Hi! I am Brittany.
My love of independence and travel began as a toddler camping in Maine with my parents – or so I’m told.
On that trip, I embarked on a solo journey to the nearby lake at dawn – probably to think deep toddler thoughts on the great outdoors – while my parents slept blissfully unaware of my departure.
They were not pleased to wake up to the dead fish I brought back to them as a souvenir of my first solo adventure.
Since then, I have embarked on many adventures domestically and internationally. I have some great dreams for my future travels, and I hope you follow along as I make those dreams come true.
Why Travel is So Important to Me
I have lived with chronic illness nearly my entire life. I walk through life today, hauling my invisible disabilities (IgA nephropathy, auditory processing disorder, neuropathy, food allergies, and C-PTSD) around like an overpacked suitcase. This blog is where I share how I travel with this extra heavy baggage.
I didn’t always openly share my experience with these disorders, especially when I was younger. Like most women, I was conditioned to believe that these conditions were just an excuse and that I should ignore them and work harder. So, I did. I worked exponentially harder than any healthy peer until I completely burned out.
Travel opens me up and excites me. Especially independent and solo travel.
You may not know it, but I’m nervous as hell going through it, but in the end, I feel empowered and confident in my abilities in both my personal and professional life. Sometimes the one thing that gets me through a phase of
How I Hope to Help You
Since starting the journey to improve my mental health, my goal has been to be brave. The everyday type of brave that those suffering from depression and anxiety must be – brave enough to live my life. Brave enough to go to work with a smile on my face. Mighty enough to pursue the things that enliven me.
I keep a Mighty Life List going to remind myself to do just that. It’s more than just a bucket list of places I want to go, although I definitely mention plenty of places. It’s more like a list of experiences and lessons I think will help me develop and grow personally and professionally, mentally and emotionally.
By sharing my fears and apprehensions, as well as ways in which I (attempt to) overcome them, I hope to inspire other conflicted, anxious and adventurous types to move beyond their comfort levels and challenge themselves.
Follow along on Instagram for photos from current and past travels.
Hi, I came across your website checking on my own website. I find you brave to put yourself out there and talk about what makes you anxious and your depression. It’s a really great thing. I am of a different generation that finds keeping things to ourselves is best, when really it isn’t. You inspire me to go ahead and talk about my struggles. I hope you travel and make your goals! Wanderlustly, Lindy
Thank you, Lindy! It’s so important to speak these things out loud. I was raised by people who taught me to keep everything to myself, so it took a lot of unlearning.
Hi Brittany!
I stumbled across your website when researching travel podcasts. You remind me very much of one of my authors, Kristin Rockaway, who is a big supporter of 20-something women who travel the world solo on a budget. Would you be interested in reviewing her upcoming contemporary romance called THE WILD WOMEN’S GUIDE TO TRAVELING THE WORLD?
If any of your audience are fans of Sophie Kinsella, Eat Pray Love, or The Devil Wears Prada, then they will love this smart, sexy debut novel of wanderlust that comes out on June 6th. It is also the perfect beach read for those who want to kick up their heels and relax a while.
Kristin is available for interviews and podcasts if you are interestedI know you also work closely with The Budget-Minded Traveler, and I know she would be honored to appear on that podcast as well.
Best,
Sara Beth Haring
Hachette Book Group
Cool, I’ll check it out! =)