A simple sentence that changed my life forever

by Rebecca Salem (Canada)

A leap into the unknown Australia

A failed relationship, an unfulfilling career, and a simple opportunity. The perfect making of a solo female travel story.  In 2018, I had found myself single for the first time in my adult life, working in the makeup industry and living in the western suburbs of Sydney. I had never really looked beyond what my routine and day-to-day lifestyle had forecast for me. I had a promising career ahead, surrounded by incredibly loving and supportive family and some very wonderful friends, but I knew there was more to life. One day I found myself entertaining the idea of solo travel.  I’d gone with my brother to photograph the sunrise over a beach, and upon returning, he found out he would be heading to Canada on assignment. I’d never entertained the idea of travelling by myself. I loved seeing the world, going away, taking holidays, but that’s all I’d ever done - take holidays. Being endlessly inspired by my brother and sister in laws travels, I’d always looked at their life as some sort of unattainable dream that you only see on the internet, but on this day I decided to act on the inspiration I got from them. I jokingly asked if I could come, and his response was simple, but changed my life forever. “No, but you should do your own trip.” For the first time, the idea of travelling and really experiencing something new, pushing myself outside of my comfort zone and taking a chance actually sparked my interest. I wanted to be challenged, to see what else there was, I wanted to learn more about myself.  The months following this interaction were filled with saving cash in a secret teapot, watching constant streams of travel videos, and booking flights. I planned to go away on my first solo trip, flying from Sydney to LA for a few days before meeting them in Calgary and going on an incredible tour of the Rocky Mountains, then saying goodbye again to spend my last week in Vancouver before returning back to my 9-5.  What I learnt, gained, and felt on this three week adventure is something I’ll never be able to truly describe to anyone.  Each morning after my return home, I woke up wishing I was back on another adventure. Incredible friendships, adventure, mission Mondays, mountains… my heart was yearning to return, and I had suddenly lost my drive to excel in my career. I worked on budgeting, embarked on the awful process that is applying for a Canadian IEC, and set myself a goal. Fast forward the 9 months that followed, a torn ACL, a promotion, the settling back into the rat race that was my daily routine, I started to feel this spark dwindle and fade, until one morning I had a conversation that pushed me to reignite the spark. “There will always be another birthday, another $1,000 to save, another wedding. If you keep waiting, you’ll never leave.” Suddenly I remembered what it felt to be 10 miles out of my comfort zone and I couldn’t wait to get back there.  So now, here I am.  Sitting on an arm chair in Revelstoke, British Columbia. Relaxing after getting back from a road trip to Lake Louise, my muscles aching from what was my best day snowboarding yet, and looking into where my next day off will take me. A frozen waterfall? Ice skating on a frozen lake? Or simply staying in town and making the most of the limited days we have here until the snow turns to slush and spring comes.  I have lived in Revelstoke for just over 6 months, a small town filled with adventure, good vibes, and happiness, surrounded by incredible mountains and a very special type of community.  At 25 years old I decided to change my life and say goodbye, to trust my feet and wherever they will take me. Every day I feel blessed to live where I do and to have the infinite amount of opportunities ahead of each footstep that come with simply just living. I can’t wait to look back and reflect on all the memories I haven’t even thought of yet.  