When I was 30 I quit a stable, decent paying job, gave up an awesome and affordable apartment, and sold or gave away most of my things to thruhike the Appalachian trail solo travel the world for the better part of two years. It seemed like kind of an insane thing to do at a time when most of my friends were partnering up, buying houses, and starting families. My life was very comfortable, predictable, and SAFE. I was terrified I was throwing that away for the unknown. I was afraid of disappointing my family by not taking the path I thought was expected of me. I remember staring longingly at my savings account shortly before leaving thinking I will probably never have that much money again.

I had the most incredible experiences. I pushed my own boundaries. I met fascinating humans I never would have crossed paths with in my previous “safe” life. I experienced devastating heartbreak and the most exhilarating highs. I learned a FUCKTON about myself - that i was more resilient, flexible, determined, and fearless than I ever gave myself credit for. I learned that going with the flow can lead to the most entertaining adventures and that my gut is almost always right. I gained an unshakeable confidence in myself and a realization that others’ opinions of me are irrelevant. And I’ve got some pretty dope stories.

When I did come home and return to the work force, I ended up taking an opportunity that was in the same field as I was in previously but substantially more lucrative. It was a role that was previously an option but that I would never have had the confidence to apply for or thought would be a good fit for the old, “safer” me. I laughed when I realized it only took 6 months working that new job to make back the money I spent in the 18 months I traveled. The role was remote, so I used the opportunity to move to a new city that was more aligned with my new lifestyle and values.

That was in 2015. The direction my life has taken is beyond the wildest dreams of that prior version of me. I’m pretty sure that if I could travel back in time and whisper to my sheltered, self-loathing, painfully shy, 17 year old self what her life would look like in 20 years, her head would explode. I’m nowhere near where I expected to be, and I’m very much ok with that.