First travel photo of 2023. At the time, only who I was in the moment. Now, I see a different picture, one that contains invaluable memories & lessons from around the world…

That notebook from Japan is now tattered and torn at the edges— full of tales from my travels. That backpack was snatched in Colombia, rescued, and eventually destroyed in Guatemala. That pair of pants was ripped at the thighs from a horse back ride in Morocco and tossed in the trash at a hostel in Spain. My wrist-full of bracelets was replaced with a line-up of tattoos from different places. Those shoes have holes in the soles from walking the streets of every country. My hair is longer now. I let it grow with me along the way. It is bleached from the Central American and North African sun; my curls are wild and tangled from the winds of Essaouira.

After snapping the pic, I sat for hours, writing about how I had no idea what could possibly happen next. I had arrived with no plan. No purpose. I set my intentions for 2023 to be an epic surprise. A year where I would follow the flow of Gods plan and say yes to wherever it would lead.

This journey was not met without challenge. Every facet of my negative inner self was exposed. The world rubbed me raw and placed me face to face with fear and insecurity, rejection, loneliness, and frustrations. Beyond myself, I was shown other ways of living and what it means to exist in realities vastly different from my own.

I learned how kindness is a universal currency. That there is immense value in a compassionate heart. That all you need to succeed in any country is a combination of the two; along with the willingness to understand, respect, and adapt to other cultures.

Fear and insecurity became confidence.
Rejection to acceptance.
Loneliness to fulfillment.
And all frustrations became triumphs.

2023 ended up not only as the year of epic adventure—but the year of courage, challenge, and change.

Alhumdullilah. Thank God for everything