A Journey and an Invitation

WokenHeart Begins

Skógafoss Waterfall - 2017

Ah, friends. WokenHeart is finally here, and I’m so excited to welcome you and have you join me on this journey. Creating a blog centered around travel, wellness, and community has been a quiet dream of mine for quite some time. The initial seed was planted about ten years ago during a semester abroad in England at the University of Essex, where I was lucky to meet some wonderful people who shared a similar impulse to occasionally skip class and catch a cheap Ryanair flight to a nearby country.

One particular evening in a lively hostel filled with young women from all corners of the world sparked something within me. I found myself in conversation with Nev, a fellow traveler from Australia, a young brown woman exploring Europe on her own. It was the first time I had ever encountered a woman traveling solo like that, let alone a woman of color. That simple conversation ignited a fire within me to see the world for myself.

Fast forward a few years, and there I was, freshly 25, with a sense of nervous anticipation, heading to BWI airport for my first solo adventure – a birthday trip to Iceland, made possible by an unbelievably affordable round-trip ticket through Wow Air (if you know, you know). As the plane lifted off, a wave of apprehension washed over me. “What am I doing?” echoed in my thoughts. Yet, the moment I landed at Keflavík International Airport, a feeling of certainty settled in. It was the right decision. I felt liberated and renewed.

That trip to Iceland served as a catalyst, setting me on a course of solo exploration that has since taken me from the otherworldly landscapes of Iceland to the ancient wonders of Peru, the charming streets of Denmark, and the rich culture of Turkey, and that’s just to name a few. The confidence that grew from navigating unfamiliar streets and overcoming logistical hurdles unlocked a lifelong feeling of empowerment. It cultivated an unshakeable sense of accomplishment and a stronger connection to myself. One of the best aspects of solo travel is the privilege of meeting fascinating people. I always tell those who are hesitant to travel alone that even though you are solo, you are never truly isolated. Traveling solo allows you to be more open to meeting new people and to put yourself out there in ways you might not within your usual community. This led to forming some of the most profound friendships I have, further confirming that I was pursuing something authentic to my soul. 

Collage of photos captured during my first solo adventure - 2017

So, if you were to ask me simply why I chose to travel alone, I might say it was because I didn't want to wait for others to experience the world. But on a deeper level, I was searching for a better understanding of myself and seeking meaning in the world that surrounds us. 

What struck me most after my travels was the sentiment among loved ones: a wishful desire for similar experiences, followed by a litany of reasons why it couldn't be their reality. As I had these conversations over and over, it became evident that something like WokenHeart needed to take shape. I felt a responsibility to share my journey as a living example, a gentle push toward the possibilities that lie just beyond the edge of our comfort zones. Whether that inner voice calls you to travel to a new country or to finally train for that 5k race, I believe everyone has the ability to go after what they want and to create the life they envision. This precious life deserves to be lived fully and according to your own design. Just takes a little bit of courage and a whole lotta faith.

Speaking of courage, after nearly a decade spent in the field of international development, working my way up the corporate ladder, I found myself feeling jaded and uninspired by the everyday routine. The recurring question, "Is this all there is?" began to surface with increasing frequency. I knew I was yearning for a life that extended beyond the confines of a 9-5 and held a deep-seated feeling that I was meant for something more.

Present day Ashlee in Galle, Sri Lanka - 2025

For years, I’ve felt a deep yearning to unleash my creativity. As someone with a natural inclination towards right-brained thinking and a strong affinity for creativity and intuition, I often hesitated to pursue ventures that didn't align with conventional expectations. Why, you might ask? Because I was gripped by the opinions of others. What would people say? What if no one saw value in my pursuits? I allowed my fear of external judgment to overshadow my own inner knowing, settling for a comfortable but ultimately unfulfilling status quo. While I suppressed my creative energy for a time, the desire to create continued to grow within me. Eventually, I reached a point where I grew tired of merely talking about my aspirations and decided it was time to take action. The fear of failure, the fear of others' opinions, and the fear of being truly seen can be paralyzing, but the thought of a lifetime spent with unfulfilled longings gave me the motivation to redefine what fulfillment meant for me and to finally transform ideas into reality. And there you have it – WokenHeart was born out of vulnerability and a leap of faith.

This deep appreciation for authentic expression naturally extends to storytelling, particularly in capturing the transformative power of travel and wellness. I’ve long admired those who possess the ability to capture those raw, authentic moments and transform them into something that resonates deeply and inspires others. And so, here I am, pursuing that very aspiration. This blog is dedicated to exploring something more profound than just the latest trends and must-see destinations. What I've come to appreciate about travel and wellness is how it can awaken our senses to new feelings and experiences, both of the world around us and of our own inner world. Whether this blog reaches one person or many, it is my way of honoring that persistent yearning to become a storyteller and build a space where we can connect and learn together.

With that, my greatest hope is that each blog post will leave you with a deeper sense of curiosity and inspire you to foster connection and friendship across communities and cultures. Most importantly, I hope to encourage and deepen your own connection with yourself because, ultimately, that internal journey is the most significant one we experience. In a time where division seems to dominate, I envision WokenHeart as a space for expansion, grace, and the shared exploration of community, culture, and the beautiful intricacies that make each of us unique in this big, big world.

With warmth and wanderlust,

Ash