Hello Reader,

I didn’t expect to cry watching figure skating.

I don’t usually follow the Olympics or figure skating that closely, but when I saw Alysa Liu skate her free program, I couldn’t look away. She wasn’t just performing, she was embodying joy and she looked so frickin' free.

Big smile, striped hair, and a whole lotta sass.

She was skating like she was genuinely having fun, AND became the first American in 24 years to win Olympic gold in women’s singles.

But what struck me wasn’t the medal.

It was how she got there.

A few years ago she quit. Burned out. Done.

She walked away from a sport she had been doing since she was five, and when she decided to come back, she set down conditions.

Her story stopped me in my tracks.

She came back on her own terms.

Not her coach’s.
Not her family’s.
Not the sport’s expectations.

Her terms.

And maybe that’s why she looked so light and free out there.

And it's definitely why I became so emotional. Her freedom was joyful, unexpected, and so full of love for her passion.

It got me thinking about family travel, and about how easy it is to feel like there’s a “right” way to do it.

The big bucket list trips.
The perfectly curated itineraries.
The Instagram worthy moments.

The pressure to do it all before your kids grow up.

But what if the goal isn’t to "do travel" the traditional or right way?

What if the goal is to do it your way?

Maybe that means shorter (or longer) trips.
Maybe it means road trips instead of long haul flights.
Maybe it means backyard camping one year because that’s what your energy allows.
Maybe it means staying closer to home without apologizing for it.

Maybe it means pivoting.

Taking a break.

Coming back to travel when it feels joyful again instead of overwhelming.

Not because your neighbour just went to Europe.
Not because Instagram says this is the age to “do Disney.”
Not because everyone else seems to be managing it better.

But because it fits your family, your season of life, your capacity, your values.

I've always been a bit maverick in my own life and travels compared to my family & friends in that way. Choosing a more unconventional path (just without the gold medal ;).

We spent 10 years living in the far north of Canada, in apartments, and our trailer home we bought (cheaper than rent) because we could meet our financial goals sooner. Definitely not the 7 months of winter!

We mostly travelled back to our hometown for family reasons, with a couple of side trips somewhere warmer to keep us sane.

But after awhile I felt that pull to really explore more of the world with my daughter, before she got too old, and it was harder to pull her out of school.

So we took the leap, left high paying jobs with pensions and travelled Southeast Asia for 6 months.

And no our daughter didn't do "traditional" schooling during that time, she "world schooled" and learned about cultures, languages, food, budgeting, different currencies, managing airports & travel challenges in real time.

Do I recommend everyone do this..... heck no! But it worked for us to rewrite our program / life in this way.

I'd love to know where in your life or travels you feel pressure to do it the traditional way?

And where you might want to rewrite the program a little?

Hit reply and tell me about it.

​P.S. Hit reply and let me know where in your life or travels you feel pressure to do it the traditional way? And where you might want to rewrite the program a little? I'd love to hear about it!

P.P.S. If you need a moment of pure joy in your life, watch Alysa Liu skate her gold winning performance here.

Traveling soon? Here are some resources to use:

• Find the cheapest flights with Going​
• Book your hotel stays with Booking.com​
• Book your accomodations in Asia with Agoda​
• My go-to resource for family friendly vacation homes​
• Book your car rental with Rentalcars.com​
• Book your day tours with Viator​
• Book your day tours in Asia with Klook​
• Make your travel budget in minutes with our Free Travel Budget Calculator​​
• Make your travel & life goals happen this year with Cash Crunch: How to make and save more money when times are tough (Free 1+ hour pre-recorded training + free resources)

**These are all resources we use ourselves on our family travels.

Emails may contain affiliate links. If you sign up or buy something through an affiliate link, I may get a little commission, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you! This helps support my family & supports me to make free resources available for everyone.