Originally written in 2015. Updated and repurposed in 2025.
This is a post I originally wrote in 2015, during one of the most reflective chapters of my life as a globetrotter. As I now write my debut book—rooted in travel and transformation—I find this piece still speaks to the emotional core of what it means to search for “home.” I’ve updated it slightly for clarity and flow, while preserving the raw thoughts of that moment.
Where Is Home, Really?
You’re a globetrotter. You’re free-spirited. Your life is flavorful, fast-paced, and full of stories. People envy you, admire you, dream to be like you. Your social media is a gallery of awe-inspiring snapshots, check-ins, and memories. You seem always happy, high-spirited, and full of life. But sometimes—just sometimes… You just want to go home. But then you wonder, where is home? Is it the place you were born and raised, your hometown filled with family and childhood friends? Going back feels warm, nostalgic, comforting… but only for a week or two. The city feels unfamiliar. Maybe it’s changed. Maybe you have. You realize your conversations don’t flow the same way anymore, and the closeness you once had with friends and family feels harder to reach.
Wearing my German Dirndl in the heart of Hoi An’s lantern-lit streets — a cultural fusion of Europe and Asia during my travels in Vietnam
A powerful encounter deep in the Amazon — sitting alongside an indigenous tribal man whose community preserves ancient traditions in Brazil’s vast rainforest
Settling Down Is Harder Than It Sounds
After a visit “home,” you yearn for your “real home”—that foreign city you’ve adopted for the past year or two. That city where you feel more like yourself, more in sync with your life. But it’s not a permanent home. The people you meet are temporary. Friends come and go. One of you always ends up moving. You share laughter and tears with fellow foreigners who understand you, and then you part ways. You start to crave stability. You want to settle down. But where? Every place you’ve lived has offered something valuable—and something missing. You find yourself hesitant to choose just one place to build a life. Even relationships feel temporary. You’ve finally found someone great, but committing to a place just because of them doesn’t feel right. And sometimes, that person stops being “special,” and you feel pulled to the next city, the next chapter.
When Travel Goals Aren’t Enough
You start questioning your next big goal. By 30, you’ve traveled to over 60 countries, lived in 6, and collected memories that most only dream of. But now what? There are still so many places to see, but your wanderlust has matured. The thrill isn’t always there. Some places no longer call to you. You begin to wonder: Was traveling really my biggest passion? You’ve made career compromises to live this lifestyle. Traded top-tier jobs for flexibility. And now, you question what else you want out of life. Have you missed something along the way?
Achieving a dream — striking the yoga airplane pose in Antarctica after visiting all 7 continents in her 30s
After days of trekking the Inca Trail, the author celebrates a powerful moment of arrival at Machu Picchu — one of the world’s most iconic ancient wonders
The Desire for Peace—and a Slower Pace
You just want to relax. You want peace of mind. You’re not 20-something anymore. Jetting off every weekend has become more exhausting than exciting. Lousy hostels and wild parties no longer appeal. You dream of 5-star hotels, a quiet pool, and doing absolutely nothing. Instead of hunting for hidden local gems, you want to sip prosecco at a high-street cafe with a good book. You still love new experiences, but you now choose comfort, quality, and quiet. Loud clubs are replaced by sky bars with mature conversations. Budget travel by fine dining. Constant motion by intentional stillness.
The Inner Conflict: Wanderlust vs. Growing Up
Still, sometimes you yearn to be young and wild again. You go to that party, talk to younger travelers, and feel the spark return. You tell yourself: “Age is just a number.” But the next morning, your aching body tells another story. You find yourself in a tug-of-war between the passionate globetrotter and the adult craving peace. You’re growing up. And it’s not easy.
At the foot of the world’s highest mountain, the author celebrates reaching Everest Base Camp — a testament to strength, altitude endurance, and the spirit of adventure
At South Africa’s famous Boulders Beach, the author celebrates a personal milestone: spotting penguins in every continent — surrounded by the charming African penguin colony and stunning coastal views
What Defines You Now?
This ongoing inner conflict is something many long-term travelers don’t talk about. The freedom of a globetrotter life is exhilarating. But it’s also isolating, transitory, and filled with emotional wear. You learn that travel is not always about escape or adventure—sometimes it’s about understanding who you are when the moving stops. Or if it ever really does.
Thank you for reading this deeply personal reflection. If you’ve ever felt torn between wanderlust and wanting to feel rooted, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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