"Tuning out the Shoulds": An Interview with Cartoonist Sarah Akinterinwa
On being a digital nomad, chicken shops and what makes a home.
Hello all!
We’re trying something new on here today! I’m going to be putting out interviews more regularly that I find inspiring or helpful for those reading along, and I’m so excited to start this off with our very first guest: Sarah Akinterinwa!
I started following Sarah through her hilarious New Yorker cartoons, and then continued to be a fan after reading her Substack, “Rehab for the Heart.” She has been a digital nomad since June 2023, and writes about travel, love, relationships, and work in such an authentic, vulnerable way that I really admire. She also has a monthly postcard club, and an illustrated dating guide called “Why You'll Never Find the One: And Why It Doesn't Matter.” I can’t wait for you to read more about her here. Enjoy!
What made you start your newsletter, Rehab For the Heart?
I started rehab for the heart because I've always had a love for writing. As a cartoonist writing is such a natural part of our work, since it's pretty much the marriage of art and good writing. I guess I really just wanted to expand on my writing. I also wanted to talk about my travels. It started off as somewhere for me to document my journey as a digital nomad. Now I write about anything and everything. It's a space where I can be vulnerable and create a relatable space for my followers.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Intuitive, adventurous, and reserved.
How did you decide to become nomadic this past year?
I became nomadic in June 2023! I was tired of having so much routine in my life. I would wake up, drag myself to my desk, draw all day, take a shower, have dinner, and then go to bed. Some might say this is the dream, but it wasn't enough for me and I really needed to challenge myself. Life is surprisingly more affordable, better quality, and more fun abroad so I'm very glad I did this.
Where were you most recently traveling?
I just came back from Thailand. I did three months in Asia- Japan, South Korea, and then Thailand. I absolutely loved it and would highly recommend all three countries.
Where are you now?
Right now, I am on a little hiatus. I don't know how long for but I see myself travelling within the next month or two. I come back to England every few months for life admin. I'm happy to see my family and friends, but I'm so ready to travel again.
What is one of the strangest things that have happened to you while traveling?
Well, as a black woman, something strange always happens when we travel to places where there are so few of us. The strangest thing that happened to me and happens frequently is people asking for photos with or of me. It's annoying and very strange, but I think I'm used to it.
Any lasting love interests while away?
I've been on a few dates while traveling. They were all shitty. I'm waiting to have that whirlwind romance where he chases me in a taxi to the airport and promises me the world if I stay. You know, the kind you read about in books or see in movies. So far the closest thing to love has been the friends I've made along the way and I'm cool with that for now.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to face while traveling?
The biggest challenge has been wondering what next. I'm a freelancer so I have to ensure that I have a steady stream of income to sustain myself. I also gave up my home for this lifestyle. I'm turning 30 at the end of the year and sometimes I wonder if I'm making the right decision for myself. I'm happy and I enjoy being nomadic but sometimes its tough to tune out all the “shoulds" that come with being a woman close to 30.
What do you miss the most when you’re away from home? (It can be a person, a comfort food, something you have in your room that is too big to travel with).
I should probably say my family and friends, but I really miss chicken shops. If you don't know what a chicken shop is it's a place that sells fried chicken and they're everywhere in the UK. The only other place that I've been to that has good fried chicken is Korea. But even though their fried chicken is great, I still miss the greasy salty fried chicken you get in London.
Do you have a favorite place you’ve been, or definitely would return to?
For me, it's a tie between Gambia and Japan. What made those two countries special is the nature of the people. In Gambia, the people were very friendly and community driven. I was a total stranger, but I made so many friends and I felt that I was really part of the community, despite only having been there for three weeks. In Japan, I really admire the patience and respect people had for each other. It really made me think about what courtesy looks like in their culture compared to mine. I would definitely go back to both of these countries.
What do you think makes a home?
What makes a home is people. Whether that one person or two or a whole community. Home is where you can be yourself and feel uninhibited. For me, I know I'm home when I've found my community.
What lessons do you think you’ve been able to apply from traveling when you are back home?
The biggest lesson I've learnt from traveling is to chill the f*ck out. I live in a fast paced, moody city where everyone is working hard and just trying to make it to the weekend. In most of the countries I've been to people don't care as much about the things that we do in London. Life is slower, more flexible and more and restful in many other cultures- something unheard of where I'm from.
What are you focusing on the most in your life right now?
I'm very career driven at the moment. I really want to grow my business and give myself more opportunities to do the things I love and have even more fun. I'm also taking dating more seriously. I'm ready to fall in love and hopefully find a travel buddy.
What is the biggest thing you've learned this past month?
The biggest thing I've learnt is decision fatigue is so real. I've learnt that sometimes making too many decisions is overwhelming. This is why I'm chilling in London at the moment until I'm sure about where I want to go and what I want to do next. I can't wait to feel refreshed enough to make that choice.
What have been some Tiny Joys lately?
A tiny joy for me has been the long walk along the river Thames from my sister's house (where I'm crashing at the moment) to the café where I've been working from. During this walk, I listen to my playlist called How Good It Gets which is full of songs that make me feel happy and like I'm the main character of a coming of age movie.
Where are you off to next?
I have no idea. Maybe Bali or Cape Verde. I'm waiting for it to get warm in Canada and New York, but they're both on my bucket list. I can't wait to get on a plane again and see a new corner of the world.