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THIS BRITS LIFE

This Brits Life

Solo Travel Stories, Tips and Inspiration

About Me

Get To Know Me

I’m Gemma

Hi there! Iโ€™m Gemma, the founder of This Brits Life. I’m also a British immigrant, digital marketer, and virtual assistant currently living in Vancouver, Canada.

Welcome to my little corner of the internet.

My mission is to inspire and encourage other women to go on more solo adventures while building their confidence and loving themselves more along the way.

I write about all the things I wish I could have told my younger self when I lacked the courage and confidence to travel alone.

I’m all about solo travel, adventures, and new experiences for fun, live music (especially country!), self-love, and self-care. So these are the priorities here on This Brits Life.

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My Story

Getting The Travel Bug

I have always been curious about the world, but I didnโ€™t truly get the travel bug until I finished university and spent a month traveling in America and Canada. We went to New York, California, Las Vegas, and Vancouver by plane and greyhound. It was then, in 2005, that I fell in love with Vancouver โ€“ and traveling. The following year I returned to Vancouver for 3 weeks. In the years that passed I went to places in Spain, Greece, and Cyprus, and saw more of America with stays in Memphis, Mississippi, New Orleans, Texas, and Vegas. 

2015 was a turning point in my travel adventures when I found myself unexpectedly overseas in Vancouver. Iโ€™ve always been comfortable by myself having spent so many years mostly in my own company so a solo vacation was not a big deal once I got used to it. As soon as I got back to England I began planning another solo Canada trip to Vancouver, the Rockies, and Calgary which was a trip of a lifetime. 

These days my favourite travel style is solo so on this blog, most of my adventures are solo, with the odd group travel experience thrown in on rare occasions that I have travel companions.

โ€œTraveling โ€“ it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.โ€

Two women posing on a large, three-dimensional 'CANADA 150' sign, likely installed to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Canada's confederation. The person on the left is standing, playfully interacting with the letter 'C', while the person on the right is seated by the letter 'A', both seemingly enjoying the moment. In the backdrop, the urban skyline includes a notable building with a unique roofline, which, along with the waterfront setting, suggests this might be a popular gathering spot for both locals and visitors, possibly in a city like Victoria, given the sign's mention of Tourism Victoria.

Starting A New Life In Canada

Moving to Canada was not in my plansโ€ฆuntil my parents suddenly passed away in 2011 and my life changed forever. All I wanted to do was jump on a plane and run away. But it would be 4 more years before I dared to say goodbye to the UK. Itโ€™s been over 5 years now since I arrived in Vancouver feeling excited, hopeful, and utterly terrified. Moving overseas is a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Itโ€™s an amazing adventure, but it can also be a struggle, and at times overwhelming so I want to help other expats and travellers. 

“And suddenly you know: Itโ€™s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings”

A woman, Gemma Lawrence, with long hair is seated while typing on a vintage typewriter at a wooden desk. The desk faces a pegboard displaying an assortment of notebooks and stationery items, with a sign that reads 'Everything you see here was typed on this typewriter'. Some of the items bear typewritten text, showcasing the machine's functional and creative use.

How “This Brits Life” Was Born

I have always been an avid reader and a writer. Growing up I was always reading, writing, or making things. So after finishing school, I got a Journalism degree. I did nothing with it until a few years later when I finally found a career I enjoyed in digital marketing. After 4 years in marketing roles in the UK, I faced the unique career challenges that every expat has to deal with, with no local experience and no network, so I volunteered for the BC Chapter of IABC. Over 2 and a half years, I was Director of Marketing and Communications, Vice President, and President, and I won several awards with a team of volunteers during that time. It was a big time commitment that left very little time and energy for anything else so my goal to have a blog documenting my Canadian adventures went on the back burner.

I stepped away from volunteer work in 2019, and after recovering from burnout, This Brits Life was born out of a desire to be creative, do work that I love, and help others along the way. I wish I had had the courage, confidence, and encouragement to travel solo in my 20’s as I missed out on so many possible experiences.

My Mission

  • Help women to become more confident, and their own best friend.
  • Provide first-hand accounts of solo travels and experiences
  • Give visitors helpful and practical tips and insights for their travels, daily life, and well-being.
  • Offer authentic reviews of places, activities, and food that I try
  • Share real photos that haven’t been heavily edited – even if theyโ€™re not great.

What To Expect On This Brits Life

What You Will Find Here

Female Solo Travel

Travel

Living Abroad

The image features a woman, Gemma Lawrence, smiling for the camera, standing at a viewpoint with a scenic backdrop. She is casually dressed for a day out, with sunglasses perched on her head, suggesting sunny weather. Behind her, the bustling waterfront walkway is lined with vibrant flower beds, and the iconic architecture of the British Columbia Parliament Buildings is visible in the distance, indicating this is likely in Victoria, BC. The scene captures a lively atmosphere with visitors enjoying the waterside promenade, contributing to the city's charm and vibrancy.

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