Even though traveling didn’t magically solve all my problems (and it won’t solve yours either), traveling full time did amazing things for my soul. The past 415 days abroad were absolutely wild and traveling full time turned my state of mind into something completely wonderful and unpredictable. I became different. Sometimes so different, I don’t really recognise myself in the mirror.

See also: Why Travel Will Never Fix All Your Problems

Nah, I’m just kidding – on the outside I’m still the same. Although truth be told, I did manage to get a tan (sorry to all office workers reading this during winter).

But putting all jokes aside, I truly am a new person. I managed to better the version of my old self and changed into the person I like much more.

See also: Why Solo Female Travelers Do It Better

{ a m a z e d } I had one of the best days of my life with @legendaryblackwaterraftingco in #Waitomo yesterday. I went for the #BlackAbyss experience where you are immersed in an underground cave adventure for 5 hours. But first, to get there you have to abseil into a 35m tunnel ?For adrenaline-rush seekers, this experience is a must.. I totally screamed my lungs out when I was climbing the three waterfalls as well as when I was whizzing down the flying fox ?. But I'm ALIVE and absolutely LOVED my experience. Oh! And while you do all these crazy things you are surrounded by this stunning place!!! ⬆️⬆️⬆️. . . ? credits @legendaryblackwaterraftingco (you are not allowed any type of camera inside)

A post shared by s a b r i n a ANDREA s a c h s (@the_storyteller) on Oct 18, 2016 at 7:06pm PDT

Traveling full time gave me… time

Traveling full time has allowed me to see things for what they are and the best gift I received was time.

We take a lot of our lives for granted – whether we like it or not. Especially time. How much time do you waste on public transport as you commute to work on a daily basis? Time helped me put perspective and objectiveness into things that don’t really matter. Instead, I really focused on what matters. I learned that I matter.

I learned what really matters in life.

And my personal growth matters too – so does yours. Endless office meetings and corporate bullsh*t do not matter. Improving other people’s life matters – inspiring, helping, supporting others matters. Earning a six-digit salary is no longer necessary. Doing what you love matters. The feeling I have when I see my words and pictures published on magazines, my website or this very blog matters.

{ s a n d }. . Will be disconnetted for the next few days while we explore the fantastic #Karijini National Park. I leave you with this little clip taken back in Cape Leveque on the #DampierPeninsula: the most gorgeous and best kept secret of @australia. . Ps: so blown away by the video stabilisation of my baby (aka Olympus EM5 Mark II) that I'm considering to switch completely from photography to videos.. What do you think? ? Any plans for the weekend? Where are you going? Let me know below! . #thisisWA @westernaustralia . @olympus_au. . Start from something | Stop for nothing. . #walkwithmeclip

A post shared by s a b r i n a ANDREA s a c h s (@the_storyteller) on Jun 9, 2016 at 7:42pm PDT

Happiness matters.

Self-pity does not matter.

Today matters.

Tomorrow and yesterday don’t matter. At least not anymore.

“Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination: never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” – Philip Stanhope

Traveling full time taught me that life doesn’t just stop after you reach the age of 30. You don’t need to find a stable job, get married or have kids if you don’t want to. The truth is, this either happens or it doesn’t. Either way, you will be completely fine. Trust me. After spending my twenties working in management consulting in London, I decided to take a twist and see if my childhood passions could actually get me a living while traveling.

See also: European Cities You Need to Add to Your Travel List

{ b r u n o ? } Ladies & Gentlemen, please meet Bruno, the trio's new pet. We found lazy Bruno on #MagneticIsland yesterday and after watching him sleeping and stretching and then sleeping again, we decided to take him with us. He's a bit shy in front of the camera, but a true cuddler. Don't tell anyone, but he's now our new travel companion ? and he loves his back seat on our sexy @jucyworld. . Keep following the trio's adventures + new entry Bruno on my Insta stories, Snapchat {sab_storyteller} and many more Picts on my Facebook page { the nomadic Storyteller}. . #jucyworld. @australia. @queensland. . #sheisnotlost #wearetravelgirls #dametraveler #travelstoke #darlingescapes #travelawesome #ladiesgoneglobal #roamtheplanet #igglobalwomenclub

A post shared by s a b r i n a ANDREA s a c h s (@the_storyteller) on Sep 4, 2016 at 10:59pm PDT

I learned how to unleash my creativity.

I am actually surviving off of writing, content creation, social media management, influencing (what a horrible word), and photography. Would I ever go back? No (if things keep going this way).

Am I making a tenth of the money I was making before? Hell, yeah. Have I totally changed my lifestyle and priorities? Hell, yeah.  Am I happier than ever? Hell, yeah.

The feeling to work for myself, to actually be my own boss, the ability to accept or refuse clients on my personal ethical base and preferences, added to the possibility to work from anywhere (with an internet connection), cannot be compared with anything else around. Nope, not even my old fat cheque at the end of each month.

Traveling full time taught me how to be brave.

And putting aside work for a moment, if fear was my main motivation to leave everything behind, courage is what keeps me going – stronger, braver, further than ever. A woman, (but also a man), who realises how capable she is, becomes independent and brave. I’ve turned into a free spirit, I no longer need recognition from others. No longer I need other people’s approval, whether is for my professional choices or my outfit. No longer I take things that go wrong personally. I am me. And I am unbelievably cool and strong.

{ r i d e that w a v e } Now that is almost time to leave #Australia, I finally took the time to check and uploads some of my 1369481684936 photos I took in this beautiful country. Expect a few throwback before I hit the road for my last leg of my Aussie adventure. Ps: Gosh, I wish I could surf for real | ? #lifeambitions #lifegoals #?? **** have you read my latest blog post yet? There's me, honest and direct. As always. Enjoy. . . . .  #lovetheworld #openmyworld  #australiafolk #australia #ausfeels #australiagram  #ig_australia #exploreaustralia #hellobluey #FocusAustralia #athomeintheworld #liveintrepid #cityglimpses #mytinyatlas #discoveraustralia #suitcasetravels #traveleroftheweek #timeoutsociety  @ukmatch @thebloggerslounge #SummerofLove2016

A post shared by s a b r i n a ANDREA s a c h s (@the_storyteller) on Aug 19, 2016 at 2:23am PDT

And yes, I believe travel did this to me.

And no, it doesn’t mean you have to go to India too, nor that you have to try a 10 day silent meditation or throw yourself off of a plane at 50000 feet.

But it means you can do this too.

G E T O U T – E X P L O R E – F A I L – L E A R N – T R Y – L I V E T O D A Y.

And if it doesn’t work out? You can always go back to your old life ?

#spotyourlife