On August 14th, 2015, I published a post that changed the course of this blog and the direction of my life forever.
“In two days I’ll be on a plane to Asia and life will never be the same … I bought a one way ticket to Bangkok to leave this life behind and start over.”
Today’s announcement is strangely similar, yet different in so many ways.
In two days, I’ll be on a plane to South America with a one way ticket to Rio. But this time I’ll have someone by my side… and this trip is not about starting over—it’s about the start of our own great adventure, together.
When I returned home from Asia to sell my house, I never thought I’d stay. I couldn’t wait to get back to a nomadic lifestyle, waking up to new places and people every day. But there was someone I had met along the way who would change those plans.
Lucas was moving to San Francisco to settle down, and as difficult as the decision was to stay with him in California, I knew I’d never be able to walk away from this connection we had.
That connection grew into love, and the beginning of a life together in the city. He found a great career, and I decided to fully pursue real estate with the purchase of my first flip.
But there was something missing. A void had been left in the absence of travel, and it was growing by the day. A piece of me was gone, and nothing could replace it. I couldn’t look at those old photos, relive the memories or even talk about my time abroad without mourning the loss of the path I didn’t take.
Some part of Lucas felt the same, and he was also re-evaluating his career path and life plans.
After many long conversations, we both knew what we needed to do.
It was because of a risk we both took in 2015—him leaving his career to backpack overseas for several months and me walking away from a marriage to do the same—that ended up being the best decision of our lives, and the one that brought us together. There was no hesitation, it was time to make that same decision again.
A couple months ago, Lucas quit his job and a we booked a flight to Rio, where we’ll begin our backpacking trip through South America and Europe for the next seven months.
Just as we each did during our own travels throughout Southeast Asia, we have very little booked or planned because it’s all about the journey, not the destination. We’ll follow our internal compass and let our encounters lead the way.
At the end of this year, we plan to return home for the holidays before packing up and moving to Florida in January. We’ll settle in Tampa/St. Petersburg and start our own real estate company, investing through rehabbing, selling and renting homes. We’ve both put a lot of time and thought into this decision and are prepared to fully commit ourselves to this business.
That leads us to the future of this blog. I can’t make any promises about what to expect over the next several months while we’re traveling, but I can say that I will focus on raising the bar for my videos/vlogging (the next one is coming soon!)
There will still be blog updates, but they may not be as lengthy as they were during my last travels—it’s tough to predict right now. Lucas has also shown interest in contributing with his own posts from time to time, coming from a different perspective of transitioning from the corporate world to self employment, which some of you may be able to relate to.
I know many of you only read this blog for the home décor content, and I understand if you
decide to check out until that resumes next January—I’m expecting it to come back bigger than ever once there are two of us working at it full time! But for those of you who stuck around and enjoyed following my first solo journey, there’s a lot more where that came from. And it’s never going away, as we have both vowed to make travel a priority for the rest of our lives.
There are still many unknowns ahead, but we’ve learned that is where the magic happens… in following your heart and letting the universe guide you to where you’re meant to be. Each day is precious and tomorrow is not guaranteed, so there’s no time to waste.
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all—and our adventure begins now.
Katherine Goodwins says
Have an amazing adventure! And if you find yourself in England along the South Coast in Dorset, please say hi xxx
Kathleen says
Enjoy every moment as they pass too fast. And don’t forget to take our family up on the offer of a boat ride when you move to my city. Tampa… small world.
jennasuedesign says
Thank you for the offer Kathleen, that sounds fun! 😀
Terri Jean says
Safe travels to you and Lucas, and it’s so exciting that your’re following your hearts and seeing what the world has to offer!! I’ll be looking forward to your travel adventures just like I do your DIY adventures!! Enjoy every moment!! May God Bless you both and keep you safe!!
Holly says
I just found your blog, but am happy that Lucas and you have decided to follow your hearts. I just turned 53 and am trying to do the same. It’s never too late, right? Good luck to you both!
jennasuedesign says
Good for you! It’s never too late 🙂
Shan says
So happy and excited for you both! I loved reading about your adventures in Asia and love everything about your home renovations too! And when you two move to FL, you will be in our backyard (we are just outside of Tampa in Valrico). 🙂 I think my next life goal is real estate, after 19 years at the same company in the corporate world, I’m yearning for something new! Safe travels and can’t wait to read all about it!
Ardith says
Cheers to you and Lucas for blazing your own life trail, for being true to what drives you both. Best wishes for wondrous travels and the new life you will make together in Florida. If you decide to document your adventures, I am all for it.
Gail says
Bon voyage on your new adventure. While I’ll miss the decor, your travel posts will give us a window into treking with you. Today I read about another young woman and her travels. In 1972, Anne-France Dautheville, at 28, was the first woman to motorcycle solo around the world. Watch video of her travel journal on Youtube. You can read about her travels in her books, Une Demoiselle sur une Moto (Girl on a Motorcycle), (1973) and Et J’ai Suivi le Vent (And I Followed the Wind), (1975). Both books are in only French. Her story inspired the Chloe Fall 2016 fashion collection. Perhaps this foreshadows a “Jenna 2018 fashion line”…Designers are you listening..reading. Jenna & Lucas…be safe.
jennasuedesign says
How interesting… thank you for the recommendation Gail!
Drake says
You are such an inspiration Jenna! Even when you aren’t posting as much, I will still think of you every time I see your font in the wild!
Amanda says
How exciting! Good for you for following your heart. I would love love love to see posts about transitioning from the corporate world to self employment. I’m in the corporate world now and have been toying with the idea of starting a business for over a year now. Would love some perspective from someone who’s been there that can maybe provide me with the motivation I need to do the same! Can’t wait to follow along on your travels!
jennasuedesign says
Thanks Amanda, I’ll let him know! 😉
Denise says
Wow! Happy for you and Lucas. Please keep us posted your invested followers will worry and wonder if we never hear from you but something tells me otherwise. As a native of CA and currently in PNW, would love to move to FL but the humidity can be horrible, not sure I could take it. Is it difficult adjusting? Safe travels looking forward to your travel posts.
jennasuedesign says
We’re both warm weather people so we feel right at home in the humidity 🙂
Linda K. says
Wishing you both happy and safe travels.
Nicole says
Dear Jenna-Sue, I’am from Germany and I read your Blog for such a Long Time. I Love the thinges you have made. And your last House flip is so amazing . But if it’s time now , go where your Heart will send you and enjoy the time and experience you both will make. Be carefull and come back in one piece. I’am looking forward to hear from you from time to time. All the best wishes. Nicole??
Susan H says
Congratulations! You two are brave and lucky to be able to follow your hearts. Bon voyage!
Gina says
I have been a follower of your blog from the very beginning, I believe. You are so inspiring in everything you do. I am excited to hear about your upcoming travels. Good luck with selling the flip! If I still lived in California I would buy it in a heartbeat! I kept showing my husband the reveal videos and begging to buy it but NC to CA is a bit far. Safe travels!
Charlotte schultz says
Hi Jenna & Lucas!!
I was secretly hoping your new adventure had to do with Lucas and LOVE! And once AGAIN, you didn’t disappointt❤❤❤ I’ve been following you since your move from Florida to cali! I have LOVED EVERYTHING you’ve done! Renovating, DIY, home decor, flipping houses! Whatever you touch is gold!!! I absolutely LOVED your adventure to ASIA and was so HAPPY you met Lucas! I just LOVE, LOVE!! And you two have such an AMAZING love story!!! You are so awe inspiring! You’re so young, and have done so much! You can do ANYTHING!!! I LOVE your attitude and view of Life!!! You’re simply beautiful from the inside out…I feel like I’m going to miss you and your blogging, but I fell in love with your Vlogs!!! I am so LOOKING FORWARD to both of you and your New adventure!!! I’m so VERY HAPPY for you Jenna! And Lucas!!! And I will continue to follow you for life! As long as you keep sharing, I will follow for sure! I can’t imagine you losing any followers…since you have the ability to let us live through your pictures and adventures! Thank you for sharing all that you share! It’s such a gift to the rest of us! So god bless you two and safe travels! And I’m so happy I have your new adventure to look forward to!!! I can’t wait ? ❤????? PS.. when you were in Asia, every time you posted pics and stories, I would read them to my husband, so we both always looked forward to where you were and what you were doing!!! And knowing that you were safe! So he loves you as much as I do!!! And will be looking forward to your new adventure???????❤???
jennasuedesign says
Thank you so much for the kind words Charlotte, we both appreciate it more than you know! So glad to have you on board and along for this next chapter <3 xo