If anyone would have asked me after turning 26 until the age of 29 how I felt regarding leaving my twenties and heading into my thirties, I would have said that I don’t like the idea. However, fortunately a couple of months have passed since my 30th birthday and I must say it is absolutely amazing to be in my third decade of life.

Because of some injuries (thank goodness I’m now healed!) and the pandemic, I have not been able to travel since my last trip to Costa Rica and Panama in 2019. I felt robbed of life experiences, especially international travel when my world froze. It’s not fair. It’s just not fair. I don’t know who I am anymore without travel. This is all I could repeat in my mind. I wanted to accomplish so much before turning 30. But what I realize now, is that what I actually did in my twenties has set me up for happiness and success in my thirties.

I can remember travelling in my twenties in young adult tour groups with a couple of my favourite companies, G Adventures and Contiki where individuals in their 30’s, were more confident, calm and collected. Meanwhile, a few of us in our twenties (yes I am talking about myself) would complain about aging and say that we are getting old and need to do as much as possible within our twenties. If only I knew then what I know now, that your 30's are the best years of your life.

Even though I am not married yet, have no children or a big house with a stunning flower garden, what I do know is that there is so much to discover on this magnificent planet and I intend to spend this next decade exploring the world with confidence, self-worth, and curiosity. Adding onto that let’s add, a little bit of fear of the unknown. In my twenties, I let fear and anxiety control me. Now with a decade of life experience from my early to late twenties, I will embrace fear and challenge my mind to take anything on wherever I go and not let the fear consume me.


Starting & finishing University meant no money for travel.

I was quite grateful when my parents paid for my first year of university. However, in years 2, 3, 4 I was on my own for the cost of tuition and living expenses. As a tourism student, I had the opportunity to do a course where a week in Florida was spent on a Voluntourism project with Habitat for Humanity but other than that, travel was not within the budget. Once I graduated, immediately after I had my student loan to pay off which was a hefty $25,000 CAD. It took me until I was 27 to be 100% debt free and I worked many extra hours to do it. Since paying off my debt, I’ve been able to enjoy meals and order a fancy cocktail off the menu without worrying about how I’m going to make my next loan payment with insane interest. Perhaps now with a little bit more in my pocket, I’ll get a massage next to the sea in Belize or Jamaica - that sounds so delightful!


An established and flexible career.

Back in 2015, I started my own business and since then, I have developed a consistent clientele and steady income. Now, I can take as much or as little vacation as I’d like since I’m self-employed. In February 2022, I will be travelling to Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica for 32 days with G Adventures on their 18 to 30 Somethings travel style. I don’t think I would have ever been able to do this in my twenties since I didn’t have the money or enough vacation time granted from an employer.


*32-day Central American Journey map route (Feb/Mar 2022)


Insecurities, confidence & self-esteem.

Since I was a teenager, I can remember never standing up for myself when I was bullied. I didn’t know how to stand up for what was right and didn’t believe in who I was as a person. However, each year in my twenties allowed me to develop life skills and know what is right from wrong and gained the ability to voice my opinion with pride and humbleness.

On past travels in my early twenties, I would always do what the group wanted to do and never really asked myself what it was that I wanted to experience. On my last trip while in Boquete, Panama, everyone wanted to go explore the town while my interest was to go into the Cloud Forest on an intense hike. I was scared of the idea since I would be going alone, but it turned out 2 other travellers around my age from Ontario were hiking the 10km trek up the mountain too! Our hiking guide, Carlos, was awesome and the view at the top was stunning. I made a promise to myself that in the future, I would do what I want and not wait for the approval of others.


*Boquete Cloud Forest, Panama

Being different or embracing my quirks is something I’ve struggled with in the past. I spent so much time trying to fit in that I forgot that what makes you different is something to not be ashamed of. Not everyone is going to agree with your preferences and choices. But if you are happy and your intentions are pure, go for whatever it is you want. ! I’m sure on my upcoming trip to Central America for over 30 days I’ll be one of the few in my group who is obsessed with bird watching and always with binoculars around my neck searching for the Quetzal and other rare bird species - these are memories you make, not someone else.


Age really is just a number.

From age 26-29 I worried that I hadn’t experienced enough yet in my life. By the time I turned 30, I realized that there is so much I’ve done and more to do with at least another good 50 years ahead of me. With what I have done already in 3 decades, I know that travelling will be more pleasurable in the future. My twenties were all about developing who I am as an individual which has shaped me for the rest of my life. Sure - I know I’m probably going to change my ways and ideologies a bit in the next decade and I’m totally open to it but what I do know is that there is no guidebook on “How to age right and when it’s the right time for everyone to achieve major milestones.”


Being single as a 30-year-old.

In my twenties, I was always in a serious relationship. I’ve been in love and I’ve had my heart broken multiple times. My dad always told me to take the good with the bad. I always tried to tell him that bad things happening is what makes me feel just so horrible. But I realize now what he meant was that when something bad occurs, see the good even if it’s very small and learn from the experience.

When I experienced heartbreak in my early twenties, I felt like my life had ended. Since my most recent heartbreak, soon after I became certain that one day the right person will come along and there is no right age to meet someone. I’m not saying I’m looking to find a fling or a relationship during my travels. But you never know who you will meet and now, in my thirties, I have the confidence in myself to accept love or take it in the doses which I choose.

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Contact: Autumn Fiske | Certified Travel Specialist

(902) 222 9796

afiske@travelonly.com

Insta: @NoOrdinaryAdventure