Where it all began…
My parents are to blame for my never-ending wanderlust obsession. Well, not really…but they did expose me to the travel bug’s ferocious bite. Growing up, yearly family vacations to some fabulous international destination tended to be the norm. (Not that I appreciated them at the time…sorry Mom and Dad! #jadedteenager)
Luckily, my parents knew what was best for me (though that’s a weird one to admit) when they pushed me to visit my brother studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain in 2009. Looking back, this was THE pivotal moment in my world traveling adventures – and I almost didn’t go.
As an extremely intelligent 21-year-old, I’d stopped going on the family vacations in favor of taking zero days off from my all-important job as a Regional Sales Manager (of tanning salons) and spending all of free time with my then (loser) boyfriend. Super classy, I know…
But alas, after quite a few freak outs and streams of beltway tears, I finally made it to the airport. (Btw, first solo international trip + a tendency to always run late + D.C. Friday night rush hour = disaster.)
After a last quick email to my brother (international data plans weren’t really a thing yet), I was ready for take off! We’d meet the next day at noon, in the middle of Plaça de Catalunya. Woo!!
However, once I landed in Barcelona, I realized how woefully underprepared I was for my Spanish vacation. I knew I had to find something called an “Aerobus” and follow it to this illustrious “plaza” for 5 Euros, but that was it. Why it didn’t click before that moment that I’d be in another country – where they spoke a completely different language – is a mystery. My mind started racing…
“Why didn’t I learn an ounce of Spanish before coming here?! Where do I get money? How do I get the right currency?! Where do I find this elusive bus? And for Pete’s sake, WHY am I wearing a full hot pink Juicy jumpsuit in Barcelona in the middle of summer?!”
Eventually, some kind old man took pity on me and showed me how to navigate the airport and get to the Aerobus station. I gave the driver my 5 Euro, butchered explaining where I wanted to go, and was off! I remember being on that bus, alone in a sea of people, admiring the Spanish streets whizzing by and repeatedly asking myself what the heck I was doing. I was simultaneously terrified, anxious, and brimming with excitement.
When I arrived at Plaça de Catalunya, I was in for another shock. Apparently, this Plaça is basically the city center – a massive traffic circle and tourist hotspot with thousands of people navigating around the crazy streets. Without much other choice (and no phones to communicate…) I dragged my broken luggage (also hot pink) through less than friendly locals until, by some miracle, my hungover brother found me. And let me tell you, with a semi-Spanish speaking brother (and a place to change out of my completely inappropriate pink winter gear) – I felt like I’d won the super bowl.
Who knew traveling alone (or, I hate to say it, without your parents…ugh) would be so hard? Or soooo scary?!?! But, on the other side of that fear is where the magic happens. I felt so alive on that trip, and did and conquered more fears than I even knew I had. I experienced a new culture, a new way of being, and a new respect for wandering the world. My inner travel bug was activated that day, and hasn’t stopped yearning to explore more of our vast planet since.
Ah, the battle with my travel bug.
Since then, I’ve had some pretty incredible career experiences in sales management, academic advising, and admissions counseling, and became a Certified Professional Coach in 2014. All the while, the undeniable urge to keep traveling grew and grew.
My husband and I were married in Riviera Maya, Mexico on 5.15.15 (cute, right?!) and, unsurprisingly, just had to do a month long Mexican/European honeymoon adventure. We’ve traveled to 22 countries, have the most amazing relationship, and have created some incredible moments and memories together over the past seven years.
I found my fairytale, my prince charming, and even created a business where I teach other women how to find love and happiness, too!
Click here to read all about our love story and Find Your Fairytale.
Turning fairytales into reality.
As we continue to travel, I’ve realized that my passion for fairytales is more deeply rooted than I originally thought. Sure, maybe my love for ALL things fantasy, magical, and Disney could have been a sign; but as our travel experiences started to demonstrate a common theme of castles, mystical landscapes, and acting out fantasy literature in real-world destinations…I knew there just might be something more to this fairytale obsession.
I mean, I’m pretty sure I was a princess in a past life, I have three Harry Potter wands, and dream of being a mermaid…so naturally, this all made sense.
And then I had an epiphany. Pisces at heart, I’d much rather live in my own fantasy world than in real life. So, why not combine the two? Why can’t fantasy be reality?
Sure, I’ll begrudgingly admit that magic and fairytales may be folklore, but that doesn’t mean traveling the world is any less awe-inspiring, humbling, and profoundly powerful. There’s a true sense of oneness and being present when you step outside of your comfort zone and into another culture. You change when you travel, and it’s usually in a way that tends to have an incredibly positive impact on the rest of your life.
I hate to toot my own horn (ah… for the most part?…) but if there’s one thing I’m exceptional at, it’s giving fantastic advice and being incredibly inspirational to those I meet. Okay, that may be two things. Also, #sorrynotsorry that you won’t find any confidence issues here.
Life is short. We’re not guaranteed anything. For years I’ve said – if you died tomorrow, would you be happy with how you lived today?
Hint – If your answer is no, then it’s time for a change!
Why not switch things up and chose to do things that make you feel joy and excitement instead? If you think about how quickly things can (sometimes drastically) alter, then choosing happiness should be a no brainer.
And while I may not know all the secrets to life, I do know that combining your gifts with your passions (as far-fetched/weird/uncommon as they may be) will lead you to your PURPOSE. (Or something like that. I’m still figuring it out.)
Cue the magic.
And viola! Welcome to my blog, The Fairytale Life.
I found my fairytale, and now I’m living a fairytale life of magical travel experiences. It’s beyond incredible, and I want people to know that this kind of phenomenal, magical, fairytale-esque life IS possible.
My goal is to inspire you to live out your dreams, to turn your travel fantasies into reality, and to feel the magic of the world.
As Debasish Mridha quotes, “Life is a fairytale if we know how to write the story.” Fortunately, it’s never too late to try something new, change directions, or even completely rewrite our life’s narrative. And, lucky for you, you’ve got me to help guide and inspire you along the way. 😉
So throw out your logic and reason, and come on in to my land of magic, sparkle and fantasy. You might just find your next life-changing, mystical adventure within.