I slept poorly, I sweated profusely, I gained weight and I went over budget after extending my backpacking trip through Europe a month longer than expected but unsurprisingly I wouldn’t change a single moment of the most remarkable journey that reminded me sleep is overrated, sweat builds character, weight is just a number and money will replenish itself with hard work.

I visited 14 countries and 31 cities, traveled 21,000 miles by plane, train, bus and ferry, stayed at 25 hostels and took 7,000 pictures in 90 unforgettable days.  

I walked until my feet hurt, sprinted for trains with my bags strapped to my back and lost sleep to endless adventures, uncomfortable bunkbeds and random roommates snoring. 

I met dozens of strangers from around the world, I read more books in three months than I’ve read in the last three years, I reconnected with meditation, I smiled at every person I passed and laughed through every inconvenience. 

I saw so many amazing sights — from the United Kingdom west to Greece — yet I most enjoyed being a silent, solo observer to life and watching humanity shine with kindness: the young man who helped an elderly woman lift her suitcase up the stairs at the train station, the woman who bought a burger for an unhoused person at McDonald’s, the teenager who tipped the street performer, the kind lady who offered me an eye mask at the airport, the solo travelers who invited me to join their dinners, concerts and adventures. 

This trip was the biggest risk of my life. I put everything on hold with hopes of learning, listening, seeing and being. Simply being! I wasn’t running away from anything but I was running towards the freedom to explore the world at my own pace after 11 years of daily assignments as a TV reporter. I still thrive on constant connection and hard deadlines but I think I now better understand the importance of breathing, quiet time and unplugging to nurture our senses — to see clearly, to hear all voices, to smell and taste intensely, to feel things deep in our souls. 

As I transition back to “real life” — whatever that means — I am excited to immerse myself in new experiences and challenges with a sharpened mindset and a heart full of gratitude. It’s true: I miss work. That’s probably because I’ve been lucky enough to only have jobs that I love — even when I was a teenage grocery store cashier — and I think loving your work can make loving your life a bit easier. That’s not to say work is essential to happiness but I’d much rather wake-up excited about my work than simply checking a box. 

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I spent so much time with my own thoughts throughout my travels yet I find it hard to boil down all I learned from my reflections — but I’ll try! How about 20 bullet points? Brevity is not my strength.

My five main takeaways: (1) slow down, (2) take risks, (3) try everything (4) connect with others and (5) go out of your way to be kind. 

I believe connection and conversation combined with kindness can inspire us all to live happier and more impactful lives. In October, I wrote, “If the only goal is doing well for ourselves far too many people will be left behind.” I think personal success is wonderful; however, I think it’s more admirable when that success involves lifting people up.

Here are 15 other thoughts:

1. Talk less but find words in tough moments 
2. Walk slower but run to help others 
3. Spend time with the people you love and those who need love 
4. Be endlessly positive 
5. Listen and smile more 
6. Lift people up
7. Prioritize your health 
8. Don’t be afraid to fail or step out of your comfort zone
9. Embrace change for new experiences
10. Relentlessly pursue your passions 
11. Start believing you can change the world 
12. Talk to everyone and expect nothing 
13. Appreciate what you have
14. Don’t hold grudges 
15. Live like your life is on the line 

Grab life by the beans: Life is not about making a series of good decisions or bad decisions but rather taking control of your precious time, having fun, surrounding yourself with good people and having a positive impact on the world. It starts with believing your contributions to the world can make a difference. If you don’t believe you can change the world, you never will. 

This world is a crazy place that needs positive changemakers. I’m an eternal optimist yet I’m sad about so much. I’m happy to be alive but sad for the people falling behind, the division, the hate and a lack of empathy. I think having optimism is the only way to cope — or the only way I know how to cope. Of course, I believe the good outweighs the bad but that doesn’t mean we can ignore the bad or stop fighting against the bad from creeping into our lives. We all play a role in improving our cities, neighborhoods, streets and relationships. Citizens — you, me, all of us — should complain less and work more towards solutions. Let’s face it: the taxes we pay are not a magic wand promising safety, ensuring food and housing security, access to necessary resources or even a quality education. The needs are too great and our resources are too scarce. We should all be working to lift people up. And when I say “working” I mean actively going out of our way to see where our help might be needed. Start with your sibling, your neighbor or the kid at the bus stop. Start somewhere and be intentional. You never know when you might need the hand up.

I hoped I would feel different on the other side of my trip — and I do! Perhaps the risk I took paid off in wisdom gained and I’m excited to see how that translates into my next chapter and the rest of my life.

There are more people to meet, more people to help and more stories to tell. For now, take good care of yourself and others! I believe everything will be alright. Love, y’all! 

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Countries visited: United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweeden, Norway, Oslo, Portugal, Spain, Monaco, Italy, Greece 

Follow me on Instagram for more pictures and adventures: @JoeFisherTV

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