Hey Wallflower community! 👋

Let's get real for a minute. You know I love a good itinerary, but every time I zip up my suitcase or feel that plane rumble down the runway, I take a deep breath and remind myself of one simple truth:

Travel is an incredible privilege ✈️

My passport wasn't stamped early. Growing up, there were no tropical resort weeks or Disney World escapades. Travel felt like a foreign concept — expensive, exclusive, and simply not part of my reality.

I didn't find travel until my mid-twenties, and honestly? Travel found me when I desperately needed it. Here’s the story of how an impulsive decision changed everything, and why I carry gratitude on every single adventure. 👇

The Mid-Twenties Pivot: When Travel Saved Me 🗺️

I hit my mid-twenties feeling totally stuck. I was in one of those jobs where the pit in your stomach was bigger than your coffee cup every morning. Drained, directionless, and deeply unhappy.

But then, the universe handed me a rare window of opportunity: I was finally out of student loan debt and had a stable (if temporary) living situation. I had breathing room for the first time ever.

So, I did the only logical thing a wallflower escaping a toxic situation would do:

I QUIT THAT JOB! 👋 Toxic work environment, bye!
I Booked the Impossible: I signed up for a month-long group tour through Europe. No planning, just pure leap-of-faith adventure.

That trip wasn't just a vacation; it was an explosion of possibilities. The world cracked open. I fell in love with waking up somewhere new, with the kindness of strangers, and with the freedom of reinventing myself at every train station. Travel became my guiding force.

Acknowledging the Unseen Luggage 🧳

Even though I’m now chasing sunsets and mapping out itineraries, I know my ability to do so isn't just about hard work—it’s built on a foundation of luck and opportunity. Every time I board a plane, I’m aware of the privileges that make this possible.

Here are a few reasons why I treat every stamp like a gift:

The Financial Cushion: I'm lucky to be able to save money for travel and share living expenses with my partner (shout-out to shared rent!). That freedom isn’t universal. 💰
The Strong Blue Book: I’m lucky to hold a strong passport that grants me access to most of the world without massive hurdles. A passport, period, is a privilege. 🛂
Career Flexibility: After years of unemployment and startup struggles, I am lucky to have a job that provides both financial stability and the flexibility to take time off. 💻
Time & Freedom: I’m lucky to have the time and the freedom (without children or caregiving duties) to simply say “yes” to new adventures when the moment strikes. 🧭

Why Gratitude is My Favorite Souvenir 💖

These privileges are the invisible carry-on I bring on every single trip. They are the quiet reason why I’ll never treat travel as just another box to check.

Every Departure is a Gift: Every "Awe" moment is magnified because I know how many factors had to align for me to be standing right there.
The Reminder: Travel reminds me that life’s greatest possibilities wait just outside the familiar, and I'm lucky enough to be able to walk through that door.

Because travel didn't just show me the world on a postcard. It showed me who I am, and who I can be.

Wallflower Wonders: What’s one moment on a trip that made you pause and feel truly grateful for the experience? Share your thoughts below! 👇