Hey there!

I'm Chantel. A 30-something vegan solo traveler. This blog is a space where I share my journey and (I hope) inspire someone else to start their solo travel experience. My first international experience was a summer study abroad trip to Italy when I was 20. It really opened my eyes to what exists outside of the United States and lit a spark inside me to want to see and do more. But at the time, it didn't seem like something I could make happen. It took 10 years, but here I am living my travel dreams.

My entire adult life I've wanted to travel

When I studied abroad in college it really opened my eyes to what the world has to offer. Everything was so different -the language, the buildings, the food, the people, the culture. Honestly, about a week in I was in culture shock and completely overwhelmed. When the shock wore off, though, I was infatuated with everything around me. The end of the summer semester came and I was not ready to leave; I wanted more. That feeling would stay with me for years. After college, life hit me quick (and at times pretty hard). I kept trying my hand at creating a life that looked and felt the way I wanted, but nothing ever felt "right". It definitely took a tole on my mental health and eventually started affecting the way I showed up at work. In order to not let it show to the outside world, I basically started acting - acting like everything was fine and "turning it on" in the workplace. It was just too much. It got to the point where I would have to hide in the bathroom while having a breakdown, wipe my tears, paste a fake smile on my face and walk back out into the office. Something just had to change.

Florence, Italy, 2013

Sooo...I quit my job, sold everything and started this new chapter.

I think it was around 2020 or 2021 and I remember texting my family group chat and saying "if something doesn't change in the next two years I'm going to Mexico." I'm not sure exactly what was going on at the time, but I was just done. They might've thought I was joking, but clearly I wasn't. During summer 2022, I received my renewal letter from my apartment in Austin and I said to myself "this is my last year renewing my lease." I had made the decision that I was going to go for it. I didn't know where or for how long or how I was going to do it, but I was set on leaving the US. For the next year, I did everything I needed to do to make it happen. Saving money, selling belongings, doing research. When August 2023 came, I had sold or given away everything that wouldn't fit in my car (that I also gave away shortly after), turned my keys in and left. My journey began two weeks later in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Playa del Carmen | Photo by Chantel White

“You are your best thing.”

— Toni Morrison

When I first arrived in Playa del Carmen, I didn't have a plan for what I was going to do for money. I just wanted to spend that time breathing and enjoying not feeling stressed or tied to the lifestyle that everyone in the US is practically forced to live. I had saved enough money to take care of myself for the next few months and that was good enough for me. Me being me, though, after a month I decided to start freelancing as a virtual assistant so that I wouldn't blow through my savings. That turned into me offering graphic design and social media management services. I had initially planned to be in Playa for three months, but before that three months was up I had already booked my flight to come back and was looking at places for a longer stay. Playa has become a home for me and no matter where else I visit, I feel like I'll always make time to be in Playa del Carmen.

Now I'm a freelancer and long traveller...

The common perception of being a full-time traveler is that it's all good all the time. I can't speak for anyone else, but for me that's mostly true. But there are a lot of things about being a nomad that aren't so fun but should still be talked about alongside the good things. I plan to share both sides of it from my personal experience through my blog. No matter what I share, though, I'll always encourage people to experience it for themselves and make their own determinations. I chose this lifestyle because the way I was living life before wasn't serving me. Since starting this part of my journey, I've been happier than I've ever been and it's truly been the best decision I've made. I hope that by sharing my story, someone else who's currently where I was will be encouraged to start their solo travel journey.

I hope that my journey will inspire others to explore.

Subscribe to my blog "A Life Well Savored"

“Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.”

— Maya Angelou

Let's connect!

Feel free to reach out.

I know how intimidating it can feel to take that first step. When I was starting out, I would’ve loved to have someone to turn to with questions or just for reassurance. That’s why I’m here for you. If you’re unsure about planning your first solo trip, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’ve been where you are, and I’d be thrilled to help you navigate this exciting new chapter. No question is too small!