The courage to begin again: Miglė’s story of change and self-discovery

Some journeys don’t begin with a plane ticket — they begin with an honest
look inward. Miglė grew up in the quiet landscapes of Lithuania’s Dzūkija region, followed the path of a promising career, and built a life that looked perfect on paper. But behind achievements and expectations, there was a quiet voice asking for something more real.
Her story is not about escaping life — it’s about returning to herself. About choosing courage over comfort, meaning over image, and growth over fear. From corporate stability to freelance freedom, from burnout to balance, Miglė’s path is a reminder that success is deeply personal — and that it’s never too late to rewrite your story.
This is a conversation about change, vulnerability, and the brave decision to begin again.

Tell us your story.

My name is Migle. I am 30 years old. I was born and raised in a small town in Lithuania’s Dzūkija region. I started traveling when I was around 15 years old. Since then, I’ve traveled quite a lot — often living abroad for at least a few months each year.
Seven years ago, I created my travel blog, which eventually led me to work as a travel agent and start my own travel planning business. This year, I closed both my blog and my travel business. At the moment, I make a living working as a freelance writer and yoga teacher.

What did your life look like before, and why did you decide to change it?

I used to climb the corporate ladder. I was a young and very promising professional, and everyone predicted a big career for me. I was also in a ten-year relationship. Everything looked good and promising “on paper,” but I wasn’t happy.
To be honest, I didn’t have the courage to make changes at first. But then severe anxiety and mental health struggles entered my life. That’s when I understood that I had to change. Eventually, I quit my job, started my own business, ended my relationship, and moved to a new town.

What were the biggest lessons you learned on your journey, and what did you
discover about yourself?

For a very long time, traveling was the only way for me to get to know myself better — unconsciously, of course. I felt free: free from responsibilities and “constructed identities.” In that freedom, I could experience my curious, witty, and creative side.
One of the first lessons I learned while traveling at a young age was that there is no single right or wrong way to live life. Over the years, I’ve come to understand that the greatest journeys and explorations happen within us. Still, changing your environment can help a lot.

Do you feel your life has turned out differently than you once imagined?
Have you discovered a different version of yourself?

Yes and no. On one hand, I live in my hometown, work remotely, and truly love my job. Just 5–6 years ago, that was my biggest dream, so sometimes I have to remind myself that I’m already here.
On the other hand, this lifestyle is very different from what I once imagined. In my early twenties, when I was building my career, I had a completely different vision of success. Sometimes I still need to remind myself not to measure my life against that old picture in my head. That image has changed dramatically over the years, along with my growing self-awareness.

If you could go back to the beginning, what would you do differently?

I wish that, at some point in my journey, I had found the strength to ask for help. It turns out that being vulnerable is not a weakness, and trying to do everything alone is often just a survival mechanism.
For me, this lesson cost the most and led to several burnouts. My message to others — and to my younger self — would be: please ask for help. You don’t have to handle everything on your own, especially when you’re rebuilding your life from scratch.

If someone is secretly dreaming about the lifestyle you’re living now, what would
you tell them?

Don’t wait — try. Time passes quickly. In the worst-case scenario, you’ll learn something valuable and won’t have to wonder “what if…” in the future.

Is it scary to go on the adventure of a lifetime?

Absolutely, yes. I remember my first big adventure. I was living and traveling alone, far from home. If I had had more money and didn’t have to travel for 43 hours to get back, I would have returned home on the second day.
The good news? After one month, it got easier. By the end, I was crying because I didn’t want to leave. To this day, it remains one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

Living the way you do, what has been the hardest part of the experience?

From my personal experience, the hardest lessons came from switching from a 9-to-5 job and a promising career to freelancing. I can live this lifestyle only because of that change, but it brought major challenges and required significant mental growth.
One key lesson: you must learn to tolerate uncertainty. For example, at the beginning, you never know how much money you’ll earn each month. You also have to take full responsibility and be proactive. Nobody assigns you tasks or brings you clients — you have to hustle and constantly find new ways to work and grow.
There are many more changes that happened within me, but these were the biggest ones.

What would you suggest to people dreaming about this lifestyle?

First — just try. Also understand that you don’t have to continue if it becomes too difficult. Going back to where you started is not a failure. Either way, you’ll return with valuable lessons.

What are the first steps in preparation?

I no longer believe that a detailed plan solves everything. The illusion of control can hit hard. However, I’d suggest avoiding drastic changes in every area of your life all at once.
Having financial savings to support yourself for at least a year is helpful. Surrounding yourself with supportive people is also crucial. These things can greatly support your nervous system during times of change.

What are your next steps? Is there any adventure you’re planning?

If God allows, my next adventure will be starting my own family and having a baby. I’m putting this intention out into the universe.

Follow Miglė’s journey on:

Substack (Lithuanian): https://miglemstories.substack.com/
Substack (English): https://migleexplorer.substack.com/
Instagram: @migle_mstories