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I’ve been feeling reflective lately and wanted to share an email I sent out a while ago…
12 years ago, I quit my job to travel the world.
I’ll never forget the moment I handed in my resignation after six years working for the same company.
Unlike many, I really loved my profession. I had nothing to complain about. I was young, had a great job with a steady income, and got the most out of living in Los Angeles.
So, what went wrong?
At the end of 2007, the US quietly went into a recession and my company started unofficially downsizing. I got squeezed out of my job and was crushed. I no longer had a place in the company and fell into a depression.
Where Travel Fashion Girl first began: Koh Samui, Thailand in August 2012
Something needed shaking up, so I decided to do the unthinkable: quit my job and take THREE MONTHS off to travel the world in between jobs.
I knew that if I didn’t give myself the chance to travel then, I’d never be able to once I committed to a new job. I believed in myself, followed my heart, and could never have in a million years predicted what would happen next.
Instead of climbing a corporate ladder, I fell in love with experiences, cultures, and the amazing people I met along the way. I wanted to explore more, do more, but I also underwent some travel lessons that I thankfully learned from.
In trying to find more resources, I saw a huge lack of information for other female travelers, realizing that maybe my own lessons could be helpful to others. And that is how Travel Fashion Girl was born 12 years ago! You can read more of my story in this Cosmopolitan article.
Traveling in Paris, September 2015
As I reflect back over the past decade, it’s been a beautiful journey and I’m very grateful to have experienced all of it.
The decision to quit my job in 2008 started a series of serendipitous events that would lead to a chapter in my life consisting of adventures, love, and most importantly, self-discovery.
However, 2019 marked the end of that chapter.
I spent the year in an unexpected but welcome transition, similar to the one I experienced in 2008 where it all began. Only this time it was different, it was no longer the same ride. This new journey of self-discovery had unexpected twists and turns, both mentally and emotionally.
Traveling in Costa Azul, El Salvador August 2019
In one of the many meaningful conversations that I would have in pursuit of understanding this turning point in my life, a friend asked me:
“Why do you have such low self-worth? It’s so surprising to me.”
Her question stunned me. It caused me to reflect, ask hard questions, and seek real answers. I started looking at my world with a fresh set of eyes. Over time, I had neglected my heart, my needs, and my values. I decided that this was no longer allowed to happen.
In Playa del Carmen with my Fab 4 Smoothie from the Body Love book
I became determined to prioritize myself. I needed to learn how to love myself and find my inner happiness again.
I practiced self-care, started a fitness routine, and focused on my health with the two game-changing books Body Love and 131 Method.
I reintroduced spirituality into my life, re-read my favorite book The Celestine Prophecy, and became open to life-changing practices such as transformative Reiki sessions with my good friend Carol Lovett.
I found my tribe and experienced what it was like to have a supportive group of female friends surrounding me. A life of constant travel can be lonely sometimes. But to feel safe, trust and belonging have become important to me.
I’d been wanting to live in Playa del Carmen since 2011 and finally made my dream a reality last year. I couldn’t be more sure about my decision to move here—it’s where my heart has always wanted to be. One of the things I love most about living here is the community and I’m so grateful for the wonderful connections I’ve made here.
Traveling in Playa del Carmen, November 2011
In 2019, I finally remembered ME… that girl who bravely followed her heart and left home in 2008 to explore an unknown future. Full circle came around when I realized I needed to follow my heart once again and do what was right for me, not for someone else.
As a result, I feel stronger, more knowledgeable, and am now entering a new phase in my life as a more empowered woman.
At home in Playa del Carmen, November 2019
This new decade has thrown a few unexpected curve balls globally, but I’m grateful for what’s past, with zero regrets, and look forward to the future.
As the future unfolds, I hope to continue empowering myself and help other women feel empowered as well.
Remember that travel is much more than the perfect Instagram picture, or something to forget once you leave. Travel can be an incredible catalyst to personal insight and self-growth that will lead to even more wonderful places that you could never find on a map.
Thank you for being a part of my journey, and for being with me every step of the way. ❤️
Safe and stylish (future) travels!
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