stock and allow you to test out a wider range of products without upfront investment. How is Etsy Performing? In Q4 2023, Etsy reached 7.9 million active sellers, with a year-over-year growth of 3.8%.   One reason why selling on Etsy can be profitable is the growing number of buyers on the platform. According to Etsy, the number of active buyers went up by 3.4% to 97.3 million. This shows that Etsy is becoming a bigger market where sellers can make good money.   In 2023, Etsy’s consolidated Gross Merchandise Sales (GMS) decreased slightly to $13.16 billion from $13.32 billion in 2022, with a 1.2% decrease. However, annual consolidated revenue notably increased, reaching $2.75 billion, marking a 7.1% YoY increase from $2.57 billion in 2022. Particularly noteworthy is the fourth quarter performance, where revenue marks a new record of $842.2 million, a 4.3% increase compared to Q4 2022, highlighting Etsy’s ongoing strength and resilience.   In February 2024, Etsy received 474.1 million visits, according to the web traffic collected by Similarweb . This number has made Etsy the 4th player in the Marketplace and Shopping category, only after Amazon, eBay, and Walmart. Source: https://www.fool.com/ Despite this 'increase', 2023 was not such a good year for the platform when you drill down into the numbers. While its revenue seems to have grown, actual sales on Etsy have stalled. On Etsy, the money from sales goes directly to the millions of sellers on the platform, not Etsy itself. Etsy makes its money by charging sellers fees for various services they use to list and sell their products. Here's the interesting part: Even though Etsy's revenue has increased from a very aggressive seller fee strategy to counter losses, the total amount of sales on the platform (called Gross Merchandise Sales or GMS) has dipped. This means sellers are making less money overall. This trend worried investors in 2023, and it's why Etsy took action. In December of that year, they announced they were laying off 11% of their staff to focus on initiatives that would help sellers grow their sales on the platform. Initiatives that we will look at throughout this post. Funnily enough, they do not seem to be helping one bit. Why We Choose Etsy for Closer Lives Emporium Fresh into our full-time travel adventure and with an eye on not depleting our savings too much, we started looking around for some serious ways to earn on the go. Etsy was by no means our only option, as we were already teaching English online when we decided to give it a try. That being said, we liked the idea of earning money without having to do much; it kind of seemed too good to be true! We were inspired by many hours of researching YouTubers, and successful entrepreneurs who were sharing their Etsy success stories. Some were demonstrating hundreds of thousands of sales on POD items. With plenty of creative ideas as content creators on social media, it looked like an opportunity for us, too. If they could do it, why couldn't we? At the time, we were establishing this website, which was born from Closer Lives Poetry on Instagram, a community page which Jenn had founded. Closer Lives was intended to be a Creator Academy initially, to expand the concept beyond the confines of IG at the time. With very little experience in website building, establishing our POD range on Closer Lives did not seem like the best idea, given the fact that it would take some time to garner domain authority, and we wanted to start earning straight away. So familiar with the brand and prowess of Etsy, it seemed like the perfect spot to build. And so, Closer Lives Emporium was born. The Journey to 300 Products We started creating our range in Merida, Mexico (of all places). We had a super cute Airbnb in the middle of a quiet urban sector of the city. It was a good spot to relax and get creative, and once we got started, our range just exploded! There are a few platforms you can try for POD services, the main one being printify.com . We set up an account with both but opted to use Printify more as it felt a little more user-friendly, and it synchronized with Etsy pretty seamlessly. For those who may not know, POD companies usually have tie-ups with big players like Etsy and Shopify, whereby the products you create are uploaded directly to the respective selling platform. Any time a product sells, the order automatically generates in the POD platform, and aside from some customer service, the process is entirely automated from the point of order to the customer receiving the goods. There are some nuances and processes you can put in place, like manually authorizing orders, sending thank you emails, and such, but even postal tracking is automated so you don't have to. All this takes a little bit of work to set up and get right, but once you have it done, you can sit back and earn money in your sleep, as they say. We kind of lost track of how many items we were creating at one point; if anything, we were just having fun with it. We quickly made it to over 100 products, and before we knew it, we hit over 300 across 17 categories. Woah!!! Understanding the SEO: Product Descriptions, alt tags, Size Charts, etc. Mistakes Spell a Time-Consuming Disaster! One of the biggest challenges was marketing the products, which goes far beyond just making it and sticking it on your Etsy storefront. There are things like flat-lays, descriptions, alt tags, getting the title right, terms and conditions, refund policies, privacy policies, size charts, fulfillment times, actual delivery times, etc. Say what now? We thought this was going to be easy! Such things are not exactly talked about when people share their glossy charts advertising thousands of sales. This was exactly where time started to become a factor. Creating a ton of designs, popping them onto a product template, and pressing 'publish' is honestly the easy part. Getting these items on the virtual shelf properly is another matter entirely. Especially if you don't know what you're doing, and make some critical mistakes along the way. Let's give you an example. Alt tags. Yes, alt tags. You may have heard of them, and in the past year or so, they have grown into the conversation so much so that you can even see them given as an option for you in your Instagram posts. An alt tag is a hidden description for an image on a webpage, helping visually impaired people understand the image. It also provides backup text if the image fails to load, but perhaps most crucially, it improves search engine ranking . And search engine ranking is a biggie. Like the biggest, actually. Funnily enough, alt tags weren't a thing on Etsy. When we started in 2021, they weren't prevalent at all. So we did not make them. Just as we did not make size chart thumbnails for our items, or fulfillment information graphics. A BIG mistake we had no clue we were making. Let us tell you that when you have 300 items, and realize you need to update them all with critical things like size chart graphics, it is hours of work . Then Etsy comes along and hits you with alt tags. Then you realize you aren't making sales, potentially because of these issues. Then the panic sets in when you realize on average, each of your items has at least 10 photos, which means potentially 3000 alt tags. Say what now? So hopefully we can paint the picture now! After all of our initial hype of getting things onto Etsy, we knew our shop was always going to struggle without some serious time being put into the background. SEO-effective product titles and descriptions were not something we did before uploading the item from Printify. They were just generic. We had to design a whole bunch of things, like our size charts and product flat-lays. Then upload those and figure out how the hell to write a good alt tag, let alone 3000 of them. Weeks and months passed before we were finally able to get things done. Let us tell you, those weeks and months are measured in actual time spent , or at least it certainly feels like it looking back. The Importance of Branding So things were starting to move, and after the rough months at the beginning, we were starting to learn a lot and were making some serious progress on getting our listings up to scratch. We could see the difference it was making, too, picking up some sales here or there, and getting excited about the prospects. Our product wall was looking better by the day, and our products themselves were looking professional and organized. One of the key elements to this was our branding, something we took great care to curate right from the off. Again, we were very inexperienced with this kind of thing and quickly found out why people pay big bucks for logo designers and high-performance graphics. Just so you know, Canva is great and all, but it is very limiting when it comes to logos. We never did end up paying big bucks, but then again, the offset against changing our logo several times, and having issues with pixelation and poor quality, perhaps we should have done so in hindsight. The crux of the branding comes in with all of the 'peripheral' stuff that the big drop-shippers do not tell you about. Those fulfillment charts and delivery info charts are very important. A brand is more than just a flashy logo; it is in the details, the way you market your products, the follow-up emails, and the terms and conditions. These things can make or break a business and are often sidelined in the short-term pursuit of mega bucks. Fortunately, with our business experience, we did particularly well in this area, but again, that dreaded time count was adding up. Yet more hours, days, and weeks to get it spot on! The Etsy Ads Disaster So, at the point in our journey where we finally felt like our store was how we wanted it, in terms of all of the above, we were still struggling to hit consistent sales. We had gotten over the 20 mark, which had felt like quite a lot of work for not really that much. With all of the effort we had put into getting the descriptions, titles, and alt tags right, we were hoping for far more return than that. With our reach pretty low and our confidence in our products pretty high, we concluded that we should invest some cash into the store. Now, sure, time is money, so the months of work it had taken to get to this point should always be considered as an investment, but we are talking cold, hard bucks in the system. We were averaging about ten visitors a day to our store, and simple logic told us that this was never going to be enough to take off. Besides, Etsy is obsessed with pushing its advertising-to-sales potential at you, so we decided to bite. And wait for the sales to roll in. This is where our frustration with the platform started to kick in. Now, you might think that paying some money for a bigger slice of the reach pie might automatically boost your profits. But with Etsy, this is a big no-no. ⪢ Etsy Ads Offers Two Ways to Promote Your Products to a Wider Audience on Etsy and Beyond: ● Onsite Ads: These work on a cost-per-click (CPC) basis. You set a daily budget, and Etsy will display your ads in various locations throughout the Etsy platform, like search results or product pages. You only pay when someone clicks on your ad, not when they just see it. ● Offsite Ads: This is a commission-based advertising program. Etsy automatically enrolls all sellers and displays your product listings on other platforms like Google, Pinterest, or Instagram. You only pay a commission (12-15% of the sale price) if someone clicks on your ad and then makes a purchase within 30 days. Funnily enough, it seemed like every ad-based sale we were making was coming from 'off-site ads'. So we were losing 12-15% every time. Not to mention the taxes on top (which we will get into later). Now, the average margin on your items, especially if you want to remain competitive and soak up the delivery charge, might only be 20%. Take away Etsy ad fees, taxes, and Etsy listing fees, and yes, folks, you are losing money. Sadly for us, at least 80% of our sales were barely breaking even. Before we even factored the time spent on creating the damn things. Etsy's cut was easily approaching 25-30% with offsite ads factored in, and without them, the chances of selling through onsite ads were zero. We quickly realized that Etsy was starting to demonstrate itself as a little bit of a scam. With the platform raking in billions, where on earth was the support for the sellers that make it? 25%? Mad. ⪢ Was There Even a Good Reach? In all fairness, the reach on Etsy ads did seem okay. We saw an uptick of around 100 visitors a day to our store at one point, although that cost us a cool $130 in a month before we cut it off. It just was not worth it with the offset against sales barely breaking even. A shortage of actual buyers on the platform? Or were our products just not good enough? An argument for the latter, although we had sold at least one across 30% of our range. Deep down, we just knew the exposure was not good enough. Etsy's Direction... Too Concerned with Updates and Apps With the amount of money Etsy was charging us for listings and ads, we were wondering if there was going to be some sort of major investment in the system to boost reach or something. Yes, we know that is wishful thinking, but at this point, we have put way too much work into it to simply give up. We turned the ads on and then off, then on again, desperately hoping they would spur the organic reach we craved. A few sales trickled in, we lost money, and we eventually decided to keep them off. In 2022, it felt like the money was going into constant updates and tweaks. A whole new app to replace one that was not broken, a slew of changes to product features and parameters (which meant yet another 300 changes), and then one of the most frustrating of all, an enforced delivery lead-time update, which led to another 300 changes. There were plenty of others besides, and we seemed to be spending far more time catering to the platform than sending out 'thank you for your custom' emails. Sales were few and far between, but the time demanded was off the charts. In the past two years (roughly April 2022 - April 2024), Etsy has implemented several changes to improve the platform for both sellers and buyers. There have been adjustments to fee structures, though, as ever with Etsy, the specifics are ridiculously complex. After major seller backlash campaigns in the past few years, Etsy has made efforts to improve search algorithms and introduce new features to help buyers discover unique products. This involved better filtering options or promoting (apparently) high-quality listings. There have also been updates to the off-site ads program, such as offering sellers more control over their ad placements and budgets. Honestly, it is all company bluster to keep us going and paying our fees. Sadly, hardly any of it has worked. Crazy Etsy Charges The crazy Etsy charges. The crazy Etsy statements. It is one of the worst parts of the platform. Even to this day, we still cannot make sense of the chaos. Etsy provides a monthly statement, and on it is a barrage of costs that no amount of terms and conditions can understand! For example, we sold a pair of green sneakers and a pair of brown sneakers. 2 items, that's it, that's all. On Etsy's statement - TWENTY separate charges. Yes, 20! Let's give you more of an idea: The sale of the two pairs of sneakers came to $74.08 (CAD) . Charges applied by Etsy (we have added both charges together, but they are all separately placed on your statement, for each item, just to confuse you): ● Bill for Click-Throughs: $2.65 ● VAT on Etsy Ads: $0.53 ● Listing Fee: $0.27 ● VAT Auto-Renew Sold: $0.10 ● Processing Fee: $3.21 ● VAT on Processing Fee: $1.28 ● Sales Tax Paid by Buyer: $9.70 ● Transaction Fee: $9.24 ● Regulatory Operating Fee: $0.36 ● VAT on Transaction: $1.84 TOTAL: $29.18 So, given that our profit margin on both pairs of sneakers is $36, that leaves us with $6. Raising prices is not an option as we are trying to stay competitive with others in the market... given all of the work involved in launching the product, $6 is not a lot. And the more money thrown at advertising for no returns equals a loss, sadly. ⪢ Oh, and the Listing Fees... We were aware of the listing fees before joining, however, it is another expense that can seem to sneak up on you without you realizing it. Every item comes with an initial listing fee, which renews every 4 months, and is also charged on each sale. While 27 cents might not seem a lot, when you factor in 300 products, it starts to add up and eat into the margins. Time vs Effort - Is It Worth It? Now, none of this is to say all is completely at a loss. From what we understand, for drop-shippers, Etsy is all about volume. If you can sell a thousand sneakers, that becomes a $6000 profit. But the offshoot is that you simply cannot reach volume without Etsy ads, and Etsy ads are unsustainable and unprofitable. It is all geared towards raking in money for the platform, leaving the sellers with nothing but years of hard work with little to show for it. It is not worth it in our opinion. Maybe a few years ago, in the early days of Etsy, it was, but in this day and age, it is a false economy. It all feels a little like working for a public company where you bust a gut for minimum wage while the fat cats at the top flood their paychecks with millions of dollars. And you can bet they aren't working nearly as hard. Etsy works on the same principle, and we decided we were no longer going to fall for it! Competition – How Tough Is It? The competition on Etsy can be quite tough, as we have already mentioned, but it also depends on several factors: ⪢ Saturation Certain niches on Etsy (like printed tees) are highly saturated, meaning many sellers are offering similar products. This can make it challenging for new shops to stand out, especially for popular items like clothing or travel accessories (like ours). ⪢ Search Ranking Etsy's search algorithm plays a big role in determining which shops appear first in search results. Understanding SEO principles and optimizing your listings with relevant keywords is crucial for getting your products seen, according to Etsy, but by no means guaranteed. In our experience, the big accounts gobble up about 90%, leaving the remaining 10% feeding off the scraps. Ok, we cannot back up those numbers, but it certainly felt like that in the 2 years we went at it. ⪢ Product Differentiation What makes your products unique? Do you offer a special design element, use high-quality materials, or cater to a specific niche within a broader category? Standing out from the crowd is essential for attracting customers. That is what the Etsy 'experts' tell you anyway. Thumbnails are crucial, as are titles, but that takes time and money (Canva Pro or flat-lay app subscriptions, for example). All while eating into the little-to-no profit margins you have. ⪢ Marketing & Branding Successful Etsy shops often invest in marketing their products beyond just the Etsy platform. This could involve social media promotion, influencer partnerships, or running targeted ads. Building a strong brand identity also helps you resonate with potential customers. Again, this all costs a lot of time and money and can be very draining. It is a hard slog, with absolutely no guarantees. Especially when you are fighting against millions of others. The Infamous Etsy 'Reserve' Debacle The Etsy "reserve" debacle refers to a policy change implemented in 2021 that caused significant frustration among many sellers. Here's a breakdown of what happened: ⪢ The Policy Etsy introduced a system where they could withhold a portion (usually 75%, yes 75%! ) of sellers' funds in a reserve account. This meant sellers wouldn't have immediate access to the full amount from their sales. ⪢ Reasons for the Reserve The purpose, according to Etsy, was to protect the platform and buyers from potential fraud. They would hold the reserve until specific criteria were met, such as the order being shipped with tracking or a certain timeframe passing (typically 45 days). ⪢ Sellers' Frustration Several aspects of the policy caused major problems for sellers, with the lack of transparency quite shocking. Many sellers felt Etsy wasn't clear about why their funds were being placed in reserve, making it difficult to address the issue. ⪢ Cash Flow Impact Holding a significant portion of funds could strain a seller's cash flow, especially for those who rely on Etsy income to purchase materials or cover other business expenses. ⪢ Impact on New Shops New shops (like us at the time), which are more susceptible to being flagged for reserve due to limited sales history, could find it challenging to gain momentum if their earnings are restricted. ⪢ Aftermath The policy received significant pushback from the seller community, with many voicing their concerns online and through petitions and boycotts. While Etsy has made adjustments to the policy since its initial implementation, the "reserve" debacle remains a point of contention for many sellers. This shambolic policy was not quite the final straw when it was first implemented, but coupled with the insane charges, constant changes to the platform, the awful ad program, and terrible reach, we were getting there. Poor Store Customization Another major source of frustration for us came with the lack of customization for our storefront, which, honestly, is pretty poor given the number of changes Etsy loves to implement practically anywhere else. For example, items sold always go to the number 1 spot in the feed, which means if you have a layout aesthetic, you are constantly reorganizing it. And the re-organization process sucks and is very time-consuming. The store banner is a nightmare, has poor rendering, and is a pain to size correctly. You can get additional layout options, but of course, you must pay monthly for the privilege. The product layouts cannot be customized, and it is very difficult to showcase your brand beyond the small profile picture. These are just a few frustrations, there are plenty more plastered all over the internet. Very disappointing for Etsy, given how much money it is extracting from its sellers. The Turning Point: We QUIT ETSY and Move to Closer Lives So what was the straw that broke the camel's back? Well, in all honesty, it was our website, THIS website, which did it. Up until mid-2023, our website had taken a bit of a back seat to Etsy, our travels, teaching English online, and YouTube. We had started it as a creator academy, abandoned that, and then started to blog a little. But with limited time and uncertainty as to how to monetize, it just was not a priority. After experiencing a dramatic rise and surpassing monetization on YouTube while in Jakarta in 2023, we knew that our website was an opportunity we could no longer avoid. We had blogged a little up until that point, but the design and usability were poor, and it was not bringing in any cash. We were nervous about throwing time at it, as we were concerned that it would be another Etsy situation. A whole lot of work for no payout. Well, we were very happy to be proved wrong on that front! After some serious research, again, that good old time , and some big blogs, we completely overhauled Closer Lives. It has been 6 months of major reconstruction, and we are now seeing tangible results: increased ad revenues, over ten thousand visitors a month, and even store sales. Our brand, our OWN money, and a GENUINE COMMUNITY that we could never replicate on Etsy. The decision was made. Time to go it alone! The Benefits of Building Your Site Building your website and online store offers several advantages compared to selling on platforms like Etsy; here are just a few reasons and things to consider: ⪢ Greater Control & Branding You have complete control over the design, layout, and branding of your online store. This allows you to create a unique shopping experience that reflects your brand identity and resonates with your target audience. On Etsy, your shop operates within a larger platform with a pre-determined layout and branding elements. ⪢ Lower Fees While website building and hosting come with costs, you typically avoid the transaction fees and listing fees associated with marketplaces like Etsy. In the long run, this can lead to significant savings, especially for businesses with high sales volume. ⪢ Customer Data Ownership When you run your store, you collect customer data directly, allowing you to build targeted email marketing campaigns and gain valuable insights into your customer base. On Etsy, customer data belongs to the platform, limiting your marketing options. ⪢ Flexibility & Customization With your website, you have the freedom to customize the functionality of your online store. This could involve adding features like loyalty programs, subscription boxes, or personalized product recommendations, which might not be readily available on marketplaces. ⪢ Scalability As your business grows, your website can easily scale to accommodate increased traffic and product offerings. Scaling on marketplaces might involve additional fees or limitations depending on the platform's structure. ⪢ Here's a Caveat, Though Building and maintaining your website requires more effort and technical expertise compared to using a pre-built platform like Etsy. You'll need to consider factors like web hosting, domain name registration, website design, security measures, and ongoing maintenance. However, the long-term benefits of control, cost-efficiency, and brand ownership can be significant for businesses looking to establish a strong online presence! The Future of Closer Lives Emporium: What Have We Learnt, and Where Do We Go From Here? This whole experience has been a massive learning curve for us, and as ever, hindsight will always demonstrate what could have, should not, and what could have been. If we could go back and do it all over again, would we? To be honest, as tempting as that might be, we wouldn't. We learned far too much through our own mistakes, and we appreciate those as much as we do our successes. We did sell on Etsy, we did make a little bit of cash, and we did come out of it with almost 300 products that are still very much alive and well right here on our site. The learning curve has been steep and challenging, but it has not deterred us from making a success of Closer Lives Emporium. That being said, it has also pushed us to develop our site as a whole, which in turn led to us pursuing one of our biggest passions - writing and blogging! Would that have still been a reality if we were pushing our Etsy store? I guess we will never know, but one thing is for sure: we are having the time of our lives developing this blog, and happiness genuinely is the key to success. The energy this blog continues to give us is the cornerstone of Closer Lives. That all being said, our store is very much operational here, and you are welcome to take a look! We hope this post has helped you in some way, and if you have any questions and want to pick our brains at all, feel free to get in touch! Please drop a comment or pop us an email; we are always on hand and our advice is free. Helping and making a difference: that to us is a far better use of our time! Our Lifestyle Blog Since deciding to sell our houses, let go of 90% of our possessions, pack up our remaining things, and head for the airport, we have learned a lot. We mean A LOT! This full-time travel journey is now entering its fourth year, and we are almost transitioning from travelers to alternative living. In our lifestyle blogs, we want to share our journey with you, along with everything we have learned, the ups and downs, the tips, tricks, and recommendations that can help you change your life if you are done with the 9-5.

If you are here it is sadly likely that your account has been disabled by Instagram. Or locked out, or maybe even hacked. 'Your account has been disabled for violating our terms'. Pretty much the total of it right? Unfortunately, when this happens, Instagram doesn't exactly help you out with any information. Just a quick Google search will offer you an absolute ton of pages offering to help you recover your account, along with plenty of scam messages that you will see plastered all over Reddit and Facebook forums. Let me tell you, if anyone is offering to get your account back, especially for money exchange, do not do it! In this post, I am not here to ask you for anything. I am simply just one of the large numbers of people who have had this happen to them, and I just want to offer you advice from my own experience with Meta, and helping countless others, for FREE. Read on for a highly effective new 2025 method which has worked for many people this year already, and I hope, many more. In This Post... ● Why is My Account Disabled? ● Can I Recover My account? ● Disabled Account Appeal Forms ● Meta Verified ● My Account Has Been Hacked See More... ● Protecting Your Account ● FAQ's ● Get in Touch ● Social Media Tips & Insights Why Did Instagram Disable My Account? There are many known reasons as to why this may have happened, with one of the most significant of them being if you have used an unauthorized app to connect to your account, like one of those follow/unfollow ones. Before we continue, from this point on, if that is the case, just don't hide it. In any of your communications, be upfront about it, because Meta knows . And they are far more likely to forgive and forget if you own up to it straight off the bat, rather than try to plead innocence/ignorance. Here are a few common reasons why your account may have been disabled: ● Connecting an unauthorized application to your account, such as insight apps, automated like apps, follow/unfollow apps, etc. Tap here for more about this .   ● Buying followers (these are usually bots) ● Joining follow loops / follow trains ● Participating in engagement groups ● Sending spam messages to followers and non-followers ● Following & unfollowing in large numbers ● Using Instagram shopping in unlicensed countries ● Providing your login credentials to a 3rd party application or service that is automating actions or scraping information ● Using an app or service to interact with Facebook or Instagram in unauthorized ways ● Your account was shared or compromised/hacked, and someone is taking actions on your behalf or without your knowledge ● Changing your location regularly I would highly advise reading the Terms & Conditions of Use  in Instagram's Help Centre  to try and fully understand why the block has happened. Be honest with yourself and do not be afraid to admit any breach of the rules. As you progress with the appeal, and as you will see from my experience, honesty is the best policy here. I have written an extensive article about this topic, which you can read below. In it, I include all of the dos and don'ts around how to stay within Instagram's infamous community guidelines, and how to contact Meta / Facebook through the Meta Business Centre . Worth a read before you formulate your email / plead your case. Will I Be Able to Recover My Account? For this post, I am mainly going to focus on a new approach to contact Instagram directly through the IG app. Before we get to it, I must stress that the process outlined in my original post about this topic still stands, and should be followed first, so you can generate your case number(s). It is also important that you have a Facebook account, although with this process, it does not need to be a business account, and you do not need an ad account either (although this may help in the long run). Other mitigating factors include the length of time your account has been disabled. I am hoping you are here because it has only just happened, but there may also be a chance you are here because you are at your wits' end trying to recover your account, and have been for a while. Sadly, if you are the latter, know that you only have 30 days from the point of getting your account disabled to the point of recovery. After that period has elapsed, the account will automatically go into IG's deletion process. From there on in, it is game over, I'm afraid. Instagram Disabled Account Appeal Forms So, assuming you are below the 30-day threshold (the earlier the better), are prepared to own up to any potential infringements of the community guidelines (including follow apps and engagement groups!), let's get started with the process. First things first, you may have heard about all of the Appeal Forms you will need to let Instagram know you are appealing the deactivation of your account. They look something like this: ● instagram.com/contact/60696731 ● instagram.com/contact/39616978 ● instagram.com/contact/43790879 ● instagram.com/contact/16525678 ● instagram.com/contact/16104597 ** March 2025 Update: It appears that Meta / Instagram has removed the functionality of these forms. This may be temporary, or it could be a permanent change. Should the links not work, jump straight to Facebook Live Support  or try instagram.com/hacked Should you be able to locate the forms, my advice is to complete each of these forms once only and on separate days . You will most likely read and see many people advising you to complete these multiple times a day until you get a response. I did this myself. In total, I completed each one 3 times! However, I eventually found out that this was to my detriment. After speaking directly with Meta, they clearly stated that every submission goes to the bottom of the pile! It seems strange, but it kind of makes sense. Think about it, you and I will not be the only ones to assume that the more we fill out the forms, the better chances we will have. They receive thousands on any given day, and so they treat it like a waiting list. You are in a queue, and there is no jumping the line, I'm afraid. Meta Verified, and Getting Your Instagram Account Back Meta Verified adds extra security to your account [Source: Getty Images ] Once you have completed the forms, the next stage of the process, which is brand new for 2025, is to get yourself Meta Verified . This is honestly the golden goose in recovering your account, and I have seen countless successes through this route, having advised many accounts this year about it. ⪢ How Much Does Meta Verified Cost? A Meta Verified subscription for standard creator accounts is USD 14.99 per month. There are several business plans available, too, which include additional features and offers. You can find the full range of options and purchase information here . Prices are correct at the time of writing (Feb 2025). All prices are in U.S. dollars. Convert your currency here . ⪢ I'm Now Verified. How Do I Get in Touch with Instagram? Now, this will work best if you can do it through Instagram. If you have a second account, you can do it on there, or if not, you can set up a new account. There is no minimum following on who can get verified, so that is not an issue. You can also do it through Facebook if you do not want to set up a new account. The important thing is that you use the same information as would be on the account that is disabled. That means the same email, the same name, and ideally phone number too. I cannot stress how important that is to the process. Once you have been verified, you can gain immediate access to Instagram Live Chat Support. There is also a much higher probability of getting your account back, as Instagram has now verified your identity. So, here is how to get in touch. As with most things, it is buried in an obscure place in the settings area: OR Note that you can also use this area to contact me by email, which I would advise you to do as a backup option. Be sure to have all of your reference numbers from the appeal process to hand, as you will need them. When you talk with the support team, be sure to make a genuine case as to why you believe your account should be reinstated. Tell them what it means to you, why you use it, and what went wrong. ⪢ Honesty is the Best Policy Honesty is the best policy, and most of the success I have seen has been through people simply owning up to why, and being genuine about their use on Instagram and the connections they have made through their account. Instagram is not the enemy; as with any business, they just want to protect their rules. In all of the cases I have seen this year, this process has gotten the account reactivated. In most cases, it has taken less than 24 hours . If there is any reason why it cannot be given back to you, at least here you will find out directly from Instagram itself. I Did Not Violate Guidelines; My Instagram Account Has Been Hacked Instagram has a specific team to support hacked accounts [Source: Getty Images] If you have been locked out of your account entirely, going through the process outlined here is unlikely to help. Although I would still suggest giving it a try. Again, if you are verified, it boosts your chances of proving who you are, which is the first major hurdle to overcome. The only place to go in this instance is instagram.com/hacked . Protecting Your Account There are a couple of things you can do to help keep your account secure and in good order. All of these options can be found in the settings area of your Instagram account. ⪢ Connected Apps & Websites It is recommended that you check this to ensure there are no unauthorized connections to your account or connections you do not recognize. ⪢ Two-Factor Authentication & Data Download I would certainly advise turning on Two-Factor Authentication  on Instagram. Even if you do not 'log in' that often, adding this layer of security will make it harder for hackers to gain access to your account. The Data Download  feature on Instagram is not well known, but it is an excellent option for keeping your data secure. Once requested, you will have 4 days to accept the download from your email. It comes as raw data, so do not expect it to look like your posts do on the app. All of your photos, videos, comments, likes, etc, will come to you in separate folders, which is a bit tricky to navigate and piece together. However, this is a fantastic option that helps you protect your content and potentially re-use it should you ever need or want to start a new account. ⪢ Security Check Up Instagram has been adding several features over the past couple of years, and if you are using the app, you can utilize the 'security check-up' feature in the settings section. Here you can review all of the key security aspects of your account in one place, including your phone number, associated email address, and that essential two-factor authentication. If you can recover your account, I would highly recommend reviewing these settings. Not particularly helpful if you are only reading this because your account is disabled, I know, but I wanted to include it nonetheless! Frequently Asked Questions: Recovering Your Disabled Instagram Account What does a disabled Instagram account mean? A disabled account is temporarily or permanently removed by Instagram for violating guidelines or due to suspicious activity. You won’t be able to log in and will usually see a message stating your account was disabled. Why was my Instagram account disabled? Common reasons include: ● Violating community guidelines (e.,g. nudity, hate speech, spam) ● Using unauthorized third-party apps ● Copyright infringement ● Reports from other users ● A mistaken flag by Instagram’s AI systems Can I recover my disabled account? Yes—many users do successfully recover their accounts by using the official appeal process and, if eligible, contacting Meta’s live support. Be patient and persistent. Where do I submit an appeal? If the appeal process doesn’t resolve the issue, you can try reaching out to Instagram support directly. Be sure to review their community guidelines to understand what may have caused the account to be disabled. Where do I submit an appeal? You can only appeal directly through the link on your login message, should the appeal form process not work. If your Instagram is linked to a Facebook Business account, you may be able to access Meta’s live chat support . This is currently the fastest and most effective route for many creators and influencers. How long does recovery take? Recovery can take anywhere from 24 hours to several weeks, depending on your case, your appeal message, and Instagram’s backlog. Follow up politely every few days. How do I access Meta's support live chat? If your IG account is linked to a Facebook Business account, you may qualify for live chat through Meta Business Support. This is currently one of the fastest methods for getting help. What should I write in my appeal message? Keep it clear and professional. Explain: ● Your account was disabled in error ● You follow the guidelines ● You would like the account reinstated ● Avoid emotional language or accusations. Can I recover a hacked and then disabled account? Yes, but you’ll need to first secure your email and Facebook, then appeal to Instagram. Mention the hack in your message and use “I believe my account was compromised” where relevant. What if I don’t hear back from Instagram? Try again every 48–72 hours. Use different forms if necessary. Be polite and consistent—it often takes multiple attempts before a response. How can I prevent future account issues? ● Enable two-factor authentication ● Don’t use unapproved third-party apps ● Avoid risky content or banned hashtags ● Link your account to Facebook and a verified email ● Download your data regularly Any Other Questions? Hopefully, this post has given you all of the tools you need to clean your follower list safely. If you do have any other additional queries on points not covered here, however, you are more than welcome to get in touch . You can also check out our FAQ page for more Instagram-related questions. Leon Gregori I've been writing poetry since my mid-teens and find it natural to express myself through words. My writing is spontaneous and unstructured, following a freestyle approach. My long-form content focuses on themes of heartbreak and life. Social Media Blog With over 50k followers across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, we've learned a lot—and we're here to share it. From platform growth hacks to online safety tips, these blogs cover real advice, honest experiences, and practical tools to help you navigate the social media world.

'Your account has been disabled for violating our terms.' No doubt that is the reason you are here, and believe me, I can relate to how you are feeling right now. I have been where you are, and I am writing this post to share my experience and hopefully help you recover your Instagram account. I also share tips, tricks, dos, and don'ts so you can avoid this happening again in the future. In This Post... ● My Account Was Deactivated ● Why is My Account disabled? ● The First Message & What's Next ● Contacting Instagram ● Instagram Appeal Forms See More... ● Appeal Sent - the Next Steps ● What NOT to Do While You Wait ● 7 Days Later - What's Next ● Facebook Live Support ● My Ad Account Issue ● What Instagram Wanted to Know ● Account Recovery Complete! ● The Final Word Additional Resources ● Protecting Your Account ● FAQ ● Any Other Questions? ● Social Media Tips & Insights My Instagram Account Was Deactivated I have been an avid user of Instagram for over 3 years, and for those of you who know our journey  here at Closer Lives, you will see that it is on Instagram that Jenn and I met for the very first time. Instagram: @myplayonlife Instagram has had a huge impact on our lives, and indeed, our entire story, alongside our travel adventures, has been shared there. Our Instagram accounts are months, years, and even decades of copious amounts of time and energy put into content, follower growth, design, and promotion. Not to mention the amazing people and friends that, no doubt, like me, you have connected with. The moment I was 'disabled' was like a rug being pulled from under my feet, and it was a hard moment to take. Just like that, everything I had built was under threat. I had no reason, no understanding, and just a deep sense of fear that the journey may well be over. I thought it simply must have been a mistake. Tap the appeal, fill out the very basic information request, and wait 24 hours. It will be alright, I have not done anything wrong. I will get it back, I told myself. I tried to stay positive and maintain as much patience as I could muster. In the early days of my block, I managed it, but by day 3, my emotions were starting to get the better of me. I realised that simply waiting was not going to be enough. I started to research relentlessly to find out more information, reading countless articles and watching a plethora of videos about it on YouTube. After several hours of this, I knew that I had no choice but to fight for my account or risk losing it for good. This is my story, and some of the things I discovered that may just help you get your account back. Read on  to find out how to appeal, what NOT to do, how to contact Meta, and ultimately how I recovered my account. ⪢ First things first... While this may not be the easiest thing to read right now, expect to hear this from friends, family, and even Meta themselves. Don't panic!   It is indeed sound advice; even if you have violated the community guidelines, your chances of recovering your account are fairly good if this is the first time you have been blocked. You will have to wait; do not be surprised if it takes up to a month  to get things sorted. However, you may just get it back a lot sooner. The truth is, it is highly unpredictable. Why Has My Instagram Account Been Disabled? There are many reasons why your account will have been disabled. Instagram's guidelines are very clear, but have you read them? Perhaps not, and honestly, neither had I. Most of my knowledge in terms of what and what not to do had come from word of mouth and posts from other users who had fallen foul of the rules. To be clear, this post will NOT help you if your account has been suspended (as in you can still log in, but cannot like, comment, follow, etc). This post is only for no longer being able to access/log in to their account . Here are a few common reasons why your account may have been disabled: ● Connecting an unauthorized application to your account, such as insight apps, automated like apps, follow/unfollow apps, etc. Tap here for more about this . ● Buying followers (these are usually bots) ● Joining follow loops / follow trains ● Participating in engagement groups ● Sending spam messages to followers and non-followers See More... ● Following & unfollowing in large numbers ● Using Instagram shopping in unlicensed countries ● Providing your login credentials to a 3rd party application or service that is automating actions or scraping information ● Using an app or service to interact with Facebook or Instagram in unauthorized ways ● Your account was shared or compromised/hacked, and someone is taking actions on your behalf or without your knowledge ● Changing your location regularly I would highly advise reading the Terms & Conditions of Use in Instagram's Help Centre to try and fully understand why the block has happened. Be honest with yourself and do not be afraid to admit any breach of the rules. As you progress with the appeal, and as you will see from my experience, honesty is the best policy here. Hopefully, by now, you may have identified why your account has been disabled. If not, do not worry, from my experience, you may never even know the actual reason. In any case, something somewhere was triggered by the system, and we are where we are. Whatever your reasons for wanting your account back, just know that there is a chance you will be able to do just that. I have seen stories of timelines ranging from 48 hours to 30 days. The key to it all is to be patient, but by all means, persistent! Have you seen The Shawshank Redemption? Well, I highly recommend it if you haven't! A fantastic movie. Aside from that, and more to the point, prisoner Andy Dufresne writes a letter a week to the state requesting funding for the prison library. This is where your fight begins. Once a week, then eventually two, for six years. Yes SIX! There is so much more to the story that I shall not divulge in case you haven't seen it. But I mention it only through one lens: the power of consistency. The power of persistence. You need to go all out Shawshank on this! The First Instagram Account Disabled Message, and What To Do Next I must admit that in the past, I have had a couple of suspensions for too much activity, however, I have always been able to log in, even if I could not perform any actions for a day or two. This was the first time my account had ever been disabled. My heart was in my mouth the moment I saw these screens. It was in that instance that I realised just how important this account is to me; in the same token, the thought of losing it crept into my thought process for the first time, and it was frightening. Note that in most cases, any actions against your account are enacted by Instagram's system AI and algorithm. It is highly unlikely that it has been done by an actual human! When the initial block happens, even your immediate appeal is not overseen by a human. 'We will review' most likely means 'our bots will review' When asked to provide your information, you will be asked for an email address. You may read or hear that it is important that you leave the email associated with your account, although I would say that it does not matter. As long as you stick with the same email throughout the process. This is important to demonstrate that you are not a bot and are a genuine human. Over two billion people use Instagram once a month, making it the fourth most popular social app worldwide Bots and fake accounts are a thorn in the side of Instagram, and unfortunately, no matter how big (or small) your account following may be, your appeal will be dropped in amongst hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of others. It is hard to imagine just how they tackle this, although sadly, the sheer lack of any type of customer support is equally hard to fathom. Contacting Instagram It is easy to understand why Instagram would be overwhelmed should it operate a helpline or email channel. Instagram has never announced any type of customer support since it first hit the app stores in 2010. Nevertheless, here are the details you might find online: ● Instagram Headquarters: +1 650 543 4800 or +1 415 857 3369 ● Instagram for business: +1 660 745 3051 ● support@instagram.com You are welcome to try these avenues, but it is highly unlikely you will receive any kind of response. Ultimately, the only place to look for any type of issue or guidance is Instagram's help centre . It is here that you will be able to complete various forms to begin your appeal process. You will also find a link to one of the forms in the message informing you of your account block on the login screen. Instagram Appeal Forms Here are the links to all of the Appeal forms I used, all within the first 7 days of my account being disabled/deactivated: ● instagram.com/contact/60696731 ● instagram.com/contact/39616978 ● instagram.com/contact/43790879 ● instagram.com/contact/16525678 ● instagram.com/contact/16104597 2025 Update: It appears that Meta / Instagram has removed the functionality of these forms. This may be temporary, or it could be a permanent change. Should the links not work, jump straight to Facebook Live Support or try instagram.com/hacked My advice is to complete each of these forms once only and on separate days . You will most likely read and see many people advising you to complete these multiple times a day until you get a response. I did this myself. In total, I completed each one 3 times! However, I eventually found out that this was to my detriment. After speaking directly with Meta, they clearly stated that with every submission, your case goes to the bottom of the pile! It seems strange, but it kind of makes sense. Think about it, you and I will not be the only ones to assume that the more we fill out the forms, the better chances we will have. Having received millions of contact forms over the years, Instagram is saying, 'We have your request, please be patient. It will be seen. ⪢ How to Complete the Appeal Forms The forms are pretty basic and easy to complete. If you have a business account, you will be asked to provide some form of verification. The key is the 'please let us know why you're appealing the decision' section. This is your opportunity to plead your case, and I highly advise that you place plenty of time and thought into it. This is my advice for what you should include: ● Why do you believe your account was deactivated (be honest, if you know the reason, state it. If you do not know, however, that is okay). ● Acknowledge the community guidelines and your willingness to adhere to them. ● Explain what you use the account for. ● State any other people who may have access to the account. ● Briefly detail how you will be using the account going forward, should it be re-enabled. There is no real need to apologise, although if you know why your account was disabled, then perhaps it is not a bad idea. I feel it is best not to until you have more information. You Have Sent Your Appeal to Instagram - the Next Steps Now this is the interesting part. In most cases, when contacting a multi-billion-dollar mega company with an issue, you would come to expect a response that makes you feel like you are being heard, that you are important, and that they will try to resolve your issue as soon as possible. From the 15 forms I submitted, I received an email response to just 3 of them. Yes, just three. It looked like this: No logo and a pretty sketchy email address make this almost look like a spam email. Indeed, that is where I found it - in my spam folder . Needless to say, I was checking that folder every few hours in my desperate hopes of a response. So this is what you will receive, and the instructions are pretty simple. Grab a pen and paper and do this - I also added my reasons for appealing again, including our website and other information that could verify my identity. What happens after this is a complete mystery, though. There was no acknowledgement or receipt of my reply, and indeed, to this day, I have never received any further communication from Instagram itself with regards to this. I persevered with this process for around 2 weeks, filling out forms and just waiting. Waiting, waiting, and waiting. The silence was deafening, and I knew there had to be something else I could do. What NOT to Do While You Wait Every day, I found myself searching Google , Quora , Reddit , YouTube, and even Facebook Groups . With my feeling of desperation ever increasing, I found myself turning to the very murky and dark waters of the IG 'hackers' who are ultimately just scammers. Sadly, people will prey on your 'desperation' and as tempting and as 'genuine' as it may seem, it will NOT work. All of those apps, comment bots, and even YouTubers that recommend taking these steps may have been lucky enough to find some form of success, but the chances are overwhelmingly unlikely and will only lead to more problems. Whatever you do, do not engage in the following: ● Instagram Plus Plus (Instagram ++) ● Instagram Account Recovery Tool Websites ● IG Account Recovery Apps ● Anyone who posts in a group claiming to be a hacker ● Anyone who posts in a group claiming they have been scammed and are genuine ● Anyone who asks for money to recover your account As mentioned earlier, 'data scraping' is absolutely against Instagram's terms, and all of the options above do just that. Even if they can recover your account, the footprint they leave will remain, and eventually a bot will pick that up. Then back to square one you go. NEVER give out your log in information, NEVER pay money and STICK with the Instagram / Meta process. It really is the ONLY WAY! You Have Waited 7-10 Business Days and Had No Response from Instagram. Here is What to Do Next When you request to delete content or your account, the deletion process will automatically begin no more than 30 days after your request. It may take up to 90 days to delete content after the deletion process begins. "While the deletion process for such content is being undertaken, the content is no longer visible to other users, but remains subject to these Terms of Use and our Data Policy. After the content is deleted, it may take us up to another 90 days to remove it from backups and disaster recovery systems." - Content Removal and Disabling or Terminating Your Account (Instagram Terms of Use) Naturally, after reading this, I panicked. From what I could understand, I had 30 days in total to save my account from oblivion. It had already been 14 days by this point, so I knew that if I did not find another way soon, it would be over. Once the deletion process is started, there is no way to restore or recover your data. So, after filtering through copious amounts of YouTube videos, I kept hearing about Facebook Live Support . I knew if I had any chance of saving the day, then talking to an actual human would be the best way to do it! It eventually did just that; read on for the steps you can take to access this little-known but very helpful feature. Facebook Live Support Most of my sources have suggested this feature is only accessible if you have a Facebook / Instagram Business Account . Fortunately for me, I already had one. If you do not, it is possible to create one on Facebook. You will also need an Ad Account for reasons I shall explain shortly. ⪢ Option One - Contact via Email The Meta Business Help Centre is very useful for all sorts of reasons, and I would recommend checking out this article: 🔗 facebook.com/business/help If you are unfortunate enough to be in a country where live chat is not supported, then you can follow these steps for email communication with Meta - At the bottom of the aforementioned article, you will find a small question box asking you if the article was 'helpful'. Click 'no', then follow the steps to explain why. It will then take you to a form asking for your contact information. This report will go directly to the Facebook Marketplace / Pro Team, who, unlike Instagram, will respond immediately with a professional and formal email that will look something like this - This was a real 'blue sky' moment for me as it was the very first time throughout this whole process that I felt I was in with a chance of getting somewhere. I found that the Meta Pro Team was extremely helpful, and on both occasions I dealt with them, it felt like they genuinely wanted to help. Even just the basic use of a reference number is far more in keeping with the expectations of a company of this size. All email communications were prompt and informative, and throughout a couple of days, I was able to obtain a resolution to one of my issues. My Ad account was also disabled, and fortunately, this was a quicker fix. I was impressed with the efficiency and genuine care they showed, and I trust this will be the same for you, too, should you need it! 🔗 Read more about my Ad account issue here If this option still does not result in your account being re-enabled, then read on for option two below. ⪢ Option Two - Contact via Live Messenger Support Please note that this option will only be made available to you if you have an active Facebook Ad account AND you place an actual ad. After resolving my ad account issue, I successfully placed an ad for £5. After doing so, I accessed this feature by requesting help on the Commerce Manager page by clicking the help button in the bottom left-hand corner . As I understand it, access is restricted to certain countries , and the location of this 'chat' option varies from user to user. This is what worked for me, and I am currently in the UK. Once you click this, look over to the right, and this window will appear: Click 'Contact Facebook Support' and from the following screen select 'reporting a technical issue' from the drop-down menu: Then the holy grail! A few more sections to fill out, and then the magical moment will arrive where you can talk directly to the Facebook Team. An option will appear asking you how you would like to be contacted, via email or live chat. Tap " live" and it will automatically route you to Facebook Messenger, where you will have the opportunity to speak to the Meta Pro Team. It is important to take the opportunity to plead your case in the message section. Give as much information as you can, but bear in mind you only have 1500 characters. Find out more about what Instagram wanted to know . I have read various accounts of success through this chat option. Some people have had immediate success, some have waited a few hours, some a day. For me, I had to wait a couple of days for a decision, which initially came back with me being told to wait for the Instagram Appeal process. I did just that, yet after a further 7 days of not hearing anything, I tried my hand again. Another ad later, and I was in touch with a very helpful operator, Ezequiel, through Facebook Messenger. He handed my case over to Ana, and from there things developed very rapidly! She filed an 'internal ticket' with the Instagram Team and communicated with me via email every step of the way. Two days had passed, during which we had exchanged several emails, and I answered a very important questionnaire. Then the moment came; Ana even called me personally to inform me that my account had been reactivated! I am not sure if I was just lucky, but Ezequiel and Ana were brilliant. Why I was not able to get the same level of resolution the first time round, I do not know, but as they always say, it is the result that counts the most, not necessarily how you get there! My Ad Account Issue Before I was able to access live support, I needed to run an ad, as I have mentioned, and most unfortunately, there was a problem with this, too! Luckily for me, this was a slightly easier fix, but this snag did further complicate things with regard to my Instagram account. My ad account was suspended as I accessed Instagram Shopping while we were travelling in Albania. IG Shopping is not authorized there, and it caused a system block. All I did was tweak a few products and settings in my shop, and it was game over. This coincided with my IG block, so the two could well have been related. The block was classed as 'suspected fraud', which freaked me out at first, but after explaining that I am a full-time traveller and move around often, it was lifted fairly easily after running its pre-programmed course of 2 weeks. Tip: In Facebook Commerce Manager, you will find a section on the left-hand side called 'Account Health'. I am not sure how often this is updated, but it is a good indicator of any issues, and I used this screenshot to further help my appeal. Hindsight is 20:20, right? At least now I know what not to do. Here is a list of the countries that support Instagram shopping, with my advice NOT to tinker with it if you are anywhere that is not mentioned: Find out more about Instagram's Commerce Eligibility Requirements . What Instagram wanted to know After finally having my case seen by an actual member of the Instagram Team, I was asked the following questions of which I took plenty of time and great care in answering. I had sent many lengthy statements about what I thought had happened and why I wanted my account back on all of the appeal forms. However, I suspect that the information from these questions is the most important for IG; they may help you gain a quicker resolution should you still be formulating your message for the initial appeal process. 1. Which 3rd party apps, tools, or services have you connected with your IG account? 2. Has your account been compromised/hacked in the past few months? 3. What is the primary use of the account? 4. How many people have access to the account? How many actively use it day-to-day? 5. What are the most commonly used features of Instagram that you / your team uses on this account (search, messaging, commenting, etc.)? I think this questionnaire was significant, and I would not be surprised if the algorithms are searching for breaches of these types of elements. If you are reading this just for information, then it is worth noting to avoid any infractions of your own. Account Recovery Complete! How many times do you check your email only to be rapidly tapping the delete button as most of it is junk? Well, not for this one! Print it, frame it, and don't make the same mistakes again! This was one heck of a moment. Victory was assured, and with it came a huge mix of relief and elation. Gratitude is most certainly the attitude, and it was exuding out of me after this! Protecting Your Account There are a couple of things you can do to help keep your account secure and in good order. All of these options can be found in the settings area of your Instagram account. ⪢ Connected Apps & Websites It is recommended that you check this to ensure there are no unauthorized connections to your account or connections you do not recognize. ⪢ Two-Factor Authentication & Data Download I would strongly advise turning on Two-Factor Authentication on Instagram. Even if you do not 'log in' that often, adding this layer of security will make it harder for hackers to gain access to your account. The Data Download feature on Instagram is not well-known, but it is an excellent option for keeping your data secure. Once requested, you will have 4 days to accept the download from your email. It comes as raw data, so do not expect it to look like your posts do on the app. All of your photos, videos, comments, likes, etc, will come to you in separate folders, which is a bit tricky to navigate and piece together. However, this is a fantastic option that helps you protect your content and potentially re-use it should you ever need or want to start a new account. The Final Word So, how about this for some irony? 21 days after my account was restored by the excellent Meta team, I finally received an email from Instagram, the only one I had received throughout this ordeal (aside from the three identity ones I mentioned earlier). At least this one had a bit more of an official look about it with the Instagram logo... Yes, thank you for that, Instagram! I am fully aware that my engagement is a disaster, given that for 25 days of August, I did not even exist on your platform! So there you have it, that was the tale of my Instagram oblivion and restoration. It was most certainly a lesson learned, and if you want to keep your account in good order, respect the guidelines and ensure full and strict adherence to them on your account and across all of your associated accounts, too. This has been a humbling experience and one that has only strengthened the importance Instagram has to me. Instagram has been the only social platform I use actively to date, and I am passionate about developing and sharing fantastic content. This is integral to me harnessing and growing my skills as a creator and blogger, along with developing our website here at Closer Lives! I have the most sincere gratitude that I can share this post from the position of recovery. I know many of you reading this may not yet be there, but keep believing and stay positive! Stay strong and manifest your desire, but do not shy away from working for it. Your energy will be rewarded, and if not, then no doubt the universe will have bigger and better plans for you. Best of luck, and feel free to ask away in the comments if you have any questions! Frequently Asked Questions: Recovering Your Disabled Instagram Account Why was my Instagram account disabled? Accounts can be disabled for violating Instagram’s Community Guidelines or Terms of Use—this includes spam, copyright issues, impersonation, or even accidental flags. Sometimes, it happens in error due to algorithmic detection. How do I know if my account is disabled or hacked? A disabled account usually shows a message like “Your account has been disabled” when you try to log in. A hacked account, on the other hand, may have changed credentials or activity you didn’t perform. You’ll need to approach each differently. Can I recover a disabled Instagram account? Yes—many people do. Instagram provides appeal forms and, in some cases, live chat with Meta support if your account is linked to Facebook. The process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. However, the functionality of these forms may have been removed by Meta/Instagram as of June 2024. Is there a way to talk to a real person at Meta? If your Instagram is linked to a Facebook Business account, you may be able to access Meta’s live chat support . This is currently the fastest and most effective route for many creators and influencers. What if I don’t hear back from Instagram after submitting the form? Persistence is key. Re-submit your appeal after 48–72 hours if you don’t receive a reply. Be consistent, but don’t spam the system—this can delay your case. Can using third-party apps get me banned or disabled again? Yes—using unauthorized tools for growth, automation, or analytics can put your account at risk. Avoid giving login access to any app not verified by Instagram or Meta. How can I prevent this from happening again? ● Enable two-factor authentication ● Avoid posting content that violates guidelines ● Don’t use banned hashtags ● Regularly check your account for suspicious logins ● Link your Instagram to a Facebook page for added recovery options Does Instagram ever disable accounts by mistake? Yes—it’s rare but does happen, especially during mass purges or algorithm changes. If you believe this was the case, use the “I think this was a mistake” option in the appeal form. Is it worth creating a backup account? Many creators now maintain a backup or secondary account, especially if their main account is crucial for business or brand identity. It’s also wise to regularly download your data via Instagram settings. What should I do if my account has been hacked? Try the recovery process outlined in the blog post. Being Meta Verified will help in proving your identity. Additionally, visit instagram.com/hacked . Any Other Questions? Hopefully, this post has given you all of the tools you need to clean your follower list safely. If you do have any other additional queries on points not covered here, however, you are more than welcome to get in touch . You can also check out our FAQ page  for more Instagram-related questions. Leon Gregori I've been writing poetry since my mid-teens and find it natural to express myself through words. My writing is spontaneous and unstructured, following a freestyle approach. My long-form content focuses on themes of heartbreak and life. Social Media Blog With over 50k followers across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, we've learned a lot—and we're here to share it. From platform growth hacks to online safety tips, these blogs cover real advice, honest experiences, and practical tools to help you navigate the social media world.

Hey, it is Jenn here! Recently, I’ve made some big behind-the-scenes changes on our YouTube channel, and it’s made a difference. I found myself wondering why my peers who started at around roughly the same time were so much further ahead than I was on the journey, aside from the obvious, of course, such as us not posting frequently... Think 2-month gaps here and there in-between videos and also staying based in a country for extended times, all while also teaching English , which of course can be advantageous – but that also depends on the country you choose to settle in and your content! These are my 6 TOP mistakes (there are more that we will get into in future posts) I found I was doing or NOT doing that was harming our YouTube channel, Jenn & Leon . If you have any other suggestions, pointers, or other YouTube channel tips to help others out, please drop them in the comments below so we can help one another learn and grow! In This Post... ● Start in the Capital ● Channel Description Tags ● Consistency is Key ● Post it Now ● Set the Story ● Triple Your Key Words ● Social Media Tips & Insights YouTube Travel Channel Tips The Seeds of Civilization Are in Every Culture, but it is the city that brings them to fruition. 1. Start in the Capital START IN THE CAPITAL of the country you are visiting (it’s the heartbeat and often has a larger YouTube base of watchers with a higher population). This is something we didn’t do as we aren’t big city people, well ok, we love a good coastal city but we like more remote and rural areas like the mountains, jungles, remote islands and smaller communities (which are great for living and down time but not so great for the average travel channel and both getting and sharing great content). Starting in the capital or larger cities, then moving to more rural, smaller areas, will hopefully have viewers following along on your journey as you explore their country. 2. Channel Description Tags SEO like a PRO. Be mindful of your CHANNEL description tags – the main meta tags for your channel (mine was set to MEXICO and every city in Mexico that we visited, as that is where we started and stayed for 6 months). This seriously impacted the tags of the channel, especially since our channel was new, so the YouTube algorithm isn’t sure yet where to place the videos and merely has SEO to work with. When you optimize your channel tags, you have a much better chance of your videos being shown to the correct audience. So many people have commented and asked why we don’t have more subscribers and views, because the quality of the content is good. Which I happen to take as a compliment, especially as I now know WHY ha! 3. Consistency is Key Consistent action creates consistent results. BE CONSISTENT!! This is truly the biggest factor, as with anything. Had I adhered to this, I can’t imagine where we’d be now! Sure, videos every Sunday and Wednesday are a great target, but make sure it’s realistic. Leon and I switched to traveling at a fast pace for this summer to do some research for YouTube stats and to see what an impact more frequent posting can have. Follow along on our journey to get more statistical information and business posts in the future. But try your best to stick to a realistic schedule that won’t leave you frazzled and at your wits' end by the end of the day or week! 4. Post it Now! Energetic Action Frequency. POST FREQUENTLY!! If you have the content, PUBLISH it, and PUBLISH it OFTEN ! Don’t do a ‘Jennifer’ and hold onto the videos for months due to inconsistency. As a big user of Instagram and other short-form platforms, I know YouTube operates differently. Each video is independent of one another, and as much as the time of day, most active user times data, etc, matters, YouTube is evergreen and will continue to show and push your videos with time. We have many videos that performed very slowly at the beginning, and sure enough, 8 months later, they rank better due to maturity and good SEO. So, I say get those videos out there fast and furious style, especially if you are looking to be monetized, because time matters. We lost a lot of our watch time-banked hours from older but high-performing videos (on Mexico, of course). This will help you to bank those much-needed watch time hours and hopefully gain you some more subscribers along the way as well. 5. Set the Story Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world today. TELL A STORY WITH YOUR VIDEOS … like a mini movie… with hooks and humor or cliffhangers, etc… honestly, this matters so much! YouTube is no different than a movie or novel; an epic storyline with appealing main characters is the GOLDEN TICKET (YES, we’ve been watching so much American Idol lately!) on attaining longer watch time on videos and also to gain active, invested subscribers. 6. Triple Your Key Words Triple your LUCK. TRIPLE YOUR KEYWORDS! Make sure you are tripling your keywords. So I thought I HAD been doing that, but I hadn’t been properly. I just thought it meant to use the phrase or word three times in general. This is not the case. EXAMPLE keyword: MARVELOUS MEXICO should be in your title, video description, and video description tags for your videos, and if you can do this with a few keywords or phrases on the same video, EVEN BETTER ! Do you want to see the world, or become a full-time traveler? So much time, energy, and work go into a travel YouTube channel! I mean, so much time goes into travelling full-time PERIOD, but with the added pressure of social media and filming and editing, it takes things to an entirely different level. Some people set out with the INTENTION of creating a business THROUGH travel, but others, like us, just truly want to see the world and figured we might as well share since we are doing it anyway. These factors will and should be a part of your decision-making when choosing what countries to visit first and when, the pace at which you travel, and how much time you are willing to invest in your ventures. Social Media Blog With over 50k followers across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, we've learned a lot—and we're here to share it. From platform growth hacks to online safety tips, these blogs cover real advice, honest experiences, and practical tools to help you navigate the social media world.

Our nostalgic stopover before sailing the Atlantic, there’s something timeless about Daytona Beach. For us, it was a short but memorable pitstop during our United States road trip from Michigan to Fort Lauderdale, before boarding a two-week transatlantic cruise. It was Leon’s first time in Daytona; for Jenn, a return visit many years after driving on the beach and visiting the iconic racetrack with her kids. This time, we didn’t hit the track or cruise the sand in a car, but we did rediscover the charm, warmth, and quirky character that Daytona offers. From oceanfront sunsets to hot-dog stand kindness, here’s how our two-day visit unfolded, along with all you need to know about visiting Daytona Beach in Florida. In This Post... ● A Brief History ● Our Beachside Stay ● Sunset Strolls & Sunrise Magic ● Congo River Mini Golf & Gators ● Hot Dog & Heart at the Dairy Bar See More... ● How to Get There ● Tickets, Hours & When to Go ● Travel Tips ● Nearby Places to Explore ● Our Experience Rating Travel Resources ● Find Hotels in Daytona ● Get Travel Insurance ● Book Transport ● Interactive Map ● Closer Lives Travel Hub A Brief History of Daytona Beach Founded in 1870 by Mathias Day, a wealthy businessman from Ohio, Daytona Beach quickly grew from a small riverfront settlement into a booming tourist hub. It earned fame in the early 1900s when automobile and motorcycle races began on the hard-packed sands, eventually leading to the formation of NASCAR. Daytona has since become synonymous with motorsport, spring break culture, and scenic beach drives. But Daytona isn’t just about speed and spectacle. Its roots run deep, with preserved historic districts, retro motels, and a long-standing reputation as a classic Florida getaway. Our Beachside Stay: Sun Viking Lodge We booked two nights at Sun Viking Lodge, a beachfront gem with one foot in nostalgia and the other in family-friendly comfort. Think ocean views, poolside loungers, and direct beach access via stairs that lead right onto the sand. We stayed in the main hotel building, which had an indoor pool and vending machines. There’s also a motel-style section with two stories overlooking the parking lot and some rooms facing the sea. Although the on-site restaurant is currently closed (with talk of reopening soon), our room was clean and the bed surprisingly comfy. The only minor issue? The air conditioner sounded like it was preparing for takeoff. Still, we slept well and woke to waves and golden light pouring through the curtains. We’ll do a full review of the lodge in a separate post, but for now, it’s a solid and affordable stay, especially if you want to be steps from the beach. Sunset Strolls & Sunrise Magic We didn’t do Daytona at high-octane speed. Instead, we slowed down. We walked the beach multiple times, once at sunset and again at sunrise. The beach itself is wide, long, and flat—perfect for driving (if you fancy it) or just ambling peacefully with the Atlantic breeze in your hair. One of the quirks of Daytona is watching cars and even motorcycles coast along the beach. It’s surreal at first, but there’s a beauty in the balance between machines and nature, especially when there’s plenty of space to keep vehicles and beachgoers separated safely. Congo River Mini Golf – With Gators! We’re always up for a good mini golf course—and Congo River Golf did not disappoint. This wasn’t just putt-putt. It was a jungle-themed, waterfall-laced, cave-twisting 18-hole adventure with real live alligators on site. The course was full of fun surprises—including a “spin the wheel” feature at some holes, where random tasks or challenges are added (think "use your non-dominant hand" or "stand on one foot"). Leon scored a hole-in-one… then Jenn did too—on the exact same hole! Jenn still won overall by four shots. Clearly, she’s the putting champion of Closer Lives. We highly recommend this place for families, couples, or anyone who likes fun with a touch of Florida wild. ⪢ Contact Information for Congo River Golf ● Address:  2100 S Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32118, United States ● Phone: +1 (386) 258 6808 ● Website: congoriver.com A Hotdog & a Whole Lot of Heart at the Dairy Bar Let’s talk about kindness. We were told by locals not to miss Dairy Bar, a nostalgic window-serve spot in Port Orange, known for its chili dogs, shakes, and old-school charm. We arrived close to closing, ordered two hot dogs and a milkshake (total: under $10!), and realized the card system was essentially a cash ATM—our transaction didn’t go through. But instead of cancelling our order, the owner smiled and said, “Just enjoy them. You can come back and pay tomorrow.” That kind of trust? Rare. We did a mad dash to find a working ATM and returned with cash before closing. Because yes, the hotdogs were that good—and the kindness even better. ⪢ Contact Information for Dairy Bar ● Address: 55 Dunlawton Avenue, Port Orange, FL 32127 ● Phone: +1 (386) 767 3322 ● Website: No website – just vibes. Breakfast at Adam’s Egg On the morning of our departure, we grabbed breakfast at Adam’s Egg, a small, cozy spot with a warm atmosphere and attentive service. Leon ordered a bacon-and-egg muffin, while Jenn went for a small potato-and-bacon combo. The food was fresh, the coffee hot, and the conversation with our server flowed into our life on the road, YouTube adventures, and what Closer Lives is all about. It was a little pricier than expected, but worth it for the food and friendly vibe. ⪢ Contact Information for Adam's Egg ● Address:  935 S Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32118, United States ● Phone: +1 (386) 492 4766 ● Facebook: @adamsegg How to Get to Daytona Beach Daytona Beach is located on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, roughly halfway between Jacksonville and Orlando. It’s a convenient stop for road-trippers heading down the I-95 corridor or across from central Florida. By Car (Most Common) ● From Orlando: 1 hour via I-4 East ● From Jacksonville: 1.5 hours south via I-95 ● From Miami or Fort Lauderdale: 4.5–5.5 hours north via I-95 Use Exit 261 (for International Speedway Blvd) or Exit 256 (for Dunlawton Ave) There’s plenty of beachfront and hotel parking, including paid lots near the pier and metered street parking. By Air Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB): Just 10 minutes from the beachfront, served by a few major carriers Larger airports nearby: ● Orlando International (MCO): 1 hour 15 mins ● Jacksonville International (JAX): 1.5–2 hours By Bus or Shuttle Greyhound and Megabus operate limited services to Daytona Beach, with stops near the city center. Some Orlando shuttle companies also offer transfers to Daytona hotels and resorts. ⪢ Easily Find Hotels in Daytona and Beyond Looking for a place to stay nearby? Browse Daytona hotel deals below to find great rates for an overnight stay. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. Ticket Prices, Opening Times & Best Time to Visit Daytona Beach ⪢ Ticket Prices Daytona Beach itself is free to visit, and you can walk along the beachfront, boardwalk, and pier at no cost. However, some activities and attractions nearby may charge entry: ● Beach Driving Access: $20 per vehicle per day (seasonal) ● Pedestrians & Cyclists: Free ● Daytona Boardwalk Amusements: Prices vary per ride/game ● Congo River Golf (Mini Golf): $14–$16 per person ● Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse: $6.95 (Adults) / $1.95 (Children 2–11) ● Sun Viking Lodge (where we stayed): Pricing varies seasonally ● Parking: Most beachside lots charge around $10/day Prices are correct at the time of writing (May 2025). All prices are in U.S. Dollars. Convert your currency here . ⪢ Opening Times The beach is open 24/7, though vehicle access is limited to daylight hours (approx. 8 AM – 7 PM) during season Shops, cafes, and attractions generally open between 10 AM and 10 PM ⪢ Best Time to Visit ● Best Months: March to May and September to November – fewer crowds, pleasant weather, and lower hotel rates ● Summer (June to August): Hot and busy, especially during school holidays ● Spring Break (March): Lively, but can be crowded and loud ● Best Time of Day: Early morning for a peaceful walk, or sunset for golden-hour beach views Travel Tips for Daytona Beach ● Bring strong sunscreen: Daytona’s sea breeze can trick you into underestimating the sun. Try and buy yours prior to arriving - prices are inflated locally. ● Want to drive on the beach? Make sure your vehicle can handle sand and follow signage. ● Carry a bit of cash: Especially for small, nostalgic spots like Dairy Bar. ● Don’t miss both a sunrise and a sunset on the beach. Worth waking up early for. ● First time in the U.S? Get all the information you need, from visas to cultural norms, with our U.S. Travel Essentials . ⪢ Safeguard Your Trip with SafetyWing For peace of mind abroad, we recommend travel insurance. SafetyWing's Essential plan covers travel and medical emergencies, with options for adventure sports and electronics theft. SafetyWing's Complete Plan  offers comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, anywhere in the world, including in your home country, on top of all Essential benefits. Nearby Places to Explore Daytona International Speedway Even if you’re not into racing, the tour is impressive. Ponce Inlet Lighthouse & Museum Florida’s tallest lighthouse, with 203 steps and sweeping views. Daytona Lagoon A fun waterpark with slides, arcade games, and go-karts. Museum of Arts & Sciences A surprising mix of art, history, and science in a lush setting. Our Experience Rating: Daytona Beach, Florida For us, Daytona was a gentle reminder: sometimes the best travel stories aren’t about what you planned, but the little moments that catch you by surprise. Sure, the beach and its vehicle access get most of the popular vote, but finding cool spots like the mini golf and breakfast cafe are the parts that make trips special. That, and of course, the wonderful people we meet. Oh, and those epic sunsets and sunrises always help too! Let us know in the comments: Have you ever driven on the beach? Or found an act of kindness like we did at the Dairy Bar? 🛎️ Next stop: Fort Lauderdale... and then, the open Atlantic. FAQ: Daytona Beach – Planning the Perfect Road Trip Stop Where is Daytona Beach located? Daytona Beach is on Florida’s Atlantic Coast , about 90 minutes from Orlando and just over an hour from St. Augustine . It’s a popular stop along I-95 and makes a great road trip break between northern Florida and the Miami area. What is Daytona Beach known for? It’s famous for: ● Its wide, hard-packed beach where driving is allowed in designated areas ● The Daytona International Speedway ● A nostalgic, laid-back beach town vibe with piers, arcades, and diners ● Family-friendly fun and scenic Atlantic Ocean sunrises Is Daytona Beach good for a short stopover? Yes! It’s perfect for a one- or two-night stay. You can enjoy a beach walk, grab a local bite, or unwind before continuing your journey south. What are the best things to do on a short visit? ● Walk or drive on the beach ● Visit the Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier ● Play mini golf at Congo River Golf ● Try a classic breakfast at Adam’s Egg or get ice cream at the Dairy Bar ● Enjoy a beachside sunset or sunrise stroll Where did you stay, and would you recommend it? We stayed at the Sun Viking Lodge , a beachfront hotel known for being family-friendly, with direct access to the sand, indoor/outdoor pools, and a chilled atmosphere. Highly recommended for its value and location. Is the beach safe and clean? Yes. Daytona Beach is known for its clean, well-maintained shoreline, and lifeguards patrol popular areas. Just be cautious in areas where cars are permitted on the sand. Is it suitable for families? Definitely. The mix of casual attractions, beachfront hotels, and mini golf makes it ideal for kids and families looking for an easygoing beach stop. Can you swim in the ocean at Daytona Beach? Yes. The water is generally swimmable, with moderate waves that are fun for boogie boarding and safe for kids in shallow zones (always swim near lifeguards, although we did not see any while we were there). When is the best time to visit? Spring and fall are ideal—warm but not too hot, and fewer crowds than peak summer. Winter can also be pleasant, especially for snowbirds on road trips. Is Daytona worth including in a Florida road trip itinerary? Absolutely. It’s a laid-back, affordable coastal stop that gives you a different vibe from places like Miami or St. Augustine. Perfect for breaking up long drives and enjoying simple beachside charm. Book Transport Taxis, Trains, Planes, Buses & Ferries in Advance Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless transport booking experience. With booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and flights. Interactive Map United States Check out all of the places we visited in the U.S. courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap a number for more information, including our blog posts and links to reviews. Wanderlog  is a free travel planning app where you can create itineraries, organize flights, hotels, and car reservations, view places to visit, and collaborate with friends. Closer Lives Travel Hub Destinations, Tips & Essentials Head over to our Travel Hub – it’s packed with free country guides, helpful travel blogs, videos from the road, and tips to help you travel smarter (and cheaper!). Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already out exploring, we've got resources to help you every step of the way. Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

This is our story from the quaint town of Ohrid, which straddles one of the deepest and oldest lakes in Europe. With such a great history, stretching back to Roman times, this place of crystal clear fresh water, terracotta tiles, and views for miles is a culture with style and certainly worthwhile. If you do not know about this incredible place, then we think you should! We both just love being by the water and after a couple of weeks in the landlocked capital of Tirana, Albania , Jenn thought it would be a great shout to hop on a bus and take the relatively easy 2-hour ride to North Macedonia . Looking to take a 'vacation' we booked some time off from teaching and started an 11-day break first with a trip to Durres (in Albania) before taking the bus from Tirana to Ohrid . Read on for the highlights of our very special five days here, the food, things to do, nightlife, history, and details about our Airbnb stay. In This Post... ● Our Highlights ● The Weather ● Ohrid Nightlife ● Food & Restaurants ● Things to Do See More... ● The History ● Our Accommodation ● Our Experience Rating ● FAQ: Visiting Lake Ohrid Travel Resources ● Get Travel Insurance ● Find Hotels in Ohrid ● Book Transport ● Interactive Map ● Closer Lives Travel Hub Our Ohrid Highlights We were both very excited to be adding another country to our list, although North Macedonia was fairly unknown to us prior. We did a little research prior, but there is always nothing quite like experiencing a place firsthand with no preconceptions. Right?! North Macedonia (or just Macedonia in some quarters) is a place with a very rich Mediterranean, European , and Balkan vibe and an exceptional history. Ohrid itself is littered with protected sites and is one of those places that seems to just transport you back in time. A perfect place for us, then! Greek, Roman, Slav, Ottoman; so many empires have held interest here and we hope this blog will show you why, and why this is an awesome getaway location! Samuel's Fortress overlooking the old town of Ohrid For those of you who are new here, first of all, a big thank you! Secondly, you may not know, but we both have an intense curiosity and passion for the ancient past. We love all things Roman and Egyptian , and with trips to Venice and Rome recently, we were excited to see the Roman influence in Ohrid. We were not disappointed! With the aforementioned bright orange clay roof tiles that seem to be on every building, the ancient Roman Amphitheatre, the vast quantity of incredibly beautiful churches, and the ancient Samuel's Fortress, Ohrid just seemed to be the place that kept on giving. Ohrid is one of just 28 sites in the world that appears on two UNESCO World Heritage lists, both for Natural and Historical value. More on that later! One of the oldest lakes in Europe, the landscape is breathtaking. We took a Eurobus from Tirana Bus Station, and it was a small but very comfortable minivan. The booking experience was relatively simple, and we were able to download a QR code, which we showed to the driver upon boarding. There was no additional cost in Albania, but it is worth noting that in Ohrid, we were charged a couple of dollars in transport tax before we could board for the return trip. You will need cash for this as they do not accept card payments. The bus (or coach as we had on the way back) will take you directly across the border and take around 2 hours. The drive through the mountains was beautiful, if not for the occasional pothole or two. The border crossing was also very straightforward; the driver took our passports at the border, returned them to us shortly after, and then we were made to get out and have them checked again before continuing on our way. That was pretty much it! Saint Cyril and Methodius On the way back to Albania from North Macedonia, it was even easier; we did not even have to get off the bus. Overall, we would give our Eurobus experience a big thumbs up for price and ease of cross-border travel. Keep reading for more on the best time to visit, the food we tried, things to do, and our Airbnb accommodation! The Weather in Ohrid The temperature was very nice throughout our stay, and overall, we would say the weather was good. We were here on the second week of July, and when we arrived, the beauty of the lake and Ohrid was slightly overshadowed by grey clouds and skies on our first day. Despite being overcast, we could just about get away with our arms out, albeit a little cool at 20 degrees. We took a long hike around the town to see the sights (that we will talk about later on), and we have to admit that while our photos and videos may have been hampered by the impending rain clouds, it was quite nice to be sightseeing and not sweating for a change! At the end of it all, we stopped at our no 1 restaurant pick (more on that too) and spent dinner toying with the prospect of staying longer and waiting out the rain or making a dash for home. Needless to say, we got soaked! When we say torrential, we mean torrential ! That being said, for the rest of our time here, the sun was out in full force, and it was very pleasant indeed. The second week of July, make a note! The best time to visit Ohrid is June to September. Temperatures average between 20 degrees Celsius (68°F) and 26 degrees Celsius (79°F) during this time, and the wettest month is November. July has the most sunshine, while August is the warmest. Ohrid Nightlife We had a great location in terms of accommodation as we were just two blocks from the waterfront. We went out a couple of times towards the end of the evening, and both experiences were very nice in their unique ways! With something for everyone, there are a couple of bars and a casino open late. There are not a vast number of restaurant options, but in all honesty, there does not need to be. The balance felt perfect! Samuel's Fortress at Night The balance between cafes and food was nice, and the evenings felt raucous, but busier than rowdy. It made it feel quite safe, allowing us to admire the transition from dusk to night at the end of the stone dock. That was one of our favorite evenings as we also took a peek at the main street where all the activity was happening, being pleasantly surprised to find Thomas the Tank Engine, some Dutch pancakes, and a couple of very large classic hot dogs. Everything in Ohrid is presented beautifully, as you can see! The gardens are manicured and well-groomed; at night, they are illuminated with well-positioned spotlights. It is quite the sight as your eyes are drawn by the color of the flowers, gazing over them before being captured by the vast statues of glorious people of times gone by. The hubs of activity amongst the main street with the stalls, and the restaurants that hug the mountain to the left, keep the main central gardens quieter. An evening stroll through these is highly recommended! Food & Restaurants in Ohrid We only visited two restaurants while here in Ohrid, and the main reason for that was that the first place we went to was Restaurant Cun; we ended up going there four times in barely five days. We did manage to pack in a couple of other neat little options, so here they go in no particular order (apart from no 1): ⪢ Restaurant Cun The restaurant is separated from the lake by a small road, and there are seating options on the opposite side. Restaurant Cun looks and feels five stars, and for the most part, the service was impeccable. Most importantly, though, the food was delicious and well served and garnished. It has a fantastic view of Lake Ohrid, with ground-floor and balcony seating options. It is very nicely decorated too and gives a really neat Macedonian vibe amongst its wooden beams, flowers, and subtle lighting. We enjoyed the seamless indoor-outdoor feel of it. Leon highly recommends the chicken curry and English breakfast; Jenn would recommend the traditional beef stew. There is a great menu with lots of options, and we tried several other delicious dishes too. On our final visit here on a Wednesday afternoon/evening, there was a nice traditional live music band performing songs from the region. Sadly, we did not catch it during our meal as it was the first time we sat upstairs, but it sounded great! ⪢ Le Petit Bistro Lihnidos We did not eat here, but the food looks pretty good, to be fair. We just wanted to grab a couple of drinks after our morning hike, and this is a great spot with a really lovely view, being directly outside the main Gardens of Ohrid. The drinks were reasonably priced and there were plenty of options with wines, beers, cocktails, and hot drinks. We shared a few Whiskeys here and even though it was busy due to being lunchtime, the service was good. Our overall impression is that it is a clean, good location for drinks or food, and we will try more next time. Check out their menu here . ⪢ Dutch Pancakes and Hot Dogs As Jenn says, this was one of those moments where something was totally unexpected but gratefully accepted! As mentioned earlier, we took a stroll on the main street, which was vibrant with lots of food stalls, pearl and gift sellers, and train rides for kids. It had all of the feel you get with a carnival or fair. Yes, there were arcade machines too! Our walk here actually started a few minutes away at the stone dock when Leon mentioned a craving for some kind of sugary donut treat. Do you find being by the water synonymous with those tiny fresh donuts you always seem to find somewhere nearby? They remind us of our childhood, and perhaps it was a whiff he caught that sent us on our mission! So, as you can see, we ended up finding a delightful Dutch pancake stall, and after an understandably long patient wait in the queue we got front-row seats to the slow making of these delicious treats. Amongst the tranche of incredibly tempting options with words like Nutella, cream, chocolate, caramel, etc, almost jumping out from the sign and directly into our mouths, Leon kind of instantly plumped for white chocolate and cherry as our topping. So, just know that the picture of them served does not show that these are eight individual, almost blini-like pancakes. With each one, the flavor and texture are to die for! Get these! During our wait for the pancakes we also grabbed a couple of hot dogs from the stall next to it. They were bigger than expected but very decent for the price, and if you are hungry these jumbo dogs will do the job tucked in nicely between the sides of a pretty hunky split bread roll. ⪢ Giro Letnica On the way to the waterfront via the main road, we walked past this almost street vendor-like Giro food stop. The prices are very affordable, and the food is great for a grab-and-go. They have pork, chicken, or mixed Giro options, and although we wouldn't rave about it, it would be perfect if you are here on a budget or just passing through. Things to Do in Ohrid ● Lake / Boat Cruise ● Boardwalk ● Ancient Amphitheatre ● Church of St Sophia ● Samuel's Fortress ● Church of St John ● Old Town & Bazaar There is plenty to do in Ohrid, and even though we packed in all of the activities you see below in 4 days, it felt like we went at a good pace and did not rush. From our handy accommodation location, everything was within walking distance, and even our trek to Samuel's Fortress was no longer than about an hour round trip. So, in no particular order: ⪢ Take a Lake Boat Cruise There is a whole host of tour boat operators ready and waiting to tempt you whenever you pass the main walking area by the dock in front of the city gardens. The striking 'Bird's Nest' rock We chose Azzurro Catamaran Cruising, which seemed to be the largest operator. The tour time was around 6 hours and advertised 6 locations around the lake, several of which are only able to be visited by boat. They included the Church of St John Kaneo, Radozda Village, and Trpejca Village. St Naum is the main destination and we stopped for over two hours there, enjoying the beautiful monastery and beach (including a customary swim in the lake!). We also passed by the Bay of Bones (a museum that is unfortunately closed on Mondays, which they DID NOT tell us about when we enquired on the Saturday prior). We were drawn to this place when we originally saw the leaflet, and it was a shame not to check out the museum, but the views were super cool. Our captain gave us a good insight into the history of the place, too, which we will share in a future YouTube video! We docked at the Church Mother of God Zahumska Monastery for a short while, and both of these locations are beautiful to see and give you a feel for this wonderful jewel of a place in Macedonia. The ominously named Bay of Bones, entirely built on water We were a tad disappointed that we were also due to visit the town of Struga, but for reasons unexplained, this also did not happen. However, the boat driver was great and friendly, we were offered complimentary drinks, and the ride across the lake was fun and afforded wonderful views. We would highly recommend this activity, just perhaps insist on confirming the locations first and do not go on a Monday if you would like to see the museum at the Bay of Bones (all museums are closed on this day by the way). St Naum Monastery is a must-see on this tour (you will be dropped off at St Naum) and affords amazing views of the lake along with a good-looking restaurant, and even a free-roaming peacock! Like all of the churches here, it has a great history, and its excellent condition is a testament to its construction. A pearl fountain? At the center of beautiful yellow flowers? Yes... all of the things for Jenn! The tour is worth doing for the price. For what you get, it is very reasonable and we would highly recommend this activity. ● Tour Cost: 15 - 25 Euros / 900 - 1500 Macedonian Denar ● Operating Times: 10/10.30 am - 4/4.30pm Monday - Sunday Check out a host of different tour options with Get Your Guide. No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination.   Book your tickets here . We had the pleasure of meeting this beautiful peacock while we were visiting the St Naum Monastery on our cruise. Just free roaming around the site and going about its business was a sight to behold! Unfortunately, we did not get a display, but this was good enough; how often do you get this close to a peacock in your life? Not that much for us, so this was a super cool treat. What an amazing bird! ⪢ Boardwalk on Potpesh Beach We did not catch this neat little boardwalk on a sunny day, but that was okay! It was still a cool place to visit and was a cool scenic route on the way up to the Church of St John at Kaneo. If you head here from the main road by the boat dock, you will also pass the Church of St Sophia and a host of beautiful cobbled streets amongst the lovely houses of Old Town. ● Cost: Free ● Operating Times: Anytime Keep an eye on the planks, though; you have been warned! ⪢ The Ancient Amphitheatre of Ohrid You will find this awesome historical site almost at the foot of the hill on the way down/up to Samuels Fortress in Old Town. If you like Roman history like we do, then this is the place to go! It is said to have been constructed around 200 BC and was adapted to house exotic animals at some point, with several 'cages' carved into the rock base of the central seating area. The theatre has a chequered history; according to the local records, it was used not just for gladiatorial events but also for executions by the Romans. It was abandoned for this reason and was only rediscovered in 1980. ● Cost: Free ● Operating Times: Anytime ⪢ Church of Saint Sophia Located in the heart of Old Town, this Church dates back to the Bulgarian Empire and is considered one of the most important monuments in North Macedonia due to its history. It was converted by the Ottomans to a mosque and then back to a church, holds many frescos dating back to the 11th century, and has a beautiful garden area. This church is on the way to the boardwalk and is a good place to stop off with a restaurant and café nearby too, alongside some pearl and souvenir stalls. An interesting fact is that it also appears on a 1000 Denar banknote! We did not go inside on this occasion but we will save that for our next visit here for sure. ● Cost: Free ● Operating Times: Anytime Front view of the Church of Saint Sophia ⪢ Tsar Samuel's Fortress At the top of the hill of Old Town, the well-preserved walls of one of Ohrid's most popular attractions, Samuel's Fortress, loom over the city. It is advised that you take this trip early morning or late afternoon (on a sunny day) as it is a steep hill and the sun can be extremely hot! Plus, do not forget to bring water! The entrance was restored in 2003 and is certainly imposing! We made our way up through the town park, which hugs the cliffside, following a path/trail directly from the Church of St John at Kaneo. You can also make your way up from the town with a cobbled road leading up from the Amphitheatre. Ohrid was the capital of the first Macedonian Empire, and the fortress was built by Tsar Samuel in the 11th century. There is evidence that it was constructed on an original fortification dating back to the 4th century, most likely commissioned by King Philip II of Macedon. It has been destroyed and rebuilt many times, falling to the Romans, Byzantines, Slavs, and Ottoman Turks. Fully restored in 2003 after again falling into disrepair, it is an incredible piece of history and well worth checking out. ● Cost: 1.50 Euro / 80 Macedonian Denar ● Operating Times: Anytime ⪢ Church of St John at Kaneo (aka St John the Theologian) It is not known when this church was originally built but it is thought to be sometime around the 13th century. It survived the conquest of the city by the Ottomans, and while it is not open to visitors, it is one of the most picturesque locations you will find in all of Ohrid. You are free to roam its garden grounds, wonderfully perched atop a protruding cliff, surrounded by the lake. Most likely the best photo spot of the lake... would you agree? When you get to the church, be sure to head up to the higher vantage point just behind it to grab that postcard photo shot! It is from here that you will also find the single path that leads through the park and to Samuel's Fortress. ● Cost: Free (visitors are not allowed inside but are free to roam the grounds) ● Operating Times: Anytime Do you like to place your hand on old buildings? ⪢ Visit the Old Town, the Bazaar, or Have a Swim! No visit to Ohrid would be complete without perusing the many stores of the main street bazaar, selling a little bit of everything, but in particular the world-famous Ohrid Pearls. It's even said that Queen Elizabeth II has some in her collection! Take a walk around the old town and see how many churches you can spot (they are in even the most obscure locations) or head for a stroll amongst the plush greens and lakeside towards Golden Beach. You can jump into the water pretty much anywhere, too. We had our swim at St Naum during our boat cruise, and we have to tell you, the water was fantastic! We also saw a sign for some springs located at the end of the lakeside walk to the left of the city gardens (if you were looking out towards the lake). We did not go this time, but no doubt it would have been great to check out. The History of Ohrid Known as Lykhnidos by the Greeks in the 2nd Century BCE, Ohrid was devastated by an earthquake in the 5th Century and was rebuilt in the main by the Romans. Be it Greek, Turkish, Roman, Bulgarian, or Slav, Ohrid has been much contested and to this day sits in the middle of the Albania-Macedonia border. Ohrid's big claim to fame is its natural lake being the deepest of all the Balkan countries, It also happens to be one of the oldest lakes in all of Europe! The natural beauty of the lake is striking, and the ancient towns that line it are beautiful and authentic in their own right. Amongst the rolling green hills and powerful tree-topped mountain peaks sit these towns in valleys that are only accessible by boat. In Ohrid, the bright orange clay tiles on the roofs complement winding narrow cobble streets, almost Tudor-like timber-framed houses with protruding levels, and some of the oldest, almost hidden churches you are likely to ever see. All of the homes and buildings seem to be adorned with color, mainly in the form of flowers, and it all feels a little like you are stepping back in time here. It is said that there were once 365 churches in Ohrid, one for each day of the year. While not all of them have survived, particularly during the period of Ottoman Rule, the ones that do are of exceptional architectural importance and heritage. So much so that it was awarded UNESCO status on a cultural and natural level, one of only 28 places in the world to carry such a status, as mentioned earlier. The 'gateway' to the lake at the Church Mother of God Zahumska Monastery The 'Jerusalem of the Balkans', as Ohrid is known, is the eighth largest city in all of North Macedonia and is popular for its fishing and tourism industries. Its culture and heritage are evident, and alongside its surrounding towns, it is a place that will no doubt continue to grow in relevance as a reminder of the empire's past. The biodiversity, ecosystem, and geology of the lake are of significant scientific importance too, and this status will hopefully keep it preserved and protected for future generations. Our Ohrid Accommodation Our one-bedroom apartment was about a 5-minute walk away from the lake and was handily very close to a bank, supermarket, and pharmacy. It was the perfect spot if you just need a base for a week and plan on exploring and being outside every day. It was freshly decorated to a good finish and had a Juliet balcony too. It was very clean and comfortable, and had a good bathroom and kitchenette. Our host was great and was kind enough to pick us up from the bus station upon arrival, and even gave us a lift there at 7 am on the morning of our departure. Not having to worry about taxis was a nice touch for sure! A minor disadvantage here was that the internet was not the best, although we knew that before arrival, as Jenn always checks beforehand with our Airbnb hosts. It was fine for social media but not the best for streaming movies, and not for working digital nomads like us. We were on vacation, so it was not a problem, though. Our host, however, is looking to upgrade it for the apartment only in the future, as it is currently shared amongst other residents in the block. With that in mind, we would easily return for a longer stay. Another downside was that the elevator was broken, which, given we were on the fifth floor, was a bit of a bind. But we did not mind the exercise in the end! The hallway and entrance were a bit lacking, too; however, we have almost grown accustomed to this now, having experienced similar standards in the various places we stayed in Georgia and Albania. Our Accommodation Rating Overall, we were very happy with our host and his apartment, and we would have given a full five stars were it not for the elevator and internet issues. But that should not put you off; this experience was well worth it, and you would not be disappointed here. Our Experience Rating: Ohrid We found this to be a really solid getaway location; we were looking for a break from work, and we found it here. There is a good chill vibe with lots to see, great people, and good food. It is hard to ignore the appeal of this very special historical place in North Macedonia. We would love to hear from you, and if you have any questions about Ohrid or our experience, please do not hesitate to ask. We are always happy to help. As always, a big thank you for following along on our journey! ⪢ Safeguard Your Trip with SafetyWing For peace of mind abroad, we recommend travel insurance. SafetyWing's Essential plan covers travel and medical emergencies, with options for adventure sports and electronics theft. SafetyWing's Complete Plan  offers comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, anywhere in the world, including in your home country, on top of all Essential benefits. FAQ: Visiting Lake Ohrid – North Macedonia’s Lakeside Treasure Where is Lake Ohrid located? Lake Ohrid straddles the border between North Macedonia and Albania , with the historic town of Ohrid on the Macedonian side being the most popular base for visitors. What makes Lake Ohrid so special? Lake Ohrid is one of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes, over three million years old, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s known for its unique biodiversity, crystal-clear waters, and centuries-old churches perched above the shore. Is Ohrid a good destination for tourists? Absolutely. It offers a mix of nature, history, and relaxation—from ancient monasteries and Ottoman architecture to swimming, boat rides, and lakeside dining. What are the must-see attractions in Ohrid? ● Church of St. John at Kaneo (iconic cliffside church) ● Samuel’s Fortress ● Ancient Theatre of Ohrid ● Plaošnik and Church of St. Clement ● Monastery of St. Naum (via boat trip) ● Ohrid Old Town and promenade Can you swim in Lake Ohrid? Yes! The lake is clean and swimmable, especially in summer. There are public beaches, hotel piers, and quiet coves all around the shoreline. What’s the best way to get to Ohrid? You can reach Ohrid by: ● Domestic bus from Skopje (3–4 hours) ● Flights to Ohrid St. Paul the Apostle Airport (seasonal, limited) ● Border crossing from Albania (e.g., from Pogradec or via Lake Ohrid boat tours) Is Ohrid expensive? No, Ohrid is very budget-friendly compared to Western Europe. Accommodation, food, and activities are affordable, even in peak season. What’s the best time to visit Ohrid? May to September is ideal for sunny weather and swimming. July and August are the busiest, especially during cultural events like the Ohrid Summer Festival. Are there boat trips on Lake Ohrid? Yes, from short sightseeing cruises to full-day trips to St. Naum Monastery. You can also rent pedal boats, kayaks, or join guided sunset tours. Do I need a visa to visit North Macedonia? Most travelers from the EU, UK, U.S., Canada, and Australia do not need a visa for short stays (up to 90 days). Always check current visa requirements before travel. Easily Find Hotels in Ohrid and Beyond Looking for a place to stay nearby? Browse Ohrid hotel deals below to find great rates for an overnight stay. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. Book Transport Taxis, Trains, Planes, Buses & Ferries in Advance Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless transport booking experience. With booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and flights. Interactive Map North Macedonia Check out all of the places we visited in North Macedonia courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap a number for more information, including our blog posts and links to reviews. Wanderlog  is a free travel planning app where you can create itineraries, organize flights, hotels, and car reservations, view places to visit, and collaborate with friends. Closer Lives Travel Hub Destinations, Tips & Essentials Head over to our Travel Hub – it’s packed with free country guides, helpful travel blogs, videos from the road, and tips to help you travel smarter (and cheaper!). Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already out exploring, we've got resources to help you every step of the way. Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

A peaceful, off-the-radar medieval castle near Abergavenny with stunning views and no entrance fee. Tucked away in the quiet Welsh countryside near Abergavenny in Monmouthshire, White Castle is one of those rare gems that feels like you've discovered a secret from the past. We visited as part of our Wales road trip , which included other iconic sites like Cardiff Castle , Conwy Castle, and Caernarfon Castle , but White Castle left a unique impression. This visit was extra special for us — partly because of the remote, winding drive with towering hedges that felt like stepping into a different realm, but also due to the name’s connection to Jennifer’s heritage. "Jennifer" is the Cornish form of the Welsh name Gwynhwyfar, or Guinevere, which made it feel almost fated that we ended up here. In this post , we share White Castle’s intriguing history, highlights, travel tips, and why it's a hidden gem worth adding to your Wales itinerary. In This Post... ● Our Highlights ● The History ● How to Get There ● Tickets, Hours & When to Go ● Tips for Visiting See More... ● Places to Visit Nearby ● Watch on YouTube ● 10 Interesting Facts ● FAQ: The White Castle ● Our Experience Rating Travel Resources ● Travel Essentials for Your Trip ● Get Travel Insurance ● Find Hotels in Abergavenny ● Book Transport ● Interactive Map ● Closer Lives Travel Hub Our Highlights from the White Castle Visitors explore the historic ruins of White Castle in Abergavenny, Wales, surrounded by ancient stone walls and lush greenery. ⪢ Quick-fire Highlights: ● A remote and peaceful medieval ruin with stunning countryside views. ● Accessed by a moat-spanning bridge — a dramatic entrance to a striking fortress. ● Massive curtain walls and circular defensive towers are still in place. ● Free entry and often quiet — perfect for those seeking a lesser-known experience. ● No facilities on-site , but plenty of room to explore. ● Ideal for a 1-hour stop on a scenic Welsh road trip. ● Photographer’s dream thanks to the natural light, reflections in the moat, and panoramic angles. ● Easily paired with Grosmont and Skenfrith castles nearby. Exploring the historic White Castle in Abergavenny, Wales, standing on the entrance bridge over the moat. Our visit to White Castle felt like stepping into the pages of a medieval legend. The road leading up to it was an adventure in itself — winding, narrow country lanes with tall hedgerows on both sides. At one point, we were convinced we’d taken a wrong turn, but suddenly the castle appeared out of nowhere, perched dramatically on a hill. It was incredibly windy when we arrived, adding to the atmosphere — the kind that makes your coat flap and your hair go wild. But the effort was worth it. The views were vast, the moat dramatic, and the bridge into the castle gave us total Game of Thrones vibes. We had the place mostly to ourselves, which made it all the more special. White Castle is the most well-preserved and impressive of the three Monmouthshire fortresses referred to as the 'Three Castles,' which also include Grosmont and Skenfrith. After this experience, it looks like we will have to add the other two to our castles-to-see list! 💡 If you’re heading to Anglesey or Snowdonia , Caernarfon makes for a strategic and scenic stop. For more castle routes, check out Discover Wales . The ancient stone walls of White Castle in Abergavenny, Wales, showcase the rich architectural history and enduring craftsmanship of this medieval fortress. History of the White Castle Despite its peaceful surroundings today, White Castle has a fiercely defensive past. Originally known as Llantilio Castle, it formed part of a trio of fortifications (along with Skenfrith and Grosmont) designed to defend the Monnow Valley from Welsh uprisings during Norman times. Visitors explore the historic ruins of White Castle, featuring a distinctive stone well within its ancient courtyard. The first motte-and-bailey structure was likely built shortly after the Norman invasion in the late 11th century. By the mid-13th century, under the reign of Henry III, the castle was extensively rebuilt in stone — the phase during which it likely earned the name White Castle, either due to its pale render or as a contrast to nearby “Red” or “Grey” castles. Stone interior of a medieval tower at White Castle in Abergavenny, Wales, showcasing arched windows and rugged masonry. White Castle served as a military stronghold more than a domestic residence, which is evident in its lack of elaborate living quarters. Its main focus was defensive: twin gatehouses, circular corner towers, a large moat, and curtain walls that still leave an impression today. Ancient stone walls at White Castle continue to stand resilient despite the passage of time, framing a small cross-shaped window that opens to a splash of greenery beyond. Though never attacked directly, its presence was a symbol of English dominance over the Marches. Eventually, as the need for defense faded, the castle fell into disuse and ruin — but not without leaving behind an atmospheric, historically rich shell of what once was. 💡 If you’re passionate  about Ancient Wonders  or Castles , this one should be high on your list. How to Get to the White Castle White Castle is located in Monmouthshire, southeast Wales, about 5 miles northeast of Abergavenny. It’s remote, so driving is the best option. By Car ● From Abergavenny: 15 minutes via B4233 and Whitecastle Road ● From Monmouth: 25 minutes 📍 Postcode: NP7 8UD (may take you to a nearby farm—watch for signage close to the site) There’s a small free car park with space for a few vehicles near the entrance. 💡 Need a car for your trip?  Rent one via Turo  for flexible, affordable options that suit every travel style. By Public Transport Public transport doesn’t reach the site directly. You can take a train or bus to Abergavenny, then cycle, taxi, or hike (2 hours) to the castle. Great for adventurous walkers using OS maps or route apps. ⪢ Get There From Cardiff: Guided Tour of Welsh Valleys Travel through the enchanting Wye Valley, stopping at some of Wales' most iconic landmarks such as Tintern Abbey, Chepstow Castle, and Caerphilly Castle, on a guided day trip from Cardiff. No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination. 🔗 Book Your Tickets Here ⪢ Contact Information for the White Castle ● Address: Whitecastle, Abergavenny NP7 8UD ● Website: cadw.gov.wales/white-castle ⪢ Easily Find Hotels in Abergavenny and Beyond Looking for a place to stay nearby? Browse Abergavenny hotel deals below to find great rates for an overnight stay. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. Tickets, Opening Hours & Best Time to Visit ⪢ Ticket Prices White Castle is managed by Cadw, but it’s free to enter for everyone, year-round. There’s no ticket booth—just a gate and signage, making it one of Wales' best off-the-beaten-path medieval sites. ● Entry: FREE ● Parking: Free (small lay-by near the site or limited roadside space) ● Guided Tours: Not available—this is a self-guided visit ⪢ Opening Times ● Open daily: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (as daylight allows) ● Closed: Occasionally in extreme weather or for maintenance There are no gates or staff on-site, but the castle is generally accessible during daylight hours. ⪢ Best Time to Visit ● Spring and summer offer lush surroundings and clear skies—perfect for picnics and photos ● Autumn brings rich colours across the moat and countryside ● Early morning or late afternoon gives beautiful light and solitude ● Best enjoyed during dry weather , as paths can get muddy Tranquil landscape around White Castle, featuring lush greenery, ancient stone walls, and expansive views of the countryside. Tips for Visiting the White Castle ● Bring layers: it’s very exposed and gets windy fast! ● Wear proper footwear: There are grassy banks, uneven paths, and slopes—walking shoes or boots are ideal, especially after rain. ● Download info in advance: There’s no mobile signal in parts of the area. If you want historical context, download Cadw’s website page or a guide app before your visit. ● Allow about an hour max to explore the full site at a relaxed pace. ● No toilets or facilities: Plan ahead—there are no amenities on-site, so use facilities in Abergavenny or Monmouth before you arrive. ● Bring a picnic: With no café or visitor centre, White Castle is the perfect spot for a peaceful, scenic picnic inside the outer walls or beside the moat. ● Parking is extremely limited: Arrive early if you're coming in peak season. ● The castle is free to visit and dog-friendly if your pup is on a lead. ● The bridge and moat entry are particularly photogenic: Great for drone or GoPro shots. The massive twin-towered gatehouse and well-preserved curtain walls create an epic silhouette, too, especially under moody skies or at golden hour. ● Explore the full grounds: Don’t just stop at the gatehouse—the outer ward, ditch, and moat make for a full circuit walk with countryside views. ⪢ Safeguard Your Trip with SafetyWing For peace of mind abroad, we recommend travel insurance. SafetyWing's Essential plan covers travel and medical emergencies, with options for adventure sports and electronics theft. SafetyWing's Complete Plan  offers comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, anywhere in the world, including in your home country, on top of all Essential benefits. Places to Visit Nearby Make the most of your visit to this part of Wales with these nearby stops: Abergavenny Img: visitmonmouth A lovely market town with restaurants, cafés, and walks. Grosmont Castle Img: visitmonmouth Another of the “Three Castles” is located just 20 minutes away. Skenfrith Castle Img: castlewales.com The third sibling in the defensive trio, also nearby. Monmouth Img: wiki.org Historic town with links to Henry V and Roman roads. Brecon Beacons Img: trekfest.org.uk For hiking, waterfalls, and scenic panoramic views. Cardiff Img: cardiffcastle.com The capital is under 90 minutes away if you're heading south next. 💡 Use our Wales Travel Guide to plan your route through this beautiful country. Watch Our Wales Road Trip on YouTube Check out our visit to White Castle and the other fortresses we explored during our Welsh castle road trip. If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures, please like and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us, and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! 10 Interesting Facts About the White Castle ● Originally known as Llantilio Castle: The castle took its first name from the nearby village of Llantilio Crossenny before being renamed for its pale exterior. ● Rebuilt in Stone in the 13th Century: White Castle’s iconic stonework dates to around 1250, during the reign of Henry III, replacing an earlier timber motte-and-bailey. ● Its Moat Still Holds Water: Unlike many dry moats, White Castle’s defensive moat often retains water — a striking feature that enhances its atmospheric look. ● Part of the ‘Three Castles’ Defensive Network: Along with Grosmont and Skenfrith, White Castle helped secure the borderlands between England and Wales. ● Remarkably Well-Preserved Curtain Walls: The thick stone curtain walls remain largely intact, offering insight into medieval fortification design. ● Never Saw Battle: Despite its fortifications, the castle was never attacked — a testament to its imposing design and effective placement. ● The Name Comes from Pale Stone or Whitewash: Historians believe the “white” may refer to a rendered coating or the light color of the stone used. ● Once Managed by a Powerful English Noble: Hubert de Burgh, a key figure in King John's reign, was once the custodian of White Castle and its siblings. ● Visible Arrow Loops and Tower Stairs Remain: Climb the preserved stairwells to find arrow slits still in place — a rare opportunity to see medieval defenses up close. ● An Ideal Example of Norman Military Architecture: With its towers, moat, and double gatehouse, it remains one of the finest lesser-known Norman ruins in Wales. FAQ: White Castle – Discovering One of Wales’ Best Kept Medieval Secrets Where is White Castle located? White Castle is in Monmouthshire , South Wales, near the village of Llantilio Crossenny. It’s part of the historic “Three Castles” trio along with Grosmont and Skenfrith, all within a short drive of each other. Is there an entrance fee? No—White Castle is free to visit and open to the public year-round. It’s an ideal stop for budget-conscious travelers or families exploring the Welsh countryside. What makes White Castle special? This Norman stronghold features massive earthworks, twin-towered gatehouses, and a dramatic moat. Despite being lesser-known, it’s incredibly atmospheric, well-preserved, and offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding hills. How much time should I plan for a visit? You’ll need around 30 to 60 minutes to explore the site, climb the towers, walk the moat, and take photos. Add more time if you're combining it with the other “Three Castles.” Is it suitable for children or family visits? Yes! Kids can freely explore the ruins, run around the open grassy spaces, and enjoy imagining medieval life. It’s a peaceful and engaging stop with no crowds or ticket queues. Is there parking at the site? Yes, there is a small free car park next to the entrance. It’s a short, level walk from the car to the castle ruins. Spaces are limited, so arriving early is the best bet to guarantee a space. Is the site accessible for people with mobility issues? The outer path is relatively level, but the ruins have uneven surfaces, steep steps, and grassy terrain. It may be challenging for visitors with limited mobility. Are there facilities like restrooms or a café? No—there are no on-site facilities. It’s best to use restrooms or stop for food in nearby Abergavenny or one of the nearby villages. What’s the best time of year to visit? White Castle is beautiful year-round , but spring and autumn offer lush landscapes and fewer bugs. It’s often quiet even in summer—ideal for a peaceful stroll or a picnic. Is White Castle worth visiting? Absolutely. It’s a hidden gem with epic views, fascinating history, and an untouched feel. Perfect for anyone interested in medieval ruins, photography, or off-the-beaten-path exploration in Wales. Our Experience Rating: White Castle Despite the blustery weather, our visit to White Castle was one of the most memorable on our Wales road trip. The narrow, hedged roads gave way to an almost magical setting — a castle in the middle of nowhere, commanding the landscape in silence. We loved the peaceful atmosphere, the dramatic bridge entrance, and the sweeping views from atop the walls. It’s a short but sweet experience, perfect for history lovers, castle chasers, or anyone wanting a quiet detour off the beaten path. Travel Essentials for Your Trip to Wales Thinking of hitting the road like we did? Here are some resources we use and recommend: 🏠 Book Hotels: With ease on our Wales Map 📶 eSIM for Wales: Stay connected on arrival with GigSky  or Saily 🧳 Travel Insurance: SafetyWing Nomad Insurance covers full-time travel and short trips alike. 💱 Save on Currency Exchange: Use Wise to avoid hidden fees and get great rates 🚗 Rental Cars: Check Turo to rent directly from locals 📚 More Resources: Check out our Travel Hub  or Free Country Guides 🧭 Plan Your Route: See where we’ve been with our Wanderlog Travel Map Book Transport Taxis, Trains, Planes, Buses & Ferries in Advance Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless transport booking experience. With booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and flights. Interactive Map Wales Check out all of the places we visited in Wales courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap a number for more information, including our blog posts and links to reviews. Wanderlog  is a free travel planning app where you can create itineraries, organize flights, hotels, and car reservations, view places to visit, and collaborate with friends. Closer Lives Travel Hub Destinations, Tips & Essentials Head over to our Travel Hub – it’s packed with free country guides, helpful travel blogs, videos from the road, and tips to help you travel smarter (and cheaper!). Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already out exploring, we've got resources to help you every step of the way. Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Inspired by the transformative power of love, this piece looks at the way it rebuilds, renews, and elevates us. It's a tribute to the connection that can transcend stress, distance, and darkness, leaving us fused as one. Fusion explores the way love rebuilds us, piece by piece. It's a reflection of how, even in moments of chaos or darkness, love can be the light that carries us forward. "He stepped down, trying not to look long at her, as if she were the sun, yet he saw her, like the sun, even without looking." - Leo Tolstoy. Love always manages to find its way, even when you're feeling down. It's like a little pick-me-up that brings good vibes into your life. Whether you've met your soulmate or not, there's someone out there meant for you. Love has a funny way of showing up when you least expect it, no need to go hunting for it. That's just what I think! Fusion Tickle my senses Go on an offensive This love is relentless A treat for my synapses Constantly changing My nerves are tingling Lust intermingling This is a real thing It makes me nervous Sometimes I'm just stressed Often mindless Just the usual mess Yet your love shines through No matter what you do Be it here or across oceans You were always you You rang me Sang to me Supported me Cherished me You made me feel whole Reborn with a soul No longer a puppet A soldier to coin You rebuilt my peace Piece by piece You gave me hope Confidence galore Confiscated darkness Threw it to the floor Stomped on it Squished it Made it no more Even then I knew not What you had in store The reserves Of hope Of peace and love Warmth in your berth I can't get enough So beautiful you are From near or from far That is just you You are the star Like a rocket We launched And damn did we fly Fuelled by love My oh my We reached the sky Above and beyond Despite what is said The darkness was gone A universe sparked Atoms vibrating Sensationally charged Never abating Just two hearts Fused by the sun Two souls linked Bonded as one © Leon Gregori 2025 What does love mean to you? Have you experienced a connection so powerful it felt like fusion? Let me know in the comments! You Might Also Like... 🔗 Rise: Redefining Falling in Love Reimagine love in Rise. Explore the transformative journey of love as an ascent to new heights, breaking free from the gravity of past hurts. Leon Gregori I've been writing poetry since my mid-teens and find it natural to express myself through words. My writing is spontaneous and unstructured, following a freestyle approach. My long-form content focuses on themes of heartbreak and life. Closer Lives Poetry Poetry has been a lifelong passion for us, and the best part of our journey is that we found love through it! Here, we share pieces that are close to our hearts, hoping they speak to your heart too. We hope you enjoy our work and look forward to adding more!

Is life a carefully woven tapestry, or do we truly have control over our path? These are the questions I explore in this poem, Woven. It delves into the intersections of destiny, manifestation, and human connection. These are the thoughts, this is the poetry! Questions Woven into the Fabric of Life Is there a predetermined path for us to follow? Do our desires and aspirations materialize as we wish? Can we make things happen? Since my youth, I have sensed something... a whisper... an unseen communication. Is this reality? Is life a complete mystery, or is there room for understanding? Are events truly 'meant to happen'... does luck play a role in our lives? Can we shape our destiny, or is it merely fate that has always been set? Within our subconscious, are we influenced by the universe? Do we truly have free will or is it all preordained? Did we all originate from a single source? Whether through science or faith... the beginning or the smallest particle... without disregarding any belief system, are we all fundamentally connected? Interwoven? Our steps follow the paths of countless others who came before us... spirits traversing through past and future generations. We are continuously broadening our perspectives... pushing the boundaries until the thread unravels. Or is it simply handed down to the next generation? Woven Going about my daily business I am but merely a bespoke witness To this carefully choreographed plan I feel forced to be a fan To this invisible tapestry That feels like fantasy Yet it is truly a reality Working with destiny It has its way with me All of my decisions Choices and such They feel like freedom Like I have control I have my goals Moments and aspirations I work towards them Celebrate when I achieve But am I really doing this Is it really me Or is it just the plan That is 'meant to be' Did I take that chance Or did the chance take me Did I go because I wanted to Or was I just pushed to see The stitches The fabric Of what I am presenting The path I am following Winding through my mind All of the things The gifts of life Like magnets to my soul On the tip of a knife Pinpoint accuracy This is not a fallacy It is the truth I have known since my youth Maybe I can manifest My deepest desires Maybe I can hope for the best Possess what I admire Maybe I can own it Call out its name For all that I know It is only the same The same as it's written In invisible ink The same as I am told To do as I think Whatever I do I follow the path The instinct The gut The senses I have It can be altered I can force a change Add little moments But it ends up the same Who I meet What I foresee Where I am at What I can see All I know When my one becomes two Is the only truth That I was always going to Are we all just interconnected? I can't help but agree with this perspective My life is a directive It should all be expected All of the things With all that it brings This stunning, sweet symphony The people who come to me Those that I go to The voices I listen to This journey I am on Where I came from All interwoven In the threads of others Stitched in the fabric Of life and the universe So I document in words Write down a verse Detail my legacy For all to remember me Before it all ends Not a moment too soon Before the thread runs out And only the box looms So when all is done When the path is all trodden The tapestry complete The start is long forgotten My name will be carved My life in a box Lid on tight Sealed with a lock My vessel will vanish End up as dust All that I lived Gone as it must Only memories will survive Thoughts and mementos To those I had touched Or loved the same So my point is This is not a game We are all on a path Forged in our names We all have questions Of why, what, and who But that is just human It is nothing new Those questions will be answered Upon leaving this life Maybe the path remains One can only hope for an afterlife But in the meantime We are all interconnected This is my thought My only perspective I will wake up tomorrow And continue this journey Find what is next See what becomes of me Meet and greet Search and explore Follow my path Follow my tour I don't need a guide For my soul leads the way Just like these words And all that I say © Leon Gregori 2025 What do you think? Is life a predetermined journey, or are we shaping our paths every step of the way? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. 'Life is so short and the years pass so quickly, we live our lives like we're on a rollercoaster and before we know it many things are missed out, not done, and sometimes, too late to catch up on. You are in the prime of your life now, enjoy every moment of happiness you have, because that is the fruit of life and you are blessed' That was from my Mum, part of a message she sent to me after she finished reading my book (thanks Mum). I guess it is so apt to place it with this piece... it meant a lot to me. As writers, we are blessed with the ability to leave our souls behind on paper... but let us not forget to enrich our souls and keep feeding them every day, while we still can. Stay connected, guys! Until next time! You Might Also Like... 🔗 Fusion: When Two Souls Become One Fusion explores the way love rebuilds us, piece by piece. A reflection of how, even in moments of chaos or darkness, love can be the light. Leon Gregori I've been writing poetry since my mid-teens and find it natural to express myself through words. My writing is spontaneous and unstructured, following a freestyle approach. My long-form content focuses on themes of heartbreak and life. Closer Lives Poetry Poetry has been a lifelong passion for us, and the best part of our journey is that we found love through it! Here, we share pieces that are close to our hearts, hoping they speak to your heart too. We hope you enjoy our work and look forward to adding more!

By definition, conscience is our moral sense of right and wrong. A space where gut feelings, instinct, empathy, and compassion combine to (hopefully) point us on the right path. In this piece, I explore my own and its subterranean other, piecing it together in the only way I know how: through my poetry. “The only tyrant I accept in this world is the 'still small voice' within me. And even though I have to face the prospect of being a minority of one, I humbly believe I have the courage to be in such a hopeless minority.” ― Mahatma Gandhi I love this quote because it does encapsulate the internal workings of our minds. There is the part that controls our body and its functions, then there is the part that is 'us'. The 'invisible' voice, which honestly I am not even sure sounds like my actual one. The one that questions, triggers, compliments, and critiques. That voice is productive, obstructive, and all the in-betweens. Two as one and one as the same... conscience and mind constantly working to balance feelings and decisions. When I wrote this piece I wanted to expose those inner workings, the swing of the pendulum that never seems to rest. So here it goes... welcome to the inner sanctum! Conscience Want to write all about me? Pick me? Fight me? Holding me back A stabbing attack Like a frenzy No befriending Just riled and foreboding You make it an ending Go ahead Lecture me Do your thing Enlighten me See what frightens me Entices me What stops me Sparks me Instant reactions Copious satisfaction Pitchforks swinging Whilst fires rage An open page Or a closed book Neither works Or even should Learn my lesson Through making mistakes Take in information Owning my space I know best You just detest That I don’t always believe Or consider Intrigued I have ignored Been closed Bored Distracted I’ve enacted A type of detachment So my action Decision Natural submission Is to stop Listen With pristine precision Conscience tell me For I want to be listening Deciding Debating Considering Doing our thing Synchronizing With conscience my King And Queen My power Personified Progress Intensified Mistakes Rectified With love I happily oblige I shall now believe my honesty The voice that corrects me The one that shows me My values within Though it can harm me Drain and extract me Fill my lungs With an air of uncertainty My conscience is paramount And will guide for eternity As it rinses me out And pinches my heart I have learned to respect And even in death Never shall we part © Leon Gregori 2025 For me, Conscience is about the dance between instinct and reason, between critique and compassion. It’s a conversation we all have within ourselves, whether we acknowledge it or not. What does your conscience sound like? Do you find it easy to listen to, or does it often conflict with your desires? I’d love to hear your reflections in the comments below. You Might Also Like... 🔗 Rise: Redefining Falling in Love Reimagine love in Rise. Explore the transformative journey of love as an ascent to new heights, breaking free from the gravity of past hurts. Leon Gregori I've been writing poetry since my mid-teens and find it natural to express myself through words. My writing is spontaneous and unstructured, following a freestyle approach. My long-form content focuses on themes of heartbreak and life. Closer Lives Poetry Poetry has been a lifelong passion for us, and the best part of our journey is that we found love through it! Here, we share pieces that are close to our hearts, hoping they speak to your heart too. We hope you enjoy our work and look forward to adding more!

When I met Jenn not only did I find true, epic love but I was also met with an incredible dose of inspiration, creativity, and energy. It was in full force when we met and it is just as strong now, manifesting in our art and our reality! This piece takes us back to the beginning, as we were crossing continents to see each other at every opportunity. Many nights we spent together, many nights we spent apart. I wrote this after an evening walk alone, amid a very empty feeling after Jenn had flown back to Canada . The distance was tough, but tough moments make you stronger and this was no different. " Distance is not for the fearful, it is for the bold. It’s for those who are willing to spend a lot of time alone in exchange for a little time with the one they love. It’s for those knowing a good thing when they see it, even if they don’t see it nearly enough ." - Meghan Daum Thankfully for us, the 'distance only lasted for 6 months before I packed up and left England behind for Canada. It worked out amazingly well given 3 months after my arrival the country shut down due to Covid-19. I am so glad I was there when it happened because it was a good 12 months before they reopened the borders again! The Force was with us from the moment Jenn joined my poetry live on Instagram and sent me her poetry. We felt a tether and a connection immediately. That tether stretched not just from Canada to the UK but across previous lifetimes too! More on that in another post! It was all just part of the plan falling into place. A love greater than we even knew at the time. But we knew that we were meant to be together and we knew this was the right moment, the right place, the right time. Our love has been thriving ever since... The Force remains as strong as ever! The Force Born on a continent So far away Distance no match The force came our way It rode the tides Through stormy seas Under cloudy skies It found the cliffs Of our distant shores It climbed with no harness As it made it to land The force grew stronger As it searched for our hands When it made it to us It knew what it must What it must be Between you and me The force found us Through our poetry It gave us the key To know what to see We delved into our screens With unanimous security No apprehension Or insecurity We always knew The force was there Bringing us closer With vision and flair Ocean's divide Yet love flies There is no chance Or reason why I am yours You are mine Was always coming This is our time A single rhythm A passion A schism A moment written All is forgiven Unfurling the ribbon This present is a given The gift to our hand I finally understand An effervescent plan Because it can Our moment rises The gap closes A coming together We are chosen Reach for the stars Is not the phrase The stars came to us With our patience paid Sadness gone Our pasts laid Future set We are here to stay The sun has risen A new horizon It will never set In our infinite vision Distance no match There was never a catch Only the fact We were due to attach Fusing our souls Conjoining our goals Sharing our spirit Becoming one whole A force to be reckoned with It found its home We are the force And this is our tone © Leon Gregori 2025 The Force isn’t just about love; it’s about destiny, creativity, and the inexplicable tether that brings two souls together. For Jenn and me, poetry was our introduction, but love was our ultimate bond. You Might Also Like... 🔗 Rise: Redefining Falling in Love Reimagine love in Rise. Explore the transformative journey of love as an ascent to new heights, breaking free from the gravity of past hurts. Leon Gregori I've been writing poetry since my mid-teens and find it natural to express myself through words. My writing is spontaneous and unstructured, following a freestyle approach. My long-form content focuses on themes of heartbreak and life. Closer Lives Poetry Poetry has been a lifelong passion for us, and the best part of our journey is that we found love through it! Here, we share pieces that are close to our hearts, hoping they speak to your heart too. We hope you enjoy our work and look forward to adding more!

From my debut book, Out of the Shadows , The Game is a reflective piece from Chapter 6, Reborn. It explores the cyclical nature of modern life - eat, work, sleep, repeat - and how this relentless rhythm has shaped our humanity. Written after a long, exhausting day at work, it’s a poem born from the question many of us ask: 'Why am I doing this every day?' "Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." - Confucius For me, The Game is about questioning the systems we’ve built around us. It challenges the pursuit of material success at the expense of our souls and asks whether we’re truly living - or just playing along. The Game This life Our affliction Inhale it like addiction Our distinction Our reason It sets us all apart Different seasons Lands and kingdoms Association Relations Loyalty Respect It pulls us all apart Strangers rule us Whilst money blinds us Beats us down Controlled all around Lifeless Soulless Conscience not making a sound Love defines us Our spirit and our souls Our bodies and our minds Benefit in kind But our desires stretch us Can drive us crazy People like dominoes Our hearts doing the rounds We are superstitious Suspicious Ridiculous At times It's fictitious We are fortuitous To make it through at times Honesty Reminds us Of how we show and tell And it's torturous Tumultuous Binds us under its spell And just like a bell It jars us Disciplines us right Because try as we might Our only fight Is hindsight That's right All we get is hindsight It's not right But it's how we learn Because honesty and loyalty Only gets us burned So as we turn It becomes our blindside We learn to ignore And on it goes on This world we create We're regardless We are relentless Our pursuit of happiness Remorseless So release the stress Put to the test The desire to achieve Soulfulness The dream Less the mess No need to impress Happiness The extreme But the reality Is meaningless Mostly nothingness Emptiness Loneliness It cuts deep inside So in our pursuit In this desperate race We step on others Just to save face We try to deny it With rigour and valour But truth be told We know our true colors What will we do What we will hide How desperate we are To jump from this ride Complex souls We each are Our morals and ethics So so afar We try to hide it We try to agree But we all know that We all can't see So somewhere out there Something must be Must have a plan For all and me This life Our affliction This addiction It holds us We live for each day No matter what We might say We still get up Ready to play This game And we do Each one of you It's our reason Distinction It sets us all apart So no rhyme And no reason We are who we are We humans are a legion An army Of war Drowning in our sorrows Living in the burrows Sinking And sinning But living for tomorrow © Leon Gregori 2025 Do you ever feel trapped by the cycle of modern life? What do you think it takes to break free and live with more purpose? Share your thoughts in the comments below. You Might Also Like... 🔗 Conscience, Poetry by Leon Gregori In this piece, I explore my conscience and its subterranean other, piecing it together in the only way I know how: through poetry! Leon Gregori I've been writing poetry since my mid-teens and find it natural to express myself through words. My writing is spontaneous and unstructured, following a freestyle approach. My long-form content focuses on themes of heartbreak and life. Closer Lives Poetry Poetry has been a lifelong passion for us, and the best part of our journey is that we found love through it! Here, we share pieces that are close to our hearts, hoping they speak to your heart too. We hope you enjoy our work and look forward to adding more!

Do we 'fall' in love or 'rise' to love? That is the question! Falling often feels negative, literally tied to bruises and pain from the impact. But with true love, like what Jenn and I are so blessed to have found, the experience is transformative. It’s about rising to new levels, together. It was a revelation moment when it seemed like a lightbulb was shining just above my head. I realized that I had been getting it wrong all along. I thought of all of the times I had encountered love, recalling sayings like 'fallen in love' and 'falling in love'. At this moment, I thought, why should love be subjected to gravity? Why would I fall when I should be going up ? So I did what I often do in these situations; I grabbed my phone and wrote a poem about it. As one does! Rise The first time our eyes met I knew you were the one Live Life love You are the epitome of fun The moment we met You had my highest regard Damn I fell for you And I fell hard Yet why do we say that ‘I fell for you’ Does ‘falling' end in blissful happiness? Soulful struts and fire and glory Electric connection Energy flying Tingles and sensation Without even trying Is 'falling’ infinite Or does gravity rule? Or do you catch me Before I truly fall? I like the idea Of you catching me For you protect and nurture Nourish and enrich I have always felt safer In the comfort of your arms But I think I shall change it This phrase has to go Maybe in the past I can say I have ‘fallen’ Many a moment I felt my calling I thought I knew The power of love Relationships came And I ‘fell’ Lessons learnt though Can't you tell? Many times I ‘fell’ hard And in hindsight, I see That the effective reality Was that I could never get up After my ‘fall’ I was always stuck It almost sounds negative Wouldn't you agree? If the 'fall' is not broken Caught or cushioned Only bruises form The foundation built On a base of pain I never want to feel that Ever again So with you, my dear My heart My joy I have not ‘fallen’ No no no I have RISEN This is the opposite The spectrum stretched The 'normal’ reversed Carved and etched Spun on a dime You are my rocket Blasted into the Universe There is NO gravity Just weightless endlessness Floating amongst stars With love as our oxygen This Galaxy of us Will never end This moment in time I rose from the ashes Soared through the sky Dove into the spark The twinkle in your eye Higher heights Limitless love The Galaxy and beyond There is no wake-up Just dreams Onboard This love express Endless flight Stunning impress Even with turbulence I am not shaken Merely stoked My heart is already taken High above My only station For I only look up I no longer look down There are no stops There is no ground © Leon Gregori 2025 For me, Rise is a celebration of love as a source of strength and elevation. It’s about breaking free from the gravitational pull of past hurts and choosing to soar with someone who lifts you. What do you think? Do you prefer the idea of 'falling' or 'rising' in love? Share your thoughts in the comments below! You Might Also Like... 🔗 Fusion: When Two Souls Become One Fusion explores the way love rebuilds us, piece by piece. A reflection of how, even in moments of chaos or darkness, love can be the light. Leon Gregori I've been writing poetry since my mid-teens and find it natural to express myself through words. My writing is spontaneous and unstructured, following a freestyle approach. My long-form content focuses on themes of heartbreak and life. Closer Lives Poetry Poetry has been a lifelong passion for us, and the best part of our journey is that we found love through it! Here, we share pieces that are close to our hearts, hoping they speak to your heart too. We hope you enjoy our work and look forward to adding more!

Have you ever looked at the marvels of ancient civilizations and wondered, ‘How did they do it?’ From the precision of the pyramids to the cosmic alignment of ancient wells, our ancestors achieved feats that still leave us in awe. But have we, in the age of technology, lost something profound in ourselves? These questions form the core of De-evolution - a reflection on humanity’s journey, our potential, and the powers within us. All the while I marvel at the brilliance of our ancestors and all they achieved, from the Sumerians to the Egyptians and all of the other civilizations that have advanced humanity. How did they achieve the things they did? Did they have help from the outside? Or did they tap into their INSIDE and use abilities we don't even know we have? Jenn and I have talked at length many times about these so-called 'abilities'. From manifestation to energy to vibes, there are just so many ways we can change our realities without any dependence on others. We are fooled into the notion that we need our governments and society to flourish, but the truth is that as a collective, we favor the few on behalf of the many. Yet there is something that can change the game. Something innate inside of us that once tapped into, can LITERALLY change, shape, and mold our lives into whatever we desire. Now THAT is something that the 'few' have learned how to suppress in us. From the outside! The Baalbek Stone [Photo credit - middleeasteye.net ] Is it possible to carve, lift, and shift a giant rock that weighs 300 tonnes like at Baalbek (Lebanon) as part of a construction project? Thousands of years ago? Could it be possible? Maybe the question is not HOW they moved it. More like why. For example, 3000 years ago, people constructed a well at Santa Cristina that is aligned with a solar event that occurs once every 18 and a half years. The Santa Cristina Well, Sardinia, Italy When the moon is at its highest point in orbit, it does so directly above this place, shining through a 2ft hole to illuminate a perfectly cylindrical well into a glowing white magical chamber. There are so many questions attached to the reasons this place exists, but back to my point. Like damn, they were using their MINDS to do all this stuff I could barely even do in my dreams. I can just about remember my PIN, and that's only 4 digits! Me? Move a rock? Manifest my desires? Somehow figure out how to build a place that could do who knows what? Well, that's a fantasy, a movie, a pipe dream. So they say. But perhaps there was once a time when these powers were unimpeded... Life begets life. Energy becomes energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich - Sarah Bernhardt So this piece is about the connection to our past, our connection with technology today, and how we can change our realities in the future. We have the power within us, and even if modern living does not encourage that, we can still find it if we search deeply enough! I hope you enjoy the read! De-Evolution Egyptians, Mayans The great civilizations Way back when Way back then Out of nowhere (Relatively) They start building pyramids (Literally) Moving gargantuan stones and rocks Calculating Maths And clocks Precise measurements Pinpoint precision Feats of engineering Innate intuition They changed the face Of humanity They set the bar Of who we are to be Prosperity Art Society Begin Build Legacy A beacon A light Of what we could become Planet masters The best bar none With no tech, they mastered this No help They started this Or maybe Who knows Hieroglyphs We know We've studied And wondered Marveled Reveled To this day we visit Their stunning legacy And so what next for us This new humanity What is next What shall we see Well, I guess the Egyptians Were the spark They were the start We learned And built Enhanced their teachings We built new empires Brilliant and fleeting For bad or worse For good or better We learned from their laws We still write their letters But for us Now maybe The de-evolution has begun For way back when Some dude pops up and says Hey Let's build a pyramid That will take over a thousand years Untold wealth Staggering masses of humanity Tremendously incredible engineering And a future-proof structural integrity For all of humanity To reveal and see Now I wonder What is meant to be Are we now losing our abilities Enslaved to technology Is this digital world The future story For have we left behind Our powers to compute In our minds, with no assistance Have we now embraced a time Where 'virtual' has no resistance Is this our new Shared existence AI is aligned And will only get stronger And the thoughts that we once thought Get less and less With less need to compute There is less need to think An even lesser need To use pen and ink So transfer your thoughts To the online device Free your mind From those stresses and vice Let the screen takeover This mini-computer It is what we need We need it the most So with my free mind I remembered to see A time I remember Of how it used to be Before the internet, you see We had no ability To be connected In any way I remember payphones Was the only way You would remember phone numbers Like it was your last day For you had to memorize To check in or seek help 11-digit numbers Etched into mind Now tech came along And freed that mind Tech came along Oh so kind And the friendly tech Can store and replace The friendly tech Can copy and paste Now I can't even remember A four-digit code That comes on a drop-down To be entered below I copy and paste For fear of forgetting And getting it wrong So I guess in some ways We have We have devolved Numbed down Just a little Subservient to our master Not the government But the tech pastors Preaching their desires Playing their worth We evolved out of nowhere Got whacked with the intelligent stick Time to pass on the baton We have run our race Let the tech takeover And take our place © Leon Gregori 2025 I believe we have powers beyond our wildest dreams that are vulnerable to being suppressed and dumbed down. I know that is no groundbreaking notion, but that's where the poem went towards the end! Tech, fluoride, haircuts, food, and water... so many channels into us that can dampen our powers (so I am told). Yet I have come to truly believe in manifestation and positive energy, and I genuinely feel desires coming into being every day. I am no expert and I credit these discoveries entirely to Jenn! I love her even more (if that was possible) for it. Learning to understand is the translation for POTENTIAL. Potential, because every moment has potential,l should have the desire to activate it and be uncovered. The process is only hard until it isn't! To this day, I often struggle to believe I have the life I do. Waking up to new vibes every day with the love of my life is a path I imagined in the far reaches of my mind when I was younger. A place like the Wizard of Oz walking hand in hand with my true love down some sort of yellow brick road with birds fluttering and crisscrossing above our heads as the clouds part to reveal a rainbow! That was some dream, but now it IS my reality with Jenn, and what's more, our traveling and path IS the yellow brick road! The more we reduce ourselves to machines in the lower things, the more force we shall set free to use in the higher - Anna C Brackett What do you think? Have we traded too much of our humanity for modern convenience, or does technology simply amplify what’s already within us? You Might Also Like... 🔗 Conscience: A Poem on Morality and Inner Struggles Explore the inner workings of the conscience. Delve into the balance between morality, instinct, and self-awareness captured through poetry. Leon Gregori I've been writing poetry since my mid-teens and find it natural to express myself through words. My writing is spontaneous and unstructured, following a freestyle approach. My long-form content focuses on themes of heartbreak and life. Closer Lives Poetry Poetry has been a lifelong passion for us, and the best part of our journey is that we found love through it! Here, we share pieces that are close to our hearts, hoping they speak to your heart too. We hope you enjoy our work and look forward to adding more!

In June 2020, Jenn gave me one of the most unforgettable birthday surprises of my life: an all-expenses-paid weekend at a 5-star hotel in Montreal . From incredible food to countless moments of laughter and love, it was a celebration that I will never forget. Inspired by that weekend, I wrote What She Means to Me as a tribute to her, to us, and to the love we share. It was a special surprise and I will never forget it. I can only hope my words can do justice to the love I feel, for the love we have, and the love we will have forever more! Sorry for the sap, but I can't help it! Jenn in Cyprus, where we got engaged! "The only thing we never get enough of is love; and the only thing we never give enough of is love." - Henry Miller These words perfectly encapsulate how I feel about Jenn and our journey together! What She Means To Me Tell my brain No refrain Can’t strain Our domain This is my aim No need to explain She brings me fame Bells and whistles Sparkling and glistening Always listening My sign My symbol She even has crystals Sprinkles and sparkles Her berth is my castle Energy Synergy The things she does to me For me With me She holds me tight Treats me right Every day And long through the night The shadows are cast Far far away We are taken Now is our play Here to stay This is our way Mainstay Each way Anyway Both ways Today For many years And years beyond Will speak these words Our darkness gone Only light Shall shine here now Erase these creases No furrowed brow Our essence is phenomenal Partners complete There is no past That can compete © Leon Gregori 2025 Have you ever felt this way about someone? I certainly hope so... if not... I hope! Thank you for reading! You Might Also Like... 🔗 Rise: Redefining Falling in Love Reimagine love in Rise. Explore the transformative journey of love as an ascent to new heights, breaking free from the gravity of past hurts. Leon Gregori I've been writing poetry since my mid-teens and find it natural to express myself through words. My writing is spontaneous and unstructured, following a freestyle approach. My long-form content focuses on themes of heartbreak and life. Closer Lives Poetry Poetry has been a lifelong passion for us, and the best part of our journey is that we found love through it! Here, we share pieces that are close to our hearts, hoping they speak to your heart too. We hope you enjoy our work and look forward to adding more!

Sadness can feel like an overwhelming force, consuming and unrelenting. But as a poet and creator, I see it as a canvas - a space to pour emotion, process pain, and create meaning. The Artist reflects my journey through those dark moments, painting feelings from the canvas of my mind. We are all artists, painting our lives upon the canvas of reality. Mix the colors your own way and apply emotion liberally. Don't be afraid to let your brushstrokes show, and above all else, make sure your art has soul - Cristen Rodgers The Artist Sitting Surmising My mind is frightening Like a belt tightening Around my neck This isn't exciting There isn't any lighting The sadness is coming I feel like running Yet the dark is cunning My legs are heavy Like bricks on my feet I guess I'm going nowhere So it is time to meet The internal motors That spark and clash Rip and smash Here is my interpretation My deepest sensation My lungs are heavy There is no challenge And no expectation I sense I know why I keep feeling this way How I look to avoid The hardest thing I've ever had to do To lose my feelings Of love for you I've longed for what we had Dreamt of good and bad My heart goes begging I lusted for the emotion Desired the commotion The feelings that inspired That dizziness Isn't painless It's the torture of my heart Like an art This love It messed with my insides Like a tray of paint Mixed up and colourful Reds, greys, and yellows Blues and greens The joyous wonder The darkening screams All those hopes Laid to waste Time to be emptied Gone is the taste The potential The drama All things karma My spirits dampen As my heart fades to black The artist has left us Our canvas unfinished The picture is open But thought has diminished Printed forever We will no longer be Our pitch cut off From reaching its ending And whilst I think of this My heart is so torn It feels like my tapestry Just stopped in its tracks And the painting is there The structure and foundation But the sky is unfinished And the house is half built Like a bankrupt fighter It leaves much to be desired Everything it hoped for Deep in the mire The mess is clear The solution is not so The artist behind the painting Where did he go And so there we are Left unfinished The applicators broken There is no more to write Or paint Or glow Or reach its potential Just no And hard memories are plentiful The only hope now Is for a brand-new canvas To manifest itself Be born from life's atlas The world is still here Despite all my fears I must top up my ink Empty my tears Refill my pots Regain my strength If I can do that I can make more sense This sadness has owned me Thrown off my game I have to release this Or forever stay the same © Leon Gregori 2025 How do you process sadness or loss? Do you turn to creativity, or do you find solace in other ways? I’d love to hear your reflections in the comments! You Might Also Like... 🔗 The Game: A Poem on Life’s Relentless Cycle This piece tackles the cyclical nature of modern life - eat, work, sleep, repeat - and how this relentless rhythm has shaped our humanity. Leon Gregori I've been writing poetry since my mid-teens and find it natural to express myself through words. My writing is spontaneous and unstructured, following a freestyle approach. My long-form content focuses on themes of heartbreak and life. Closer Lives Poetry Poetry has been a lifelong passion for us, and the best part of our journey is that we found love through it! Here, we share pieces that are close to our hearts, hoping they speak to your heart too. We hope you enjoy our work and look forward to adding more!

Who else remembers the old magazines that promised you could learn how to: lose 15 pounds in 5 days, become sexier in 5 days, cook a meal to his heart, and all the old school how-tos that were aimed at superficialities (and for women to be ‘better’ for men)!? I certainly do. And who else tried and failed and felt like a failure because of it? Don’t be superficial. Don’t believe everything you read. And don’t judge a book by its cover! Search for truth, depth, and meaning in all things. Use your judgment and trust your intuition. Step into your power, but don’t abuse it. Glossy Written in February 2015 by Jennifer David She learns how to become a cook How to become a runner Promises on how to become a better lover All from skimming the cover... She falls for it She tumbles Stumbling on the shoestrings Of her sneakers That, in reality, just makes her meeker And shall I even say bleaker? Like a beacon of society that says Here I am... Look at me… I take notice I read the cover She takes all of the quizzes And wonders why Reality fizzes In comparison To the predictions She flips the pages Creating rage inside her Tormented with confusing desire For the quick fixes Creating instantly airbrushed wounds On her soul NO QUIZ NO TEST NO COMPARISON TO THE REST Will reassure her Of her Reassure her Of the beauty that radiates inside her Not created from airbrushed strokes Or trite words from know-it-all folks It’s the discovery she must find Inside her own mind And let go Of the societal precedent she knows To exude the light And fight for the plight Of discovering who she is Because no cover can truly Teach you to be a better lover Or to put others' needs before your own And if you claim you can attain It all starts with skimming the cover You need to discover The true meaning Of depth © Jennifer David 2025 Thank you for reading and your continued support! Please leave a like or comment if you enjoyed this piece, and let me know your thoughts on this subject... have you ever felt similar pressures? If so, how have you dealt with them? Closer Lives Poetry Poetry has been a lifelong passion for us, and perhaps the most beautiful part of our journey is that we found love through our words. Here, we share pieces that are close to our hearts, hoping they speak to yours. We hope you enjoy our work and look forward to adding more as inspiration flows. Grey Hair Blog Follow Jennifer David’s empowering journey of going grey and choosing authenticity over approval. A celebration of ageing boldly, living unfiltered, and embracing the silver within. Jennifer David Meet Jennifer David—writer, traveller, coach, and voice behind “A Broad Perspective.” Explore her journey through grey hair, self-expression, full-time travel, and radical authenticity.

There’s a sentence I heard for years—sometimes whispered, sometimes shouted: “But grey hair will age you.”   As if that’s the worst thing that could happen to a woman.   But let’s be real: I used to believe it, too. Before I decided to ditch the dye , that fear ran deep. I was always told I looked “so young for my age,” but was it just with dyed hair? Compliments like that can feel like currency for us women, especially in a culture that’s becoming more and more obsessed with youth.   But when I met Leon, who is 12 years younger than I, the fear got a little louder. Not that I’m new to the age difference thing, my ex-husband was 10 years younger than me as well. But as I have gotten older, I’ve been more concerned about those years becoming more noticeable . I worried about how I would look beside him. Would I seem “too old” to be with him? Would people judge me? Would HE stop seeing me the same way if I let my grey hair shine through? Would he still be attracted to me? 18 months into my natural grey hair grow-out journey with Leon in Hua Hin, Thailand, September 2024   Spoiler alert: he didn’t flinch. In fact, his support helped me find the courage to do what my soul was already calling me to do.  Embrace my authenticity. Leon and I on the Princess Regal during a transatlantic cruise in April 2025 celebrating 6 years together, 4 years travelling full time (44 countries together!) and 2 years into my natural grey hair grow-out journey all during this month! Facing the Fear: Grey Hair and the “Invisible Woman” Myth Let’s talk about what’s really going on.   The fear of grey hair isn’t just about color . It’s about our visibility. Our value, position, and our perceived identity in society.   So much of our conditioning tells us that as we age, especially as women, we fade. That we lose desirability. That our beauty has an expiration date , and it’s somewhere around the first sign of a silver hair, which is silly in itself because many women first notice a grey hair far under the age of 30 , we just don’t realize it because so many women choose to hide their greys from first sight!   But here’s what I’ve learned: Youthful energy isn’t something that you color in—it’s something you own. It’s in your fire , your freedom , your presence . NOT your pigment. 1 year into my natural silver hair grow-out journey, March 2024, in England I’m now two years into my grow-out journey, and yes—people do comment less often that I “ look so young for my age .” And yes, I AM actually two years older now than when I first started this journey—there are shifts that naturally start to happen especially around 48 to 50. But the biggest shift isn’t my appearance—it’s the societal association that grey = old, therefore I no longer look ‘young for my age’ and old = less. We can never truly look older or younger than our age because our age is what it is. It cannot be changed. Therefore, this is what I look like at 50 . Not older. Not younger, but MY 50. This is 50 ON ME. This is the narrative I’m passionate about dismantling. And friend, there’s so much work to be done.   The Liberation of Living Unfiltered! Since ditching the dye, something incredible has happened.   I feel more radiant . More confident. More authentic. More me. Not because grey hair magically fixed anything, because there was nothing to be ‘fixed’, but because choosing authenticity over approval set something free in me. I stopped trying to fit into the outdated mold of what a woman “should” look like, especially the ‘for her age’ narrative, and started showing up in my full, authentic design .   And here’s the beautiful twist: When you live authentically and unfiltered , your real energy starts shining. 2 years into my natural gray hair grow-out transition, and I couldn't feel more confident! Not despite your age, but BECAUSE of your lived experience, your presence, your power, and walking and owning that fully.   If You’re Wondering, “Will Grey Hair Make Me Less…?” To the woman asking, “Will grey hair make me less beautiful?” “Will it make me less datable?” “Will I lose something if I let go of dye?” 6 months into my grow-out, about to make my YouTube debut with THIS hair for the first time. I was still feeling very insecure about what OTHER PEOPLE might think about my grey hair.  I see you. I was you.   And my answer is this: Grey hair will not make you less. It will simply make you more. More magnetic. More rooted in self (see what I did there, ha!) More free.   This isn’t about going grey to prove a point, but it sure can be! The more women who embrace their natural grey hair, the faster and more normalized it will become for future women in society, and that’s a brilliant reason to say bye to the hair dye ! It’s about choosing your truth over fear.   So, if you’re standing in front of the mirror, wondering if it’s time— The wonder is your sign. Curiosity is your sign. This is your sign. Your beauty and evolving self don’t need permission, but sometimes it's nice to receive it. So here you go. Permission to let go of societal pressures and let it GROW! And you know, your bright sparkly silver light most certainly DOES NOT need a filter (aka hair dye).   Let THEM see YOU. Let YOU see YOU . Grey Hair Blog Follow Jennifer David’s empowering journey of going grey and choosing authenticity over approval. A celebration of ageing boldly, living unfiltered, and embracing the silver within. Jennifer David Meet Jennifer David—writer, traveller, coach, and voice behind “A Broad Perspective.” Explore her journey through grey hair, self-expression, full-time travel, and radical authenticity. Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

“The world always seems brighter when you’ve just made something that wasn’t there before.” – Neil Gaiman. If you’ve ever been called “a bit different,” take it as the compliment it is. A creative brain doesn’t always show up as straight A’s or a polished résumé. Sometimes, it arrives in mismatched socks, half-finished ideas, and a mind that builds galaxies in silence. Here’s the thing: real, spark-filled, wild intelligence often hides in quirks. So, if you resonate with any of these signs, you might be a creative genius in disguise. In This Post... 1. You're a Daydreamer 2. You Have a Wild Imagination 3. You're Intensely Curious 4. Comfortable with Ambiguity 5. You Love to Play and Doodle See More... 6. Highly Sensitive; Feeling Deeply 7. You're Not Afraid to Be Different 8. You Connect with Unrelated Ideas 9. Lost in Work, Hyper Focus 10. You Talk to Yourself (a Lot) 11. You Like to Stay Up Late 12. You Live In ‘Organized Chaos’ 13. You Struggle with Small Talk ● FREE Creative Brain Workbook 1. You're a Daydreamer Do you often find yourself lost in thought, even when you should be paying attention? Daydreaming isn't just a sign of boredom; it's a sign of a creative mind at work. Your brain is making connections and exploring possibilities that others might miss. You’re not “spacing out.” You’re time-traveling . You’re scripting new realities. Imagination is one of the most powerful — and overlooked — signs of intelligence. While the world tells you to stay grounded, you’re busy designing starscapes and story arcs. Embrace those mental wanderings – they might lead to your next big idea! Keep dreaming. That’s where revolutions begin. 2. You Have a Wild Imagination Creative individuals often possess a vivid imagination, able to conjure up fantastic worlds and scenarios with ease. If you find yourself constantly inventing stories, imagining alternate realities, or seeing the world through a lens of endless possibilities, congratulations! You're tapping into a powerful source of creative energy. You might dream in color, rewrite conversations in your head, or create whole narratives while washing the dishes. Your mind doesn’t just wander — it builds. It plays. It creates. That imaginative fire isn’t a distraction; it’s a creative engine that fuels your art, your voice, and your way of seeing the world a little differently than most. You're tapping into a powerful source of creative energy. 3. You're Intensely Curious A hallmark of a creative mind? Insatiable curiosity. You ’re constantly wondering why , poking at the edges of ideas, and tugging threads just to see where they lead. You don’t accept surface-level answers — you dig deeper. You ask better questions. You explore new subjects like they’re hidden worlds, and you’re the cartographer. That endless thirst for understanding? It’s not random. It’s fuel. It’s what gives your perspective its edge, your storytelling its richness, and your content its soul. You love to explore new subjects, experiment with different ideas, and never settle for simple explanations. This thirst for knowledge fuels your creative process and helps you develop unique perspectives. 4. You're Comfortable with Ambiguity While others crave certainty, you find magic in the unknown. You’re not scared of ambiguity — you breathe  it. Where there’s no clear path, you build your own. Where others see risk, you see room to create. That comfort with uncertainty? That’s your superpower. It’s what lets you break the mold, explore uncharted territory, and dream up ideas no one else sees yet.. You don’t need a map. You’re too busy drawing new worlds. You see it as an opportunity to explore new possibilities and create something truly original. Your ability to embrace ambiguity allows you to think outside the box and find innovative solutions. 5. You Love to Play, You Doodle on Every Surface For creative people, play is more than just a pastime; it's a way of life. You approach tasks with a sense of fun and experimentation. You enjoy exploring different possibilities, trying new things, and making mistakes along the way. This playful approach fosters creativity and helps you discover hidden talents. If the margins of your notebook look like a secret artist’s diary, your brain might be visualizing ideas before you even realize they exist. Doodling isn’t “spacing out.” It’s spatial intelligence firing up. It’s problem-solving with a pen. Let the ink flow — it’s brilliance in disguise. 6. You're Highly Sensitive & Feel Everything Deeply Creative individuals often possess a heightened sensitivity to their surroundings. You're acutely aware of details, emotions, and subtle nuances that others might miss. This sensitivity allows you to connect with your inner world and express your feelings through various creative outlets. Embrace your sensitivity – it's a source of strength and inspiration. Joy makes your whole chest expand. Sadness lingers like poetry. Injustice enrages you. A sunset can make you weep. That depth of emotion isn’t a flaw — it’s your intuitive intelligence speaking in surround sound. The world needs your sensitivity. It’s where your art, your connection, your message lives. 7. You're Not Afraid to Be Different You don't feel the need to conform to societal norms or expectations. You’re not here to blend in. You’ve never been drawn to the script — the one that says “fit in,” “tone it down,” “do what’s expected.” You live outside the lines, not in rebellion, but in truth . You express yourself fully, honestly, and unapologetically — even when it turns heads. Especially then. Because of your creativity? It doesn’t come from conformity. It comes from owning who you are — and letting that shine through every word, frame, and idea. You embrace your individuality and express yourself authentically, even if it means standing out from the crowd. Your willingness to be different allows you to break free from conventional thinking and create truly unique works. 8. You Connect Seemingly Unrelated Ideas, You See Patterns Everywhere Creative thinkers excel at making connections between seemingly unrelated concepts. You can see patterns and relationships that others might miss, leading to innovative insights and groundbreaking discoveries. Whether it’s in clouds, numbers, faces, or ideas, your brain links things others miss. You can connect ancient myths to TikTok trends. You recognize symbolic echoes in a stranger’s story. You’re a meaning-maker, a weaver of webs. That’s abstract reasoning, baby. That’s genius. This ability to connect the dots is a key ingredient in the recipe for creative genius. 9. You Get Lost in Your Work, You Hyper Focus and Forget to Eat When you're engaged in a creative project, time seems to melt away. You become completely absorbed in the task at hand, losing yourself in the flow of ideas and inspiration. When you're in the zone, time dissolves. Hours pass in a heartbeat while you're creating, building, dreaming. But you also might forget the basics — like water, food, or how to speak in full sentences. That tunnel vision? Classic sign of a brilliant brain that dances to its beat. This state of deep focus and concentration is a sign that you're tapping into your creative potential and unlocking your inner genius. 10. You Talk to Yourself (a Lot) Narrating your day? Rehearsing conversations that may never happen? Welcome to the Creative Brain Club. Self-talk isn’t weird — it’s your inner thinker working out life like a screenplay. Einstein did it. So did Frida Kahlo. So go ahead, chat it out. You’re just brainstorming with your favorite muse: you. 11. You Like to Stay Up Late (or an Inconsistent Sleeper) Creative minds are often fueled by moonlight and caffeine. Sleep is a lovely idea… until your brain starts building castles in the sky at 2 a.m. Whether you’re dreaming up travel routes or rewriting the universe in a voice note, that electric midnight magic is a signature of an overactive — and inspired — mind. 12. Your Environment is ‘Organized Chaos’ If your desk looks like a beautiful storm — piles of notebooks, seashells, tea mugs, wires — don’t sweat it. A creative brain often thrives in a controlled mess. You know where everything is (even if no one else does). Your space mirrors your mind: full of movement, layers, and treasures. 13. You Struggle with Small Talk but Thrive in Deep Conversations You’d rather talk about soul purpose, mushroom intelligence, or why humans cry at music than discuss the weather. Your brain craves meaning, not fluff. If surface-level chit-chat makes you restless, that’s a sign your intellect is wired for depth and discovery. Celebrate Your Creativity and Weird If you recognize yourself in these signs, congratulations! If you found yourself nodding along to this list, here’s your permission slip: You’re not too much, too strange, or too scattered — you’re just brilliantly wired for wonder .   You likely possess a creative brain with untapped potential. The world needs your wild ideas, your curiosity, your tangents, and your tangled metaphors. Embrace your quirks, nurture your imagination, and never stop exploring the boundless possibilities of your mind. So go ahead: talk to yourself, rearrange your furniture at 3 a.m., and sketch that weird dream you had last night. Because the creative brain doesn’t follow a straight line — it scribbles in stars. The world needs your unique perspective and creative genius. ⪢ DOWNLOAD your FREE Creative Brain Workbook: 13 Prompts to Spark Your Genius This workbook is designed to help you explore, deepen, and celebrate your creative mind. Use the following prompts, exercises, and practices to journal, reflect, and activate your inner genius — even if some of these qualities don’t come naturally (yet). Creativity is a practice, not a personality type. Prompt to expand! Try this to get out of your comfort zone! Grey Hair Blog Follow Jennifer David’s empowering journey of going grey and choosing authenticity over approval. This is a celebration of ageing boldly, living unfiltered, and embracing the silver within. Jennifer David Meet Jennifer David—writer, traveller, coach, and voice behind “A Broad Perspective.” Explore her journey through grey hair, self-expression, full-time travel, and radical authenticity. Our Lifestyle Blog Since deciding to sell our houses, let go of 90% of our possessions, pack up our remaining things, and head for the airport, we have learned a lot. We mean A LOT! This full-time travel journey is now entering its fourth year, and we are almost transitioning from travelers to alternative living. In our lifestyle blogs, we want to share our journey with you, along with everything we have learned, the ups and downs, the tips, tricks, and recommendations that can help you change your life if you are done with the 9-5.