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As many of you know I have posted this before ๐Ÿ˜‚ But I keep coming back to it with new eyes. New learnings. The biggest one โ€” that people will love you for the same reasons others hate you. 

Iโ€™m turning 40 in a couple months, and Iโ€™ve been doing a lot of reflecting. On my own life and choices โ€” things I am proud of and wish Iโ€™d done differently thus far. Really trying to focus on how I can use that knowledge going into a new decade. 

And this is really one of the biggest lessons. That I learned mostly from being online. Mostly from the reactions to this reel ๐Ÿ˜‚ 

That you canโ€™t please everyone. I absolutely canโ€™t. Someone will always disagree with me. With you. Have a problem with me. With you. I will always seem cringey to some or naive or or or

But if I try to be for everyone Iโ€™ll be for no one โ€” including myself โ€” because it wonโ€™t be real. It wonโ€™t be honest. 

So the greatest thing I can do is live for me. Be honest with myself and others. And trust that Iโ€™ll find the people who connect with that along the way.
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emilyventures
As many of you know I have posted this before ๐Ÿ˜‚ But I keep coming back to it with new eyes. New learnings. The biggest one โ€” that people will love you for the same reasons others hate you. Iโ€™m turning 40 in a couple months, and Iโ€™ve been doing a lot of reflecting. On my own life and choices โ€” things I am proud of and wish Iโ€™d done differently thus far. Really trying to focus on how I can use that knowledge going into a new decade. And this is really one of the biggest lessons. That I learned mostly from being online. Mostly from the reactions to this reel ๐Ÿ˜‚ That you canโ€™t please everyone. I absolutely canโ€™t. Someone will always disagree with me. With you. Have a problem with me. With you. I will always seem cringey to some or naive or or or But if I try to be for everyone Iโ€™ll be for no one โ€” including myself โ€” because it wonโ€™t be real. It wonโ€™t be honest. So the greatest thing I can do is live for me. Be honest with myself and others. And trust that Iโ€™ll find the people who connect with that along the way.
The only opinion that matters to me right now is my own ๐Ÿ’œ

Iโ€™ve been a sort of public person for a decade, so Iโ€™m used to things like this. But the truth is, we are all kind of at risk of being defined by others opinions of us if we listen to them.

But at the end of the day, I know myself more than anyone who I encounter. Online or in person. I know my heart. You know yourself. You know your heart. 

I had to block over 100 people today. It comes and goes, and I know people donโ€™t like when I seem to complain. Just ignore it, they say.

And I get that.

Donโ€™t let it bother you they say.

And I get that. 

But Iโ€™m not really bothered by the contents of these and the much worse comments I get โ€” Iโ€™m bothered that there are people who do this. Who feel this way. Who want to hurt others.

I guess you could say Iโ€™m naive, but a big part of my worldview is believing that people are good. And every day Iโ€™m confronted with more evidence that maybe Iโ€™m wrong. And I donโ€™t want to believe it. 

So I look for the good. I try really really hard to look for it. To find it. 

And sometimes I do. A lot of times I do. 

And I have many of you to thank for that. So thank you :)
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emilyventures
The only opinion that matters to me right now is my own ๐Ÿ’œ Iโ€™ve been a sort of public person for a decade, so Iโ€™m used to things like this. But the truth is, we are all kind of at risk of being defined by others opinions of us if we listen to them. But at the end of the day, I know myself more than anyone who I encounter. Online or in person. I know my heart. You know yourself. You know your heart. I had to block over 100 people today. It comes and goes, and I know people donโ€™t like when I seem to complain. Just ignore it, they say. And I get that. Donโ€™t let it bother you they say. And I get that. But Iโ€™m not really bothered by the contents of these and the much worse comments I get โ€” Iโ€™m bothered that there are people who do this. Who feel this way. Who want to hurt others. I guess you could say Iโ€™m naive, but a big part of my worldview is believing that people are good. And every day Iโ€™m confronted with more evidence that maybe Iโ€™m wrong. And I donโ€™t want to believe it. So I look for the good. I try really really hard to look for it. To find it. And sometimes I do. A lot of times I do. And I have many of you to thank for that. So thank you :)
This is not a sad story. Weโ€™re all on our own path. Blazing our own trail through mountains and valleys. And all the summits are worth celebrating. ๐Ÿ’œ
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emilyventures
This is not a sad story. Weโ€™re all on our own path. Blazing our own trail through mountains and valleys. And all the summits are worth celebrating. ๐Ÿ’œ
Still thinking about the most incredible, dreamy long weekend in Northern Michigan earlier this month โ€” full of color, crisp air, and quiet moments that reminded me why I love the Midwest and slow travel. #PureMichiganPartner 

I have gotten so many questions about my recent solo trip to Michigan, so hereโ€™s everything I recommend doing over three days in @PureMichigan @PetoskeyArea โ€” from scenic drives to farm stands to some delicious food and wine:

Where I stayed:
 - Hotel Walloon โ€“ The perfect base to explore the area, with plenty to do right at the resort and nearby.

Where I explored:
 - Tunnel of Trees (M-119)
 - Thorne Swift Nature Preserve
 - Petoskey State Park
 - Boyne Mountain Resort
 - Good Hart

Where I ate:
 - Pier Restaurant, Harbor Springs
 - Barrel Back, Walloon Lake
 - Cafรฉ Santรฉ, Boyne City
 - Rumpus Room Coffee Bar
 - Walloon Watershed

Fall farmstand + market stops:
 - Pond Hill Farm
 - Lavender Hill Farm
 - Friskeโ€™s Farm Market
 - King Orchards
 - Coveyou Scenic Market

Wineries worth the stop:
 - Walloon Lake Winery
 - Boyne Valley Vineyards
 - Burnt Marshmallow Brewstillery
 - Petoskey Farms Vineyard

Have you visited Northern Michigan?ย 

Save this for your fall road trip planning โ€” Northern Michigan is genuinely made for unwinding and connecting with your surroundings, and I canโ€™t wait to go back. For more slow travel inspiration, follow @PureMichigan!
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emilyventures
Still thinking about the most incredible, dreamy long weekend in Northern Michigan earlier this month โ€” full of color, crisp air, and quiet moments that reminded me why I love the Midwest and slow travel. #PureMichiganPartner I have gotten so many questions about my recent solo trip to Michigan, so hereโ€™s everything I recommend doing over three days in @PureMichigan @PetoskeyArea โ€” from scenic drives to farm stands to some delicious food and wine: Where I stayed: - Hotel Walloon โ€“ The perfect base to explore the area, with plenty to do right at the resort and nearby. Where I explored: - Tunnel of Trees (M-119) - Thorne Swift Nature Preserve - Petoskey State Park - Boyne Mountain Resort - Good Hart Where I ate: - Pier Restaurant, Harbor Springs - Barrel Back, Walloon Lake - Cafรฉ Santรฉ, Boyne City - Rumpus Room Coffee Bar - Walloon Watershed Fall farmstand + market stops: - Pond Hill Farm - Lavender Hill Farm - Friskeโ€™s Farm Market - King Orchards - Coveyou Scenic Market Wineries worth the stop: - Walloon Lake Winery - Boyne Valley Vineyards - Burnt Marshmallow Brewstillery - Petoskey Farms Vineyard Have you visited Northern Michigan?ย  Save this for your fall road trip planning โ€” Northern Michigan is genuinely made for unwinding and connecting with your surroundings, and I canโ€™t wait to go back. For more slow travel inspiration, follow @PureMichigan!
I donโ€™t want to influence anyone to do anything. I just want to share my life. My experiences and my heart. Hoping that it might clear the field for others to do the same. ๐Ÿ’œ
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emilyventures
I donโ€™t want to influence anyone to do anything. I just want to share my life. My experiences and my heart. Hoping that it might clear the field for others to do the same. ๐Ÿ’œ
A story I like to tell ๐Ÿ’œ

And that Iโ€™ve told many times ๐Ÿ˜‚ But there are some new people around here, and Iโ€™d love to share more about how I got here.

Ten years ago I was a middle school math teacher who took a solo trip to the Grand Canyon over spring break. I didnโ€™t have a big plan. I didnโ€™t know it would change the course of my life.

I just had this feeling that there was more of the world โ€” and more of life โ€” that I didnโ€™t want to miss.

That one trip slowly turned into many. Summers, school breaks, long road trips, new parks. Eventually a goal formed: visit all 63 US National Parks before I turned 40.

I completed that goal last year, somehow (it still feels unbelievable), just days after being with my dad as he passed (it still feels unbelievable). 

Looking back, it was never really about the number of parks.

It was about learning to be brave, to do things alone, to learn to trust myself, and to build a life that felt like my own โ€” even when it didnโ€™t look like the timeline I once expected.

If youโ€™re new here or have heard this story ad nauseum, Iโ€™m really glad youโ€™re here and I donโ€™t take it for granted. 

My goal is never to influence or educate or tell anyone anything, really. I just want to share my stories because in my 40 years of life Iโ€™ve realized thatโ€™s the best way to connect with others. And I love connecting here. 

Iโ€™m grateful for you and your part in my story ๐Ÿ’œ
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emilyventures
A story I like to tell ๐Ÿ’œ And that Iโ€™ve told many times ๐Ÿ˜‚ But there are some new people around here, and Iโ€™d love to share more about how I got here. Ten years ago I was a middle school math teacher who took a solo trip to the Grand Canyon over spring break. I didnโ€™t have a big plan. I didnโ€™t know it would change the course of my life. I just had this feeling that there was more of the world โ€” and more of life โ€” that I didnโ€™t want to miss. That one trip slowly turned into many. Summers, school breaks, long road trips, new parks. Eventually a goal formed: visit all 63 US National Parks before I turned 40. I completed that goal last year, somehow (it still feels unbelievable), just days after being with my dad as he passed (it still feels unbelievable). Looking back, it was never really about the number of parks. It was about learning to be brave, to do things alone, to learn to trust myself, and to build a life that felt like my own โ€” even when it didnโ€™t look like the timeline I once expected. If youโ€™re new here or have heard this story ad nauseum, Iโ€™m really glad youโ€™re here and I donโ€™t take it for granted. My goal is never to influence or educate or tell anyone anything, really. I just want to share my stories because in my 40 years of life Iโ€™ve realized thatโ€™s the best way to connect with others. And I love connecting here. Iโ€™m grateful for you and your part in my story ๐Ÿ’œ
Iโ€™ve been a lot of places solo. All 63 national parks. All 50 states. The arctic. Polynesia. The alps. But the place that I canโ€™t get out of my mind might be surprising ๐Ÿ’œ
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emilyventures
Iโ€™ve been a lot of places solo. All 63 national parks. All 50 states. The arctic. Polynesia. The alps. But the place that I canโ€™t get out of my mind might be surprising ๐Ÿ’œ
There are lots of ways to create a good life ๐Ÿ‚๐Ÿ

Really trying to be grateful for every moment. Focus on what I have and appreciate it. 

I took my dad to this exact trail a few years ago during peak foliage. We had the best day. He had a photo of the leaves from the trail as his phone background for years after. 

I thought it might be too sad to come back, but I did it anyway. And I was overcome with gratitude for those moments then but also these moments now. 

Hiking alone under these incredible tall trees. Taking a bunch of family and group pics for other people I saw admiring the leaves. Also likely thinking that life is good. 

Because in spite of it all, it really is. Here. And everywhere else.
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emilyventures
There are lots of ways to create a good life ๐Ÿ‚๐Ÿ Really trying to be grateful for every moment. Focus on what I have and appreciate it. I took my dad to this exact trail a few years ago during peak foliage. We had the best day. He had a photo of the leaves from the trail as his phone background for years after. I thought it might be too sad to come back, but I did it anyway. And I was overcome with gratitude for those moments then but also these moments now. Hiking alone under these incredible tall trees. Taking a bunch of family and group pics for other people I saw admiring the leaves. Also likely thinking that life is good. Because in spite of it all, it really is. Here. And everywhere else.
Following my dreams is important and all, but I think a lot more about following my fears. The idea of fearlessness as a positive attribute is so strange to me. I understand some is semantics, but when people use it to describe me I have to wonder where Iโ€™ve went wrong. 

I donโ€™t want anyone to think Iโ€™m fearless. Iโ€™m afraid of tons of things. And I donโ€™t try to โ€œfixโ€ that as much as I just try to accept it and do the thing anyway. 

If itโ€™s important to me. 

And then maybe Iโ€™m not afraid anymore. But maybe I am. Along with all the other things. Because fear is a tool. It keeps us safe. Itโ€™s also a compass. Pointing us towards the things we should investigate more.

Because itโ€™s not brave or courageous if itโ€™s easy. If you werenโ€™t afraid. Itโ€™s literally the definition. And Iโ€™d much rather be described that way.
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emilyventures
Following my dreams is important and all, but I think a lot more about following my fears. The idea of fearlessness as a positive attribute is so strange to me. I understand some is semantics, but when people use it to describe me I have to wonder where Iโ€™ve went wrong. I donโ€™t want anyone to think Iโ€™m fearless. Iโ€™m afraid of tons of things. And I donโ€™t try to โ€œfixโ€ that as much as I just try to accept it and do the thing anyway. If itโ€™s important to me. And then maybe Iโ€™m not afraid anymore. But maybe I am. Along with all the other things. Because fear is a tool. It keeps us safe. Itโ€™s also a compass. Pointing us towards the things we should investigate more. Because itโ€™s not brave or courageous if itโ€™s easy. If you werenโ€™t afraid. Itโ€™s literally the definition. And Iโ€™d much rather be described that way.
Iโ€™ve been at this a long time ๐Ÿ’œ

(and this kinda reminds me I am old ๐Ÿ˜‚)

Social media has changed a lot the last 10 years. Photos, selfies, posting, sharing โ€” but thereโ€™s still definitely a vulnerability inherent with sharing. 

This is a little of my journey with it. 

Thanks for being here :)
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emilyventures
Iโ€™ve been at this a long time ๐Ÿ’œ (and this kinda reminds me I am old ๐Ÿ˜‚) Social media has changed a lot the last 10 years. Photos, selfies, posting, sharing โ€” but thereโ€™s still definitely a vulnerability inherent with sharing. This is a little of my journey with it. Thanks for being here :)
September of last year was the best and worst month of my life. Most surreal, for sure. 

I lost my father, then completed a goal I had been working towards for a decade. That I set up much of my life around.

I still donโ€™t know if Iโ€™ve processed either very much, to be honest. 

When I got back to WiFi after visiting park 63 I remember posting something kind of almost flippant like โ€œthatโ€™s a wrapโ€ online ๐Ÿ˜‚ andโ€ฆ thatโ€™s it. 

I didnโ€™t have the words for it. And Iโ€™m still looking for them, to be honest. 

But remembering that trip โ€” that honestly feels like yesterday โ€” is helping. 

So I wanted to share it with you all too :) 

Thanks for being there through it all. Good and bad ๐Ÿ’œ
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emilyventures
September of last year was the best and worst month of my life. Most surreal, for sure. I lost my father, then completed a goal I had been working towards for a decade. That I set up much of my life around. I still donโ€™t know if Iโ€™ve processed either very much, to be honest. When I got back to WiFi after visiting park 63 I remember posting something kind of almost flippant like โ€œthatโ€™s a wrapโ€ online ๐Ÿ˜‚ andโ€ฆ thatโ€™s it. I didnโ€™t have the words for it. And Iโ€™m still looking for them, to be honest. But remembering that trip โ€” that honestly feels like yesterday โ€” is helping. So I wanted to share it with you all too :) Thanks for being there through it all. Good and bad ๐Ÿ’œ
A fascinating thing about getting older is watching other people panic about your life.

A year ago, I shared some of the messages strangers send me about being single and child-free at 39.

Since then, Iโ€™ve traveled thousands of miles, watched another year pass, grieved people I love, found joy in unexpected places, and continued building a life that feels uniquely mine.

The comments are still coming ๐Ÿ˜‚ regardless.

I still havenโ€™t failed in life, but I am still figuring it out. :)
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emilyventures
A fascinating thing about getting older is watching other people panic about your life. A year ago, I shared some of the messages strangers send me about being single and child-free at 39. Since then, Iโ€™ve traveled thousands of miles, watched another year pass, grieved people I love, found joy in unexpected places, and continued building a life that feels uniquely mine. The comments are still coming ๐Ÿ˜‚ regardless. I still havenโ€™t failed in life, but I am still figuring it out. :)
Iโ€™ve always loved this photo. Being reminded of this day that somehow existed between two seasons. โ˜€๏ธ๐Ÿ‚

Swimming in an alpine lake on a warm late summer day surrounded by the early changing leaves high in the mountains signaling autumn. There is something so magical about the juxtaposition of seeming opposites as they coexist. 

As they become something else entirely. 

I think of life, and the duality of it that we just canโ€™t escape. 

Joy and sorrow. Creation and destruction. Life and loss. Love and grief.

So I, as always, remember natures lessons. What itโ€™s taught me on days like this one in the photograph. That often what I think of as opposites are actually complements. 

Remember that I wouldnโ€™t feel profound loss if I hadnโ€™t had a love to lose. That I wouldnโ€™t feel joy of achievement if it hadnโ€™t been a struggle to get here. 

Death and life. Ending and beginning. 

The truth, for me, is honestly that living a full life โ€” as trite and almost dismissive as it sounds โ€” really is about feeling it all. 

Leaving room for the feelings to coexist and giving myself space to work towards acceptance of them. 

As they become something else entirely.
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emilyventures
Iโ€™ve always loved this photo. Being reminded of this day that somehow existed between two seasons. โ˜€๏ธ๐Ÿ‚ Swimming in an alpine lake on a warm late summer day surrounded by the early changing leaves high in the mountains signaling autumn. There is something so magical about the juxtaposition of seeming opposites as they coexist. As they become something else entirely. I think of life, and the duality of it that we just canโ€™t escape. Joy and sorrow. Creation and destruction. Life and loss. Love and grief. So I, as always, remember natures lessons. What itโ€™s taught me on days like this one in the photograph. That often what I think of as opposites are actually complements. Remember that I wouldnโ€™t feel profound loss if I hadnโ€™t had a love to lose. That I wouldnโ€™t feel joy of achievement if it hadnโ€™t been a struggle to get here. Death and life. Ending and beginning. The truth, for me, is honestly that living a full life โ€” as trite and almost dismissive as it sounds โ€” really is about feeling it all. Leaving room for the feelings to coexist and giving myself space to work towards acceptance of them. As they become something else entirely.
One month (minus one day) until I turn 40. I posted about it in my story yesterday and said that I needed to get a better attitude about it ๐Ÿ˜‚ and got hundreds if not thousands of messages in response.

And itโ€™s not so much that I have a bad attitude about it, just that I want to be really thoughtful about where Iโ€™ve been and where Iโ€™m going. Because if Iโ€™ve learned one thing as Iโ€™ve gotten older itโ€™s that time moves very quickly. 

I think sometimes I get caught up in the โ€œwhatever you do is whatโ€™s best for youโ€ kind of mindset and that can be helpful at some points in life. But I also want to recognize the choices that havenโ€™t been whatโ€™s best for me. Where Iโ€™ve just made excuses. 

I think itโ€™s very valuable, if sometimes unsettling, to think about the things I want to change or improve on or soften. 

And a new decade is, for me, a great place to do that. 

So I kind of like that itโ€™s giving me a bit of a crisis. Because that shows me Iโ€™m paying attention.
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emilyventures
One month (minus one day) until I turn 40. I posted about it in my story yesterday and said that I needed to get a better attitude about it ๐Ÿ˜‚ and got hundreds if not thousands of messages in response. And itโ€™s not so much that I have a bad attitude about it, just that I want to be really thoughtful about where Iโ€™ve been and where Iโ€™m going. Because if Iโ€™ve learned one thing as Iโ€™ve gotten older itโ€™s that time moves very quickly. I think sometimes I get caught up in the โ€œwhatever you do is whatโ€™s best for youโ€ kind of mindset and that can be helpful at some points in life. But I also want to recognize the choices that havenโ€™t been whatโ€™s best for me. Where Iโ€™ve just made excuses. I think itโ€™s very valuable, if sometimes unsettling, to think about the things I want to change or improve on or soften. And a new decade is, for me, a great place to do that. So I kind of like that itโ€™s giving me a bit of a crisis. Because that shows me Iโ€™m paying attention.
Im doing the best that I can with what I have. As always. ๐Ÿ’œ

Love yโ€™all
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emilyventures
Im doing the best that I can with what I have. As always. ๐Ÿ’œ Love yโ€™all
Itโ€™s been a year without my dad. 365 days that feel like the longest but also shortest time I can imagine.ย 

It really feels like this just happened. And really, it did.

I took these first 2 photos today in a place my dad loved, in his vest that I took out of his car at hospice, with a new tattoo to help me memorialize the time we had together.

If Iโ€™m honest I donโ€™t really remember most of the past year. Iโ€™ve been in shock I guess? Depressed. Grieving. Angry. Trying to carry a lot of hurts as best as I can.ย 

My dad was my best friend. And he was the glue for so much in my life and those in his orbit. His passing has turned my and so many other lives upside down, and the process of trying to mend some of it back to something recognizable has been overwhelming.ย 

When my dad was diagnosed with cancer it was already terminal. So, I knew, ya know? I knew when he was sick and in the hospital and hospice but, until it happens you really canโ€™t prepare.ย 

I remember the nurse at hospice telling me around this time today last year that it would likely be that night. So I knew it was coming โ€” Iโ€™d known for 2 years โ€” but when it did, at 11:11pm, there was nothing that could have prepared me. Of course.

I still canโ€™t wrap my mind around it. But I am doing my best to focus on the good โ€“ and the time that we had.ย 

14,147 days, to be exact.ย 

I cried when I calculated it โ€“ from my birth to his death. 1414 was my dads favorite number, and 7 is a number of completion. It feels comforting, in a way.

So I decided to keep it close to me for the rest of my days. Where I can always see it. And remember how lucky I am.ย 

Love you dad. For all my days. ๐Ÿ’œ
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emilyventures
Itโ€™s been a year without my dad. 365 days that feel like the longest but also shortest time I can imagine.ย  It really feels like this just happened. And really, it did. I took these first 2 photos today in a place my dad loved, in his vest that I took out of his car at hospice, with a new tattoo to help me memorialize the time we had together. If Iโ€™m honest I donโ€™t really remember most of the past year. Iโ€™ve been in shock I guess? Depressed. Grieving. Angry. Trying to carry a lot of hurts as best as I can.ย  My dad was my best friend. And he was the glue for so much in my life and those in his orbit. His passing has turned my and so many other lives upside down, and the process of trying to mend some of it back to something recognizable has been overwhelming.ย  When my dad was diagnosed with cancer it was already terminal. So, I knew, ya know? I knew when he was sick and in the hospital and hospice but, until it happens you really canโ€™t prepare.ย  I remember the nurse at hospice telling me around this time today last year that it would likely be that night. So I knew it was coming โ€” Iโ€™d known for 2 years โ€” but when it did, at 11:11pm, there was nothing that could have prepared me. Of course. I still canโ€™t wrap my mind around it. But I am doing my best to focus on the good โ€“ and the time that we had.ย  14,147 days, to be exact.ย  I cried when I calculated it โ€“ from my birth to his death. 1414 was my dads favorite number, and 7 is a number of completion. It feels comforting, in a way. So I decided to keep it close to me for the rest of my days. Where I can always see it. And remember how lucky I am.ย  Love you dad. For all my days. ๐Ÿ’œ
The goal of solo travel โ€” for me โ€” is not to be fearless. Itโ€™s to learn how to push through fears, and become confident and capable in the midst of them (while also staying safe and being prepared.)

How to stay safe solo is, very understandably, the question I am asked most. 

But I find that lately the question is framed a little differently. People ask me โ€” women and men โ€” not just how to stay safe, but how to feel safe and secure enough to go in the first place. 

And to that, honestly, the answer is action. 

Itโ€™s building confidence. Building your capability โ€” through doing. 

Doing things that scare you is ironically the absolute best way to feel more secure. 

Action ๐Ÿค preparation 

There are of course more tips than these, but after over a decade of travel to all 50 states, every national park, and several other countries solo, these are what I think are most important.
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emilyventures
The goal of solo travel โ€” for me โ€” is not to be fearless. Itโ€™s to learn how to push through fears, and become confident and capable in the midst of them (while also staying safe and being prepared.) How to stay safe solo is, very understandably, the question I am asked most. But I find that lately the question is framed a little differently. People ask me โ€” women and men โ€” not just how to stay safe, but how to feel safe and secure enough to go in the first place. And to that, honestly, the answer is action. Itโ€™s building confidence. Building your capability โ€” through doing. Doing things that scare you is ironically the absolute best way to feel more secure. Action ๐Ÿค preparation There are of course more tips than these, but after over a decade of travel to all 50 states, every national park, and several other countries solo, these are what I think are most important.
I visited probably over 30 National Parks solo before I decided I would set the goal to visit them all. 

Mostly because of the 8 parks in Alaska, 5 canโ€™t even be accessed by roads. 

I spent a lot of time convincing myself that I shouldnโ€™t. How will you ever get to them all I wondered? BY YOURSELF?

When people asked me if I planned on it I would just mumble something about โ€œmost of those parks in Alaska donโ€™t even have roadsโ€ laugh uncomfortably and deflect. 

How could I possibly make that happen on my own? 

I doubted myself for a long time. But one day I decided I just had to trust the process. That I would find a way. I always do, I reminded myself.

And I did. 

The path hasnโ€™t been clear but โ€” as cliche as it is โ€” itโ€™s always appeared when Iโ€™ve needed it. 

Here is how I did it. 

Have you visited Alaska? The national parks?
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5mo ago
emilyventures
I visited probably over 30 National Parks solo before I decided I would set the goal to visit them all. Mostly because of the 8 parks in Alaska, 5 canโ€™t even be accessed by roads. I spent a lot of time convincing myself that I shouldnโ€™t. How will you ever get to them all I wondered? BY YOURSELF? When people asked me if I planned on it I would just mumble something about โ€œmost of those parks in Alaska donโ€™t even have roadsโ€ laugh uncomfortably and deflect. How could I possibly make that happen on my own? I doubted myself for a long time. But one day I decided I just had to trust the process. That I would find a way. I always do, I reminded myself. And I did. The path hasnโ€™t been clear but โ€” as cliche as it is โ€” itโ€™s always appeared when Iโ€™ve needed it. Here is how I did it. Have you visited Alaska? The national parks?
2026 vs 2016 โšก๏ธ

I keep seeing this โ€œ2016 trendโ€ online, and I have to admit my first thought was that my life hasnโ€™t changed much since then ๐Ÿ˜‚

Of course I quickly realized that was not actually true. While some things have stayed the same, a lot has changed for me in the past 10 years. Some good, some bad. 

But Iโ€™d be foolish not to look back and learn from the journey. 

I felt embarrassingly unsure in my life at 30. But I decided to keep creating my own way. Making my own map. Blazing my own trail. Whatever phrases Ive used throughout the years to help build my confidence. 

Because, although I love looking forward in life, the thing is, when youโ€™re creating your own path, the only way to see how far youโ€™ve traveled is to look backwards. 

And seeing how far Iโ€™ve come gives me the strength to keep moving forward.
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7mo ago
emilyventures
2026 vs 2016 โšก๏ธ I keep seeing this โ€œ2016 trendโ€ online, and I have to admit my first thought was that my life hasnโ€™t changed much since then ๐Ÿ˜‚ Of course I quickly realized that was not actually true. While some things have stayed the same, a lot has changed for me in the past 10 years. Some good, some bad. But Iโ€™d be foolish not to look back and learn from the journey. I felt embarrassingly unsure in my life at 30. But I decided to keep creating my own way. Making my own map. Blazing my own trail. Whatever phrases Ive used throughout the years to help build my confidence. Because, although I love looking forward in life, the thing is, when youโ€™re creating your own path, the only way to see how far youโ€™ve traveled is to look backwards. And seeing how far Iโ€™ve come gives me the strength to keep moving forward.
The journal factory exploded ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ Happy Fatherโ€™s Day, Dad. I miss you, but I know your love is always with me. ๐Ÿ’œ
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emilyventures
The journal factory exploded ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ Happy Fatherโ€™s Day, Dad. I miss you, but I know your love is always with me. ๐Ÿ’œ

Emily Hart ๐Ÿ’œ | solo travel (@emilyventures) Instagram Stats & Analytics

Emily Hart ๐Ÿ’œ | solo travel (@emilyventures) has 208K Instagram followers with a 4.71% engagement rate over the past 12 months. Across 101 posts, Emily Hart ๐Ÿ’œ | solo travel received 327K total likes and 2.43M impressions, averaging 3.24K likes per post. This page tracks Emily Hart ๐Ÿ’œ | solo travel's performance metrics, top content, and engagement trends โ€” updated daily.

Emily Hart ๐Ÿ’œ | solo travel (@emilyventures) Instagram Analytics FAQ

How many Instagram followers does Emily Hart ๐Ÿ’œ | solo travel have?+
Emily Hart ๐Ÿ’œ | solo travel (@emilyventures) has 208K Instagram followers as of August 2026.
What is Emily Hart ๐Ÿ’œ | solo travel's Instagram engagement rate?+
Emily Hart ๐Ÿ’œ | solo travel's Instagram engagement rate is 4.71% over the last 12 months, based on 101 posts.
How many likes does Emily Hart ๐Ÿ’œ | solo travel get on Instagram?+
Emily Hart ๐Ÿ’œ | solo travel received 327K total likes across 101 posts in the last 12 months, averaging 3.24K likes per post.
How many Instagram impressions does Emily Hart ๐Ÿ’œ | solo travel get?+
Emily Hart ๐Ÿ’œ | solo travel's Instagram content generated 2.43M total impressions over the last 12 months.