Curiosity has always been a trigger in crucial life-changing decisions and in everything I do. It's the engine of my life. But I also believe that curiosity is the essence that nourishes our soul and spirit and the foundation for anything else we build upon.
It's this same keen curiosity and courage to dare and explore all "unknown" that spurred me to move a while back, leaving my corporate life behind. I started with moving to Austria, then the UK to study and then, later on, became an expat in Germany for 12 years.
I realised the world looks and feels way friendlier out there when you're truly experiencing it. Much better than when you try to figure it out just in your imagination.
Travelling and leaning into the unfamiliar was a big eye-opener to me. It showed me a world of opportunities that I would've never had if I had chosen the life inside, what I call, the "glass bubble". Feeling encapsulated and trapped in a pre-made sterilised environment is neither friendly nor unfriendly; it's just something we're directed to as part of society, and that didn't serve me.
Now, in my 50's, I can definitely confirm that travel does truly ignite an energetic spiral, a sort of magic that can be vital for your personal growth.
Curiosity strikes again
Working in corporate life is something I loved for many years. That proved to be a fantastic way to learn and grow both personally, socially and professionally; I won't deny it.
But then, I felt my curiosity pushing through with a call I couldn't ignore any more. I had to give my thirst for experience and exploring the unknown a chance again and, because I always (almost) trust my instincts and let them guide me, it ended up winning over having a good job, security, financial stability and all those other goals we're supposed to search for in life.
I felt the need to embark on a "new and adventurous journey" and embrace a less ordinary path, the path of becoming a solopreneur. It has not been smooth, though; on the contrary, it has been a rocky ride with lots of trial and errors, a real challenge that took me through the deep valley of transformation. Was it worth it? Yes, without any doubt.
I've been through all various stages, from peak performance and high excitement to disappointments and failures. Running your own business is undoubtedly an entirely different scenario than having an 8-5 job.
The biggest challenge is playing various roles at the same time that require skill and dedication, and oh! So much perseverance. You may be good at some but not in all areas, and that is where you need to get clarity from the beginning.
The key is to be honest with yourself to decide what you want and can take on and what to better delegate to others. This clarity is often something we lack when we set up a business –and while growing it– but having it will become essential if you want to keep loving your new entrepreneur life for the long ride.
This is where travelling tunes in, like a therapeutic aid. A traveller's lifestyle is what I like to call "the best life companion" because it gives you a free treatment whilst helping you declutter and see clearer.
"During another solo trip, I saw the light bulb shed light on creating a solo travel website about Australia, and this is when Rocky Travel was born"
The beginning of my solopreneur
On my first solo trip, I went to Australia. It brought me massive clarity about what I wanted to do next, after 12 years of living and working in Munich. Then, in 2008 I felt stuck again. Thankfully, during another solo trip, I saw the light bulb shed light on creating a solo travel website about Australia, and this is when Rocky Travel was born.
Later on, I had countless moments of profound intuition and inspiration that have fed my self-confidence and showed me where to take action or correct my direction. Now, in my 50's, I can definitely confirm that travel does truly ignite an energetic spiral, a sort of magic that can be vital for your personal growth.
When I look back to 2008, when I made this smart move to launch my business, I can feel emotional turmoil inside me. It pretty much summarises all the excitement, success, setback and failure that have been a part of the journey. Yet nothing makes me regret my choice.
Leaving my job as a manager in a traditional or standard work-life involved all of these moments. Still, it's also been the empowering part of my adventure, and it belongs to it; it's an experience, and we should embrace all of them as such.
As long as you keep your mind open, be honest with yourself and listen to your feelings, adjust and correct your actions towards them; staying true to your values and worthiness, tuning into what serves you and what doesn't, you will always feel good. It'll make you feel brave and smart enough to keep going your way and take your life to the next level. Don't let fear keep you from it.
About Michela
She's a solopreneur who swapped a life of a manager for a less ordinary life. She is the founder and owner of Rocky Travel, a travel site for women travelling alone in Australia and Italy. In 2021 she launched Magic Fifty to help other women over 50 go through their discovery journey and take their lives to the next level.
