If you want to see every post I've written, starting with the most recent, this is the place to start!
I've been traveling the globe solo, and many of my posts share thoughts and resources specifically for other solo travelers. If you're a fellow solo traveler, or you're thinking about solo travel, this is a collection you will find of interest.
If you're looking to read blog posts about specific destinations, click the country of your interest below to go to it's blog page and get country-specific reviews and thoughts.
Sometimes I write posts where I give insider information on certain cities I've visited, which may be more along the lines of places to go, how to save money, etc. If that's your main interest, check out this compilation of posts.
In 2020, I was traveling in New Zealand as the coronavirus pandemic brewed, and, got stuck there. If you want to read about what this time was like and traveling during this time, check out this page.
At the heart of international travel is learning about the many different cultures and ways of being around the world. The posts compiled on this page speak, specifically, about the cultural observations I've had.
Many of my blog posts are about things I've discovered about myself or about being, while I've traveled. If you'd like to focus on posts that only have self-discovery themes, click the button below.
(golden Tangier. Photo taken in Arenal.) I’m a chronic planner. I feel uncomfortable traveling when I don’t know key details like where I’m going and where I’m staying. Ironically the life plan I had worked out didn’t quite evolve as planned so I figured that the art of living my life on a week might help me learn more about myself and push me outside my comfort zone.
Old habits are hard to break. It wasn’t until I made my final hotel booking that I realized I had thoroughly planned out my entire first two weeks in Costa Rica. So, I stopped. Breathe in. Breathe out…
Rarely seen – the entire Arenal volcano in Costa Rica.
When I reached that last hotel booking, things began falling apart. I had a minor meltdown when I realized I wouldn’t be able to meet up with new found friends because I was too far away. I had no idea where to go and I began to get homesick. The thought of putting my bags down for weeks at a time with no need to pack and travel sounded awesome.
“What? But I thought I liked travel!” I thought to myself.
I spent several hours of frustration trying to figure out where to go and then I realized I could just use the bus schedule routes as an easy guide! When I made my next set of plans just a half day before I’d be taking them I relaxed and realized I learned some important things :
- I prefer staying in one place for a while as opposed to darting around every 2 days
- I’m resourceful
- something will work out
Beautiful Uvita Beach
That last point, I think, is the most essential. Since that incident I’ve started habitually planning my next destination in Costa Rica, and even Panama, the day before I want to leave. In a couple of cases I’ve actually made plans on the day of travel! The result is more freedom, less stress, more faith in myself and in the belief that things will work out, and more ability to talk to other people and learn best places to go.
The thing I didn’t expect is relief. As I thought about traveling to places I don’t know and got all stressed about which cities to visit etc. I realized that if I have no firm plans I can just take things one location at a time, learn more about a new place and take it from there.
Sometimes doing uncomfortable things really does help you learn what you’re made of and can make life easier!
![Could taking time away from work be one of the smartest decisions you make for your career and your life?
In this episode of How to Travel Full-Time, I explore why intentional time away, including a career break, sabbatical, or travel reset, may become an important part of the future of work.
Inspired by the Harvard Business School Managing the Future of Work episode, "Why Time Away May Be the Future of Work," this conversation looks at how longer careers, workplace burnout, artificial intelligence, and rapid professional change are challenging the traditional idea that we should work continuously until retirement.
But taking time away is not only about recovering from burnout.
A well-planned travel reset can give you the space to reconnect with yourself, reconsider what you want from your career, and decide what your next chapter should look like.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why the traditional 40-year career model is beginning to crack • How burnout can be information, not personal failure • Why vacations often do not solve deeper dissatisfaction • How travel creates distance, perspective, and clarity • Why taking time away does not have to damage your career • How a travel reset differs from a vacation or permanent full-time travel • What keeps accomplished professionals from taking extended time off • Why time away could become part of a long-term career strategy
If your life looks successful from the outside but no longer feels aligned with the person you have become, this episode is for you.
🎧 Subscribe to this podcast for more conversations about travel resets, extended travel, burnout recovery, career reinvention, midlife transformation, and using travel as a catalyst for personal change.
🌍 Sign up for my upcoming free webinar (https://heatherbegins.com/future-webinar-interest/) , How To Use Travel To Transform Your Life, Even With A Busy Career [https://heatherbegins.com/future-webinar-interest/]
Link to HBR podcast: Click here (https://www.hbs.edu/managing-the-future-of-work/podcast/why-time-away-may-be-the-future-of-work)
💬 Question for you: Have you ever considered taking one to six months away from work? What's the biggest thing stopping you?
#TravelReset #CareerBreak #FutureOfWork](https://heatherbegins.com/wp-content/plugins/feeds-for-youtube/img/placeholder.png)