You may start to notice some things changing around here. First and foremost, please note that my new domain name is SusanShain.com. (TravelJunkette.com will still redirect to this domain, but is no longer in active use.)
So… why the change?
Because I no longer feel like I am *just* Travel Junkette.
Over the past few years, I’ve managed to carve out a space for myself online — a space that is constantly changing. I don’t want that growth to stop.
And what’s the one thing that won’t change? Me! My personality. My name.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is the disappointingly non-dramatic reason why I changed my domain name. I want this website, this blog, this community to evolve over time — just like we will.
You’ll also now find me on Twitter and Instagram @Susan_Shain, and on Facebook and Pinterest as /susanshain. (On Google+, too — but who uses that?)
In conclusion: No, I am not shutting down the blog or leaving the online world. I am not ditching you all to go live on a yoga commune in India (though it is quite tempting…).
I am still traveling; I am still writing; I am still living life to the fullest and sharing the journey with YOU. I am just ensuring this online space will continue to reflect all that as time goes on.
I will always be “Travel Junkette,” and you can always refer to this site as that. It’s how I began this journey, and it’ll always hold a special place in my heart. But as time goes on, you’ll see those words start to fade. What — or rather, who — will take its place?
Me. My name is Susan Shain, and I’m here to stay.
What do you think? Are you surprised by the domain change?
Wow..quite a big decision! especially considering google and all those missing backlinks (well you can redirect them but will still suffer).
I hope I never get dissatisfied with my domain name – even tho it is horrible long. lol. Still I can understand the decision! Young as my blog is, i still did change a lot! Starting from the way I write and ending with a lot of url changes!
It was a big decision, Norman! I had an awesome web fairy help me with all the technical stuff, so hopefully my SEO won’t suffer too much. It’s still too soon to tell — but I knew it was time!
Great move, Susan. Personally, I feel it adds more professionalism to your site and like you said, allows you to expand your work and niche. I only wish I had a unique name like yours :p
Thanks for the support, Amrita! I really appreciate it. So funny you say that: to me, you have a very unique name! But I’m guessing that it’s not so unique in India?
Good for you I say! I too use my name (but not my full name because it’s impossible to spell) as my domain name because I realised early on that as I evolve or my tastes and interests change, my name would stay the same. I know it isn’t as catchy as many domain names out there but it’s all me no matter what I want to do with it.
Smart, Sheena! I wish I had been like you and thought of it a long time ago. Oh well, better late than never! Thanks for stopping by!
I think this is awesome, Susan! I already own my name as a domain, I bought it when I started freelancing and URGH the site’s so ugly but I keep it because, well, it’s mine. I’d love to redirect Pack Your Passport to it (I wrote in my latest post about my break from blogging that I’m planning on using PYP to write about whatever I want, not just travel) but, god, can you imagine people trying to visit my sie with a name like Beverley Reinemann. Typos much? 😉 I’d have to buy domains for every possible mistake people might make and redirect them all!
Thanks, Beverley! Haha, you do have a tough last name. But just think: so does Chris Guillebeau. And people still manage to spell his name!