Surround yourself with people
who get it.
Get inspired by our community’s favorite moments, experiences, and advice around the globe!
Zahra, USA
IG @byzahrakhan“Going from ‘Can I?’ To ‘Why Not?’
After traveling to 39 countries before turning 26—20 of them solo—I always get asked some version of these three questions: ‘How did you afford it?’, ‘Did you ever feel unsafe?’, ‘What was your favorite country?’ While I could tell you my canned answers for each of these, it would do you a disservice because I feel the real question that is hiding behind the ones that are asked aloud: ‘Can I do that, too?’
If you’re reading this on Emilie’s blog, odds are you can relate to this hidden curiosity. And, you’re probably interested in ditching it all behind for the chance at sailing across an ocean, traveling the world solo, or donating five months of your life to a ranch in Canada to be a wrangler. But I will tell you, as someone who has had lots of prospective travelers asking for advice on how to do the same, few follow through. I will tell you the ones who do, conduct the research, ask the right people insightful questions, and actively take steps, no matter how small, toward their goal. And here’s the secret: That goes for most things in life.
While interning at the White House in Washington D.C. in 2018, I learned that most of my peers and I—while hailing from different corners of the United States and who were woefully different in every way—shared something in common. Each of us had seen the application online for one of the most prestigious internships in the country and thought, ‘oh, I probably won’t get it.’ But the difference between everyone else, and the interns sitting in that room, was that we clicked ‘submit’ on our applications anyway. Because instead of asking, ‘Can I?’ We told ourselves, ‘Why not?’
In every aspect of my life, I’ve learned this lesson time and time again: Just try. I figured I owed it to myself to find out. And you do, too.”
Carla, Spain
YT @carlabottazzi“After traveling almost continuously for the past five years, my travel advice is to stay open to new opportunities.
You never know where a spontaneous decision, a new friendship, or an unexpected change of plans might take you. Traveling has taught me that not everything needs to be under control.
Being flexible, curious, and willing to say ‘yes’ to unexpected opportunities can take you to places, people, and experiences that end up changing your life.”
What is your greatest travel experience or advice?
Send me settingsailbyem@outlook.com an email with your name, and the experience or advice you want to share with us. If you want to include your nationality and a picture that shows you in your element I would love that, so we can make our community a little more personal.
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Setting off alone can be scary, especially when it’s your first time. So - let’s use this community and find someone likeminded for you, who’s up for the challenge or is looking for a partner in crime for a similar experience.
“Finding the right community is like discovering a place where your soul can breathe, a space filled with warmth, support, and the quiet strength that lifts you higher every day.”