Hey Reader!

When I think back on the major trips I’ve taken over the course of my life, they’ve all acted as markers for whatever I was going through at that moment.

For instance, I’ll always associate my first international trip to Costa Rica with that weird chunk of time when I’d dropped out of college and had no idea what I was doing with my life. A few months later, I jetted off to Southeast Asia for three weeks, which was a much-needed escape from the literal worst waitressing job of my life (ok, one of the worst — I’ve had way too many awful restaurant jobs over the years, but don’t get me started).

Travel always teaches me some major lesson, pushes me in a new direction, or at least offers me some necessary clarity or a new perspective.

Now, I’m in a similarly strange spot. I haven’t shared much about what goes on behind the scenes, but I’ve been in a challenging area professionally over the past couple of years, since I was laid off from my journalism job at a local newspaper. Since then, I’ve been working on my blog, working as a freelance writer/journalist, posting on social media, and doing other odd jobs here and there, like teaching English online.

As you’re reading this, I’m in Virginia for my very first travel conference — since I also have family in the area, I’ve turned it into a two-week trip so I can relax a bit, and reset.

And right before this trip, I decided to quit another terrible job. This time it wasn’t waitressing, but a writing job — which is arguably much more aligned with my interests and skills. But still, it was the worst.

Although I hated it, and would endlessly complain about it to everyone in my life, it was still hard to let go of. I didn’t (and still don’t) have anything to immediately replace the income (partly because it was so draining, I didn’t have enough capacity to work on replacing it), and I also probably had to work through some insecurities and money blocks.

But I’m reminded of the other times when I’ve taken huge leaps — after months of enduring that horrible waitressing job I mentioned, I ended up suddenly quitting, and capping it with a trip to California (I was living in New Jersey at the time). By the time I returned, I had a new job lined up.

Before I went to Chile and Argentina, another restaurant job refused to give me any time off, so I just quit before the trip. It took me a month or so after returning home to find something new, but it all ended up working out.

I know this isn’t a typical newsletter where I share travel tips and mini guides, but I just wanted to be transparent.

Of course, I love nothing more than experiencing new places and cultures. But some of the most life-changing aspects of travel have been the internal changes that have pushed me toward something different (and better). And now, I’m trusting that travel will again guide me toward where I’m supposed to go. <3

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📰 what’s new this week

As I mentioned, I’m in Virginia this week for my very first travel conference! I’m so excited (and nervous, tbh) to have the opportunity to connect with tourism boards, travel brands, and other travel writers and creators.

I’ll be sharing a lot of updates from the conference on Instagram at @tessthetraveler, with more blog posts to come about the Virginia area — including Williamsburg, Richmond, and the cutest small town ever, Ashland.

🌺 this week I’m loving …

​“Blue Sisters” by Coco Mellors​

Spanning across New York, Paris, and London, this novel follows three sisters a year after the death of their fourth sister. They all self-destruct in various ways, as they cope with guilt over their sister’s death, as well as their unhealthy family dynamics and other traumas.

That all sounds dark and heavy, and the book kind of was, but I also found it to be a really tender look at sisterhood, addiction, and healing — and I’d highly recommend it. It’s by the same author of “Cleopatra and Frankenstein,” but I loved this one way more!

📚Grab it on Amazon here​

Happy travels,
Tess