Thirty Before Thirty: A Passport to Adventure

Episode Summary: In this insightful episode of Nomadic Diaries, Doreen sits down with Autumn Carolyn—world traveler, writer, and author of Traveling in Wonder—to talk about the realities of moving abroad, the impact of travel on our senses, the power of reflection, and the process of returning home after years overseas.

Autumn shares heartfelt stories from her time living in England and traveling to 30 countries before turning 30, as well as her experience with reverse culture shock and rediscovering a sense of home in Minnesota.

Key Highlights:

• Common Misconceptions About Moving Abroad:
  Autumn discusses the often-overlooked challenges of culture shock, even in English-speaking countries like England, and how simple things (like transportation) can be surprisingly disorienting.
• Travel as a Sensory Experience:
  The chapters in her book are longer for the places she loved most—proof, she says, of how deeply our senses shape our memories.
• The Gift of Noticing:
  Autumn shares her practice of intentional noticing—stopping to ask what she can see, hear, and smell in a moment—which amplifies the vividness of her experiences abroad and, she says, increases peace and presence.
• Goals vs. Growth:
  While her “30 countries by 30” goal kept her moving, Autumn explains that the true value lies not in the numbers but in the transformative experiences and self-growth that travel brings.
• On Reflection and Empathy:
  Keeping a journal helped her process and find deeper meaning in her travels. She describes how living in different cultures has made her more empathetic and skilled at connecting with people from all backgrounds.
• Reverse Culture Shock:
  Autumn is candid about the challenges of coming home—missing the friends and routines from abroad, sharing memories with those who weren't there, and grappling with the urge to get back on a plane.
• Advice for Aspiring Travelers:
  She encourages listeners to start with “bite-sized adventures”—whether that’s exploring a new grocery store or a nearby town—especially if international travel feels daunting.

Where to Find Autumn’s Book:

• https://www.youtube.com/autumncarolynnphotography
• www.autumncarolynn.com 
• https://www.facebook.com/autumncarolynnphotography
• https://www.instagram.com/autumncarolynnphotography

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Sayonara until next time!