At the beginning of 2020, I faced the biggest decision of my life.

I had just risked everything to move abroad ALONE . . . and then the world started ending. I had already quit my job in the US and had only about $2,000 saved.

Do I fly back home after only 2 months living abroad? (The easy way)
Or do I stay in South Africa and keep living my dream? (The hard way)

I decided to stay, and even though that turned out to be one of the BEST decisions of my life, I was absolutely *terrified*. My freelance writing work dried up. I lost the part-time job that was supposed to sustain me abroad, and I wasn’t eligible for any unemployment assistance abroad.

So when I couldn’t work . . . I decided to start Working on myself. I learned everything I could about writing, photography, and social media. I took courses for my Master’s in Creative Writing, and I started putting myself out there *unapologetically.* I emailed magazines and websites to see if I could write for them. When they said No, I didn’t Stop trying. I tried even harder. Soon some started saying YES, and my freelance gigs started coming back again.

“Why can’t that be me?”

Then after 2 years living in South Africa, I realized there were people just like me getting to travel the world for FREE and stay at the most beautiful places, so I thought “Why can’t that be me?” I researched and learned everything I could about collaborating with hotels and travel companies. I started by pitching luxury hotels and safari lodges in southern Africa. Most of them said No.

“This is it. I made it.”

But the best ones said YES! Before I knew it, I found myself sitting on a luxury boat in the middle of the Chobe River in Botswana, watching elephants swim across the river to Namibia.

And I thought to myself, “This is it. I made it. I made this happen for myself.”

Now my husband and I are full-time traveling the world. I’m working on my writing and photography, building my brand and business, and getting paid to do what I love on my own terms.

If you’re looking for a sign to take a Big Risk, this is it.

I quit my job and moved across the world at one of the *worst* times, but I didn’t let that stop me.

There are dreams so big they’re worth fighting for. This was my dream.

If you’re dreaming of working for yourself, building your own business, and seeing more of this world then Hello! You’re in the right place.

It’s not easy.

But I promise you it’ll be worth it.

Keep reading to hear Part 1 of My Story

The best things I’ve done have also been the scariest.

When I decided to move to Cape Town alone in January 2020, I had no idea what was to come. It’s one thing to move to a new country (and continent!) alone, and it’s another to do it right before COVID-19.

It’s all fine to be part of the “catch flights, not feelings” crew until something like COVID-19 happens. I definitely didn’t expect to not be allowed to visit home or see family (for 17 months). I didn’t expect to be kicked out of my dorm and to be given three days to find somewhere new to live in a country that was still brand new to me, or to be invited to live with strangers I’d soon call family.

But God is faithful. He knew the plans He had for me.

From finding not only a place to stay but a South African family to belong to, to providing me with work that makes me feel alive, and an amazing husband to share it with.

Seven years ago I left for what was then the biggest adventure of my life, a 24,000 nautical mile voyage to 12 countries around the world. I’ll never forget the anticipation, fear, and excitement I felt as I watched the lights of Honolulu disappear into the sea, knowing it’d be days til we crossed the Pacific to Japan, and four months until I returned home. That’s how I first visited and fell in love with Cape Town.