Twelve essays to celebrate twelve places, and a year I’ll never forget.
Nearly three years ago, I took a leap and spent the better part of a year in motion, meeting new cities, people and, most importantly, new versions of myself. I worked remotely from libraries and cafés, healed a little, fell in love, and learned that no matter where you go, you can’t outrun yourself. You can, however, find a few homes away from home.
After a strong dose of self-doubt held me back from broadcasting much about the experience, I decided to strap in and create something meaningful, as an exercise for myself, but also something to share.
This New Year’s Day, I’m not in the city I planned to be nor seeing the people with whom I planned to celebrate. And, for the first time in years, I don’t have a flight booked. No OOO or different time zone blocked out in my calendar. Just an open runway, and the equally inspiring and terrifying feeling of getting to choose what comes next. So this is my pause and reflection before jumping into the next chapter.
Over the next twelve days, I’ll be sharing one lesson from each place I called home in 2023: a map of where I went and what it taught me. Twelve nights of reflection and appreciation for a wonderful year that was.
I left my meds in British Columbia
Can forcing yourself to live outside your comfort zone be some kind of cure? Read on Substack.
01 | January 5, 2026
coming soon
Quebec, Ontario, and tour besties who make it magic
Is the best souvenir actually a new friend?
02 | January 6, 2026
In Iceland, you can’t outrun the weather (or yourself)
Does solitude quiet the storm, or just turn up the volume?
03 | January 7, 2026
Ireland: six cities and a soulmate?
Could being open to changing plans change your life?
04 | January 8, 2026
It’s okay to stay longer: days in Scotland, calls until 3 a.m.
What if the time is negotiable, and you don’t actually have to hang up or leave?
05 | January 9, 2026
Before London, there was Brighton
Does the clearest view of your future appear only after you let the old you go?
06 | January 10, 2026
Switzerland: the luxury of a life well-lived
What if the goal is to wake up each day and think, “what a life?”
7 | January 11, 2026
Germany group trip post-mortem
Should every group trip come with a Google Form?
8 | January 12, 2026
Vienna: beautiful things are better shared
Does love make the world too beautiful to keep to yourself?
9 | January 13, 2026
Diplomacy and donut cones: all in a day in Prague
Can good karma look like dessert in a new city?
10 | January 14, 2026
Ireland, again: where home found me
Can a person feel more like home than a place ever could?
11 | January 15, 2026
Left wanting more in Portugal
Does your body know when the trip should end before you do?
12 | January 16, 2026
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