In 2022, I will be traveling the world. In August of this year, my 22-year-old son — who was the last of my kids to still live with me — decided to move out to attend university. So for the first time in my life, at 49, I had no one to look after and I was free.

So what next?

I was having a strong year working with agencies at Canada Post, but the pandemic was also taking a toll on my mental health. Being at a point in my life where I have had great success professionally and personally, I felt this would be the perfect time to do something for me. I never took a gap year in my youth after college so now was my time to go and travel the world.

Next I had to run this by my current employer to see if they would support something like this. Sure enough, they fully supported my journey and gave me a one year leave of absence. I can’t say enough how supportive Canada Post has been about my decision to travel the world. I know many of my colleagues are following my journey closely as we talk every day on social media.

So now what?

My journey to travel to at least five continents started on January 29th. I packed light, traveling ‘backpacker style’ and staying in hostels, budget hotels, Airbnbs (you get the idea), all while going off the beaten path and documenting my journey via my travel blog and Youtube.

Here is the list:

• Central America
• South America
• Europe
• Africa
• Southeast Asia
• Australia

Please follow along with my journey as an advertising exec taking a trip of a lifetime.