Coming back to Mexico, I’m not the same person I was five years ago.

In this episode, I unpack what it really means to return to a place as a different version of yourself.

How identity shapes belonging, and the hard question underneath it all: Does this city support who I’m becoming?

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After a month in Mexico City, I’m sharing my honest first impressions.

We talk about what daily life actually feels like here — how people interact, how neighborhoods function — and why settling has been harder than I expected after two years of slow traveling through Europe.

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Slow Travel Diaries is evolving beyond places and into the routines, mindset tools, and inner work that support change. This trailer shares where the podcast is headed—and my continued journey from life abroad.

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Guilt is a quiet part of slow travel that doesn’t get talked about enough.

And then there’s the question: “You’re doing what?!”

If you’ve ever told friends or family you’re thinking about slow traveling (or already doing it), you’ve probably been met with confusion, concern, or a lot of questions.

It’s not easy to explain in one neat sentence. So today, we’re breaking it down.

Love to hear your story, email me at [email protected] or send me a DM over on Instagram @KaphrynLee

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Already feeling behind? Same.

Today, I talk about the pressure that comes with the start of a new year—and how I’m reframing what January means to me.

Plus, a re-air of one of the most played episodes from 2025: "Slow Travel Tips: Travel Smarter, Pack Lighter."

To sign up for my newsletter, go to SlowTravelDiaries.com to get monthly stories, guides, and lessons from my slow travels around the world.

Happy New Year! As I reflect on the year behind us and think about what’s next, I wanted to start the year with an episode that invites a little pause and perspective.

Today, I’m resharing one of the most listened-to Slow Travel Diaries episodes of the year—a Q&A on slow travel, loneliness, starting over, and finding your rhythm when life keeps changing.

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In this episode, I reflect on my three-month stay in Porto, Portugal. I revisit how I felt early on, and what ended up holding true. If you’re looking for specific travel recommendations on Porto, I share those in my monthly newsletter at SlowTravelDiaries.com

In this episode, I talk about:

• The pressure to get oriented quickly in a new city

• How routines helped me feel settled, and where they started to limit me

• What actually stood out food-wise after a longer stay

• What it was like living in the Cedofeita neighborhood

• What it feels like to close one chapter and step into the next

This is the first episode of a new series I’m calling Afterthoughts—a space to reflect on what’s stuck with me after guest episodes, what I’ve looked up since, or what I’m now curious to try.

It’s also where I’ll share other thoughts that don’t quite fit into city-specific episodes—like what this lifestyle is teaching me, and what I’m still figuring out along the way.

Feel free to email your review to [email protected] or send it via Instagram DM @kaphrynlee.

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I used to think house sitting was only for backpackers. Then I talked to Bianca Rappaport.

A slow traveler like myself who has turned house sitting into a sustainable and intentional lifestyle across 20+ countries.

The money she has saved will surprise you, but what it has allowed her to do is even more meaningful than you might expect.

This conversation changed how I think about travel, and it might do the same for you.

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TAP HERE and use code: BIANCA25 to get 25% off a membership.

Check out Bianca's WanderWell Club at wanderwell.club

For a limited time, Slow Travel Diaries listeners get $10 off a WanderWell Club membership. Just TAP HERE and use code: SLOWTRAVELDIARIES

An honest look at how travel can help you reconnect with yourself when life feels heavy or unclear.

What we get into:

• Why routines keep you from hearing what you really want

• How distance and quiet can bring buried truths to the surface

• My own turning points over seven years of slow travel

• Cheryl's experience of healing through grief and identity shifts

A gentle, grounded episode for anyone wanting perspective or a fresh start.

Want support or building travel routines and rituals that actually ground you?

Email me at [email protected] and tell me a little about yourself. I’ll let you know if one of the five spots is still open.

Want more slow travel stories and monthly recommendations?

Join my newsletter at SlowTravelDiaries.com.

Check out Cheryl Esch's podcast at Solo Travel Adventures

You can also find her at www.cherylbeckesch.com