At 62, after raising children, managing a career, and navigating numerous obligations, I decided it was time for an adventure: my “Senior” Gap Year if you will.

For the past two and a half years, I've been mainly living out of a suitcase, traveling without much of a plan, immersing myself in many new cultures, and looking at things in new ways. My journey has been nothing short of exhilarating (sometimes exhausting), filled with moments that have taken my breath away and experiences that have reshaped my understanding of what it means to feel at home.

Leaving behind the familiar was both thrilling and scary. The first of my journies was to Mexico, where the warmth of the people and the beauty of the landscape welcomed me like an old friend. I wandered through vibrant streets, tasted new food, and felt the magic of the Mexican culture. When I left, I missed it so I kept going back. Each visit deepened my love for San Miguel and the people there, so much so that I now have Residency!

From Mexico, I went to Malaysia for a month. I was so close to Thailand that I moved on to explore there. After being home a few weeks I joined my Mother, Aunt and Cousin in Scotland. When they left I explored on my own a bit more. I’ve also visited and revisited many cities and landscapes in the United States. Gosh, I almost forgot an amazing trip to Costa Rica!

Each destination is a chapter in my story, a piece of the big picture that has become my life. I know that I find joy in the unexpected, beauty in the mundane, and excitement in the unknown. There are days when I feel invincible, and nights when the solitude is palpable, a reminder of the sacrifices made with my choice to travel.

One of the most profound realizations of my travels has been the understanding that home is not a single place. It is not confined to four walls or a specific geographic location. Home is where I feel most myself, where my heart is at peace, and where I find joy and contentment. In the lively markets of San Miguel, I feel a pulse of life that resonates with my own. In the quiet corners of a Scottish Ocean village, I found solace in the simplicity of a moment. In the vast landscapes of the US, from remote towns to big cities to serene national parks, I feel a connection to something greater than myself.

As my journey unfolds, I believe that home is found in the kindness of strangers, the laughter of new friends, and the beauty of nature. It’s in the shared meal with new friends, the dance of traditional music, and the stories told while hiking  in Georgia. Each experience adds to the big picture of my life, enriching my understanding of what it means to belong.

Now, as I settle in to my Atlanta house, the place that once defined home for me, I do so with a heart full of memories and a spirit renewed by the adventures I've had. The return home is not an end, but a continuation of the journey. I bring with me the lessons learned, the friendships forged, and the beauty witnessed. My house, once simply a structure, has become a repository for my stories, a place where I can reflect on my travels and dream of the journeys yet to come.

My adventures have taught me that home is a state of mind, a feeling of comfort and belonging that can be found wherever I choose to be. It is in the laughter shared with loved ones, the quiet moments of reflection, and the joy of discovering something new. Whether I am sitting in my living room with a cup of tea, or exploring a far-off land, I carry home within me. It is a feeling of completeness, of being at peace with who I am and where I am.

So, as I settle back into the rhythms of everyday life, I do so with a sense of gratitude for the journey that has brought me here. I am home, not because I have returned to a place, but because I have found a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me. Home is where I feel most alive, most at peace, and most myself. And that, I have discovered, can be anywhere. Reach out to me at Lisakiely.com.