Rising up from Life’s Setbacks

Over the past month or so I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching and considering introspection is one of my favorite pastimes, this is nothing new. I know that I am passionate about travel, writing and a handful of other hobbies but when it comes to my long-term goals, I’m clueless.

Granted, I’m only 26 but it still scares me that I don’t really know what I’m fighting for. I look around me and all of the people I admire are passionately hustling toward their goals, as if huge roadblocks are nothing but minor setbacks.

There is a part of me that wants to keep up with the non-stop traveling but then again, when I was consistently on the road, I often wondered if I was wandering the world looking for answers that only time can reveal. I think a large part of that is because I’ve always viewed my life in short increments. In high school I was primarily concerned with getting into a good college and once I got to college I was already itching to enter “the real world.”

In the four years that I’ve lived in New York I’ve had just about every experience a girl can ask for: working at a record label, starting my own company and freelancing for everyone under the sun: from lean start-ups to The New York Times. And yet…I’m lost.

I don’t think I’m lost in a bad way because in many ways I feel found. I think that for the first time in my life I’ve seen first-hand how many opportunities are out there in the world if we only have the courage to reach out and grab them. I truly believe that getting laid off at 24 was the best thing that ever happened to me. While I knew full-well that record labels were becoming sinking ships within the music industry and that my company was continually shrinking in size, I still felt like a complete failure.

This is the moment in which I decided to create Bohemian Trails. I really had nothing to lose and everything to gain. With no income and no clue how to make my travel dreams come true, I worked harder on my blog than I’ve ever worked on anything in my life. All the while, I didn’t know where this path of exploration, both internally and externally, would take me but I was determined to continue on my journey.

After two years as a full-time freelancer, it’s truly an incredible feeling to know that I have the power to choose what opportunities to pursue and which ones to leave behind. It took getting laid off from a job for me to realize that I could take control of my destiny. As tough as it is to be a freelancer, I find comfort in the fact that I have multiple revenue streams and because of this, I feel a sense of freedom I’ve never known. It’s nice to take on a new assignment because I want to and not because I have to.

I guess the reason why I decided to write this stream-of-consciousness type post is because I want everyone to experience this power. I know so many people who hate their jobs and don’t leave simply because they “have nothing else.” I identify with this phrase so much because I too felt the exact same way. I really believe that you never know what you can accomplish until you are put to the test. I was too scared to quit my job because I was afraid of being on my own financially. I know I would have mustered up the strength to leave eventually but getting laid off was the kick in the butt that I needed to set my goals in motion.

And in many ways, this thrust into reality made me experience life on a much deeper level. Everything felt like a fresh wound but in the most beautiful way. As I began viewing life with a new set of eyes, it ultimately made me a happier, more fulfilled person. As a result, I gained much of my confidence back, found success as a travel writer and met the love of my life. Up until this point, I had never fully let down guard in life or in love and as frightening as it was, it made me feel more connected with the world around me.

Of course, my life is far from perfect. Just flip back to my opening paragraph and you’ll recall that I still feel lost in many ways. Part of me knows that this is part of my introspective nature but I’m optimistic that I’ll find the balance I so crave. I may not know what trail I’m meant to go down but like all things in life, it will reveal itself when I’m ready.

What life experience altered your perception of success? Tell me in the comments below!

travel writing

Like me on Facebook and Tweet me: @BohemianTrails

Sign up for my free monthly BOHO BLAST!

Hi! I’m Megan,

a Scorpio sun and Libra moon who left her job in the music industry to travel and write full-time. Since then, i´ve explored more than 60 countries in the hopes that you will, too.

The world is made of magic and so are you!

RECENT POSTS

Exploring Sicily’s Food and Wine Scene with WalkingWomen

As someone who used to travel full-time, a lot has changed for me in the past few years. Pandemic aside, I’ve been more intentional about where, and how often, I travel. A big part of that has to do with finding beauty in what I used to view as mundane; things like a morning routine

Read More »

Here’s Why Vacation Ownership With Hilton Grand Vacations is the Travel Solution You Need

We’ve all stayed at a Hilton hotel at one point or another and, if you have not, you are at least familiar with the brand. The Hilton name has been around for more than 100 years and to date, there are more than 6,300 properties and resorts within the Hilton portfolio of brands.   One of these brands is Hilton Grand Vacations. Unlike a traditional fixed–week timeshare program, HGV

Read More »
top reasons to visit Kerala in 2020

Here’s Why I Want to Visit Kerala (and you should, too)!

Every so often, I write about a destination I haven’t been to. As much as I love recounting trips and sharing my experiences here on Bohemian Trails, I also love to dream; dream about people and places I’ve never crossed paths with. That’s the traveler in me, the explorer that believes in the magic of

Read More »

My Favorite Caribbean Islands to Escape to This Winter

Winter is in full swing, which means that there’s still time to plan that weekend getaway. An east-coaster from birth and having lived in New York for seven years, the Caribbean remains my go-to winter destination. In many cases, you’ll find direct flights (or nearly direct) and within a few hours, you are on a

Read More »

Reflections on the Lake: Join us in Guatemala this New Years!

Pack your bags, notepads and Yoga mats. We’re going to Guatemala! I am thrilled to announce that I’ll be co-leading another writing + wellness + wanderlust retreat over New Years! Mark your calendars for December 29-January 3. My co-leader, Heather Suzanne, is not only one of my favorite Yoga teachers I’ve had the pleasure of

Read More »

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. More information

Use of cookies

This website is using cookies for improving your experience as a user. If you keep on navigating you are giving your consent to the use of these cookies and our cookies policy. Click on the COOKIES POLICY, the link for more information. You can also check our PRIVACY POLICY.

Close