One Year Full-Time Travel: Life Lessons, Family Adventure & Self-Discovery- Emmas Story!

A year ago, my life looked very different…

Life Before We Left the UK

Back then, I was living in the UK, working hard, doing what I thought I was supposed to do, trying to fit into a version of life that never quite felt right for me. I had a profession I was proud of, especially working within the NHS, but deep down I felt stuck, boxed in, and constantly questioning whether this was really it.

I used to think happiness came with bigger things, bigger purchases, bigger plans, always chasing the next thing that might make life feel lighter. I didn’t realise how disconnected I’d become from the smaller, quieter moments that actually matter. Life felt rushed, heavy, and loud, and I was exhausted from trying to keep up with a system that rewarded burnout and silence rather than growth and truth.

The Pull I Couldn’t Ignore

Working with seriously ill people changes you. When you sit with people reflecting on their lives, wishing they had lived differently, loved more, travelled more, slowed down, or chosen themselves sooner, it forces you to look at your own path honestly. That was the moment something inside me shifted. I knew our life had to change, even if that meant stepping away from the traditional path and upsetting people along the way.

And it did.

Handing my notice in, stepping away from the security of a long-term career, and telling family we wanted to redesign our lives through full-time travel wasn’t easy. Giving up everything that felt familiar, rehoming our dog, leaving my eldest behind, and choosing a life of uncertainty over comfort required courage, faith, and deep mindset work. This wasn’t a selfish holiday or a break from reality. It was a pull I couldn’t ignore anymore, something that showed up daily and grew stronger until listening became non-negotiable.

Before we left the UK, I genuinely thought I was the problem. Everyone else seemed to cope with the long work grind, the office politics, and the pressure to perform. People told me I needed to play the game to survive. But I didn’t want to survive. I wanted to live fully, to spend meaningful time with my family, to travel the world, and to create a life with flexibility, freedom, and purpose.

When we finally took the leap into travelling as a family, I was emotionally at rock bottom. I felt isolated, stressed, depressed, and completely disconnected from a society I no longer aligned with. Yet something inside me knew there was more, even if I couldn’t see it clearly at the time.

A Year of Full-Time Travel

A year later, I can honestly say I wasn’t wrong.

Full-time travel has stripped everything back. I now find joy in the simple things, moments without price tags, experiences that don’t require buying anything at all. Living abroad and exploring different cultures has opened my eyes in ways I never expected, not just to the world, but to myself. I’ve spent time reflecting on who I am without the need to perform, impress, or fit into someone else’s expectations, and that journey of self-discovery has been powerful, grounding, and deeply healing.

Chiang Mai Changed Me

Everything shifted when I landed in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Standing on that soil brought a sense of calm, grounding, and inner peace I’d never felt before. It felt spiritual, safe, and familiar, like my nervous system finally exhaled. Chiang Mai has my heart. There is something sacred about that place, something deeply healing, and I don’t feel alone there. I don’t know if it will be forever, but for now it feels right to have a base while continuing to explore the world slowly and intentionally.

If I hadn’t chosen this lifestyle of long-term travel, I would never have discovered that.

Growth, Awareness & Becoming More Me

Since leaving the UK, I’ve stepped outside my comfort zone more times than I can count. I’ve pushed limits, tried new things, and expanded my perspective beyond what I once thought was possible. I feel more mindful, more conscious, less judgemental, and far more connected to what life actually is. Travel hasn’t just changed where I live, it’s changed how I live.

Our family has grown closer than I ever imagined. Travelling full-time together has deepened our connection in ways that feel incredibly special. We’ve learned how to communicate better, respect each other’s space, and grow together. We still get on each other’s nerves sometimes and need time apart, but that’s part of real life, and I’m deeply grateful for a year of presence, connection, and shared experiences.

Do I still feel fear sometimes? Yes.
Do I miss home, the cold, or having a familiar base? Sometimes.
Do I miss my other daughter deeply? Always.

But the beauty of this lifestyle is choice. I can return, visit, pause, or change direction whenever I need to. I’m no longer trapped by one version of life. I finally understand that I get to choose how I live, not the other way around.

Why I Share This

We’re conditioned to believe there’s only one way to do life, shaped by school systems, society, and expectations. But that isn’t true. What truly matters is where you place yourself, what you believe, and the energy you put into the world. When you step outside the box, life has a way of meeting you there.

If you’re reading this and something inside you feels familiar, if you’re dreaming of travelling full-time, changing your lifestyle, or creating a life that feels more aligned but you’re unsure where to start, I’ve created a step-by-step mini course based on lived experience to help you take those first steps. And if you’d rather talk it through, you’re always welcome to reach out. My email and socials are at the bottom of the page, and we can arrange a call to explore where you are and what your next steps could look like.

So many people put off change, make excuses, or stay stuck until regret creeps in later. I don’t want that for you. I know this life is possible, because I’m living it, and I’d love to help you create a version of it that feels right for you.