I’ve been fighting this for a while. If someone said, “Renee, you can stay here for free (and legally) if you shovel this shit every day.” I would do it in a heartbeat, no questions asked.

This isn’t happening, no one is asking me to shovel shit. I’ve tried to stay overseas doing volunteer opportunities that supplied me with a place to stay. I’ve milked every opportunity and applied for every job. And right now, this isn’t working for me.

The big takeaway is: this isn’t the end.

When you’re traveling for some time, and

Your finances have run out
You cannot legally do it for much longer*
You are concerned about where you are going to lay your head at night.

You have to make a decision, even if it isn’t the one you want.

I can say this now, I am honestly relieved. I lived in the United Kingdom for over a year and have not been home in six months. I miss my family. I miss my cats. I’ve seen a good amount of Scotland. I’ve made the most of this experience. This chapter is done. My story with Scotland is not.

Going home isn't the end. Far from it. This is me understanding my situation and choosing what is best for me.

I am fortunate. I have a home to go to. I have a bed and a family that encourages me. I am privileged in that sense. It makes the decision easier.

But understand, coming home isn’t a full stop. It can be whatever you need it to be. For me, it is a stress relief, it is getting to see my family, save money and regroup before I go back at it again.

This is far from the end of this adventure.

*I had a Tier 4 student visa which legally allows me to study and work within the UK.

Disclaimer: This was written back in October, I am now situated in my parent's home.

How To Choose The Best Hostel For Solo Travelers

A hostel is a great way to travel on a budget. Preferred by young and solo travelers, hostels are a great place to meet fellow travelers, explore a city, get loads of free experiences, and be in prime locations at an affordable price. Here are 5 tips to help you choose the best hostel as a solo traveler so that you can make the most of your next trip abroad.

How To Survive Long Layovers and Flights

Over the past couple years I've spent my fair share of time waiting for layovers and hours stuck in an airplane. In this post, I share someone of my tricks for handling these travel situations.

Working on the road is a great way to meet people, learn more about a culture and yourself. I recommend everyone to look into a cultural exchange program, but you must ask yourself some serious questions before saying yes!

Traveling and moving about can be exhausting. Unsure of where or what to call home. I've learned that home isn’t a particular location. Home is people.

In Glasgow, I learned the difference between being alone and being lonely. Often, I am asked how I handle being alone on the road. In this post, I try to answer this question by discussing my experiences tackling these issues.

Back in October, I decided to head home. Sometimes life on the road has to come to an end, but it doesn't mean the adventure is over.

How To Handle Coming Home From Travel

The big takeaway is: this isn’t the end.

This is far from the end of this adventure.

Home Blog

Contact Subscribe