The Moment That Changed Everything

On the last day of my vacation, I sat conflicted alone on a quiet beach in the Dominican Republic. I checked my return flight to Atlanta and saw a prediction of freezing temperatures, with snow in the forecast the entire week I was due back. It then hit me—that age-old question: What the heck am I doing with my life? 

I hadn’t felt this relaxed in months, and yet I was scheduled to return home in 24 hours to throw it all away. When I thought about it, what was I really heading home to? More job applications and rejection emails?

Right then and there, with absolutely no plan, I canceled my return flight home.

I reached out to a family friend whose daughter lived in Santo Domingo. She graciously offered me a mattress on her home office floor, for a whopping $300 a month—which was perfect, considering I had impulsively decided to forgo my job hunt. At the time, I didn’t know how this choice would impact me. I only knew that continuing to apply for jobs that didn’t excite me, wasn’t what I wanted for my future. My five-day vacation turned into three life-shifting months in the Dominican Republic—filled with self-reflection, resilience, romance and adventure. And it all started with one decision: to stay.

Fast forward ten years, and now I help women do the same—find themselves through travel and walk boldly into the unknown.

Why Travel Heals

Let’s be honest: life is stressful. Between career pressures, societal expectations, and personal responsibilities, it’s easy to lose ourselves in the daily grind. Travel can be a way to offer a temporary reprieve—a chance to breathe, regroup and reset.

When we’re constantly under stress, our bodies produce excess levels of cortisol, commonly known as the “stress hormone.” Prolonged elevated stress hormones have been linked to fatigue, weight gain, sleep issues and increased risk of chronic disease (Mayo Clinic, 2022). Studies have shown that even short-term travel results in the experiences of relaxation, detachment from work and can significantly lower stress levels and improve your health and well-being (de Bloom et al., 2012).

Serotonin—another crucial brain chemical—helps regulate mood, sleep, digestion and even blood clotting. (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). Traveling to a new place provides the perfect mix of novelty, sensory excitement and meaningful anticipation—all of which boost serotonin (the “feel-good” neurotransmitter) and dopamine (the “reward” neurotransmitter), making you feel happier, energized and more alive. According to neuroscience research, the benefits begin as early as planning a trip, which can lift your mood thanks to reward anticipation effects (Psychology Today, 2023). 

Traveling also offers opportunities for one to relax and reset. Changing your physical environment gives your mind a chance to reboot. Whether you’re hiking through a forest, strolling down cobblestone streets or sipping coffee in a sunlit café, travel interrupts the mental loops that can keep us stuck. Intentional rest during travel also invites moments of mindfulness. It provides space to hear yourself think or allows for permission to not think at all.

Travel as a Tool for Growth

Travel isn’t just about where you go—it’s about who you become. Every day on the road presents unfamiliar challenges, which call on your problem-solving skills, or may test your level of adaptability and independence.

Research published by a team of social scientists shows that people who have lived abroad often develop a clearer sense of self and stronger self-efficacy; which is the belief that you can handle whatever life throws your way (Adam et al, 2018). Being able to navigate a new environment, culture or even a different language fosters trust in your intuition and decision-making skills.

Personally, I never return from a trip without learning something new about a place, a culture or myself. Those daily lessons combined with the time taken for personal reflection are often applied to decision making in my day-to-day life. I’ve always been a hands-on learner and travel has become my greatest teacher. Travel has a way of moving us forward mentally, emotionally and spiritually. With each journey I continue to grow and I know it holds that same potential for you. 

One powerful study found that immersive travel, especially to culturally different places, enhances cognitive flexibility, creativity and depth of thought. Exposure to new surroundings helps our brains build new neural pathways. This flexibility allows us to adapt our thinking, shift perspectives and overcome rigid thought patterns (Maddux & Galinsky, 2015). 

So the next time you travel, don’t just fill your itinerary with things to do, be sure to make space to reflect. Use the time as a blank slate to reassess your values,  purpose and next steps.

Don’t Wait for a Crisis

“But what if it’s not the right time?”
 I hear this one a lot.

Many people wait for a breakup, burnout or some cosmic sign to justify their “Eat, Pray, Love” moment. But here’s the truth: You don’t need a crisis to prioritize joy, clarity or growth. Wanting something different is reason enough.

If you’re feeling nervous about going solo or wondering where to start, here are a few tips to ease into it:

How to Start: Tips for New Travelers

  • Practice Solo Time Now

Often I’m asked, “But what will I do by myself?”
Start with small solo adventures in your own city. Visit a museum, have lunch alone at that cute café or check out a local festival. Learn how to enjoy your own company and trust your own rhythm. Solo travel starts long before the flight.

  • Plan Smart

Safety is a valid concern. Build confidence by taking smart precautions. This includes buying travel insurance, sharing your travel itinerary with someone you trust and using apps that track your location or offer real-time safety ratings. Other great resources include online travel communities. Some to check out are Solo Female Travelers, Nomadness Travel Tribe, Travel Ladies and various Facebook groups.

  • Follow the Representation You Want to See

Follow travel creators who look like you and share your lifestyle. Seeing women who travel solo, especially from diverse backgrounds, makes it feel possible. Many share practical tips for budgeting, planning and staying safe. Content creators are also a great way to discover hidden gems in each place you visit. 

  • It’s Never Too Late

One of the most heartbreaking myths I hear is: “I should’ve done this when I was younger.”
No. It is never too late to start to travel.

Travel is for everyone. I’ve met solo-traveling grandparents in hostels and toddlers backpacking through Asia with their families. Choosing to explore the world as a way to prevent burnout, nourish your mind or spark personal growth is one of the most radical forms of self-love you can gift yourself.

In a world that normalizes the hustle, I dare you to “Pause, Pack, and Pursue the version of yourself waiting on the other side of the map” (Unknown).

The truest version of you, might just be one passport stamp away.

 

 

 

Adam, H., Obodaru, O., Lu, J. G., Maddux, W. W., & Galinsky, A. D. (2018). The shortest path to oneself leads around the world: Living abroad increases self-concept clarity. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 145, 16–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obhdp.2018.01.002

Cleveland Clinic. (2025, March 19). Neurotransmitters: What they are, functions & types. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22513-neurotransmitters 

Curran, E. J. (2024, October 7). Here’s why planning a trip can help your mental health. Travel. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/planning-a-trip-is-good-for-you

de Bloom, J., Geurts, S. A., & Kompier, M. A. (2011). Effects of short vacations, vacation activities and experiences on employee health and well‐being. Stress and Health, 28(4), 305–318. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.1434

Godart, F. C., Maddux, W. W., Shipilov, A. V., & Galinsky, A. D. (2015). Fashion with a foreign flair: Professional experiences abroad facilitate the creative innovations of Organizations. Academy of Management Journal, 58(1), 195–220. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2012.0575

Kennedy, J. (n.d.). Why vacations are so good for the brain. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brain-reboot/202307/why-vacations-are-so-good-for-the-brain

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023, August 1). Chronic stress puts your health at risk. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037