The Escape Journals

Is Travel For You?

Real people on the ticket they almost didn’t book, and what happened when they did.

Featured Stories

The One-Way Ticket She Kept Secret

Sarah

I did not start traveling until I was 24, and my first trip was with two guys I had just met at church.

I barely knew them, but I trusted them enough to tour Japan and South Korea together because it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

After that trip, I caught the travel bug. A month later, I bought a one-way ticket to Australia, where I am currently studying and living.

I knew my decision would get backlash from my family, so I waited months before telling anyone, and even longer before telling my parents. My friends were supportive, but my parents could not understand how a woman, especially a Black woman, could backpack alone in a foreign country.

But when your heart truly yearns for something, you cannot help but pursue it. If you do not, you spend life wondering what would have happened if you had.

When I finally decided to leave, I was not scared. A peace came over me. I knew it was something I had to do because this passion for travel and exploration was deeply ingrained in my soul.

Leaving in His Father's Memory

Josh

In short, I did not know travel was for me at the beginning. I had always wanted to see more of the world, but the timing was complicated.

I used to think about how much I would hate growing old with no stories to tell, no friends from around the world, and no memories triggered by a scent, sound, or view.

My mother was terrified for my safety, especially because all she heard were horror stories about foreign countries. Those concerns were understandable, but they were not going to stop me.

The timing of my travels was deeply affected by the passing of my dad. Growing up, he was the person I told all my plans and schemes to. When I said I was going to travel for a year, he was skeptical at first. But as my savings grew and my plans took shape, he shifted from saying I would never go to asking where I would go first.

He passed away before I left, but knowing he would have been proud pushed me to leave before I felt fully ready. I did it in his memory and to show him he was right: I did make it.

Jump, and the Net Appears

Lauren

I did not know travel was for me at first. I watched people online living extraordinary lives, being their own bosses, and turning ambition into reality. I wanted that too, but I was not sure I could make it happen.

At the time, I had crippling flight anxiety, social anxiety, and I had never been away from home for more than a day.

Even with those fears, I knew what was not for me. If I was not fulfilled sitting in a classroom, I probably would not be fulfilled slipping into a 9-to-5 and letting my dreams fade.

I kept repeating the mantra: you have to jump for the net to appear. So I researched, watched videos, and figured out how to make my dream feel possible.

When I booked my ticket, I screamed out of joy and disbelief. The plan was to stay a month or two. I stayed half a year, came home, and returned two months later for nearly another year.

When I came home, people told me they wished they had done what I was doing when they were my age. And they were right that I was doing it the right way, because I was finally doing it my way.

The Kid Who Wanted to Be an Explorer

Kel

I have known since I was a child that I wanted to travel the world. I remember feeling disappointed when an adult told me that being an adventurer or explorer was not a viable career option anymore.

I was fascinated by the pyramids of Giza, Stonehenge, the Amazon Rainforest, and the Sahara Desert. But it was not until my mid-20s that I actually left my own country.

Growing up in a low socio-economic environment, the dream of faraway adventures was always at odds with my reality. I lived in a world of practicality, which brought frustration, envy, and sometimes embarrassment.

When I finally managed to leave on my first overseas trip to New Zealand, my mind was blown. I was not terrified, but I was full of excited, anxious energy. Anyone who has stepped outside their comfort zone for adventure knows that feeling.

Traveling in Colombia taught me a lot about how strong people's preconceptions can be. Many people told me to be safe, and while I understood the concern, it reminded me how much media can shape fear around other nations and cultures.

The structured 9-to-5 life never appealed to me. My strongest desire is to see this world, experience its people, cultures, foods, and natural wonders, and connect with it in every way I can. That is what I will take with me.

Hawaii After Heartbreak

Lydia

I always knew I wanted to travel but never took the opportunities I had.

For me, traveling after a breakup was tied to the one thing I knew I had been holding myself back from doing.

I had always wanted to go to Hawaii and tried for a long time to convince my boyfriend to come with me. There were always excuses: school, money, job contracts, timing.

After we separated, I bought my ticket to Hawaii within two or three weeks. I knew I needed the trip, but I did not know what my mental state would be like by the time I left or how I would feel after.

The destination was part plane ticket price and part bucket list. New Zealand was close behind, but the budget was not there yet. So Hawaii it was, and to Hawaii I went.

Choosing Who to Become

Ludvig

At first, I did not know if traveling was for me. For as long as I can remember, I felt an intense urge to break free from everyday patterns that seemed to hold me back.

Before I started traveling, I knew I would not pursue things I did not genuinely care about. I was also afraid to take the first step and leave my comfort zone behind.

I worried that the people I met along the way would not know who I was. But eventually a stronger thought took over: now I had the chance to choose who and how I wanted to be in the next chapter of my life.

My first long-term trip happened when I got a job abroad in Italy. The experiences, people, relationships, places, and cultures helped me relax into life in a new way. It gave me courage to keep making my own choices, regardless of the risks or outcomes.

After Italy, I was not sure where I wanted to go next, but I knew something inside me had waited a long time to feel that free. I started to understand what it meant to truly be myself, so I kept traveling to see what else there was in me to discover.

Coming back, I realized I no longer live for other people's opinions of my life. I live to feel positive, conscious, and free, and hopefully to inspire others to make liberating choices of their own.

Six Months Away From Paris

Emilie

I am a 41-year-old single French woman who decided a few years ago to take a six-month sabbatical to travel and experience something new.

Travel had always been a desire of mine. I wanted to embrace different cultures, ways of living, and perspectives.

I needed distance from my Paris routine, time in nature, and space to think about my career after 15 years in advertising. I love the work, but it is stressful, and I wanted to find more meaning in my daily life.

When I decided to travel solo outside Europe, I was thrilled. It was a challenge, and I wanted to prove to myself that I could do something big on my own.

My family worried, especially my mom. My boss, however, was incredibly supportive and immediately agreed to the sabbatical. He thought the experience would open my mind and enrich me with unforgettable experiences.

It became one of the best decisions I have ever made.

One Way to Vietnam

Thomas

Before your first real adventure, you may have no idea if travel is actually for you. I certainly did not.

I learned by buying a one-way ticket to Vietnam at 20. The only things I prepared were my approved visa and my first three nights in a downtown hotel.

When the airport doors opened, I was hit with aromas I had never smelled before. I was in a foreign country where I could not rely on English or French to get by. The thought that rushed through my mind was: what now?

Thankfully, it was not a what am I doing here moment. I knew I did not have the answer yet, and that was exactly what I was there to find out.

I felt raw uncertainty, but not fear. I had made it to the place I wanted to be. At that moment, I was exactly where I needed to be, and for me, that was enough.

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Ten Schools, Then Two Continents

Anais

Change has always been part of my life. I attended around ten different schools growing up, and in a way, I feel lucky for it.

Those years helped me welcome new environments, people, and experiences with open eyes.

When I decided to cross the ocean to Europe and India, I was wildly excited and completely terrified. Europe had the deepest impact, while India was profoundly spiritual and raw.

Before Europe, I had recently quit my job and a friend was moving near Amsterdam. The timing aligned with the chaos in my life. I canceled my apartment lease, saved a little money, and suddenly had time.

My parents were terrified, and my friends were excited. I chose to go away for a month to reset, rediscover my passions, and focus on myself. That is exactly what I did, and I came back a better version of myself.

A One-Way Ticket at Five

Vuk

I have never let outside perspectives change my mind about travel.

The first trip I ever took was when I was five years old, leaving Serbia on a one-way ticket to our future home in Australia.

Now that I play professional tennis, travel has become a normal part of my life. I am grateful for that because I still find it exciting to meet and experience different people and places.

I enjoy people watching. I love being in a new environment where the collective views of an entire culture are presented to you. It enriches my own thought process and helps me feel more connected to humanity as a whole.

Moving to New York

Min

I knew traveling was for me the day I picked up my suitcases, bought a one-way ticket to New York City, and decided I would stay there forever.

Growing up in a suburban bubble felt bland and exhaustingly vanilla. For a long time, travel seemed difficult to me, until it suddenly did not.

I truly believe it is a mental thing. Many people see travel as a luxury, but it really does not have to be. Anyone can do it if they want that special something badly enough.

There are blogs that make exotic vacations seem like they require months of preparation, and then you meet people who show up with a backpack, a little money, and no set plan. They still thrive.

I remember wanting to go to Istanbul and booking a ticket despite a travel advisory. Almost everyone I knew had a meltdown. My mother called every day before the trip, and her anxiety started to make me nervous too. But once I settled in, I realized the fear had been unwarranted.

I love exploring places that are not considered popular tourist spots. I would rather experience something authentic and raw than go somewhere overhyped just because everyone knows about it. If my travels inspire anyone, I hope they inspire them to be bolder, step into discomfort, and allow that discomfort to create real self-discovery.

When Home Felt Too Small

Dave

I really knew travel was for me when the place I grew up started feeling too small for who I was becoming.

The life I was living felt predictable, bland, and exhausting. I needed to get somewhere that felt freer and more open-minded.

During my bachelor's degree, I lived in Norway for six months. That was where I discovered a part of myself that was eager to explore more of the world.

When I finished studying, I followed the feeling I had always had and started looking at ways to travel globally.

My grandparents were skeptical and surprised I was not going straight into a job and house. My parents felt the same at first, but over time they loved the idea and were happy I was chasing something I believed would bring me happiness.

Six Months Off the Grid

Sian

I first sought out travel because I was scared of living a boring, sheltered life in the city where I grew up.

Before university, I began craving the unknown. Since it would be my first time leaving home and living on my own, I wanted to challenge myself with new perspectives and people.

I first left the U.K. in 2009 for six months, traveling to the States, Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia. I did not even have a phone, so I was completely off the grid, and it was one of the best experiences of my life.

Later, after a difficult breakup, I traveled through Central America. Meeting people from all walks of life reminded me how lucky I was and helped me stop feeling sorry for myself.

After school, everyone around me was settling down, but I kept thinking about Australia. I moved there, and what people thought would be six months turned into five years.

My mum missed me, but technology made the distance easier. My friends thought I was reckless for not following the traditional path, but the memories I created are ones I would never trade.

From FOMO to Australia

Ryan

The funny thing about asking whether travel is for you is that I did not know if it was for me at all.

To me, travel felt like FOMO. I had heard everyone tell travel stories and insist I had to do it, but I personally only cared about hot, sandy beaches.

When I turned 20, I went through a tough breakup and graduated university, so it felt like nothing was holding me back. I decided to take a leap out of my comfort zone and travel solo to Australia.

I was scared to fly alone to another country, but it helped that Australia was English-speaking. My friends and family were supportive, and some were surprised I had the courage to go alone because I am usually shy.

But I knew I had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Going in Blind as an Au Pair

Jenna

I did not know travel was for me. My mom and I had gone on trips together since I was little, and I always loved the adventure.

At 18, I wanted to take a gap year before university, and during that search my mom introduced me to someone who had been an au pair abroad.

I thought: okay, it is babysitting, but in another country. I loved kids and had my own babysitting business at 14, so I jumped in and made a profile to find families around the world.

I did not speak a second language and had never been to Europe. I was basically going in blind, hoping to connect with a family.

As departure got closer, I felt nervous and excited. Friends had mixed reactions. My grandparents worried, and my mom supported me while still having her own fears. But I never wavered. I knew I wanted it, and I knew I could do both travel and university.

Too Comfortable to Stay

Max

I did not know travel was for me until one day I just started traveling.

Nothing felt like it was progressing at home, and I needed something fresh and different. I was comfortable, and honestly, I hated it.

I had always had this idea of going to Australia. I do not know where it came from, but it was always there. After a holiday in New Zealand, my mum asked when I was finally going to Australia so she would have an excuse to visit.

Friends had also told me I would love it there. Deep down, I felt the same. I was nervous because I relied heavily on my parents for housing and comfort, but I kept wondering what I could do if I went out into the world on my own.

Luckily, I had a friend in Australia who invited me to stay until I was ready to move on. So I did just that, and my journey to the other side of the world began.

Summers Selling Art on the Road

Alanna

From a young age, I read books about foreign lands and was fascinated by the idea that every place had its own charm.

My dad is a painter, and every summer my family traveled through the United States for three months selling his art. That gave me my first taste of life on the road.

In college, I did not know exactly what I wanted to study, but I knew I wanted to study abroad. Moving to Madrid for five months opened my eyes to what the world had waiting for me.

I think the desire to travel lives inside you, and the more you travel, the more it grows. With every trip, I feel excited and nervous, but I trust the journey will be what I need.

Friends and family have mixed opinions, from encouragement to skepticism and fear. Ultimately, you have to follow what you feel in your heart.

Surfboards, a Tent and Maui

Justin

I got my first real taste of travel as a kid. My family took road trips all over, from the United States to living in Okinawa, Japan, for two years when I was seven and eight.

In my early twenties, I started exploring solo around the States, taking sales and construction jobs in different cities. Every new place brought back the same excitement I had as a kid.

Eventually, I met someone who told me about backpacking in Hawaii, and the idea clicked. I started planning it, and my best friend asked if he could come too. We packed surfboards, duffel bags, camping gear, and headed to Maui.

We worked there for most of a year, made friends from around the world, and gained experiences money cannot compare to.

People often ask how I afford to travel. I tell them it is about priorities. I am rich now, but in experiences, not in an astronomical bank account.

I have made sacrifices to make my trips happen. I skip certain purchases because I know that same money could become a coffee in Paris, a beer in a small village, or part of a life-changing experience later.

From Vision Board to Boarding Pass

Grace

I have known for a long time that I wanted to travel and see the world.

Growing up, I was captivated by photos of beautiful places and dreamed of being there myself one day.

As a kid, I cut images from magazines and hung them on my bedroom walls, my first version of a vision board.

What truly sparked my desire to travel was studying abroad in Spain. Being far from everything familiar and having the chance to reinvent myself gave me courage to make bolder choices.

When I told my family I was seriously considering moving, they were supportive but hesitant. I could tell they were not sure I would follow through. But I did, and I made it my own.

It Started on Vancouver Island

Connor

I knew travel was for me the moment I went on my first trip to Vancouver Island.

Even though it was not far from my hometown in Alberta, it opened my eyes to the endless possibilities for adventure around the globe.

Planning trips helped me overcome the fear of the unknown. Costs, living expenses, and starting a new chapter can all feel scary, but when I looked at my itinerary and what was ahead, I got excited about the memories I was about to make.

My family was supportive, probably because most of them are avid travelers too. At 16, they sent me to England solo to experience a different way of life.

Travel matters because you often find yourself more clearly in the unknown than you do in the comfort of home. Experiencing another culture can completely shift your perspective. For me, that is what makes me feel most alive.

Traveling Independently

Whitney

I knew traveling was for me since childhood, when my family would take trips around many different states.

Back then I did not know what it would mean for me later, but now it is all coming together.

Being in a different country used to feel like something people only did for special occasions, like honeymoons or destination weddings. Now I have traveled to three countries, four islands, and four states in the past two years while still working a regular 9-to-5.

For me, the biggest thing that held me back was waiting for people who were able to come with me. I wanted friends or family to be ready and able to afford international travel. Spoiler alert: that perfect moment never happens.

You have to get up and make it happen, or you will be waiting for someone else forever.

Raised on Gap-Year Stories

Mick

Growing up, I loved traveling and exploring new places. My parents took a gap year in New Zealand after school, and I grew up hearing their stories.

It was never really a question of whether I should travel. I knew I wanted to live abroad as soon as I could.

After high school, I applied for my visa, bought my plane ticket, and left. Even though it had been my dream for as long as I could remember, I still got nervous.

But holding the approved visa and booked flights made the excitement outweigh the fear. My parents were concerned, as most parents would be, but they were also excited for me. Their support gave me the confidence to go see the world for myself.

Travel Became the Work

Krista

Freedom, exploration, wonder, and journey can mean something different to everyone. To me, the common thread is travel.

I realized that around 17, when I was choosing a college and wanted a major change socially and environmentally.

I ended up at Coastal Carolina University, and when I joined the Outdoor Adventure Club, something clicked. It was a group of carefree students taking hiking and camping trips around the Southern states.

I had never camped before, but I went for it. It became some of the most fun I had ever had, and I met lifelong friends who shaped my path.

Three years later, I became club president and organized trips for more than 200 members. Seeing people feel free and connected in a new environment changed me. If travel can create that, I want to live in a world that prioritizes it.

Out of Ireland at Seventeen

Dave

For as long as I can remember, I have had the travel bug.

My first overseas trip was to Turkey when I was ten, and I remember the excitement consuming me. I did not want to miss a single moment.

By twelve, I told my aunt that I would not be living in Ireland much longer. I left home at seventeen, and in the past decade I have not stayed in my hometown for more than a couple of months at a time.

When I set off to travel, my family and friends already knew it was simply who I was. Some people get their thrill from parties or sport. For me, it is traveling and exploring this wild world.

Southeast Asia on a Shoestring

Benthe

My first big trip was after high school, when my best friend convinced me to join her and her brother in Southeast Asia.

I had already decided to take a gap year, so I was excited, but I did not have much money saved yet.

I had always dreamed of going overseas, and because I was traveling with people I trusted, I knew I had to make it work.

I prepared by reading about the cultures and traditions of Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. My parents were nervous, but they believed it would be life-changing.

That trip helped me grow in so many ways. I realized travel, and the way it made me feel, was something I wanted to keep experiencing: free, independent, curious, and connected to nature and people.

The Quiet One Goes Abroad

Zach

Honestly, I had no clue that travel was for me.

Growing up, I was never the most outgoing person, and I was not usually the one organizing adventures or weekend plans.

I traveled domestically throughout high school, but since it was always with close friends, it did not push me far out of my comfort zone.

My first time traveling outside the country, besides Canada, was after college. I was nervous and excited to explore somewhere new. My family trusted me to handle it, and I did.

The Family That Always Found a Way

Mahta

I grew up with a love for travel, and I think it started with my parents.

They married young and were eager to see the world, even when my sister and I were little.

We did not have much money, but we always found ways to make trips happen. I am always excited to travel somewhere new, though language barriers can still make me nervous.

My family has always supported my love for travel. Some friends have asked how I afford it or why I travel so much, especially during chiropractic school. I never let it bother me. I just try to encourage people to make choices that feel right for them and to see the world with open eyes.

Living Where Others Vacation

Anthony

Since I was born, my family took trips a few times a year, usually relaxing resort vacations in Florida or the Caribbean.

That itch to break away from routine became ingrained in me.

As I got older, my desire to travel changed. I became more interested in living in the places I visited, staying longer, and understanding what daily life felt like for locals.

My family has always supported my travels, especially when they were connected to education, like studying abroad or pursuing a master's degree. Deep down, though, I have always seen myself as a wandering spirit.

The Airline Job That Opened the World

Chelsea

Working in the airline industry allowed me to travel more than I ever thought possible.

When I took a job with Hawaiian Airlines, I had no idea it would open my world to so many travel opportunities.

I have visited places I once only dreamed about, including Australia and New Zealand, which have become two of my favorite places in the world.

Travel is a mix of emotions: excitement for new people and places, and fear of the unknown. I have been fortunate to have positive experiences, and now that I have had a taste of it, I know I will keep exploring.

Leaving Sweden to Find His Feet

Simon

I felt the desire to travel when I was around 15.

My confidence was not the best back then, and I wanted to improve the social side of my life.

I have always enjoyed trying new things and exploring new places, so after high school, travel felt like an easy decision.

My family was not surprised. I traveled with them often when I was younger, and my sister also loved exploring the world. Leaving Sweden to see what else was out there felt natural.

Terrified and Oddly Excited

Patricia

My journey with travel began at a very young age. According to my family, I was around two years old when I took my first airplane ride.

The first trip I vaguely remember was around six or seven. What stands out most is being both terrified and oddly excited.

I was privileged to have a family that also loved travel, which helped ease my fear of the unknown.

After a few adventures with them, I realized how much I enjoyed it, and my curiosity about the rest of the world quickly kicked in.

Chasing the Flow State

Reed

The words travel and adventure have always felt connected to me. I would say my adventurous spirit has been with me since birth, or at least that is how it feels.

I remember roaming the woods behind my suburban house, getting lost in the sound of the wind through the trees, only to be pulled back by the faint call of my parents telling me it was time to come home.

That natural curiosity has only grown over time, pushing me toward bigger and better adventures. Travel can feel like a larger-than-life concept, and sometimes people get so caught up in planning that they forget the actual experience.

To me, it is simple: have an idea and follow through on it. There is something magical about being in a flow state while traveling and exploring nature. Much like losing yourself in a song or a piece of art, nature creates moments that cannot be fully captured in words. Those moments shift your mindset. That is the awe and excitement I seek, though more often than not, it finds me.

The Moment the Train Pulled Away

Carola

It is hard to pinpoint exactly when I knew travel was for me because the desire developed over time.

My parents loved to travel, so exploration was part of my childhood. When I was 15, I watched my brother leave on an around-the-world ticket, and that was the first time I realized I wanted to do the same.

When I got the confirmation for my first backpacking trip at 21, I danced around my room uncontrollably. When my parents dropped me at the train station to head to the airport, I sat with my 55-liter backpack beside me and felt a rush of joy as the train started moving.

Even after years of travel, I still get that euphoric feeling. That sense of liberation and clarity when you know you are on the right track is something every person should feel.

My family was supportive, maybe nervous at times, but they did not show it much. Some friends lived through my stories from afar. Everyone who knew me knew I needed to do my own thing and fly.

Remarkable Escape Stories