The Real Reason I Started Traveling

This post feels vulnerable to write. I debated whether to share it, as that season of my life feels so far behind me. But I believe in staying open with my audience, and I want to share the joy and healing that travel brought me when I needed it most.

For those close to me, this isn’t new: I used to be married. I was with my ex-husband for nearly five years. We met in college, and I thought we were writing our forever love story. No one gets married expecting it to end, but that’s the reality I found myself in.

I later discovered that the man I married wasn’t who I thought he was. He was living a double life, involving me and other women. When I confronted the betrayal, he abandoned me—completely and without warning—leaving me to pick up the pieces alone. It was devastating, but in hindsight, that decision saved my life.

At first, I thought I could heal on my own. I threw myself into work and distractions to avoid dealing with the pain. And while that worked for a while, the nights were unbearable. I couldn’t sleep. I cried for hours, night after night, until I ran out of energy—and even tears.

Eventually, I sought help through Safe Harbor Christian Counseling, a faith-based therapy service. The therapist they matched me with changed everything. She was kind but firm, and she called me out. She forced me take accountability for my role in my own unhappiness.

You might wonder, “If he cheated and left, what accountability could you possibly have?” Here’s what I realized: If he hadn’t abandoned me, I would’ve stayed. I cared more about keeping the marriage than about myself. I would have sacrificed my happiness, my worth, and my dreams just to keep a broken relationship alive.

My therapist and I worked hard to reframe my mindset. She asked the hard questions:

• Why did I think it was acceptable to stay in a marriage like this?

• Did I believe I deserved better?

• Did I even love myself?

The truth hit me: A woman who loves herself doesn’t tolerate being treated like that. Slowly, I began to rebuild my confidence and my identity.

By the time my ex came back, hoping to reconcile, he was unrecognizable to me. I had grown, and there was no space for him in my life anymore. Putting myself first had closed that chapter for good.

With my newfound freedom, I had to figure out what I liked—what made me happy. Traveling was something I’d always wanted to do, but I had held back because my ex was too focused on his business. Now, I had nothing holding me back.

My first solo trip was on Valentine’s Day, and I’ve never looked back. Traveling became my therapy. It taught me how to be alone, how to be my own best friend, and how to reconnect with God in moments of solitude. It gave me the confidence to rediscover myself—confidence I had to build from scratch.

As I write this, I’m crying tears of joy. I’ve stayed true to myself since my divorce. And yes, I’m dating again! I still dream of getting married, but this time, to a man who would never dream of hurting me. A man with integrity, self-control, and the ability to nurture my dreams as much as his own.

It hasn’t been easy, but it’s possible. If sharing my story helps even one person, then I’ve done my job.

Happy Travels!