Whimzy Travels

That’s the thing about journeys – you never know where they’re going to lead you.

I finally made the decision to leave healthcare. Or at least the clinical side of things. I may still end up in a medical data entry role, or doing something with insurance – who knows. But I came to the conclusion that much of my struggles with my mental health was tied into what I did for work. I was a medical technician in some capacity, volunteer or paid, for about fourteen years. That’s a long time to be doing anything, especially something that can be so emotionally and physically draining. I’m not even sure if that’s something I wanted to be doing all along, but it’s a job I could do, and do well. While my 20’s were turbulent for a variety of reasons (father’s illness, my mental health, other life events), the one constant was my line of work. Now that my life has quieted down and I’m left with the silence and my own thoughts, I’m forced to take a long hard look at what may need changing. The job was it.

As anyone in my life may already know about me, I’ve always had a passion for travel. I’ve been to several foreign countries, a few US states, and I am constantly planning hypothetical itineraries or asking people if they’d venture to a particular destination with me. Ever since my first trip overseas to England, the Republic of Ireland, and Wales in 2007, I’ve had a hunger to explore and see the world. Throughout my tougher years I always yearned for sunsets and the air of new places. And finally, within the past few years I’ve added a few virtual stamps to my passport, and pictures to my photo library. I’ve volunteered in Honduras, and visited family in the Netherlands. I attended a concert and historical site in New York, relaxed in Key West, and visited long-time friends in North Carolina and Colorado. I am happy with the adventures I’ve had the chance to take so far in my life, and I am always hungering for more.

In my searching and debate for a new career path on and off throughout the years, I’ve dabbled in the “entrepreneurial” space. While I’ve fallen victim MLM schemes, I’ve also tried my hand at coding and proofreading – as well as blogging! I’m thinking of looking at real estate, or taking bookkeeping classes (thanks to a friend of mine who pursued this as her own business venture). I’ve also tried briefly to be a travel agent, but I don’t think I was in the right frame of mind to take it seriously before. With nothing to lose, I think I’d like to try again. Whatever I decide, I’d like it to be on my own terms. I want to be able to work from home, where my mom and animals are. I want to embrace where I am, and make time to take care of my physical and mental health. I think that’s the dream for many people, but now I have the time and space to make it a reality for myself.

In light of making things for myself, I’d like to try the blogging thing again, too. My goal is to make this space about travel – the planning, the dreaming, the doing, the adventure, and meeting the people in between. Tips, tricks, mistakes, smiles, tears. I want to share the adventures I’ve been on, as well as share potential itineraries I’m thinking of embarking on. I want to connect with like-minded travelers, and other dreamers who wish to experience other places. If you like reading stories of self-discovery and soaking in the days as they come, you’ve come to the right place.

To anyone who has seen me do this before – thank you for your constant support. Maybe this will stick this time!

To anyone that’s new to my little corner of the world – welcome. Stay tuned!