Living Out My Life Purpose… Or So I Thought
Then came attempt number two. From 2021 to 2023, I launched a travel agency under a host company. Traveling had always been one of my favorite things, and I wanted to help others create unforgettable memories. I poured myself into it and hung on longer than I probably should have—telling myself that failure wasn’t an option.
In March 2022, I joined a Familiarization (FAM) Group Tour across the United Kingdom. These trips give travel agents firsthand experience with destinations, hotels, and services to better support clients.
I hoped the trip would help me grow my business and finally live out what I believed was my purpose. Plus, I’d always wanted to visit the U.K.
As a kid, I dreamed of being my own boss. In 2023, my grandmother reminded me how I used to say I wanted to be a businesswoman—with my very own briefcase. Back then, I thought a briefcase was the ultimate symbol of success. Think Baby Boom with Diane Keaton, 1987 vibes!
Fast-forward to 2018: adult me was still chasing that dream. I gave entrepreneurship a shot—twice. That year, I joined a network marketing company and started selling jewelry. But it didn’t pan out. I’m more of a chill, laid-back observer and learner—not a salesperson.
A Trip Through the UK
The group included 30 travel agents from all over the U.S. I didn’t know a soul, but I was excited—it was my first time traveling to another continent.
Early on, I met a sweet woman I’ll call Mrs. Cali. We hit it off and stuck together through the whirlwind itinerary:
Three days before my flight home, I started feeling sick during a catered dinner in Edinburgh. I barely touched my food—and I never skip a free meal! (I did sip the whiskey, though—te-he.)
An Unexpected Turn of Events
I skipped that evening’s activities and went straight to my hotel room. If you know me, you know I want to see and do all the things when I travel. Sleep can wait.
But that night, I had a fever. I showered, crawled into bed, and hoped I’d bounce back by morning.
The next day, I took a COVID-19 test (a requirement for travel)—and it came back positive. Just like that, my trip got extended by six more days. I usually feel homesick after five days of travel, so this unexpected turn stretched my patience.
I wasn’t alone. Twelve of the 30 people on our trip, including some of the guides, also tested positive. Thankfully, my symptoms were mild—just a cough and some congestion. It was my second time catching the virus, and nowhere near as scary as the first. (I wrote about that experience in this post.)
Unfortunately, the hotel staff didn’t treat us kindly. They ignored our room service calls and made it pretty clear they didn’t want us there. I understand the fear around COVID—but still, we needed to eat!
Mrs. Cali tested positive, too, and she was equally fed up. So, we left and checked into another hotel. It was frustrating, but I was grateful for her support. To stay safe, we avoided room service and only ate outdoors, or away from other visitors.
We took daily walks around the hotel grounds and on a nearby path. These walks became my saving grace. The fresh air, movement, and meaningful conversations helped me process everything.
Isolation gave me space to reflect and focus on my self-awareness. Was I really living the life I wanted? Was I becoming the woman I aspired to be?
While in my hotel room, I listened to podcasts and motivational speakers. I took time to answer their journal prompts and internalize their words of wisdom:
What are my values? I’d never paused to define them. I had goals and dreams, sure—but I hadn’t considered if they aligned with what mattered most to me.
Share your emotions. I usually keep things to myself, but I’m learning how freeing it is to open up—to a friend, a family member, even a therapist. Still a work in progress.
Respond, don’t react. I’m practicing and taking a breath to identify the root of my emotions. It helps me stay grounded, reduce stress, and avoid unnecessary drama.
Be mindful of your energy. People can feel your uncertainty or tension. A short walk or moment of stillness helps me reset so I can show up with clarity and calm.
Practice gratitude. I used to take so much for granted—my health, my relationships, the simple joys. Now, I try to acknowledge them more often by declaring my gratitude out loud, in my mind, or in my journal.
Prioritize self-care and growth. For me, this means nurturing my mind, body, and spirit—making choices that reflect my values and living with more intention. And I’ve learned it looks different for everyone.
Returning Home a Changed Woman
On March 23, 2022, after six unexpected days in semi-isolation, I was cleared to fly home. My boyfriend—now husband—immediately noticed something was different.
That experience deepened my self-awareness, which strengthened our relationship—and, more importantly, my relationship with myself.
Stephen Covey once said, “It is futile…to try to improve relationships with others before improving ourselves.”
What began as a quest to fulfill a childhood dream of entrepreneurship became more meaningful: an awakening to who I really am.
Through the highs of adventure and the lows of isolation, I found resilience, self-awareness, and a clearer sense of alignment. Today, I strive to live by my values, express my emotions, respond thoughtfully, carry positive energy, practice gratitude, and prioritize my well-being.
Life, like water, ebbs and flows. I won’t always navigate it perfectly, but I’m learning to move through it with intention and grace.
This was just the beginning of my self-awareness journey. And the keyword here? Journey.
