Starting Something New: Why I Built Unsettled JD
From cliff jumps to ancient ruins, tea fields to canyons — every adventure has led me here: Unsettled JD.
Ok, so this is my first blog post. And naturally, the first question is… what should I even write about? Should I tell you about the funny encounters? The struggles? The magical, pinch-me moments that made me fall in love with travel in the first place? Honestly, I have a million and one stories to share, but the real question is: where do I start? Maybe the best way is to simply begin — right here, right now.
You probably know my story already: I’ve been to 53 countries (and counting) and have lived in 8 of them so far. I’ve worked, studied, backpacked, taught, and eaten my way across the world. For most people, life follows a rhythm: you grow up, work, raise a family, and maybe take a two-week vacation each year. But that never seemed to be me.
Some journeys start with a packed bag and a whole lot of unknowns.
At home, people often tell me I’m brave for traveling the world. But honestly? To me, brave is staying in one place. Brave is building a life in a single town, watching the same seasons pass year after year. I caught the travel bug early, and I just can’t stop exploring. It’s in my bones, in my blood. Travel isn’t something I do — it’s who I am.
Travel is something I strive for. I love learning about new places, trying new foods, tasting new beer flavors, soaking up new cultures, and — despite my best efforts — trying not to butcher new languages (I’m terrible at them, but I try anyway). I just love everything about travel: the flights, the surprises, the challenges, and the thrill of the unknown.
Travel isn’t something I do — it’s who I am. From beers to buses, sunsets to surprises, I live for the thrill of the unknown.
That’s why I started this website. I wish I had something like this when I first began traveling. A space full of honest tips, real stories, and practical advice for planning trips without losing your mind. Because the truth is, travel is messy and magical all at once. There are incredible highs (like scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef) and humbling lows (like getting your wallet stolen in Colombia). Both are part of the adventure.
Here’s what you’ll find here on Unsettled JD:
Funny encounters & mishaps — the stories that usually make the best memories.
Cultural insights & reflections — what it’s really like to live abroad and dive into new cultures.
Travel tips & planners — the kind of tools I wish I had when I started, to make traveling smarter and less stressful.
Personal notes — because this isn’t just a guide, it’s my story.
So consider this blog a little bit of everything: the good, the bad, the surprising, the unforgettable, and most importantly, the real.
And now, I’ll turn it over to you: what do you want to hear first? The funny little mishaps, the unexpected detours that taught me something, or the dreamy “is this even real?” moments that made me fall in love with travel all over again?
Every journey starts somewhere… and sometimes, it looks a little wild, a little daring, and a lot unforgettable.
Here’s a little taste of what’s to come: the time a cheeky monkey in Costa Rica — just outside Manuel Antonio National Park — snatched an apple straight from my hand before I even knew what was happening, or when Frenchie and I were stranded in Malaysia after our flight to the Mulu Caves was cancelled due to seasonal burn-offs — only to be handed free meals, hotel, and pool access for the night. Or maybe I’ll take you to Egypt, which still feels like a daydream after the ten days I spent wandering temples and cruising the Nile. And yes, we’ll definitely make stops at Disneyland and some magical Harry Potter spots in the UK along the way. ✨
Every story starts with a first step. For me, this post is that step — a chance to share my world with you. So, welcome to Unsettled JD. Let’s see where this adventure takes us.
Just me, a backpack, and a view worth getting lost for.
