After 13 years abroad, I thought returning to the US would mean I 'failed.' It turned out to be the best choice for me.

"After meeting while studying abroad in Switzerland back in 2008, we spent nearly two years in a long-distance relationship. We were ready to get back to our traveling roots and finally be together full-time. The plan was to spend six months living and working in New Zealand, save up as much money as we possibly could, and then take those savings with us to travel through Australia and Southeast Asia."

"Finding like-minded people online wasn't possible for me. It wasn't until we got to New Zealand, stayed in hostels around the country, and worked temp jobs with other backpackers that we learned how many people were living a life on the road, devoting their lives to travel. Through other travelers, I learned about the working holiday visa in Australia, an opportunity to teach English in South Korea, and how to explore Southeast Asia on a shoestring budget."

"I realized that countless other 20-somethings from around the world were shunning the blueprint created for them back home and building lives, at least for now, that offered them total freedom. For the next decade, we lived around the world. We road-tripped through Australia's Red Center, navigated night markets in Taipei, and learned to scuba-dive."

In 2010, a couple began what was intended as a six-month gap year in New Zealand but extended into 13 years of continuous travel across New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, Mexico, and Lithuania. Meeting while studying abroad in Switzerland, they reconnected after a long-distance relationship and pursued their shared passion for travel. Without smartphones or social media, they discovered the global backpacking community through hostels and temporary work, learning about working holiday visas and English teaching opportunities. They encountered countless young people worldwide rejecting conventional life paths to pursue freedom through travel. Over the decade, they experienced diverse adventures including road trips through Australia, exploring Asian night markets, and scuba diving. Despite the fulfilling experiences, the constant movement made it difficult to establish deep, lasting friendships, ultimately leading them to return to the United States.

Read at Business Insider