8 years in Iceland - What it's like living here 

Pretty please with a cherry on top watch the end message just before the sponsorship message. Danke danke :)

The double edged sword of tourism in Iceland is that it saved Iceland's economy but also there are so many people

As a Norwegian I can relate to your description on love / hate feelings with iceland. It’s how I sometimes feel with Norway. The weather can really test who you are as a person. Even my friends and family feel the same - so much so that some left for the US. But no matter how much I travel abroad or have lived abroad, I always come back to my homeland. Something about the nature and way of life gets into my soul. And yes, just like how you described Iceland, Norway is also not for everyone either. But I have to say, the few expats who have embraced Norwegian life, well, it’s completely changed them.

The same is happening to us in Scotland because of social media. People sharing all the secret spots which are becoming littered and ruined. It’s such a shame 😢

It’s crazy that it’s been 8 years already ✨

Excactly the kind of video I was looking for, not just facts about the country, but AN ACTUAL person talking about how she FEELS about the country, absolutely brilliant, cheers!

Without being location-specific, living abroad will eventually put us against ourselves with the question: to what extent am I willing to compromise myself for this country? What do I need to let go to stay here? I've lived in different countries, but Scotland is the one I stayed the longest (11 years). The ciclicality of these questions will invite us to ponder, and every time we will draw our own conclusions. I wish you an easy enquiry 🙏

Thank you for creating this wonderful video on my Country. 🇮🇸

The end message is what matters! Iceland is so special and you're so lucky to live there

I freaking loved every second that I spent in Iceland. Loved the food, the nature, the hot springs, the people. The only thing I hated is having to leave 😭

Sharing my thoughts to complete what you are saying about the exploitation of Nature for tourism. I spent 6 months in Iceland in 2015 and I remember I was really surprised to see that Icelanders could be a little "careless" with Nature. It didn't quite match my expectations (but in a way it is what's great about travelling, breaking your preconception of a place and accept whatever you find instead). After a while I understood that Nature is so powerful in this country, I mean volcanoes, snow storms, glaciers, a lot of pristine perfect landscapes, that it's easy to think that it's invincible, no matter what you might do... How I would love to see this volcano, to connect with the Earth and all its power and to feel so tiny and insignificant, thanks for sharing these images!

OMG i absolutely love your energy!!! ive been to Iceland several times and just love it. Your way of being is just amazing. keep being awesome!!!

The heartfelt wisdom you share as we, you and viewers, walk up the landscape and take the time to reflect, admire, and be reminded of our pain and vulnerability, is an incredible story telling journey. It turned into a gem when you could not believe your eyes and all was forgotten in front of the magic of the place. You'll be held responsible for people like myself who now want to coexist on your little rock for a while!

Thank you for sharing this uniquely wonderful place with us Sorelle.

Thank you so much for making this video. Still can't wait to visit once. Loved the way you presented it. 💖✨

Sorelle, thank you for this video. I love your heart and your honesty. I agree that the monetizing of Iceland and Mother Nature, in general, is really hard to take. I went there for a month last fall and fell hard for the rawness and the isolation. It re-charged my dying soul. I appreciate your willingness to say what you did in the first 2/3's of this video, then take it back and express your love for this place. I like that you show all your feelings/thoughts and not just the good stuff. Thank you for being you and sharing it with the world.

It is soo accurate, all comments about struggle, ups and downs of living in this country... I'm again at the point where I need a break form it now, but after I visited the volcano... omg all of the negative thougts are gone and I guess I will be back in Iceland sooner than later :D

I laughed at your comment about the Icelandic people, we are raw and dont take no bulls*it. I have been twice to Australia and this was often said about me. I love how you are spot on about living there, it´s a love/hate situation 😅 You are also right about the friendly people and a peaceful nation. We have abundant natural beauty and it has to be taken care of so it doesn´t get ruined with too many tourists. Thank you for a great video 💚

I have been obsessed with the idea of Iceland for years now, I read the books, I visited, I watch videos.. Not gonna lie, the lack of fruits and sunlight is the thing that's keeping me away from moving. Even German winters get me pretty depressed, can't imagine even less daylight than that :(

Was in iceland about the same time you made this video. What you said about the sun and slowing down to absorb it is so true. I found Iceland to be SO AMAZING. I want to go back!!

Why are you such a doll! Thanks for the video and have a great month of August - sending positive vibes your way!

great video, good reflection, good luck and happy new year

I love for this content 🤍 thank you!!

thank you sorelle

Great video! can't wait to visit Iceland!

This touched my heart.

Full of energy, way to goooo!

“I vlog now” - love that so much. Keep staying fluid girl! I make RU-vid videos in a similar spirit as you and I’m currently living on the road and have been traveling for the last 10 months looking for the next place I want to call home… so true that every place we go will be such a mixed bag and I think of that a lot. I also often think about the repercussions of making videos about the places I go and feel a sense of responsibility to protect them ❤ keep going!

Your smile is insanely contagious!!

I just came back from Iceland. The landscape is amazing. Dont know the other aspects of life here.😅 Thanks for updating Was thinking of migrate here 😊

Thank you, Sorelle you are awesome! I feel very similar about living in Finnish Lapland as foreigner :D Would find all the things that I could swap, then go outside to a place I had been to before or an entirely new place and all those "minus" things are forgotten. Nature truly is magic and I find wherever we are there is so much beauty!! Thank you for sharing!

👋 Hey Sorelle! 🌟 First of all, kudos on the epic volcano adventure! 🌋 Your journey to the top had me on the edge of my seat. 🚁 Also, the views were absolutely breathtaking! 😍 Iceland's natural beauty is truly something else.

Sorelle, I absolutely loved your song!!!! Was wishing I was there with you to see the lava field, was breathtaking....... You are an amazing woman!!.

Thank you so much for sharing this with us! You’re such an inspiration and seeing you grow into yourself in the last 5 years has been incredible. ❤️ I’ll be there in 21 days to see the volcano! Which trail did you end up taking?

Rocking your own music in your own video! Wohooo girl!

Amazing video!

Wow! This area is cool!

This is really amazing dear friend ❤

Countries can lessen the tourists visiting them by stopping all vloggers in the world. Vloggers/Travellers open the eyes of the people from other countries. Their posts open the curiousity in people's minds. So we cannot complain about the beautiful spots being crowded and open to the world. I mean you can't complain if you yourself keep on posting. You have made a following. People literally follow you where you are or for any vloggers for that matter. So let's just enjoy all the beautiful spots in the world. Share the beauty of God's creation. People just have to be taught to take memories/pictures and not leave dirt in the place. The rest is up to the government if they will keep the rawness of the spot or develop it (for money). Just sharing my opinion. ☺️🥰✌️

The end made me cry😢

You are such an inspiration! Love you :)) You really make me want to live in Iceland aha. I want to explore my creativity too. Keep doing what you do

Thank you so much for this video. We have been looking at coming to Iceland to be one of those tourists although minus the helicopter rides and zip lines. I’m from Tasmania and it’s sadly going the same way along with Queenstown in NZ. Thanks again ❤

Wonderful to see Þakgil in the background of the "Side-note Sorelle". Best campsite in Iceland, in my opinion :3

Wow! I love your review. I feel similar with Germany, however I am native and lived 10 years in the US. Keep on sharing it is so nice!!!

finally someone sharing a realistic perspective and honest opinion instead of pretending that it's paradise!

19:44 ~ thank you👍🏼😇🪻🍀

Opinion on hike difficulty: The hike is quite a simple one I'd say, we managed to do it in an hour and 15 minutes to first view of volcano, depending how far you want to venture towards it after that, it gets longer. And of course each person's physical capabilities. Just a slight uphill twice during the hike, but mostly it's kinda flat, Greatest "hindrance" is the gravely path at some places, and the old lava field at the end when trying to get closer. 2021 eruption was definitely harder uphill challenge.

that asmr squarespace ad at the end

My most creative eras in my life was in Iceland, (I also saw the 2021 volcano, so cosy) both of the times I have been there. I’m still debating to move there.. And the accent was spot on haha

You mention about overtourism (which I totally agree needs managing better). I was wondering what is your view on educational visits for geography students? Do you see a lot of student visits? Is it worth the money? I’ve been myself twice but never taken students. I am a geography/tourism teacher.

I literally just got back from 10 days trip around Iceland and living there is not for me I guess. Of course there are things that I absolutely loved there, such as landscapes, nature, hiking trails and really nice people but the wather is a deal breaker for me. In the summer it is somewhat OK, but after a month of darkness in winter I would be mentally drained. I love sunshine too much. Maybe 3-4 summer months in Iceland and other 8-9 in a place where you have a lot of sun, even in the witer would do the job for me, who knows :) PS. Great video! You kept my attention for the whole time! Can really relate to the fact that nature is kinda destroyed by us, turists, but only some. Saw a lot people respecting it.

Great video. Tip on keeping blueberries, besides getting them as fresh as possible. Rinse them well, and gently load them into glass jars with the rubber seal lids. Can be empty pasta jars etc. Put the lid on tight and store in the fridge. They will last quite a long time. If you want to go over the top on longevity, you could soak them for 15 minutes in ozonated water. Then put them in jars and store in fridge. You will be stunned at how long they will last. But most people do not have ozone generators, and it should be done outside, since concentrated ozone destroys anything made from rubber.

Wow such a great video! I agree with you it will push you to your limits and spit you out if you’re not meant to be there. That was my case last year- crushed to my limits but I am in a beautiful “doors opening” phase in this moment

It’s interesting all the complaints from many countries about the extensive tourism in their areas. That’s one side of it. Perhaps a limited number of tourists should be allowed a year.m in these regions Yet I have a feeling that if the tourists didn’t come, they would complain about the loss of money and business. And more young people would leave because of lack of opportunity. Two sides to everything.

Well, I've traveled to Iceland a few times, and she just talks rubbish. You know what I mean? She's like, if you want to stay at home, you stay at home, but there are a lot of activities outside. I know many people from Iceland, even if they're not Icelandic. People there are always prepared; they have their waterproof clothes, and they're always doing something. You can stay in, but people in Iceland know that if you're staying in, it's not going to do any good for you. They're not scared of the weather, so they will still go out with the dogs, take the car, drive somewhere, and engage in outdoor activities. As for the food, I've been to Iceland and had the cuisine; it's amazing. I'll never touch lamb anywhere else on the planet, but in Iceland, I didn't mean it at all. I thought the food was amazing. So, I don't know what she's talking about

Irish electronic artist/music producer gal here. I lived in Iceland for half a year following ` romance at the time. You really hit the nail on the heat with the overwhelming LOVE / HATE mood. It is so so trying for your patience but ultimately it GREW ME SO MUCH. A struggle is always a lesson. The magic in nature, people and the FRESHNESS of the air and the water is so healing and inspiring. I spent winter months turning and refurbishing my ex's old electric guitar they never used and playing down in the solace of the basement. Using a portable speaker and throwing it into the washing machine as an amplifier haha!!!! Since returning to Ireland, I fully found my purpose in music after this journey. Iceland stripped me bare and showed me who I REALLY was. Since releasing my debut single after covid, It was played on BBC Radio 1, and my 5th LIVE gig EVER was sharing a mainstage at AVA Festival with BICEP. Life is wild, life is hard, but it's all beautiful... I was lucky to experience the struggle and grow from it and continue this journey, and support and work with other amazing creatives and artists. Hopefully one day we can cross paths @Sorelle, I hope to go back and visit again, and would love to link up with other creatives in Reykjavik to laugh and create

This is so interesting cos I think I must have visited Iceland in a freak heatwave (2019) and the weather was almost exclusively gorgeous, like literally sunbathing weather!

I love the journey this video went on 😅 I am cracking up. Nothing is wrong in life when there’s a volcano in front of you 😂

What are you using to film with? Video and audio is clear considering the wind.

The midnight suns and pitch-black winters are a perfect potluck-mix for a depressed Aussie 🤣😂 Out of all seriousness, if you're brought up in a country that never experiences these extreme weather conditions, prepare yourself mentally and physically.

The same thing is happening in Ireland at the moment with tourism too. Hotels being built in city centres where cultural hubs once were, not enough accommodation for residents in the cities.... so no natives left in the cities when tourists come to visit because they've been pushed out for tourism activities 🙃

Omg I'm glad I found you! I'm a creative person who is moving to Iceland in March & I'm so scared that the country will spit me out xD but for some reason you gave me the courage to try! I'm subscribing your free spirited, cute, sexy and feminine channel :D

What you said in the video is very relevant! I moved here (Iceland) six months ago and it is very fun to see how others deal with the Icelandic reality. I am currently looking for information on how to get through the winter, the long hours of darkness and the lack of daylight. Starting to understand why there are candles everywhere, every store. And how to grow spices and food as I would do in my country of origin... but nature is truly breathtaking. Yesterday I experienced 5 types of weather in fifteen minutes!! Thank you for your films, I really appreciate your ability to stand in front of a camera and speak freely, and share with the world.

Hopefully I'm going to be able to move to Iceland one day (I've been thinking about it for 5 years now and I'm 19) and experience all the nature and everything you do!! You are my big inspiration so thank you

Not your content, but I love your video making! 🎥🎞 A true inspiration! Keep up that awesome content creation! 💪

Still need to come visit you out there!! 👽👽

I’ve always had the impression that you had a love/hate relationship with Iceland and somehow I feel you will abandon Iceland for a warmer, sunnier place in the world 😊

I love your passion for life there 👍🤗👍🤗👍🤗

I am glad that Iceland still has the ability to discourage people from living there from abroad. I wish it was the same for New Zealand. (Scotland can probably empathise with this one too) - places being bought, locals being unable to afford to buy and live in their own country. (There are other reasons for this of course, but it's definitely part of the problem, so I hope it doesn't happen to Iceland.) Was there in 2019. Loved Iceland, and the quiet, and the space. Also the people, who - in my experience at least - are not afraid of giving new ventures a go. I agree 100% about Iceland determining what you get to experience, and how your experience goes. A lot goes for the weather playing its part there - but not always! And I am grateful for it. Being from New Zealand, a lot of people were asking me "isn't it similar?" No. No, it really isn't. Even in the part of New Zealand that is 'most Iceland like', Iceland is still above and beyond by far. Both countries are "poster children" for being pretty backdrops in filming productions, which also brings the same blessing/curse as the instagram set. Tourism economy is a very real thing in both countries. The bit about the hotels struck a chord. There was a hotel going up next to the lovely Harpa, while I was there, which I felt a sadness about, for Harpa is such a standalone jewel. Dear Tourists. Don't give away all the secret places for the sake of some social media popularity thing. And pick up rubbish - even if it's not your own. Just a bit. Every bit helps. It's a respect to the nature. Am glad you got to experience the new volcano, it is a beautiful thing. It was a bit after my time there. :) P.S. Slippurinn in Vestmannaeyjar, if it is a local food experience you seek. Cheers. :)

Magical. Effervescent. Spontaneous. Magnetic. I'm referring to both the country and the presenter.

Theres an olde phrase that speaks volumes as to its core wisdom: "CLIMATE Is What One EXPECTS, ~WEATHER, Is What One GETS"....;)

Great video that accurately describes life in Iceland. Iceland is a scenic place. The weather is a real challenge for some. You must have money. Iceland is very expensive. Petrol is $9.00 a gallon without a Costco card. Food is expensive and not always high quality. Rent is expensive for a nice place. Because the island is small, it can be lonely for singles. It seems like a place you can love even though it drives you crazy. LOL.

hahaha this video was an emotional rollercoaster. I love your complete turnaround at the end! Ok can I just say: I admire solo female travellers like the most. I say this because let's be real and biological for a second: men's physiology just factually handles stress more easily - we have a whole complex interplay between stress and our hormones that men simply don't face. So my view and experience is that undertaking some of this heavy life stuff for anyone would be a challenge, but doing it basically alone with a limited/distanced support network is crazy amazing.

when you talk about exploitation of nature and over-tourism it`s something that many locations throughout the entire world are going through. I moved to live and work for the Summer season in a small town in the Slovenian Alps where the population is just 1600 but during the Summer months, it probably trippels. The main attraction here besides the mountains is our emerald Soča river where you can do many sports activities and because of the exploitation of the river, the local government has now decided they will restrict the number of people who can raft, kayak and canyon there. I think some restrictions such as this are vise because: a) you need to preserve the nature b) you need to preserve the local culture c) you need to preserve the tourist`s experience Those planes and helicopters hoovering above the volcano ruin the experience of everyone on the ground - over-tourism is ruining the experience for everyone involved 😵‍💫

Pardon?!! 8 years? I just remembered watching you with a shaved head and now we're here.

i do love the sulphur smell

Yah, I got spat out and I'm happy about that :) haha. Iceland is a great holiday Destination

Every second of this video was painfully accurate XD.

So true- Iceland is a place of extremes of all kinds. And these are ever present to test you. Not a place for people who favor sticking to their comfort zones.

2x Times Iceland. Its my top 1 of my World Traveling.

Maybe I will also move to Iceland one day for a period of time

Beautiful!! I like to watch live cams of active volcanos. I sometimes see UAPs/UFOs coming in to gas up.

You had your best and worst in Iceland, maybe you should go to Poland now, revisiting your childhood places. Month of August will be a good one. Visit polish mountain chains for more of spectacular pictures.

I still remember the moment it all started…

Wow.

I'm always surprised that so many people dream about moving to Iceland.

Hey Sorelle just listened to your Single “Ring Road” which is very you & love it fellow Aussie! 🇦🇺🍻 After 8yrs are you thinking of coming home? 💖

As a person who hates summer cuz its so hot!! And bright i would love winter

Overtourism and feeling like in Disneyland - welcome to South Tyrol (Italy, Dolomites)

HI, sorry I lost track of you for a while, but ... MOVING??? Wearing the trenchcoat makes it look like you are looting tho' (ha ha). Anyway, it was an emotional roller coaster and I laughed when you saw the volcano and it erased ALL! I was lucky to go to Iceland in 2019 and have been planning another trip - will shoot for summer this time. I will look thru your vids - do you have any recommendations for coastal area off the beaten path - or point me to a video that discusses? I did love Rejkyavik, but really want to be away from the tourism. Thank you again for ALL the journeys - during COVID your channel was one of the ones I went to that helped me stay sane.

Unpopular opinion…. Your opinion on tourists flying in and out and just taking is somewhat hypocritical. You have been a Massive tourist “traveller” in the past: how many places did you pop in and out of?? What’s your carbon footprint looking like?

Being a born and raised Scottish Highlander....i can identify with many of the things raised in this vid.....apart from active volcanoes. We got good food too. But good for wide open space and not many people around. As like with iceland, tourists are starting to spoil the area....especially the much hyped NC500 roadtrip. I hear so many tourists are ruining the area, with litter and dumping toxic chemicals from their toilets into our streams/lochs etc.

Again! 😍

if you think of moving to the likes of germany, italy, spain, netherlands, especially switzerland don't expect it to be less crowded or flooded with tourists. we made the world accessible to every tiny place from shetland to the maledives.

Retired at 33? Did you know home is in your head, that your frequency state of mind creates your surroundings ? People are like magnets to who you are 🎉😂 laugh and enjoy those fruits . Im looking forward to witness with my eyes the northern lights .

Great way to start my day Thank you from Bed-Study Brooklyn Baby

Everywhere

❤

20:20 Welp, there goes my dream of ever moving to Iceland.

I'm moving to Icelandia