Tanisha Mackin, an award-winning author and travel influencer, has overcome adversity through her healing journey in travel. As the host of “Tanisha’s Traveling Bag” on YouTube and author of insightful travel guides, she encourages others to embrace life through exploration. With experiences spanning over 100 destinations worldwide, Tanisha offers unique adventures tailored to diverse travelers, from the adventurous to the introspective. Her offerings include stress-relieving coloring books, personalized trip checklists, and entertaining travel videos. Tanisha embodies the essence of the “soft girl era,” demonstrating how travel and self-care can lead to renewal and inspiration for both seasoned explorers and first-time seekers of self-discovery.
Q: When did it “click” for you that you wanted to pursue travel influencing as your career?
A: It clicked for me when I lost my husband…once I got over the initial shock. I said to myself that I have two children, my son was six, and my daughter was about five or six months, and I’m their only biological parent left. So if anything was to ever happen to me, I want them to be able to say, I had so much fun with mom seeing the world. So that’s when my love for traveling started. I’ve been doing this since I was a kid with my parents. So it was my mission to do it with my children.
Q: What would you say has surprised you the most about your journey?
A: I would say how strong I have been. This has been a hard journey. I’m not gonna sit here and say being a widow is easy and being a single parent is easy, because it’s not. But it’s the strength and, of course, God, keeping me moving and being able to raise these kids.
Q: Do you believe in balance? If so, how do you maintain it?
A: I do believe in balance because it’s what’s gonna keep you sane. I also hate being all over the place. When I come home, I make sure I incorporate my kids in my schedule. I make sure I plan our trips out and have things in order before I leave. I try to keep balance between work and family life as much as I can.
Q: What is one of the biggest dreams that you want to accomplish within the next five to ten years?
A: I want to be able to get a couple of sponsorships where I’m able to go to resorts and fly out for free just to be a content creator. Preferably for different hotels, resorts, destinations and airlines. So that’s the goal.
Q: Is there any piece of advice that you would give your younger self?
A: I would say that you cannot please everyone. That’s major for me. I used to try to please everyone. I was a major people pleaser and it was just draining. I had to realize that some people are just going to be mad. But you have to do what you have to do for yourself. You have to make sure you’re good before you can make sure anybody else is good. I had to learn that because I was always giving, giving, giving, giving, and not really receiving. That’s part of my self care.
To stay connected to Tanisha Mackin:
- Instagram: @tanishastravelingbag
- Visit Tanisha’s Linktree to learn more
