Navigating Postpartum and Solo Travel

Spain 2023: The Arc de Triomf

Navigating postpartum and solo travel requires strength and resilience, it's a transformative journey marked by joy, challenges, and a profound sense of responsibility. Amidst the whirlwind of caring for a newborn, the idea of embarking on a solo journey might seem farfetched, but there are compelling reasons why it can be fruitful for new mothers. Here's is how and why I started this journey:

Rediscovering Identity:

My journey of reclaiming and rediscovering my identity as a member of the Latinx community began in 2018. I was always one to think outside the box and challenge narratives. I found that the postpartum period added another layer to this process and solo travel became an opportunity to reconnect with my pre-motherhood self, fostering a sense of individuality independent of my role as a parent. This transformative experience is detailed in our shop and blog, shedding light on the reasons why I embarked on this journey.

Self-Reflection and Mental Health:

Giving birth in the challenging year of 2020 added to the emotional intensity of the postpartum period. Mental health issues were on the rise, and self-reflection became a crucial aspect of healing. Despite the non-linear nature of this journey, solo travel provided the time for deep introspection, offering clarity on business ventures and prioritizing mental health for other mothers navigating similar challenges.

Empowerment Through Independence:

Embarking on a solo journey in a foreign country, especially one where I was fluent in the language like Spain, brought a profound sense of empowerment. The courage to face the unknown was nurtured by my experiences as a translator for my mother, breaking down barriers and instilling the tools to navigate new experiences. Traveling alone during a new motherhood experience fostered self-sufficiency and gratitude for the empowering journeys paved by my ancestors.

Reconnecting with Passion:

My passion for travel, expressed through projects like Sueños De Una Viajera and Viajerx and Co., has been on and off, intertwined with imposter syndrome. Despite success in my career, I realized the impact of colonialism, discrimination, and intergenerational trauma on my journey. Solo travel became a means of self-discovery, bringing me closer to my passion and serving as a reminder to be my own motivator. This journey is shared with my faithful followers, acknowledging the support system that allowed it to happen.

Building Lasting Memories:

While uncertain if I'll travel alone again, this solo journey has created a core shared memory. The unique and personal experiences from solo travel will have a lasting impact on my child, shaping the memories I want to share. 

My solo travel journey during the postpartum period has been profound and transformative. Being a mother, especially in a challenging year, brought about almost all the emotions and shifts in identity you can possibly think of. Rediscovering my roots and embracing the responsibilities of motherhood prompted a need for self-reflection and a focus on mental health. Taking on a solo trip was not just an act of reclaiming individuality but an empowering venture into the unknown. Reflecting on my heritage and the struggles faced by Latinx communities, I found strength in breaking down barriers and embracing the unknown. This journey rekindled my passion for travel, fueling personal growth and serving as a reminder to mothers everywhere that nurturing one's own passions is equally important.

Part 2: Breaking the Chains of Fear: A Journey from Stagnancy to Pursuing Passion

The question you should ask yourself when you ponder why you haven't reached the place you hope to be is, "Why is it easier to live in fear?" The answer to this question will define your personality, and within that answer, you will find what needs to change. Many of us live in fear, primarily due to money and the aspiration for a successful life. However, living in fear often becomes the norm, preventing us from achieving our goals. Some people use excuses like lack of time, money, or insufficient knowledge of the work/resources required to avoid taking action.

The definition of fear is "a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, or pain, whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid." With that being said, if fear is associated with pain and danger, why do people live in fear, even though their thoughts about their goals don't typically result in physical or emotional pain? 

A few weeks ago, I watched several documentaries about the Holocaust and the life of Anne Frank. It made me realize that this is the true definition of living in fear. Being marginalized, fearing for one's life, witnessing loved ones disappear forever, and feeling as though one's path is leading only to death - these are genuine fears.

So, why am I writing about fear instead of my next travel adventure? You may have noticed that this blog is not just about my travel destinations but also about how I reached my goal to travel. My current lifestyle is not only a blessing from God but also the result of an internal change. I am human, and like everyone else, I experience fear. My biggest fear is death, a fear born from imagining the feeling of being afraid and in pain.

Living in fear of death led to thoughts like, "When will I die? How will I die? Will it be painful? Will my mother have to bury me?" These thoughts pushed my dreams away. I found myself thinking more about these fears than about my dreams, causing my vision and mindset to be clouded by thoughts of death rather than the hope of living and making my dreams a reality, even if only for one day.

I started this blog because I've always loved the internet and admired how users utilize .com domains for positive purposes. I didn't start a blog sooner because I was afraid of what to write, what my niche should be, whether I could write well, if people would understand my blog's purpose, or if they'd perceive me as just another girl showing off her travels. This fear didn't cause any actual pain, but it made me forget the things I enjoyed.

I pursued my Bachelor's and Master's degrees, graduating with honors, and after more than ten years of academic achievement, I realized that if I could excel in school, I could excel in anything. Throughout this time, I was afraid that I didn't fully grasp the concept of blogging, and maybe I still don't, but I thought, "Why should I be like everyone else? Why can't I start and work my way up to where I want to be?" I had accomplished goals in the past, so why not this one? And so, I started a blog.

I travel part-time while working a 9-5 job, actively searching for entrepreneurial opportunities, all while still living in fear of death. I'm not suggesting that experiencing fear is terrible; it's part of human nature. However, allowing fear to cloud your mind is something only you can control. Why is it easier to live in fear? It's easier because in terms of money, you won't experience a downfall, and you'll remain stagnant. You have food on the table and a roof over your head, which is good, but you realize that for the rest of your life, you'll have just that—the bare minimum to survive. You have the means to explore other options, but you choose not to because of fear.

My race, African American, my culture, Hispaniola, has lived in fear of death for many years. Even though the resources for achieving success are now freely available, my generation continues to live in fear. Time is free, so start by investing your time and effort. If you fail, get up and use your time to find another path. Success in anything doesn't come easy, but as you document your ups and downs in your mind, on paper, or in a blog, when success finally arrives and delivers everything you've dreamed of, you'll look back and see that it all started with asking yourself, "Why am I living in fear?" And your answer will have paved the way.

Part 1: Breaking the Chains of Fear: A Journey from Stagnancy to Pursuing Passion

Have you ever wondered why it's often easier to live in fear when you're not where you want to be in life? Answering this question can reveal a lot about your personality and guide you toward necessary changes. Many of us find ourselves living in fear, primarily due to concerns about money and the pursuit of a successful life. Unfortunately, this fear often becomes a constant obstacle that hinders us from reaching our goals. Some people make excuses, blaming lack of time, money, or insufficient knowledge about the necessary steps to achieve their aspirations.

Fear is defined as "a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, or pain, whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid." So, if fear is associated with pain and danger, why do people continue to live in fear, even when their goals don't bring physical or emotional suffering? 

Recently, I watched several documentaries, including one about the Holocaust and the life of Anne Frank. It struck me that this is the true essence of living in fear. These individuals were marginalized, lived in constant fear for their lives, witnessed loved ones vanish without a trace, and felt that their path was leading to nothing but death.

So, why am I writing about fear instead of my next travel adventure? You may have noticed that this blog is not just about where I plan to go but also about how I have managed to pursue my travel goals. My current lifestyle is not only a blessing but also the result of an internal transformation. Like any human, I have fears, and my biggest fear is death. I fear death because it represents an imagined state of fear and pain. Living in fear of death led me to contemplate when and how I would die, whether it would be painful, and if my mother would have to bury me. These thoughts overshadowed my dreams, diverting my focus from my aspirations towards the things around me that might lead to death, rather than embracing life and striving to make my dreams come true, even if only for a day.

I started this blog because I've always had a passion for the internet and the positive impact it can have when used for good. I hadn't started a blog earlier due to the fear of what to write, finding my niche, questioning my writing abilities, and worrying about whether people would understand my blog's purpose or perceive me as just another traveler showing off. This fear didn't cause any physical pain, but it caused me to forget the things I was passionate about. Instead, I pursued my education, earned my Bachelor's and Master's degrees, graduated on the Dean's list, and spent over a decade on that path. During this time, I realized that if I could excel in academics, I could excel in anything. I had been living in fear of not fully grasping the concept of blogging, and perhaps I still don't fully understand it, but I asked myself, why should I conform to the norm, and why can't I start and work my way toward my goals? I've achieved goals before, so why not this one? So, I started a blog.

I work a 9-5 job while pursuing my passion for travel part-time. I actively search for entrepreneurial opportunities, all while still living in fear of death. It's not that living in fear is inherently terrible; it's a part of human nature. However, allowing fear to cloud your mind is a choice that only you can control. Why is it easier to live in fear? It's easier because it provides a sense of security regarding money, even if it means staying stagnant. You have food on the table and a roof over your head, and while that's important, you realize that you'll likely have just that for the rest of your life if you don't overcome your fear. You have the means to explore other options, but fear holds you back.

My race, African American, and my culture, Hispaniola, have lived in fear of death for many years. Despite the abundant free resources available today for achieving success, my generation continues to live in fear. Time is free, so why not start by investing your time and effort? If you fail, you learn from it, get back up, and use your time to find another path. Success in any endeavor doesn't come easy, but as you document your journey, whether in your mind, on paper, or in a blog, you'll see that it all began with a simple question: "Why am I living in fear?" Your answer will guide the way.