Today we’d like to introduce you to Navya Jagarlamudi
Hi Navya, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in a tier 2 city in India, and as a child, I never dreamed of traveling the world. What was expected of me was to graduate from a top college and secure a high-paying job. So, I focused all my energy on excelling in my studies, getting great grades, studying in one of the prestigious colleges and landing that “dream” job. For a while, I was caught up in the rat race, but over time, I began to feel like this path wasn’t meant for me.
My first corporate experience made me realize that I didn’t want to spend my days working 14-16 hours, earning a big paycheck, but having no time to enjoy life with the people I love. Around that same time, an incredible opportunity came up: I got to study in Europe for three months. That experience completely changed my perspective. Every weekend and holiday, I took the chance to explore new countries, immerse myself in different cultures, and be in awe of the stunning natural beauty around me. Those months sparked something in me—a deep love for travel that I didn’t even know existed. From that moment on, I knew that travel wasn’t just going to be a hobby; it would become a lifelong passion.
As I grew older, I began to understand what truly mattered to me: being surrounded by loved ones, exploring the world together, and creating unforgettable memories. So, I chose a career path in the field I liked but more importantly had a good work life balance and let me pursue my travel dreams alongside. Traveling has always been something I enjoyed, and planning trips—whether for myself or for others—was something I found incredibly fulfilling. But I have never thought I would pursue it as a career, even if it is just a part time venture for now.
Then, one day in 2021, I decided to start sharing my travel experiences on Instagram, and that’s how Navyasdiaries was born. Honestly, I had no clue what it meant to be a content creator. I didn’t have any grand plans—I just wanted to share my love for travel with others. Over time, I learned about social media, content creation, and began experimenting with travel, fashion, and lifestyle content. But it wasn’t until I took a break for pregnancy and the early days of motherhood that I really had a moment of clarity. That break allowed me to reflect on my true strengths and what I wanted to bring to my community.
Now, I focus on blending my love for travel with my journey as a mother. I share tips, insights, and baby-friendly itineraries, showing other moms that it’s possible to pursue their passions even after becoming parents. Since then, I’ve carved out a clear niche, steadily growing my Instagram community, and collaborating with brands that align with my values. I’ve even started monetizing my account, something I never imagined at the start.
This journey hasn’t been easy. There were many moments of self-doubt—questions like, “Am I really cut out for this?” But I kept pushing forward, and seeing the results of all the hard work and dedication makes me so proud. This is just the beginning, though. I have so many more goals and dreams I want to achieve, and I’m excited to continue growing and helping more people 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?
One of the biggest challenges I face as a mom and a travel content creator is managing my time. Balancing work, taking care of my baby, and finding moments to share my travel experiences on Instagram feels like a constant juggle. I have so many ideas and creative plans I want to bring to life, including a blog which is going to be a valuable resource to help parents plan memorable family trips, but carving out the time to actually do it is often the hardest part. I also believe in limiting screen time when I am with my little one and focusing on spending quality time with him, which adds another layer of complexity to staying consistent with posting. It’s a delicate balance, but I’m learning to navigate it, one step at a time, while staying true to what matters most to me
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
By day, I work full-time in the financial services industry as a risk specialist. But my true passion lies in Navyasdiaries, my side project where I share my journey of traveling with a baby. Through this platform, I offer practical travel tips, baby-friendly itineraries, and insights into the challenges we face when exploring new places as a family. I also highlight the products that make our travels smoother and more enjoyable.
What sets me apart is not just the focus on making travel with a baby easier, but also my deeper mission: to inspire other moms to continue pursuing their passions and living life on their own terms, even after becoming parents. My ultimate goal is to show that it’s possible to balance adventure and motherhood, and that both can thrive together.
It truly makes my day when other moms reach out to tell me how much they enjoyed the places I recommended, how my tips helped them, or how they loved the products I suggested. Their messages are what make all the effort worth it.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
In the early days of my career, I was definitely more of a risk-taker. One of the biggest leaps I took was leaving behind a stable job to move to a foreign country and marry my college sweetheart. It was a fresh start, and I embraced the uncertainty that came with it.
But now, as a mom, I take a more calculated approach to risk. For instance, I’ve chosen to pursue content creation part-time while maintaining my full-time job. I’m not quite ready to leave the security of my well-paying job, which allows me to maintain my current lifestyle, especially with the added responsibilities of motherhood. Balancing a demanding career with being a mom and building my content creation platform is not easy, but I believed I could make it work by setting clear boundaries, managing my time efficiently, and staying disciplined. It’s all about taking thoughtful risks—ones that align with my values and responsibilities.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/navyasdiaries?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://linktr.ee/navyasdiaries
Image Credits
Na
