Today we’d like to introduce you to Monalisha Sethi
Hi Monalisha, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hey, I’m Mona! I grew up in India but have been living in Minnesota for a while now. I’m a wife, mom, and travel lover, and I created “Explore A Life” to share all the adventures my family and I experience and inspire everyone to find freedom through travel and self-discovery.
Back in 2010, I came to the U.S. for a year to work on a software project. But life had other plans! I met my husband, Hung, who’s from Vietnam and just as passionate about coastal living and seafood as I am. That one year turned into a permanent move, and now we’re raising two adventurous daughters, Aly (8) and Ava (5), who share our love for beaches, traveling, and exploring the outdoors.
When our girls were born, my husband and I agreed that traveling wasn’t something we wanted to give up. In fact, we wanted to raise our kids to see and appreciate the world. Whether we’re hiking or enjoying time at home, our family loves finding new adventures and learning from every experience.
In 2020, during the pandemic, I hit a turning point. I was feeling a bit lost and decided to focus on my mental health. That’s when I began a journey of self-discovery and eventually became a certified life coach, thanks to Jay Shetty’s program. This time really helped me understand how important it is to explore not just the world but also ourselves.
That’s how “Explore A Life” was born—a space where I document our family trips and share tips on both traveling and personal growth. My hope is to inspire other parents to travel with their kids and enjoy the amazing experience of seeing the world through their children’s eyes. Traveling, I believe, is one of the best ways for kids to learn and grow, experiencing new cultures and places in a way they just can’t at home. I want to help families embrace both the adventure of travel and the journey within, discovering more about the world and themselves along the way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Balancing traveling with a family, managing a business, and maintaining a full-time job comes with its own set of challenges and I’ve encountered several hurdles along the way. Here’s how I’m navigating them:
– Time Management: Finding time for everything is perhaps the biggest challenge. With a full-time job, business responsibilities, and family time, my schedule is packed. I try to overcome this by creating detailed schedules and prioritizing tasks.
– Energy Levels: Juggling multiple roles is exhausting. To keep my energy up, I make sure to incorporate regular breaks and self-care into my routine. Exercise, meditation, and ensuring I get enough rest are crucial for maintaining my stamina.
– Content Creation and Innovation: Continuously generating engaging content for “Explore a Life” while managing a full-time job and family is demanding. I set aside dedicated time for creative work and draw inspiration from our travels and experiences to keep my content fresh and exciting.
Despite these challenges, personal growth, fulfillment, and the joy of sharing our experiences—make it all worthwhile at the end of the day. Each hurdle is an opportunity to learn and grow, and I’m grateful for the journey it brings.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At its core, “Explore a Life” is all about finding freedom through travel and self-discovery. It’s about documenting and celebrating the joy of exploring the world with loved ones. Through this platform, I aim to inspire and empower other parents to embrace travel as a means of personal enrichment and family bonding. I share stories from our travels, tips for navigating family trips, and reflections on the experiences that have shaped our journey.
In summary, my work here is a dynamic blend of content creation, travel planning, community engagement, and personal development, driven by a passion for adventure and a commitment to inspiring others to find joy and growth through their own experiences.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
My Fav Self Help Books:
– Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
– The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
– The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear to Faith by Gabrielle Bernstein
– Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles
– The Mountain is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery by Brianna Wiest
– Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
My Fav Fiction Books:
– The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
– The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
My Fav Podcasts:
– On Purpose with Jay Shetty
– Mel Robbins Podcast
Contact Info:
- Website: https://explorealife.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore.a.life/
