Yeah! Yeah! And yeah! I got happy just reading this. And Brazil is such an wonderful country. Enjoy! And enjoy this new life. From experience I can say: it’s great.
Claire! So great to meet you! I’ve just read your post on your journey through Latin America & I’m so happy to read as Colombia, Costa Rica (& potentially Mexico - will have to see if things settle) are next! So thanks for the info! I look forward to getting to know you better & following your journey to South Africa as we’re heading that way in 2027! Thanks for connecting. 😁🙏
Yes Jo so so true! no other way to live your Best Life than to take one's Great Adventure and live the life you always dream off and not forgetting to try the road less travelled, you never know what you will discover.
Not the glossy “look at me in Rio” version — the 3am, stomach-knot, “you’re not 25 anymore” version. That’s the real expansion. The dream arriving and not feeling like a movie montage, but like fear and logistics and knees that need managing.
The line that landed hardest for me: “Confidence isn’t universal, it’s specific.”
Yes. We can be wildly competent in one arena and brand new in another. And at 53, starting from scratch in a new arena doesn’t mean we’re regressing — it means we’re growing again.
I also appreciate the quiet stacking you describe. Not heroic leaps. Just taxis. Solo dinners. Navigating Carnival. That’s how capacity builds — not in declarations, but in repetition.
And your point about the body being the vehicle? That’s such an important midlife truth. Capability over vanity. Sustainability over bravado.
What I admire most is that this isn’t escapism. You built the businesses. You raised your daughter. You did the long game. Now you’re expanding from stability, not running from something.
That’s a very different kind of nomadism.
Cheering you on from one midlife dream-liver to another. 💛
Jo, I love that image — meeting up somewhere unexpected, both of us mid-chapter.
Thank you for seeing the “long game” part. That means more than you know. It’s easy for nomadism to be misunderstood as escape, but for many of us it’s expansion after foundation.
And I think that’s the midlife difference. It’s not urgency. It’s intention.
Here’s to capability, curiosity, and crossing paths on the road one day. 💛
I envy you! I cannot wait to travel again. I’m curious about your plans on going to Mexico? Do you still plan on going there given what’s going on there?
Such great advice. I just ordered your travel card deck and look forward to trying it out! I have a cycling blog here on Substack. I love your adventurous spirit!!
Thank you so much!!! 🥳 I hope you love them! I’m even using them myself here in Brazil. They’re great fun. 😁 Fab to connect, what a great blog you have, I’m not an avid cycler myself but it’s a great way to see & explore a place. I’ll certainly be following along. Thanks again for grabbing a pack of the cards. 😁🙏
I really am Carolina! ❤️ Unfortunately I think we’re going to head up not down Carolina, so we may have to wait until next time to meet up. But I will be back as I want to see Sao Paolo, head down to Porto Alegre etc! ❤️
I love how you say that motion creates motivation, not the other way around. I find this to be true for me, when I'm not feeling motivated I just take the next step and usually the motivation follow. Thanks, I really enjoyed this!
"I’ve already dumped a load of stuff from my bags because they were too heavy. There’s a metaphor in there somewhere, but also it’s just practical advice: pack lighter than you think you need to.
Your future back will thank you."
Also your hips - that's where my pack got me on the Camino. Pack weight carries differently. Even though I had already lost around 8-10lbs right before I went, my hips let me know that they didn't want it back!
Congrats Jo. I'm also a recent empty nester who decided to retire from 25 years of law practice and start living my dream. I don't do it full time, and I don't know that I ever will. But I love the richness that travel brings to my life, and writing about it adds yet another layer of enjoyment and understanding to my travels. I look forward to hearing about Brazil as it's somewhere I have yet to visit but I know I will.
Yeah! Yeah! And yeah! I got happy just reading this. And Brazil is such an wonderful country. Enjoy! And enjoy this new life. From experience I can say: it’s great.
Claire! So great to meet you! I’ve just read your post on your journey through Latin America & I’m so happy to read as Colombia, Costa Rica (& potentially Mexico - will have to see if things settle) are next! So thanks for the info! I look forward to getting to know you better & following your journey to South Africa as we’re heading that way in 2027! Thanks for connecting. 😁🙏
Yes Jo so so true! no other way to live your Best Life than to take one's Great Adventure and live the life you always dream off and not forgetting to try the road less travelled, you never know what you will discover.
Jo, I love the honesty in this.
Not the glossy “look at me in Rio” version — the 3am, stomach-knot, “you’re not 25 anymore” version. That’s the real expansion. The dream arriving and not feeling like a movie montage, but like fear and logistics and knees that need managing.
The line that landed hardest for me: “Confidence isn’t universal, it’s specific.”
Yes. We can be wildly competent in one arena and brand new in another. And at 53, starting from scratch in a new arena doesn’t mean we’re regressing — it means we’re growing again.
I also appreciate the quiet stacking you describe. Not heroic leaps. Just taxis. Solo dinners. Navigating Carnival. That’s how capacity builds — not in declarations, but in repetition.
And your point about the body being the vehicle? That’s such an important midlife truth. Capability over vanity. Sustainability over bravado.
What I admire most is that this isn’t escapism. You built the businesses. You raised your daughter. You did the long game. Now you’re expanding from stability, not running from something.
That’s a very different kind of nomadism.
Cheering you on from one midlife dream-liver to another. 💛
Thanks so much Kelly! Can’t wait to meet up on the road one day. 😁
Jo, I love that image — meeting up somewhere unexpected, both of us mid-chapter.
Thank you for seeing the “long game” part. That means more than you know. It’s easy for nomadism to be misunderstood as escape, but for many of us it’s expansion after foundation.
And I think that’s the midlife difference. It’s not urgency. It’s intention.
Here’s to capability, curiosity, and crossing paths on the road one day. 💛
I envy you! I cannot wait to travel again. I’m curious about your plans on going to Mexico? Do you still plan on going there given what’s going on there?
We’ll be keeping an eye on the situation Marla. We’re not supposed to be going until June so will see what’s happening then.
Great title!! Can’t wait to read!
Thank you! Hope you enjoyed it. Great to connect with other travelers! Where are you in the world now?
I’m headed to New Zealand this week. I have never been so excited to spend some time there.
Such great advice. I just ordered your travel card deck and look forward to trying it out! I have a cycling blog here on Substack. I love your adventurous spirit!!
Thank you so much!!! 🥳 I hope you love them! I’m even using them myself here in Brazil. They’re great fun. 😁 Fab to connect, what a great blog you have, I’m not an avid cycler myself but it’s a great way to see & explore a place. I’ll certainly be following along. Thanks again for grabbing a pack of the cards. 😁🙏
I am happy you are having a blast!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I really am Carolina! ❤️ Unfortunately I think we’re going to head up not down Carolina, so we may have to wait until next time to meet up. But I will be back as I want to see Sao Paolo, head down to Porto Alegre etc! ❤️
Have FUNNNN!!!!!! And add Florianópolis (my town!) to your list. I think you would love it
I love how you say that motion creates motivation, not the other way around. I find this to be true for me, when I'm not feeling motivated I just take the next step and usually the motivation follow. Thanks, I really enjoyed this!
Thanks Jennifer! ❤️
Loved reading this, Jo. So happy you are having an amazing time! 💕
Thanks Erin! ❤️
"I’ve already dumped a load of stuff from my bags because they were too heavy. There’s a metaphor in there somewhere, but also it’s just practical advice: pack lighter than you think you need to.
Your future back will thank you."
Also your hips - that's where my pack got me on the Camino. Pack weight carries differently. Even though I had already lost around 8-10lbs right before I went, my hips let me know that they didn't want it back!
Glad you are having a blast!
Congrats Jo. I'm also a recent empty nester who decided to retire from 25 years of law practice and start living my dream. I don't do it full time, and I don't know that I ever will. But I love the richness that travel brings to my life, and writing about it adds yet another layer of enjoyment and understanding to my travels. I look forward to hearing about Brazil as it's somewhere I have yet to visit but I know I will.