t’s officially been a year since I decided to leave everything behind, retire, and travel the world. Honestly, I can’t believe how fast this year has gone. When I first made the decision to walk away from the life I had built and stepped into the unknown, I knew I was taking a huge risk. But I don’t think I fully understood just how much this journey would change me.
A year later, I’ve traveled through Colombia, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, Bali, and now Vietnam. When I look back at that list, sometimes it doesn’t even feel real. Every country has given me a different experience, a different lesson, and a different version of myself to discover.
I’ve learned so much from traveling that it’s honestly hard to put it all into words. I’ve learned about different cultures, different ways of living, and how differently people around the world view money, work, relationships, happiness, and success. I’ve also learned a lot about myself.
One lesson in particular has been a hard one to accept.
When you choose yourself instead of choosing everyone else, there will probably be at least one thing you regret leaving behind. Even when you know deep down that leaving was necessary, that doesn’t mean it won’t hurt. Sometimes making the right decision for yourself can still come with sadness, guilt, or wondering what could have been. That feeling can sit with you for a while.
I’ve had moments throughout this journey where I’ve questioned certain decisions and thought about the people, relationships, experiences, and parts of my old life that I left behind. Choosing yourself doesn’t mean you suddenly stop caring about everyone else. It just means you finally realize that you have to take responsibility for your own happiness and the life you want to live.
And that has probably been one of the biggest lessons of this entire journey.
Throughout my travels, I’ve also met so many amazing people who have goals and dreams similar to mine. People who value freedom, experiences, and living life on their own terms rather than simply following the traditional path because that’s what everyone else expects. Meeting these people has reminded me that there are so many different ways to live a meaningful life.
For so long, I thought there was only one version of adulthood: work, pay bills, save money, and eventually retire when you’re older. But traveling has shown me that life doesn’t have to look the same for everyone.
I still haven’t found a place that I can truly call my home base, and honestly, I’m not sure if I’m ready to.
Part of that is because I’m unwilling to stay in one place for too long. Once I get comfortable somewhere, I start wondering what’s next. There’s always another country I want to see, another city I want to explore, another beach I want to sit on, another adventure I want to experience.
I’m also realizing that I’ve become extremely picky about what I want in a place. I want good food, things to do, a good gym, beautiful scenery, convenience, safety, a social scene, and somewhere I can actually feel comfortable. Maybe I’m asking for a lot, but after experiencing so many different places, I know what works for me and what doesn’t.
And maybe that’s okay.
Maybe I don’t need to rush to find a permanent home base. Maybe this chapter of my life is supposed to be about exploring, learning, and figuring out what “home” actually means to me.
One year ago, I made the decision to choose a different life. I walked away from what was familiar without knowing exactly what was waiting for me on the other side.
One year later, I can say that I’ve experienced things I never would have experienced if I had stayed comfortable.
I’ve made new friends, experienced different cultures, pushed myself outside of my comfort zone, had incredible adventures, experienced loneliness, dealt with uncertainty, learned some difficult lessons, and discovered parts of myself that I probably never would have met if I had stayed in the same place.
Was it always easy? Absolutely not.
Do I miss certain things from my old life? Of course.
Do I sometimes wonder what life would look like if I had made a different decision? Definitely.
But despite all of that, I’m grateful I took the chance.
A year ago, I didn’t know where this journey would take me. I still don’t know where it’s going to end.
And maybe that’s the best part.
For the first time in my life, I’m not trying to rush toward the next destination just because I’m supposed to. I’m learning to enjoy the journey, take the lessons as they come, and allow my life to unfold without needing to have every answer.
One year down.
Who knows how many more countries, experiences, lessons, friendships, and unexpected adventures are ahead?
All I know is that I’m still moving forward, still exploring, and still choosing myself.
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