While trekking away in Australia, I came across an Irish woman who was traveling on her own. At the time we met, I was also on my own (don’t worry Daddy, I had pepper spray on hand). After some conversing, she learned my reason for being there (vacation) and begun divulging how she had arrived at this far away land.

Being thirty-something, she woke up one day and wanted more. Simply put, she bought a one-way ticket, quit her job, packed up her life and dipped. She needed more and despite all odds, left comfort behind and hopped on a plane. Her adventure had begun.

We met up a couple times after our initial conversation and before our journey led us on different paths, we exchanged emails.

Recently, my mind ran across her and the strangest thing happened. For the first time in my life, I made an effort to open the lines of communication (shocking, I know). It was unexpected and short but welcomed.

She spent three months traveling in Australia after I left; went to New Zealand for another five months. Currently living in a lovely place called Mount Maunganui, on the north island, working in a kiwi packing house. At some point, she’ll move back to Australia (Oz, as they like to call it) for another three months and then return to New Zealand (NZ) to travel the south island, in a camper van during the summer. Wow, colour me jelly.

She’s currently living a life that most of us can only dream about! And she’s not the only one. While I’m not jaded enough to think it’s all fun and games, I do have hope that it’s intermingled between loads of hard work. The point is, I know they are all growing and constantly learning. So you know what? Kudos to her and all the people like her.

The explorers in search of more.

The ones that can pick up and go without knowing the language, without knowing the culture, without knowing anybody at all. The ones that despite their situations, financial problems, or loved one left behind – make it a point to cross “Travel the world” off their bucket lists. The ones that don’t need a reason but rather, just want to learn hands-on, experience new things, meet new people and explore a world outside of their own.

And after that adventure ends (because at some point it will) they are the ones that can breathe easy, kicking the world in the arse at the same time. And each time they succeed in doing so, it will be a small victory to their independence. A harsh-but-gentle, ‘fuck you’ to everyone who called them selfish for wanting an adventure, for saying that they couldn’t do it and for telling them to grow up. They did the most unsafe, unknowing and unsecured thing in their life…and I admire them.

Because sometimes, just sometimes, that is exactly what’s needed to make them strong, independent and inspired.

Amazing people do exist. Few are lucky enough to have them waltz into their uninterrupted lives but sometimes it takes venturing out of your comfort zone in order to meet one of them. Because while our bodies may have grown up, these are the people that remind you that our spirits don’t always have to. So kudos to the lost boys who fight super villains, find buried treasures, tease mermaids and have an imagination. Kudos to the girls who always think they’re Chun Li or Peter Pan, even. Kudos to those that find the courage to do it alone. I commend each and every one of you.

If and when paths are crossed, I urge you to ask questions, smile and vicariously live through them and their experiences…even if that means sending an email from thousands of miles away after months of not communicating.

What have you got to lose? YOLO (sorry, I had to).