Hi Reader,

At 10 p.m., when I’m normally washing my face before debating whether to read one more page of my current book, I suddenly got a burst of energy. The kind of spark that says, “Not tonight… tonight we’re going down a rabbit hole.”

Since I’ve been thinking about spending time in Asia again, I thought I’d just take a quick peek at flight prices. You already know how this goes.

Five minutes turned into a deep dive into new countries, safety research, regional culture, and cost comparisons, all the things you have to consider when you’re a woman traveling alone and trying to be both curious and responsible.

A couple of searches later, I realized:
​I can actually do this.​
​

There were multiple countries within my budget, a handful of places I’ve never been, and absolutely no logistical reason to wait.

So I kept clicking.

At 4 a.m., I was still comparing routes and timings like a woman possessed.

• By 6 a.m., I had a document of notes.
• By 8 a.m., I had booked a flight from London to Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Am I addicted?
Possibly.
But I also think this is what happens when desire outruns hesitation.

The truth is, this trip has been whispering to me since September, when I went back to visit Japan and went to Taiwan for the first time. First it was:

“I’m thinking about spending a few months in Asia.”

Then it became:

“I’m looking at whether I might go.”

Then:

“Oh, I’m definitely going — it’s just a matter of when…and where.”

Last weekend, I talked with a friend who lives in Vietnam. She has a week off in February and wants to go to Laos or Cambodia. Perfect. I’ll solo travel, then meet her somewhere along the way for a week of shared adventuring.

Now the only questions are:

• Where do I go in Sri Lanka?
• Where do I go after?
• Will my visit to Japan coincide with hanami season in March?

So here’s where I turn to you:

Where would you go if you had a couple of months in Asia?​
What’s a place that surprised you?
Or a place you couldn’t shake after leaving?

Reply and tell me. My list is growing, but I’m always open to your experiences shaping my path.

And speaking of paths…

This whole story — the 10 p.m. spark, the 4 a.m. research spiral, the moment desire outweighed fear — is exactly the kind of thing I’ll be talking about in my relaunched podcast, Freedom Looks Like This.

In the show, I'll explore that place between longing and leaping, the space where most of us get stuck. If you’ve ever felt that same tug I felt on Friday night… I think you’ll feel at home there. Check it out:

​https://freedomlookslikethis.com/​

Drops December 3

The trailer will be live in a few days. You can subscribe at the link below if you haven't yet to be the first to know when the first episodes are available.
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For now, tell me where you’d go.
I’m ready to hear your stories, too.

Joyfully,
Damianne

P.S. Did you know you can follow me on Instagram or Tiktok.

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