When I left my office job in New York, the hardest part wasn’t quitting; it was figuring out how to fit my entire life—and my future—into a single backpack. I remember sitting on my living room floor, surrounded by a mountain of gear, wondering if I was bringing too much or, worse, not enough. I…
I remember sitting in my tiny, windowless office in New York, staring at a spreadsheet and counting the days until my next flight. Back then, I thought “packing for Japan” meant dragging a massive, hard-shell suitcase filled with “just in case” outfits. I was so focused on being prepared for every single scenario that I…
When I sat in my sterile office chair back in New York, staring at a spreadsheet and counting down the minutes until my next two-week vacation, I felt a deep ache for something more. I remember the day I finally handed in my resignation. I wasn’t just quitting a job; I was choosing a lifestyle….
I still remember my first winter trip to Europe. I was terrified of freezing. I grew up in New York, so I knew what cold felt like. But living in a cold city and traveling in a cold city are two very different things. When you live there, you can run inside your warm apartment….
I still remember my first big trip to Southeast Asia. I had just quit my traditional office job. I had spent months waitressing and saving every penny I could. I was ready for the adventure of a lifetime. But when I finally arrived at my small guest house in Thailand, I was crying in the…
I still remember my very first big solo trip. I had just quit my safe, boring office job. I spent months saving money by waitressing and working as a New York City sightseeing guide. I was finally ready to see the world. But when it came time to pack my bags for my first European…
I still remember the exact moment my phone died in the middle of a massive train station in Rome. I was 23 years old. I had just quit my traditional office job, packed my bags, and decided to figure out how to travel the world. Before this, I worked as a sightseeing guide in New…
Before I became a full-time traveler, I lived in New York City. I worked a traditional 9-to-5 office job during the week. On weekends, I worked as a certified sightseeing guide. I hauled a heavy backpack all over Manhattan. It was stuffed with a bulky laptop, tangled phone chargers, a giant camera, and extra batteries….
I still remember my days working as a New York sightseeing guide. I walked miles every single day. My shoulders constantly ached. I carried a cheap, heavy canvas bag filled with maps, water bottles, and an old, heavy computer. By the time my shift ended, my back felt codown the middle. I spent two days…