Defining Your Own Destiny
SELLING EVERYTHING I OWN AND MOVING TO THAILAND WAS THE BEST DECISION I'VE EVER MADE, AND DOING IT ALONE MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.
Hi, I'm Sarah, and I've been solo traveling for the last 4 years. Living abroad has changed my life in ways I never thought possible. With each passing year and each new country, I learn more about the world and even more about myself. Wandering through the dreamiest of destinations, eating exotic foods, cleaning beaches, and immersing myself in cultures so different from my own has made me happier, wiser, and braver than ever before. Giving back and connecting with local communities through volunteer work has allowed me to make friends with locals and fellow travelers, and this has done wonders for my soul. That's one of the best parts about solo traveling; when you don't have a tribe, you're a lot more likely to reach out and meet beautiful humans, making life-long connections along the way.
“[I started to document my travels]...for travel inspiration. Aside from travel tips, pretty pics, and outdoor adventures, I want to show others how to make the most of their travels by getting off the beaten path and giving back to the places they travel to. Join me as I explore Southeast Asia and beyond; life is meant to be lived!”
TAKE A LOOK DEEP WITHIN YOURSELF, ASK YOURSELF WHAT YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING, AND GO FOR IT! FIND YOUR FREEDOM. WALK TO THE BEAT OF YOUR OWN DRUM. DEFINE YOUR OWN DESTINY. AND ABOVE ALL ELSE, LOVE YOURSELF.
While traveling solo, I’ve seen some incredible sights, and I’ve been to some dreamy destinations, but the happiest moments along my journey have been the times I’ve spent giving back and connecting with locals and fellow travelers along the way. That’s one of the best parts about traveling solo; you meet so many beautiful souls, and nine times out of ten they are open-minded, kind-hearted, adventurous spirits like yourself.
When you travel solo, all of your decisions are based upon YOUR desires, without the distractions and compromises that come with any relationship.
Being alone for so long allowed me to take a step back and reevaluate my life. What's really important to me? What do I want in this life? WHO AM I? That first year taught me a lot, but the greatest gift of all was learning to love and believe in myself.
““It’s not who’s going to let me, it’s who’s going to stop me?””
I always loved this quote and the empowerment I feel behind knowing that this life can be anything we make it out to be.
We are the creators of the world we live in. We have the power, and yet we worry so much about permissions and seeking approval from society in order to please the masses…
Wherever you are in the world, I strongly encourage you to take a step out of your comfort zone and become more than a window-shopping tourist. Dive into your travels with a real thirst for LIFE and the kind of adventures that you'll take to your grave. Eat a Thai scorpion and some stinky, foot-smelling durian. Drink Ayahuasca in the Sacred Valley of Peru. Make local friends, and let them teach you how to cook their favorite meal. Learn to salsa in Colombia. Skinny dip in glacier melt. Explore the oldest temple in the world. Spelunk through the world's largest caves. Dive through shipwrecks. Dog sled through the Arctic circle. Trek to Everest Base Camp. Do whatever you dare to dream. And do it now.
At one point, my travels brought me to Indonesia, and it was pretty freaking fantastic. I understand why Anthony Bourdain said he wanted to retire there. That place just gets into you, and it’s far too easy to love…During my time I also was able to reunite with the North Bali Reef Conservation, and they are doing some amazing things. I’m always looking for more ways to get involved in ocean conservation.
“As you move through this life and this world, you change things slightly; you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life—and travel—leaves marks on you. Most of the time, those marks—on your body or on your heart—are beautiful. Often, though, they hurt.”
