moving home
from full time travel
Hello loves,
Right now, I’m writing this from my office on land…
And after four years of university, followed by three years of full time travel on cruise ships and solo adventures, it feels surreal to live alone for the first time.
No one talks about the switch from full time travel to making a base on land. So that’s what I’m here for 👀
If you travel full time or work abroad and are worried about what will happen when you move home, allow me to be your mirror…
QUESTION ONE - WHY DID YOU MOVE BACK TO THE UK?
In 2022, I fell into a life of full time travel on cruise ships, with a role of selling shore excursions and trips. I never imagined it would turn into a three year career with a promotion thrown in.
I spent every break travelling solo but since last summer (2024) I missed writing and freelancing – ultimately the freedom I had with my own business before ships…
When an opportunity came up to move to a new city and live solo, take up a new career and be hours away from family, I took it.
Why?
Because that’s the exact same way I started at sea, just in reverse. If you’re thinking of moving back to land and having a slower pace, imagine that it’s just what you did at the start.
Just in reverse.
My life is a LOT more of a slower pace now, which brings me onto my second point.
QUESTION TWO: DO YOU MISS IT? I'M WORRIED I WON'T SETTLE ON LAND
I want to clarify my experience is a little different than travelling full time on land. On ships, especially in my second role as a senior, you are always on the go.
It’s similar when travelling on land full time, without working in a team. You ARE the team, and that can get tiring quick.
Mix these two together for two years whilst trying to balance writing and this blog? Although I was visiting incredible destinations, my body wasn’t cut out for that way of life long term.
Will I miss the fast pace atmosphere in a few months? Potentially.
But what I am grateful for? Doing that lifestyle while I was young and seeing so many places. I now get the opportunity to tick off places I’ve not been at my leisure.
Plus having a garden is the cutest thing ever.
QUESTION THREE: HOW DO YOU FEEL?
Right, part of me thought I would feel a failure coming back to land and settling into a normal pace of life. It’s so exciting to travel around and be the middle child that no one knows what country she’s currently in.
I thought I’d lose an element of my personality, and honestly?
I was worried what others around me would think. Turns out no one really cares that deeply. You’ve got to make decisions for you.
“When you know you know” was always the indicator that you were ready to step off of ships. Would I ever go back?
I’d never rule it out, I loved the atmosphere onboard and the community.
But for now, if you’re ready for land, don’t feel any shame in changing your direction. It would be dead boring if your book of life only had one chapter 👀 trying new things is what adds spice
QUESTION FOUR: ARE YOU STOPPING TRAVEL COMPLETELY?
Absolutely not 😳 however travel for me will be a little more specific, think staycations, weekend Euro city breaks, working abroad for a few weeks in one place, and maybe, finally…
A trip to Disney 👀
I hope you stick around to continue reading about my new adventures, and that this post has spoke to some of you.
Got something you’d love to see me write about? Let me know a postcards@thatgirladventures.com
Until the next postcard,
Laura