What I Learned From 6 Months on the Road
Soul-led lessons, packing mistakes & life truths I’m carrying forward
#15
I’ve learned so much from this first go-around with slow travel. We were flying by the seat of our pants, creating as we went, with no blueprint for how we would do this. There was so much to learn, to navigate, to plan — and so much I could only learn by actually living it.
I’ve traveled my entire life — my dad was a Delta pilot, so I was blessed to see the world young. In my 20s and 30s, I learned how to plan yearly trips. In my 30s and 40s, I took my kids along whenever I could.
But this? This was the first time I’d planned such an extensive journey without my kids and with a new partner. Even though it was still “travel,” it was brand new in so many ways.
Some key learnings:
A king-sized bed makes all the difference (when we could find one!).
Top-floor, corner hotel rooms are the quietest.
Finding somewhere to color my hair every month was tricky but doable. Not always perfect, but it kept the grey at bay — I’m not ready to let that go yet!
I brought way too many shoes. Next time: one great pair of walking shoes and one pair of waterproof walking beach shoes. I ditched four pairs along the way and picked up Crocs I still wear.
Laundry became an adventure — from tiny local laundromats to the glorious ship laundry rooms during our two cruises.
Health is everything. I stayed pretty healthy, but good water was always top of mind. I brought vitamins, supplements, and a first aid bag… which I now know can be cut in half next time.
But the biggest growth wasn’t in the packing lists — it was inside.
On paper, long-term travel sounds like one big dream. In reality, stepping into something so new comes with growing pains. You learn to adapt, stretch, and stay open. You let go of control. You remember you are not meant to stay in the same container of life — you are meant to pivot, grow, and expand into new versions of yourself.
Slow travel taught me presence over perfection. It taught me that not every place is paradise, even when it looks like one — and that’s okay. It taught me that the most magical moments sometimes happen when you let the destination choose you.
It reminded me that home isn’t always a fixed address. Sometimes it’s a view, a feeling, or a shared laugh with someone you love.
It deepened my relationship — showing me the value of giving each other space, letting go of the little stuff, and choosing connection over being right.
It showed me that discomfort — from missed buses to rough seas — can stretch you in the best possible ways.
And it reinforced that you can live big without overspending when you choose presence over perfection.
Because maybe the journey isn’t about the place — but who you become.
If I had to sum it up in one lesson, it would be this:
Let it go.
Let go of the need to plan every detail. Let go of the little irritations. Let go of the “what ifs” about money, timing, and the future. Stay open to the magic and miracles of life.
Ask: Would this matter a week, a month, or a year from now? If not, let it go.
Because the moment you release your grip, Life can surprise you. And our minds can’t even comprehend how much bigger and better things can be when we allow ourselves to listen and move with the flow.
After a few months of back-and-forth between the lake and Portland, Tim and I formally moved in together this summer — a beautiful next step for us both. It’s grounding to land in one place for a while, and now the planning has begun for the next soul-led adventures.
We both know how fortunate we are to be on the same page with travel — and we both have the soul knowing that this is exactly the highest and best next step for us, individually and together.
As I share in my TEDx talk, this is the process of Listen.Trust.Act.
Listen to your soul and what’s calling you forward.
Trust your inner wisdom, even when it pushes you to a growth edge.
Act on those whispers with courage and clarity — and the world will open up in ways you can’t imagine.
This isn’t just about travel.
✨ It’s about finding yourself again.
Let it go. Step into flow. Allow the miracles of life to meet you where you are — and joy, freedom, and soul-led adventure will be right there with you.
And now… the next chapter is calling.
We’ll be back on the road at the beginning of October — starting in Europe with one month in Italy and one month in Greece. From there, we’ll follow the warm weather… and see where Life takes us.
I’d love for you to come along for the journey — for the stories, the soul-led moments, and the real behind-the-scenes of life on the road. You can follow along each week here in Travels with Spirit… and in real time over on Instagram → @diannahanken.
To your highest and best,
Dianna
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