How I Found the Confidence to Become a Full-Time Traveler After Loss

The Beginning of an Unexpected Journey

I never imagined I’d be living out of a suitcase, hopping between countries, and calling the world my home. But sometimes life takes a turn you don’t expect — one that shakes your world and forces you to reevaluate everything.

For me, that turning point came after losing my dog, Copper.

Copper wasn’t just a pet — he was my constant companion, my anchor, and a reminder of home wherever I went. When he passed away in September 2022, I felt lost in more ways than one. Grief has a way of hollowing you out, and for a while, I wasn’t sure what my next chapter could look like.

But in the quiet that followed, I realized something: I had been waiting. Waiting for the “right time” to live the life I had always dreamed of. Waiting until I was braver, until I had more money saved, until I felt “ready.” And suddenly, waiting didn’t feel like an option anymore.

Facing the Fear of the Unknown

To be completely honest, I was terrified.

The thought of becoming a full-time traveler was exciting, yes — but it also came with every fear you can imagine. What if I ran out of money? What if I couldn’t handle being alone? What if something went wrong?

If you’ve ever thought about making a huge life change, you probably know that tug-of-war between wanting more and fearing everything that comes with it. I definitely did. But here’s the thing: confidence doesn’t come before the leap. It comes after you start moving forward.

Choosing Travel as My Path to Healing

After Copper passed, I realized I couldn’t keep putting off the life I wanted. Travel had always been my dream, and I knew deep down it could be part of my healing process.

So, I made a decision: I was going to become a digital nomad.

It wasn’t glamorous at first. I started small — researching places I could go, figuring out how to work remotely, downsizing my belongings, and trying to map out what life on the road might look like. Every step was filled with doubts, but also little sparks of excitement.

Travel wasn’t about running away from my grief — it was about creating space for a new chapter.

My First Step Into Nomad Life (and a Border Scare)

In September 2022, I packed up my car in the DC area and drove north toward Canada. My first stop? Toronto. It wasn’t an international flight to some faraway place — it was a road trip, one state and one mile at a time.

But even that first step wasn’t smooth.

At the Canadian border, I almost didn’t make it through. I hadn’t completed Canada’s COVID requirement paperwork at the time, and border patrol pulled me aside. They questioned why I was going to be there so long, and I started to tear up as I told them I had just lost my dog and needed to get away. I was fighting back the waterworks. They even searched my vehicle. For a moment, I thought, What if this is it? What if my big adventure ends before it even starts?

But eventually, they let me through. I drove into Toronto with a mix of relief, nerves, and excitement buzzing through me. It wasn’t perfect — it was messy, uncertain, and emotional. But it was also the first taste of freedom and possibility that came with this new lifestyle.

And that was the beginning.

What I Learned About Confidence & Loss

Looking back, I can see now that confidence didn’t magically appear when I decided to travel full-time. It grew each time I pushed through doubt, each time I took a small step forward, and each time I proved to myself that I could handle the unknown.

Here’s what I learned:

• Confidence is built, not found. Every new experience adds a brick to the foundation.
• Healing doesn’t follow a straight path. Travel gave me space to process grief, but it also gave me purpose and joy. It's almost 3 years later, and I'm still not fully healed, but I am continuing forward.
• You don’t have to feel ready. I certainly didn’t — but I started anyway.

Copper’s passing was one of the hardest things I’ve ever faced. But in losing him, I also found the courage to stop waiting and start living. And for that, I’ll always carry his memory with me on the road. I even take a few small items to keep him with me.

If you’re standing on the edge of a big life change — whether it’s traveling, moving, starting something new, or letting go of something familiar — I hope my story reminds you that you don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to take the first step.

Confidence will meet you along the way.

I’d love to hear your story. Have you ever made a big life change after loss or a major transition? Send me a DM on Instagram and share your story!