I miss opening my window in the morning and breathing in marine scented ocean air. That seaweed smell, that salty breeze, so pungent, so intense, so damn delicious. I miss running screaming into the freezing cold Atlantic only to find it nearly impossible to go all the way in. But one day, I will do it. I miss the elements of the furthest, most southern point of the earth. The sound of the birds, crispy blue skies and dry, oxygenated air. – South Africa.
I miss the taste of dark roasted coffee first thing in the morning, while overlooking an ancient city filled with historical secrets. The busy yet organized hum of the streets lined with decadent delights at every corner. I miss the hospitality that comes with every perfectly cooked meal. I miss the gateway between Asia and Europe. The cultural blend that can only exist in such a unique land. – Turkey
I miss driving down winding cliffside roads to get to a beach with hues of blues that make people jealous. The sounds, smells and sights of summer that only these islands can produce. The energetic beach clubs where I Shazam song after song and I get goosebumps even in 35 degree weather. I miss the sight of the local men. Carved from stone, caramel skin, eyes full of romanticized ideology. I miss hearing their language. One day, I will be fluent. I fantasize about the land of 1000 islands. Where ancient gods rule and olive oil remains liquid gold. – The Greek Islands.
I miss the elegance and sophistication of the royal city. Finally, a place where I can wear outfits without dripping in sweat. I miss the gentle rain, the cloudiness and even the occasional siren. The polite disposition of a perfect stranger. I miss the museums so much. I know that bores most people but I thirst for knowledge and love learning about our complicated world. I miss the city located in the epicenter of the world, the gateway to all. The land of doubledeckers. – London, UK.
I took 2024 off from traveling to focus on myself. My mental health. My physical well being and my spiritual needs. I am glad I did, but I miss the world.
Then I realized… I’m Sally Golan. I am, and forever will be, a global citizen. I took my break. Now it’s time to roam again. Roots with wings. This is my new way forward.
Travel is something I am never going to stop doing. It’s as casual as working out. As necessary as meal prepping. It’s who I am. Whether I have a “home base” or not, I will forever be a nomadic soul.
As we close 2024 and make room in our lives for 2025, we should ask ourselves: what do we really want out of life? Status or memories? Material possessions or unmatched life experiences? Here’s what I learned… you can and should have it all.
You can have your beautiful life filled with epic adventures while also building your wealth and ensuring your stability. You should not have to trade one for the other. In short? The answer is both. You should want and have both. I learned that travel is a lifelong sport and that it’s not something we wait to do until we are retired. It’s a right of human passage.
We have the right, as human beings of this planet, to explore the very home we live in. To ask larger than life questions and seek truth by giving ourselves global perspectives that our personal bubbles cannot give us. We should look at travel as more than just a holiday, but as an opportunity for spiritual growth.
The girl that was living in Miami in 2014 is not the same girl who came back in 2024. If the two could only meet each other…what a conversation. What a difference of opinions. They would not even get along. Could I have changed so much (for the better of course) if I had just stayed in the same place all those years?
With that growth, I have learned to love new things, discard of the things that no longer serve me, see through bullshit a lot faster and embrace big ideas with a lot less anxiety. I spent 7 years out of a suitcase. One way tickets only. Booking life only 3 weeks at a time. What could possibly scare me now? (Other than the bugs in Bali, that shit is horrifying).
My personality has changed. My perspective has changed. My palete has changed. My desires and dreams have changed. And I love that about myself. Change….is something that terrifies most of us. But I can assure you that change is always good. Even if it doesn’t feel like it at first.
So for 2025, I hope you travel with your eyes and heart wide open. I hope you pick places that challenge you to step outside your comfort zone. I hope you even consider extending your stay and giving yourself the time to really dive into a new culture.
The human spirit is a battery that we often neglect to charge. If you inspire your heart and soul with travel, you supercharge your ability to attack all of your life goals. Do you ever notice how happy and giddy you feel when you come home from a trip?
How you see everything with fresh eyes again? Maybe you’re excited to sleep in your own bed. Maybe you’re just thankful for the things you’ve designed for yourself. But that is the power of travel: the power to appreciate the things you might be taking for granted.
I am excited for the new year. Excited to get back out into the world again with a renewed spirit, an energized body and a home base to retreat back to. I am excited to keep sharing my beautiful travel journeys with you all. I’ve only just scratched the surface…now it’s time to travel for real.
Happy new year to you! May you attack all of your life goals with a renewed spirit and may you seek epic adventures while also building your empire. Remember: you can have it all.
Love always,
Your digital nomad
Saliet Golan
