As I sit here in this café writing today’s blog, I can say this has been one of the wildest yet most rewarding journeys I have embarked on. It has been the hardest experience of my life, but I am incredibly grateful for the path I am on and for the opportunity to be where I am today in Salzburg, Austria. As I mentioned in my introductory post, my journey began with a one-way ticket purchased on May 18, 2023. I remember that day vividly. At the time, I was juggling three restaurant jobs as a server, feeling lost and miserable, with a constant voice in my head whispering, This isn’t it. I knew I wanted more, and I was certain I wanted to return to Europe. Ever since coming home from Germany, I had a gut feeling I would find my way back. I just didn’t know when or where.

As time went on, I applied for countless corporate jobs. Entry-level positions that seemed ideal for a recent college graduate. By September 2022, my family and I had begun planning a big winter vacation to Europe. Between submitting job applications and making travel plans, I took a restaurant job because, at the time, it made the most sense. If I was going on a three-week European vacation, I figured I might as well work a flexible job and save money. My thought process was simple: After I return from Europe, I’ll get a corporate job, start saving, and work my way up the corporate ladder – just like I’m supposed to.

But when January 2023 rolled around, I found myself back home in Arizona, lost beyond measure, still applying for corporate jobs. Returning to Europe had reignited something in me. I knew after my third trip that I wanted to find my way back again. Instead of following what I thought was the “right” path, I chose another restaurant job and then a couple more. I was working 50 to 60 hours a week, sometimes even hitting 72 hours. Looking back, I don’t know how I managed it, but I wouldn’t change a thing. That period allowed me to save enough money so that when the right moment came, I would be ready to take on whatever journey presented itself.

However, no journey just presented itself as I had imagined. I turned down opportunities, even enrolled in real estate school, but something always felt off. It took one final opportunity—one I nearly accepted—to make me sit down and ask myself: What do I truly want? Why did I keep turning down opportunities that would keep me in Arizona? After making countless pros and cons lists, I finally accepted that Arizona wasn’t where I wanted to be at that time. While I will always consider it home, I knew I needed to follow my heart back to Europe. I could only ignore that little voice inside me for so long. On May 18th, I booked my one-way flight to Salzburg, Austria, and I can say with certainty that I wouldn’t change that decision for anything.

I told all three of my jobs about my plans and never looked back. People thought I was crazy, and honestly, a part of me wondered the same. But I knew I was following my heart, and that was what mattered most. The hardest part was telling my family, especially because I had no concrete plan. Every other time I had gone to Europe, I had an itinerary, an end date, and a structured purpose. This time, all I had was a plane ticket that said I was leaving on July 3rd, 2023.

Breaking the news to my parents was my first step. I am beyond blessed to have such supportive parents because, when I told them, their response was simple: Do what makes you happy. Their encouragement solidified my decision. From there, I shared the news with the rest of my family.

Then, on July 5th, 2023, I landed in Salzburg with the biggest smile on my face, holding back tears of happiness. The chills ran up and down my body as I stepped off the plane and felt like I had never left. That’s when I knew, I might just be home.

Xoxo, Harleigh