The Shooting Star Insider
A free, monthly newsletter, with inspiring and sometimes horrifying stories from my travels. These personal encounters and musings are only for your inbox - they don’t make it to public spaces like my award-winning sustainable travel blog (The Shooting Star) or Instagram (@shivya)!
A bit about me
I grew up in a fiercely protective family in Dehradun, a valley at the base of the Indian Himalayas, and could never imagine I’d travel the world someday. During the financial recession of 2009 however, I was lucky to land a job at the Singapore Tourism Board. That’s where I first learnt that some people travel the world for a living. Was it destiny? Maybe.
Two years later, I quit, relocated to Delhi, worked with a social enterprise, dipped my feet into freelancing, started exploring India, and began taking my travel writing work seriously. Shortly after, I gave up my rented apartment, sold or gave away most of my belongings, and hit the road indefinitely.
I’ve been living out of two bags since 2013 (though since the pandemic, Goa is my pseudo-home), making a living as a travel blogger, freelance writer and bestselling author. I typically write about conscious travel, remote destinations and living with local communities. I’ve been humbled to see my journey featured on BBC Travel, National Geographic Traveller, Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveller and many other publications. The Washington Post recently featured me among travellers changing the way we think of the world.
Feedback and suggestions
If there’s something you’d really like to read about my travels or personal journey, or have any feedback or suggestions, drop me a line at shivyanath@gmail.com.
Find me elsewhere
Blog: The Shooting Star
Book: The Shooting Star
Instagram: @shivya
Twitter: @shivya
Facebook: The Shooting Star
Youtube: The Shooting Star
