Journey to Self-Discovery

Embark on travels that reveal your inner compass. Immerse in new cultures worldwide. Bond with locals and fellow wanderers. Let awe nourish your days. We supply inspiration and tips to safely navigate unforgettable, perspective-changing trips that rewrite who you are. The compass needle quivers. Adventure out there starts from within. Take the first step today.

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Meet your Host

Hi, I’m Stephanie Lee – your passionate guide to living the FYS Life. As a half-Asian American born in San Francisco with continual wanderlust flowing through my veins, I’ve backpacked extensively through six continents in search of awe.

While working remotely as a freelance writer, I prioritize daily adventures be it biking Mt Tam trails, practicing vinyasa yoga, or chasing waterfalls with reckless abandon.

Through vulnerable storytelling and practical advice, I empower you to see travel as a conduit of better understanding yourself and the world around you. Let’s venture forth with open eyes, courageously charting courses less taken. The only compass needed…is already within. Come join the journey!

Let the discoveries begin!

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Common Questions

I work remotely as a freelance writer and digital marketing consultant. This location-independent income streams allow me to make a living while having the flexibility to travel. I also earn additional income through advertising and affiliates – if a reader books a hotel through links on my site, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to the traveler. Additionally, I use travel rewards hacking techniques to save money on flights and hotels. I live fairly minimal and leverage travel deals in destinations where my earnings can stretch further to keep exploring sustainably.

I mostly travel independently with occasional trips alongside a partner or friend. As an experienced solo female traveler, I share safety tips for how to responsibly navigate adventures by yourself. While going solo has many advantages like total flexibility, traveling with others can also lead to special shared memories and split costs. I aim to motivate and reduce fear around both independent and group travel through first-hand experiences reflected on my blog.

Always listen to your intuition – if a situation or person seems dangerous, act right away to leave and get help versus ignoring warning signs or nervous feelings. Conduct local research beforehand so you know which areas to avoid or neighborhoods to steer clear of after dark. Ask hotel staff to recommend trusted transportation providers and well-lit walking routes. Choose accommodations with 24/7 staff and secure door access. Know where the nearest police station, clinic and embassy are located. Use tracking apps so your emergency contacts can see your movements if helpful. Stay vigilant of surroundings without getting paranoid so you can prevent issues while still enjoying new destinations.

I have full annual coverage through World Nomads travel insurance that includes emergency medical transport, trip cancellation, lost baggage and security evacuation. It’s designed for frequent travelers versus single-trip coverage. I also carry an international SIM card by KnowRoaming for cheap global data so I can access maps/translation easily, and have phone-based insurance through Apple for hardware replacement. For destinations with safety concerns, I register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive guidance directly from US embassies abroad.

My absolute essentials are noise-cancelling headphones to create space when needed (Bose QC 35), a backup phone battery for 18+ hours of extra charge on long transit days (Anker PowerCore 20000), and a comfortable ergonomic travel pillow to actually get good sleep anywhere (Trtl pillow). Other frequent flyer items in my pack include a versatile crossbody anti-theft bag from PacSafe, the Scrubba portable wash bag that cleans clothes quickly without needing power or sinks, flexible packing cubes to stay organized, the Sea to Summit ultralight daypack that folds into its own pocket, and durable Teva or OluKai sandals I can adventure in.