How Traveling Alone Completely Changed My Life

What do you think of when Europe comes to mind? Fresh basil-topped pizzas and handmade pasta in Italy? Impossibly tiny coffees in Paris? Quaint architecture older than the United States itself?

I’d say all of the above!

I’m going to get a little personal with you and share the story that took me from a lackluster, passionless life to one that I’m still shocked to call my own.

It started with asking my then-boss for a two-week vacation from work. At the time, I was feeling a little lost. One of my dearest friends, who’s from Bulgaria, insisted that there was a wide world out there I needed to see. She was right.

I took that first vacation to Europe SOLO in early 2017. It included stops in Switzerland, Italy, and France, and having spent most of my life in California and all of it in the U.S., these countries completely blew me away. (If you’ve been to Europe, was it the same for you??)

Traveling alone was terrifying at first (with scenes from Taken flashing before my eyes at every corner), and I was usually too shy to ask questions when I got lost. But it changed me. Being completely dependent on myself, making choices for me and me alone, and exploring wherever my heart took me — it was liberating and empowering.

But most importantly, I realized that up to that point, I hadn’t really been living my life.

“I can remember the exact moment, sitting under a tree in the Roman Forum writing in my little journal, when I thought to myself… I need to change my life.”

The only question was… how?

The best (and only) flight I ever missed

At the time of that first vacation, I was working 9-to-5 for a tech startup in San Francisco. My time there was extremely valuable — full of learning, personal and professional growth, and some really great people — but I didn’t feel passionate about my work. I felt pulled to pursue my creative talents on my terms. (I bet you can relate.)

Fast forward a few months and I’d done something else completely out of character for me. I quit my job and traveled back in Europe, staying with some friends in a tiny village in Switzerland, working on a novel (that’s a different story), and pondering what to do next.

I had planned to stay for a month, and I even had a flight booked back to the U.S. But as the date of my flight loomed, I couldn’t shake this little voice in my head saying, “You’re not done here.”

I missed my flight. Intentionally. And I never miss flights. I decided so last-minute that I didn’t even cancel it. I bet they were calling my name in the airport…

“The day after I missed my flight, I met the man I would marry.”

The first thing I noticed about him was his uncommonly bright spirit. Seems an odd thing to say, but his outlook on life captivated me from the start. Within hours, I discovered an even kinder heart, a sharp mind (he speaks 5 languages), a shared love of travel (he’s from Italy and has lived all over the world), and this crazy feeling we’d known each other all our lives.

I knew in that moment that, even if it didn’t work out between us, I had to find a way to stay. After a few months of doing the long-distance thing, I did. The next year, I officially packed up one suitcase and one backpack (what kind of limit is that?) and restarted my life on a new continent at the age of 27.

It was a leap of faith, but 6+ years later (as of 2024), we’ve just celebrated our 4-year wedding anniversary and have an adorable and wild baby boy.

Creating a Business and a Lifestyle you love

And, in the midst of ALL that, I was getting Ochre & Beige off the ground.

In truth, it ended up being one of those serendipitous things that happened when hard work met luck and all the experiences I’d ever had in my life. I loved writing (still do) and knew I wanted to make it a career. But what was I going to write about and for whom? I loved traveling and knew I wanted to be mobile. But how was I going to find a job that let me travel as much as I wanted?

I have to give a shoutout to Kate the Socialite, a good friend of mine, who recommended the interior design and home industry. She planted the seed, and one day a little light bulb went off in my head that said, “Duh, you studied design for years at Stanford — of course, you could write for and enjoy this awesome industry.”

But — gulp — that meant I would have to start a business. But hadn’t I already seen how it was done in my years at the startup, helping the company grow from 0 clients to thousands, 5 employees to over 30?

Yes, yes I did.

“For maybe the first time in my life, I didn’t analyze every little thing that could possibly go wrong. I dove into entrepreneurship, mentally committed to succeeding, and — years of hard work later — DID.”

Here we are, so many years later, with a TEAM I love, long-time clients that feel like friends, and an amazing career I never expected to have. It pays off to chase your dreams. Whatever your reason for being in business, I hope you experience the same.

Xoxo,
Jaquilyn