Life isn't a picture perfect travel brochure right now. It's a crumpled mess shoved into the bottom of my purse, forgotten amidst the symphony of chaos that is single motherhood. My heart aches with a dull ache, a rhythm only rivaled by the ever-growing chorus of overdue bills. The weight of "mom" feels like a heavy backpack perpetually strapped to my shoulders, overflowing with responsibilities and threatening to topple me over.
However, beneath the overwhelm, a flicker of defiance sparks. It's a faint ember from a fire that once burned brightly – the one fueled by a thirst for adventure, a yearning for experiences that transcended the mundane routine of survival. This isn't a sob story, it's a raw confession of the truth, MY bare naked truth. Yes, I'm stuck in a dead-end marriage on the brink of divorce, a deflated balloon offering no joy, just the slow, suffocating leak of hope. My bank account is a desolate wasteland, echoing with the emptiness of unpaid bills. My car being repossessed stings, a harsh reminder of the precariousness of my situation.
But here's the thing – I haven't completely lost myself. My recent trip to Mexico wasn't just a vacation, it was a lifeline thrown across a churning sea of doubt. Utah wasn't just a scenic escape, it was a glimpse of a world beyond the confines of my current reality. The Women in Travel Summit wasn't just a conference, it was a beacon of inspiration, a room filled with phenomenal women who, despite their own challenges, dared to chase their dreams.
These memories are more than souvenirs collecting dust in a box. They're embers fanned into a roaring fire within me, a desperate need to break free from the shackles of circumstance. Maybe it sounds crazy, reckless even, but the dream ignites a spark in my eyes. I have this intense urge to sell most of our belongings, shedding the excess weight that holds us down and hit the road. I dream of being near the ocean, sandy toes and wind-blown hair, a constant reminder of the freedom I'm chasing, a place of peace and power.
This dream isn't just about sandy beaches and exotic sunsets. It's about traveling the world, creating content that inspires, and showing other women, especially mothers, that adventure isn't a luxury reserved for the carefree and childless. It's about shattering the stereotype that motherhood equates to sacrificing your dreams.
I want my kids to see the world, not just through the filtered lens of a smartphone screen. I want them to witness their momma chasing a seemingly impossible dream, fueled by passion and a fierce determination to rewrite the narrative. I want them to see a life lived not out of obligation, but out of a heart overflowing with the desire to explore.
This path might be unconventional, messy even. There will be wrong turns, logistical nightmares, and moments of pure exhaustion. But deep down, with a conviction that settles in my bones, I know it's right. It's the only way to fill the void left by a broken relationship, to mend the fractured pieces of my own spirit, and to build something beautiful for myself and my children – a life of freedom, exploration, and connection.
Yes, I'm scared. Anxiety claws at me like a frightened animal, exhaustion hangs heavy in my limbs, and frustration simmers just beneath the surface. But this fear is different. It's not the paralyzing kind that keeps you rooted in place. It's laced with a potent cocktail of excitement and a wild hope that propels me forward.
This isn't just a dream, it's a battle cry, a manifesto for a new chapter. I will build my travel blog, a thriving community, a space where women can shed their inhibitions and embrace the magic of journeying solo or with their little adventurers in tow. I will lead group trips that are more than just sightseeing, they will be journeys of self-discovery and connection. I will host retreats that nourish the soul and inspire the heart. Together, we will create a world where the rhythm of distant lands beats in our hearts, a world where the extraordinary replaces the ordinary, one adventure at a time.
This is for me. This is for my children. This is for every woman who craves the wind in her hair and the world at her feet. Join me, as we trade the comfort of the known for the exhilarating unknown. Because the truth is, we weren't meant to be confined by walls, but to have the world as our playground. Let's rewrite the script, together.