WRITER. FOUNDER OF FATA MEDIA GROUP. A STORYTELLER CONSTANTLY IN MOTION.
Some people are born to stay still. Emily Fata is not one of them.
Founder of Fata Media Group and long-time creator of Wanderous Affair, Emily has built a life where story and spontaneity coexist. A writer in every sense of the word — on paper, in travel, in the way she lives — Emily has always followed her curiosity. Her feet, as she says, are restless. Her heart, wide open. And her life? A journal filled with cities, sea air and the unapologetic pursuit of joy.
But it wasn’t always a straightforward path.
Like many of us, Emily tried to follow what she thought was the "right" route — a psychology degree, a prestigious academic plan. But the truth kept tugging at her sleeve. And that truth was writing.
“Language, sharing stories, is so important to our world and the very basis of human connection. It’s how we relate to one another, how we come to love people, to admire them, to understand them.”
Now based in Italy — with her days shaped by pasta, sea breeze and press trips — Emily is living the kind of beautiful chaos that only comes when you let go of certainty and lean into your calling.
ON LIVING A LIFE WITHOUT ROUTINE
There’s no typical day in Emily’s world, and that’s exactly how she likes it. Whether she’s working 15-hour days planning content or playing Nintendo Switch between naps and beach dips, her life now is built around instinct — not urgency.
And that freedom came at a cost.
She had to give herself permission to walk away from what wasn’t enough. To not do the thing just because it looked good on paper. To follow her joy — even when it took her across the ocean and far outside her comfort zone.
ON WHAT GROUNDS HER
When asked what brings her back to herself, her answer is simple: the sea.
The sea, and the mountains — a pairing she calls “delicious.”
It’s not just the view. It’s the energy. It’s the way nature silences everything noisy in her mind. When work feels like too much, when people feel too confusing, when her heart races with anxiety — she goes to the sea. And she lets it hold her.
THE REALITY BEHIND THE WANDERLUST
There’s a misconception that travel writing is all luxury and leisure. But Emily is honest — there’s a lot of hustle, convincing and exhaustion behind the scenes.
Even she sometimes wants to be in one place for a while. She’s learned to name the burnout when it happens. And she doesn’t judge herself for needing a quiet season — two weeks at home, saying no, recharging.
Because the truth is, extraordinary people still need ordinary rest.
SKINCARE, SOFTNESS AND RITUAL
Emily’s skincare ritual reflects her lifestyle: intuitive, joyful and grounded in self-respect.
Her go-to's?
- Infinite Dimensions Moisturizer in the morning
- Function Flow Cleanser and Quantum Mud Mask at night
- A rose quartz gua sha stone she uses to stimulate circulation and drain tension
- And a “sea and sunshine” routine when the weather’s just right
She’s not rigid. She’s ritualistic. There’s a difference.
A WELLNESS TIP FOR THE OVERWHELMED
Emily swears by the basics: hydration and softness within reach. A hand cream, a lip balm, a giant water bottle. The secret? Keep them close. If she can’t see it, she won’t use it. And if she doesn’t use it, she forgets to care. Her wellness isn’t performative. It’s practical. And that’s what makes it work.
ON FRIENDSHIP, TRUST AND QUIET ADMIRATION
When asked who inspires her most, Emily doesn’t name celebrities or influencers. She names three of her best friends — the ones who shape her from the inside out.
Vittoria, her cousin and confidante, is her logic in the storm. A volunteer, a leader, a quiet force of light. Emily describes her as someone who “brings out the best in me whenever we’re together.”
Matthew Celestial, yes, the one behind this very series, is her mirror and mentor. So sweet of her (breaking the fourth wall here).
“You, my Matthew, are a ray of sunshine that reflects the good in people right back to them... You’ve taught me what it means to put friendship first, to trust my gut and to lead with love.”
And finally, Dr. Marta Kocemba, a lifelong friend who balances Emily with intellect and heart. She’s the kind of person who makes you want to rise — not through pressure, but through presence.
“She knows more about the lenses in fish eyeballs than I could ever store in my brain — admirable, yes. But being her friend? That’s the real gift.”
These are the relationships that sustain her. This is what makes her extraordinary.
EMILY'S EXTRAORDINARY REMINDER
“You think being a badass researcher with a PhD is cool? Try being her friend—it’s way better, I promise.”
Some people were made to live in motion. Emily Fata is proof that you can be soft and strong. Grounded and curious. Restless and exactly where you’re meant to be. She is, without a doubt, everyday extraordinary.
WHERE TO FIND EMILY
- Website: fatamediagroup.com
- Instagram: @wanderousaffair
- TikTok: @wanderousaffair