We recently connected with Caity Zagar and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Caity with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
It’s funny—I never really considered myself a disciplined or hardworking person until people started pointing it out to me. In recent years, it has become one of my most recognized strengths. I’m often complimented on my ability to stay motivated, work hard, and stay organized.
Reflecting on where this stems from, I’d say my work ethic comes from my dad. He is one of the hardest-working people I know, and in our family, staying busy and being productive has always been valued. He’s constantly on the go, tackling something—whether it’s for his job, personal projects, or things around the house. There’s always something to be done! I’m definitely a hard-working perfectionist following his example!
However, I also think my hardworking nature comes from my own anxieties as well. As an anxious person, I’ve grown up always wanting to do the best job possible. If I do something, I want it to be done well. I set high standards for myself which has brought me success for sure (and maybe a bit of stress).
On the flip side, in recent years, I’ve been working on slowing down. My work ethic (and anxiety) keeps me busy, keeps my to-do list growing, and has allowed me to become very disciplined, but it hasn’t always given me space to take breaks, relax, and slow down.
My work ethic is equally a strength and a weakness of mine.
To counter this, I’ve become more intentional about scheduling breaks, incorporating exercise, and making time for friends. Now, I strive for both productivity and balance because to do your best work, you need to be your best self.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I come from a teaching background, specializing in history and geography, so it’s no surprise that travel has always been one of my biggest passions. I’ve always been fascinated and excited by different cultures, landscapes, and the way travel connects us to the world. In many ways, pursuing a career centered around travel has been a dream come true—I truly believe that travel is one of the most powerful ways to educate people.
While I loved teaching, I craved more flexibility and freedom, which led me to travel blogging as another form of education. My blog was built to help people make travel easier, from planning tips and pre-made itineraries to firsthand recommendations. My goal has always been to eliminate the overwhelm of trip planning because I believe travel should be both meaningful and stress-free.
I started travel blogging during my second working holiday visa living abroad. I moved to France to join my long distance boyfriend (by the time I moved there, we had already survived 6 years long distance!) and was enjoying the more nomadic, work-from-home lifestyle.
We are now back in Canada, where I continue to build my travel planning services, another element in my business to offer even more support to travelers – especially when it comes to France travel!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Finding a Community – Travel blogging can be an isolating field. Unlike traditional jobs, you don’t have co-workers or opportunities to connect with others—except when you’re actively traveling. Finding a community within the travel blogging space has been invaluable, not just for learning but also for making friends, celebrating wins, and navigating business challenges. One of the best things I did was start monthly accountability calls with a blogging friend. These calls keep us on track with our goals, allow us to discuss analytics, and provide a space to problem-solve through the inevitable ups and downs of running an online business. Seek out like-minded people in your industry, whether through social medias, networking events, or direct connections. A strong support system makes all the difference.
Balance – While I love the flexibility of working for myself, I’ve realized that I actually work more now than I ever did in a traditional job. Many people underestimate the importance of structure—not just for productivity but for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. When you run your own business, you wear all the hats, and there’s always something that needs to be done. I’ve had to be intentional about setting boundaries so I can actually enjoy the freedom I’ve created for myself. Build structure into your day, set clear work hours, and schedule time for breaks, exercise, and socializing. Burnout doesn’t serve you or your business.
Perseverance – Blogging is a long game. There are very few overnight successes, and most successful bloggers reach that point after years of consistent effort. There have been times when I’ve questioned, “what’s the point?”—and that’s where having a supportive community has helped the most. Talking to people who are either facing similar challenges or have already pushed through them can be incredibly motivating. Early on, I thought perseverance meant working nonstop until I figured everything out, but I’ve since learned that true perseverance also means knowing when to step back. Sometimes, slowing down is exactly what’s needed to re-focus, re-evaluate, and develop a strategy to move forward.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My business revolves around travel, but I cater to different types of travelers. Whether you’re a DIY traveler looking for ideas, recommendations, and advice or a “Plan-for-Me” traveler seeking customized support, I love helping in any way I can.
I especially enjoy working with clients who are interested in custom itineraries or consultation calls to discuss their travel concerns—whether it’s logistics, planning stress, or just needing reassurance. These conversations allow me to connect with people, share in their excitement, and alleviate their worries so they can focus on what truly matters: having an unforgettable travel experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.czphoneshome.com
- Instagram: @cz_phones_home
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091089810972
Image Credits
All photos are from my blog / instagram: czphoneshome.com
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.