Empty Nest Ikigai

A year ago, I was mentally preparing for my empty nest , counting down the days until my daughter would leave for college on the other side of the world. Looking back now, I realize just how BIG that moment was. She flew from Japan to New York alone, starting the most significant chapter of her life without me. And she did it! We both navigated this biggest transition, miles apart across different continents— but together in spirit. 2024 Haneda Airport, Tokyo, Japan  Finding My Ikigai: The Starting Point 🖊📚💻 I began this blog to document my journey into empty nesting while searching for my ikigai . For those unfamiliar, ikigai is about finding your purpose by discovering what you love, what you're good at, how you can make a difference, and how you can turn that into a livelihood. Thankfully, I had my hobbies, friends, a fulfilling career, and the beautiful, safe country of Japan to keep me grounded. Over the past year, I’ve endeavored to capture my experiences, and ...

Mission Accomplished: 14 Flights, 5 Weeks, and Endless Lessons on the Road Five Weeks, Six States, and So Much More Mission accomplished! After 14 out of 16 flights, I’m heading home from an incredible five-week journey through Mexico and the U.S.—my first scouting tour for Wanderlust-Travel LLC 2026. I visited incredible places, built new connections, and revised my Oaxaca itinerary for next spring. And while the journey was rich with adventure, it also came with unexpected challenges—especially with my health. 😷 When Travel Tests You (And Teaches You) The hardest part? I got sick in Oaxaca. What started as a sore throat quickly turned into a fever and body aches—my first run-in with COVID. Thankfully, I’d already tried most of the local cuisine before losing my taste and smell. Going to Oaxaca without your tastebuds would seem like a punishment. It is the foodie capital of Mexico after Mexico City.  What got me through? My daughter —she is my number one supporter. S...