And Just Like That HBWP Turned Two! (An Update of Sorts)

Her Bags Were Packed 2 years

Hello friends,

I’m sorry for the incredibly long hiatus from Her Bags Were Packed. On June 13th, my father died unexpectedly and tragically. I have just barely been treading water these last 5 ½ months. 

For weeks, everything came to a standstill, which does not go over well for a freelancer. In August, I started playing catch up on several projects, but then in September -- on what was to be a “peaceful recovery trip” to the French countryside -- I broke my wrist and hand and tore some ligaments, while riding, I mean falling off, a bicycle. That tumble took out my dominant hand -- my writing hand! It’s as if the Universe said, “No. I am sorry you need to slow down even more.” (If I’m being honest, the Universe has had me pretty fed up these last 6 months.) So I’m still trying to catch up on both work and finances -- but now with only one hand.

Despite all of this, I’ve attempted many times to write to you and share what’s going on, to let you know I’m still here, and so is Her Bags Were Packed; but I’ve not been able to find the right words or make sense of anything enough to share it with you.

It felt wrong to just go back to posting normal content without addressing what has been going on, but I’ve finally realized I was putting too much pressure on myself. I cannot write about all that right now. It’s a story I’m currently living, not yet one I’m writing.

But something that will make me feel better is to start to get back into the swing of things here with you, so, switching to a much happier subject, this week Her Bags Were Packed TURNED TWO!

The past two years have flown by and, in other ways, they feel so much longer.

Originally, I didn’t want to create a travel site because I felt there was already enough noise on the Internet, but instead I wanted to create a community that would resource and encourage women to gain confidence and release emotional baggage —through solo travel — so they can travel through life with less baggage.

We have been working towards this goal by sharing interviews with ordinary women about their solo travel experiences — women like Tiffani, Holly, Janna and so many more.  We have talked about how to ease into solo travel, staying safe while traveling solo, making friends as a woman traveling alone, and overcoming your solo travel fears.

As we head into our third year, here’s what I’m hoping to offer you:

Whether you’ve been around since day one or are new to our community, I want to express my deepest gratitude to you for being on this journey with me. I know that the internet is noisy, and life is busy. I do not take for granted your choice to spend a little of that time with me.

If you have any ideas or requests for HBWP, please know. I would love to hear from you. Thank you for being here! 

Here’s to the next year! 🥂 

Love,

Catherine

 
 


Misc-, Self CareCatherine Smith3 Comments