Before I ditched my job to travel the world, I was her

I was told by my writing mentors that, in order for your blog readers to understand what you write, what you do, and who you are, they have to know where you came from and what lead you to decide to live the life you live now.

This version of myself was something I am very proud of and I will never ever forget who I was and the lessons I learned with this experience.

I worked in Fashion.

Everytime I say this, the people I meet on the road barely believe me unless they see old photos of me on Facebook. They would say, “OMG, is that you?! No way!” Fine.

I don’t look as presentable as before but I am living in a backpack at the moment and I really couldn’t believe this. I look back into my life and it’s bizarre.

It’s funny how people’s life change for a very short time. Mine was like a whirlwind! How long has it been? 17 months? Barely two years and I am totally different.

Warning: If you don’t know me before, these photos might shock you.

I worked in one of the busiest industries in the world. First, I was an intern for over 12 International fashion brands and I did the things that most 19 year old did — dress up, be pretty, put huge amount of make up and splurge on expensive shoes and bags.

That was the trend during my time and I believe it’s worst today. 12 internships, yes. I was a supergirl. My superiors loved me because I worked very hard as a very young age. I think it’s about being interested in something and finding a world where you really fit.

Today, those energies are diverted to blogging/writing.

After finishing my studies in Italy, I came back to the Philippines with a stellar resume. A lot of fashion houses offered me jobs, so much that I didn’t know who to pick. I had 3 different jobs:

  1. Fashion Stylist
  2. Fashion Writer
  3. Trends and Communications

I jumbled three different things at the same time and I grabbed every opportunity I had. I was like a beast hungry for more jobs. With that, my lifestyle got worst.

I was as thin as a stick, I slept 3 hours a day, I didn’t exercise for a long time and my eating habits were bloody disgusting. 24 hours weren’t enough for the day. There were a lot of work that I had to do.

At present, I am eating healthy and exercising daily. I am in-charge of my own time so I have the pleasure of watching over my health.

The salary was overwhelming. It was something steady. I was very proud of myself the first time I stopped asking financial support from my parents. I was never out.

I rented my own place, I had the luxury of travelling every once in a while and going out with my friends almost every night. It was a life of high society, parties left and right, shoulder to shoulder with the biggest fashion icons of the country and so on.

As time went by, I felt different. I was happy for a time and there’s nothing I could ask more. My career was good, life was rolling well, but there something that I couldn’t take about the industry.

Fake friends, people talking behind your back while they’re nice when they needed something, a life of not repeating your clothes for a year or so — it was very tiring. I started to fade slowly and away from fashion.

It’s about a journey of discovery that becomes one of self discovery as well. It’s about bigger decisions that we have to make in life in order to be happy. It’s about finding friendships, love and it’s about solidarity. Finally, it’s about finding one’s place in the world — the one that is worth fighting for.

How did I have the guts to leave everything behind? I don’t know.

It just happened. Most people who reach that point on their career goes on and on regardless of how tired they become. I don’t want to belong to that group. I wanted to be different.

“You left your life in the fashion industry to travel? What for?” So what. I didn’t want to be one of those people who are still doing something they don’t like because people might say this, might say that, etc.

I read somewhere that in order to be happy, you should do something you like and you should surround yourself with positive people.

I did just that.

Do I ever regret anything?

Never. There was not a time in my travelling life that I said, “I shouldn’t have” nor question what I am doing now. My life is simpler. I have less clothes but that doesn’t make me feel less nor do I pity myself.

I don’t have much money but still, I am living a life that I love. I was once asked if I ever settle down, would I still work in fashion? I don’t know.

It used to be the only thing I know how to do well but travelling taught me more about myself. About my capacity to do things. About not limiting myself to a certain “I know how to do list.”

I am not really sure. Maybe I’d make a hostel business? Maybe I’d live in one of the islands in the Philippines with a nipa hut but it has to have wifi so I can continue blogging. 🙂

Maybe.. Maybe.. I don’t know. Who knows anyway? I stopped thinking of the future and started to live in the present moment. So, whatever will be, will be.

Of all the versions of myself that I left out, there was one thing that didn’t change — I am a writer. And I will always be.

I know I’ve always encouraged you to travel the world but I just realised that there are some people who work in the office but still, they are happy about it.

So, I’ll put it this way — do something that really really really makes you happy. Don’t just say “Yeah, I’m happy,” believe in it! Whether it’s travelling, a 9-5 job, cooking, having children, getting married, JUST DO IT.

Don’t listen to what other people will tell you. You will always have negative remarks from others when it comes to changing your life.

They’re used to it! It’s like growing your hair to your hips and then shaving it — that kind of drastic change. What do you expect people to say?

The only approval you need is from yourself.

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56 Comments

  1. gah! I’ve been following your blog for a while and I tip my hat to you babe! your blog makes me keep up with you since I haven’t seen you in forever, but they also make me happy and wish that I was doing the same.. good luck on your future adventures!!! <3

  2. This is so inspiring 🙂 I used to be a shopaholic (clothing, bags, shoes you name it) from my early teens to early twenties and by mid twenties to late twenties everything changed 🙂 I am still into fashion but I don’t always follow the latest trend.

    It’s great to see how you’ve transitioned it shows that you are a strong person. Following your dreams will always give you fulfilment and satisfaction in life 🙂

    Your parents must be proud of you and supporting your decisions no matter what 🙂

    xo
    Marj from: Fashion Travel Accessories

  3. Hey Trisha! I love this post! It made me know you better and what you went through. You’re inspiring me so much now! I guess I should make a post like this for my blog too since… I think I never really discussed how I transitioned to where I am now.

    But anyway, here’s to you! FOR THE GUTS! To do all of it! Here’s to us! -salut!-

  4. Hey Trisha, I’ve been having a look around your blog for the past hour or so. Loving it!
    Really enjoyed reading this post about your background and how you got into travel. Good stuff. 🙂
    Cheers,
    Chad

    1. Thanks a lot, Chad! Also had the chance to check your blog. Love the countries you’ve been to especially Lithuania and Latvia. I have a lot of friends from there and I always wanted to visit. Just didn’t have the chance.

  5. I gotta admit, I’m not all that surprised! Why? When I first started reading your blog I thought that even in your “travellers” clothes you looked very stylish and I am yet to see an angle of your face that isn’t cute! I’m glad that you made the changes that you wanted rather than pursuing a different type of success that wouldn’t make you happy, I also love the fact that you wanted to share your “past life” with your readers. Go, Trisha! 😉

  6. Your an inspiration Trisha! I remember seeing you in our high school days in one of the Journalism contests and now you’ve come so far! We are so proud of you. And because of you I’m so inspired to learn even the basics of Spanish, with a dream to visit Spain or Peru someday. Salud Trisha!

  7. Thanks a lot, Chad! Also had the chance to check your blog. Love the countries you’ve been to especially Lithuania and Latvia. I have a lot of friends from there and I always wanted to visit. Just didn’t have the chance.

  8. Hey Trisha, you do not know how much you are helping me right now. I’m going through a rough patch right now and your blog inspires me so much. I cannot wait for the right time to pack up everything and do the same way you do. 🙂

  9. Hello Trisha! I’m Alejandra, I just found your blog and it’s really inspiring! It’s admirable how much a person can do for their happiness, something that many people not even think about and just do the “standard” stuff.

    Reading your articles actually made me consider leaving all behind and travel, but another dream of mine holds me back, I chose the best career I could ever had chosen and I’m in love with it (Right now I’m studying Physics). Fortunately it will let me travel around the world too!

    Hope you come back to Mexico another time! You have your home in Monterrey 🙂

    1. Alejandra, remember, if it feels right, then it fits. There’s nothing wrong if you’re inlove with your career! Being happy doesn’t mean traveling the world. It means different to all of us and I am glad you found that happiness in your career! Thank you so much for reading and let’s get in touch when I’m in Mexico!

  10. very inspiring. I hope I can do volunteering and traveling at the same time like you did. 🙂

  11. Hi Ate Trisha,

    Been a consistent follower of your blog and IG posts, and I really admire you – a lot!
    I always say, I hope I’m just like you or currently doing what you are also doing right now, travelling from place to place and doing the life you imagined.

    I’m 22, working as Accountant, and I spent most of my time on paper works, numbers and reports. My first travel out of the country was last year, and it served as an eye opener to me that besides from numbers I also want to see the world, explore, learn new cultures and meet new people.

    You keep on inspiring me! God bless on your travels Ate and hope that one day we’ll bump into each other. 🙂

  12. I love this post. I work 8hrs-24hrs-5hrs kind of shift. I go in 24-hr duty every 3 days and get to home the next day at 12noon. It sucks so much and Im starting to regret choosing this career. I have a daughter who patiently waits for me all the time. And my life is so out of balance. I feel like my whole life and soul are being slowly sucked out by this job. It’s not worth it afterall. I thought its what i really wanted.

    But I cant quit now, they said that Im already right behind the finish line. And I still have hopes that everything will be better beyond that.

    Im happy for you, you were able to discover and live the life that makes you happy. 🙂 Kudos!

  13. Hi Trisha,

    I love your blog so much!

    I stumbled upon your blog last year and thought you’re one hella brave woman. I was in college back then and thought I would love to do this myself, the freedom, the adventure, the experience. I want it all.

    I’m currently in front of my laptop in my office, surrounded with paperworks, deadlines and work responsibilities. I just graduated last April but I feel like I’ve been working here for a lifetime. Stuck in the usual society flow, to look for a job, to earn etc. I don’t want to follow that. I know I’m still young and I just need to gather all my courage to choose what I want to do in my life, what makes me happy.

    Thank you for this blog. You are truly inspiring. Continue writing please. God bless your travel.

  14. Way to go girl! 😀 We can always make money but we cannot always make memories. Cheers to life! 🙂

  15. He ate Trish! I just couldn’t stop reading your blog! I’m always waiting for your new posts and feel inspired afterwards. 🙂
    You know what I love about your blog? It’s because you’re not trying to impress at all. 🙂 You lit the fire in me to continue blogging again. You know, there are times that I just don’t feel like writing and if I still push myself the outcome isn’t that ‘good’. I’m still in dilemma on what to do with its design, maybe I’ll just choose a minimalist style like your blog! 🙂

  16. Ughhh I only found out about you like a few weeks ago and now you’re already my favorite of them all bloggers! You inspire me so much and your blog feeds my wanderlust! Hoping to read more of your stories. I wish I could be like you when I graduate from college. Haha. Keep on traveling and inspiring people! Stay safe! ❤

  17. Trisha, you inspired me. In my case, I have to work hard, save money and take my vacation leave credits all at once. I know someday I get to travel where how much to spend is no longer a major concern and my only worry is where’s next. I’m taking things one day at a time.

  18. You inspired me! I am 25 now and about to start my first Solo Travel in Thailand and work their as an english teacher. I hope to see you in person and listen to your talks in life.

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