A year ago, in December 2025, we returned home from Bali, Indonesia and officially closed off our 2+ years of full-time travel. Years of backpacking and hopping around different parts of the world, getting to not only see beautiful places, but meet some of the most incredible people along the way.
Coming home meant something very different than when we first left. We knew it would look like settling into new routines, spending more time with family and friends, easing into new ventures, and stepping back into some of our old passions as well. As crazy as it sounds, it was exactly what we were ready for after being away for so long.
Slowing down
Though our world adventuring slowed down, it didn’t mean we became tired of exploring or stopped loving travel. It was actually the exact opposite, we grew an appreciation for adventuring that we didn’t have before. However, we were ready for a different chapter—one where we could incorporate everything we learned and loved about traveling full-time into smaller, more intentional pockets of time and where we could step into what was next in life.
Now you may be wondering how we went from full-time travel to suddenly settling back home. Or maybe you’re wondering a lot of things and it’s safe to say, you’re not alone.
We’ve been asked so many questions this year, from where we’re headed next to why we chose to slow down, and everything in between.
Our most frequently asked questions
Why did you end your full-time travel adventure?
Before we left, our goal was to backpack for one year. However, we weren’t sure if we would really make it—let alone that it would turn into over two years. Growing our family was our next big dream, so as time went on, we felt ready to take the next step. For us, that meant settling back into a routine and preparing to start trying.
What did travel look like this year?
We set a goal to take at least two trips this year.
Our first was in May—a road trip through Costa Rica, which had been on our bucket list for a long time. It’s a place that truly has it all: waterfalls, beaches, jungles, and volcanoes. It’s also now a country that holds even deeper meaning for our now, growing family.
Our second big trip was in October, a road trip through one of our favorite countries—Italy. We spent most of our time exploring Tuscany and the Dolomites regions, some were areas we had visited in the past but most were new spontaneous destinations we found along the way.
>> Check out our most recent trip to Tuscany, Italy here <<
On both of these trips, we traveled a little less like backpackers, but still kept the spontaneity and adventure we picked up during those years on the road. With one-way tickets booked and no strict itinerary, we allowed the places, the people we met, and what we wanted to see most to dictate our timing and our pace, just like before.
We also took smaller trips to Orlando, FL to visit family and friends, and Austin, TX for a Growthday Conference.
Was there a moment this year when you questioned the decision to come home?
No, we were really confident when we decided to move back and start the next chapter. Though there were moments when we missed being in certain locations or doing certain activities, we were still very happy with our decision. However, had this not been a mutual and intentional choice, we probably would have questioned it.
What surprised you most about life back home after so long away?
How easy it was to pick right back up where we left off. We had completely different lives for over two years, yet it felt like most things had paused and we just had to click resume.
Not much changed—but we changed.
Though we were ready to return, we were also surprised by how much we truly enjoyed being back and settling down.
Do you feel like the same people you were when you left?
We feel like upgraded versions of the people we were before. We see life through different lenses, and a lot of what used to matter doesn’t bother us anymore. Some of our priorities and lifestyle choices changed.
I (Thais) became a lot more grounded and relaxed about life overall. From being a super type A person, I’ve learned to embrace the little things and be in the moment much more than before. Kelvyn learned to be more open minded, a planner, while also embracing his creative baking talents— that many of our friends got to enjoy while we were co-living in Bali.
However, we do occasionally find ourselves slipping back into old ways that no longer serve us. When that happens, we try to remind ourselves why these perspective shifts benefit us and how we can continue to embrace them, even while being at home.
What would you tell someone who’s afraid to either leave… or to come back?
It’s okay to be afraid—most people who leave and come back are. Do not let that be what prevents you from going (or coming back).
The world is meant to be explored, and if you have a peek of desire, it means you are meant to pursue it.
Don’t let limitations stop you. Yes, it can be affordable; yes, it can be safe; and yes, it can be fun. You just have to chase those yeses instead of all the no’s and fear-based information that’s often displayed all over the media.
Also, don’t view returning as a failure. One of the things that helped us most was being extremely intentional and appreciative of our time while we were away. We knew it wouldn’t last forever, so we made sure to enjoy it and express gratitude as often as we could, instead of worrying about when it would end or what life would look like afterward.
We accepted that we would be different people and that life would look different—but that it was worth everything we got to experience while being away.
What did slowing down teach you?
What life is truly meant to look like.
We get caught up in living up to a standard that isn’t ours to begin with and forget that, with a simple shift in perspective, there is so much more to life than only making money (though we do love to make money), having the “perfect” life, and only setting aside a little bit of time to appreciate and enjoy it all.
What has life looked like professionally since coming home?
Our initial goal was to grow and monetize the blog, but we soon realized that it was turning into a full-time job we didn’t actually want. What we loved about blogging was creating because we wanted to, not because we had to. So we shifted our perspective and priorities, while still occasionally working on the blog.
Kelvyn returned full-time to his career and craft of barbering, which he loves. I (Thais) split my time between, Greaterful You—my mindset and coaching business—our personal growth book club, and recently returned (very part-time) to being a hairstylist. A year of exploring a lot of different ventures at once.
Our priority when returning to work professionally was to continue doing things we’re passionate about while finding ways for them to provide more freedom to live the life we envision.
Do you have to be rich to travel like you did?
Absolutely not. Though we had savings and knew we didn’t want to work while being away, we found ways to stretch our money as far as it could go. This meant learning to compromise, prioritize, and most importantly, adapt.
We learned from experienced travelers we met, house-sat and volunteered in exchange for free places to stay, and embraced living with a lot less.
>> Learn how we saved money while traveling here <<
Yes, traveling takes money, and depending on how you do it, it may take a lot—but it doesn’t have to. There are so many ways to approach travel, some of which even include making money while you’re on the road.
Do you plan on backpacking the same way again?
Backpacking in the exact same way is no longer a goal of ours; however, traveling in a similar style still is. With a baby on the way, it’s hard to say what will happen, but it’s definitely something we’re considering.
Prior to traveling full-time, we thought we would live in the same area forever. Now, we consider moving to different parts of the world for a few months at a time and embracing a slower lifestyle more consistently.
The truth is, we don’t know yet—but we’ll be sure to take you along with us if and when we do.
Do you miss traveling full-time?
Absolutely, we do miss it all. Hopping from place to place, watching sunsets daily, trying new foods, and making lifelong friends along the way (can’t emphasize this one enough). But we miss it in a happy way, in a grateful way. We look back at these moments and constantly catch ourselves asking if it was even real. That chapter gave us so much to look back on, and we carry the lessons, memories, and awe with us every single day.
