A Note from the Other Side

As most of you know, I returned from my travels a while ago. For those who didn’t, and assumed I was another Taken tale, I apologize for the disappearance.

Early in my trip, I decided I wanted to be home for Christmas. Being a world away makes it very clear how big the hole in your heart is without family by your side, and the holidays are such an important tradition for the Schlacters. I used points to buy a plane ticket from Hawaii to Boston and arrived early Christmas Eve. The sheer shock on everyone’s face was worth it. I sat by the Christmas tree listening to carols, surrounded by my entire family, and I was at such peace.

I’m also grateful for the following few months I was able to spend with family and friends without the pressure of work shadowing my days. I was lucky that I was home before critical tensions with Syria hit a high, before COVID-19 was a thing. I spent so much quality time with my family which was also a goal for me when I decided on this sabbatical. 

A lot of people have been asking if I miss traveling or if I regret coming back when I did. Of course I miss the everyday adventure of just waking up in a foreign country and trying to navigate daily life. Of course I’ll miss meeting fellow backpackers with the most interesting stories from all over the world. I thought about going back out, but I realized I had the trip of a lifetime and couldn’t recreate it if I tried.

It feels like just yesterday I was wondering if quitting a job and traveling was even feasible. I did so much reading and preparation for a trip that I was still not truly ready for. And when my mom dropped me at the bus station bound for Logan Airport, the thrill barely outweighed the sheer terror of my decision. But the months that followed were some of the best experiences I’ve ever had, and I can say I truly learned and grew from them. 

For a long time, I felt that my work defined me. I was good at my job and it was easy to get lost in it, to forget about the whole world away from a desk. My time overseas and at home for the months that followed helped me find my balance. My heart is full when I think about everything from eating bugs in Thailand to spending quality time chasing my nephew and nieces. I feel rejuvenated and changed. It was an epic chapter of my life and I will go forward with this new perspective.

Now, in the face of coronavirus chaos and uncertainty, I am even more grateful to be home with loved ones as we figure out what the future holds. I am proud to say I will be starting a new job as Communications Director at the Institute for Nonprofit Practice (where I got my certificate) and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ll be starting remotely from a card table-turned-desk in an extra bedroom in my parents house, but that doesn’t dampen my spirit one bit. This is a hard time for many people and it is not lost on me how unusual it is to land a dream job in the time of an international crisis. 

As I close one chapter and begin another, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to every person who supported me in this adventure. Whether you helped me plan the scheme, cheered on from afar or just followed along throughout the trip, I am so grateful. It may have been a solo female trip, but it wouldn’t have been possible without this community of love and support. THANK YOU for making this dream come true!