From Divorce To Discovery Through Travel // 176
Divorce can leave you feeling lost and unsure of who you are now. In this episode, Cheryl shares how intentional travel—even small road trips—can help you heal, gain perspective, and rediscover the woman you’re becoming.
When Divorce Leaves You Wondering Who You Are
Divorce can leave you feeling like your entire world has shifted.
Maybe your home is different now.
Maybe your routines have changed.
Maybe the future you once imagined suddenly looks unfamiliar.
Along with the legal process and practical changes, there are often deep emotions to navigate—grief, exhaustion, sadness, and sometimes even shame.
Many women quietly carry the weight of believing they somehow failed.
But the truth is this: divorce is not the end of your story.
It can be the beginning of a new chapter.
The Question Many Women Ask After Divorce
After the dust begins to settle, a deeper question often surfaces:
Who am I now?
For many years, our identity may have been connected to roles like wife, mother, or caretaker.
When those roles change, it can leave a surprising emptiness.
But that space can also become an invitation.
An invitation to rediscover who you are.
An invitation to explore what you enjoy.
An invitation to begin again.
How Travel Can Help You Heal After Divorce
During Cheryl’s own divorce, travel became one of the most powerful tools for healing.
Not extravagant trips.
Not expensive vacations.
But small road trips.
Short getaways.
Moments away from the daily environment where painful thoughts and emotions often repeat on a loop.
Changing your surroundings—even briefly—can shift your perspective in ways you might not expect.
When you step outside your normal routine, your mind has space to reset.
Psychologists often refer to this as neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new thought patterns when we experience something new.
Travel naturally encourages that process.
Sometimes the Healing Trip Is Close to Home
In the first year after divorce, large international trips may not feel realistic.
Finances may be tight.
Emotions may still feel overwhelming.
Life may still be in transition.
That’s okay.
Healing travel doesn’t have to be far away.
A simple road trip.
A weekend getaway.
Even visiting family for support can provide the space you need.
For Cheryl, these smaller trips were what helped her survive that first year.
They broke the cycle of painful thoughts and allowed moments of fresh perspective.
The Power of Awe While Traveling
One of the unexpected gifts of travel is the experience of awe.
Standing before a mountain range.
Watching the sun rise over the ocean.
Seeing the colors of a sunset spread across the sky.
Moments like these can shift your emotional state in powerful ways.
Research shows that experiences of awe can reduce stress and increase feelings of joy and connection.
For many people, these moments happen most naturally in nature.
When we pause to witness the beauty of creation, it reminds us that life is still unfolding—even in seasons of loss.
Travel Can Help You Move Beyond Survival
Divorce can feel like a season of simply surviving.
But travel can help you move beyond survival into something new.
A new perspective.
A renewed mindset.
A rediscovery of the woman you were created to be.
You may return home from even a short trip feeling lighter, clearer, and more hopeful.
And sometimes that small shift is exactly what you need to take the next step forward.
A New Chapter Is Still Waiting for You
If you are walking through divorce right now, know that you are not alone.
This season may feel overwhelming, but it does not define your future.
With time, support, and intentional steps toward healing, a new chapter can begin.
And sometimes travel becomes the doorway to discovering that next chapter.
If you’re navigating divorce and wondering how to move forward, Cheryl supports women through 1:1 travel coaching designed to help you use travel as a tool for healing, reflection, and renewal.
Learn more here:
