Starting with my first international journey as a junior in college, I discovered a deep love for traveling. I love to be dislocated, untethered from my reality and discovering a new one. It’s been a long time since I had a long immersive journey. At the end of the year, I embarked upon a two and a half week journey in Senegal with three friends. It was epic, it was hilarious, it was transformational.

I don’t think I’m unique in having a deep desire to be independently wealthy. Lol. If I were, I would travel the world, making art, writing books, and immersing myself in other cultures. There’s a part of me that I have access to while traveling—the part that doesn’t have deadlines, who isn’t responsible for running a household, who doesn’t need to meet any life goals. This part of me is free to simply be.

We all need experiences where we put down our burdens and just dance with life. I’m back now and slowly trying to get my sea legs underneath me. I have a book to finish! Another book to promote! A new role to dive into at work! How do I hold on to my bliss and continue on with my responsibilities? What things can fall by the wayside and which things must continue? How can I stay in touch with that free and curious part of myself who embraced life and others on the road?

Wishing you all some measure of bliss in 2022!

Onward.

—K