The internet is full of videos and blogs about how to dress in various travel destinations and almost equally full of ire for this advice. — It seemed innocent enough — a short video about things people should be aware of before going to Japan. One of the points was that leggings aren’t commonly worn by themselves as pants in the country. Many of the comments were bizarre and defensive, which shouldn’t come as a surprise…

My days are spent dreaming of walkable towns and efficient public transit. When plotting errands, I often turn to my faithful companion Google Maps. I currently live in the suburbs, which has to be the definition of worst-of-both-worlds. We live within a mile or two of some shopping and amenities…

The funeral industry reveals our values, our fears, and our blindness. As a freelancer, I spend much of my time working at home, but there are times when I go to my clients. A few weeks ago I was working on location at a local funeral home. It certainly wasn’t…

This persistent stereotype is extremely outdated. — Search “French girl” and you’ll find hundreds of articles and websites talking about French girl brows or all the essential cosmetics you’ll need to be replicate the “effortlessly chic” style that all French girls have flowing through their veins. Imagine a French girl. You probably see slightly tousled light brown…

This trope of gifting flowers to your partner seems rather tired, until it’s not. When my husband and I were first dating I told him, “You don’t have to get me flowers. They’re pretty pointless, after all.” I didn’t really understand the point of it at the time and I…

Since returning to the US in 2017, I’ve been planning my next move, and next year, I’m hoping to make it happen — just need to narrow it down a bit. Like many people who’ve recently hit age 30, I have been evaluating where my life is at, where it’s…

I’m the first to despair over those from my country of birth never thinking about travel beyond their country’s borders, but there are reasons behind it you may not have considered. — “I don’t know what you’ve been up to, but I lived in 4 different countries by the time I was your age,” a German friend scoffed at me when I was 25. Indeed, to most Americans, the idea of living in 4 countries before 25 would be extremely impressive. Of…

Traveling on your own as a woman is an amazing experience, but can also be a nerve-wracking one. Choosing the right destination can make all the difference. — Over the course of 5 years of my life, I visited a dozen countries and most of them were traversed on my own, as a 20-something woman. …

Loneliness is a chronic illness among those living far from home, so seek out companionship in these places — One of the hardest parts about moving to another country (besides learning a new culture, sometimes a new language, and working through piles of paperwork, of course) can be the feelings of loneliness and isolation. …