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Words by Lynn Schroeder | Edited by Tania from Slower Travels

“Instead of going home, we were just heading to our next destination.”

Choosing the Road Less Expected

Lynn Schroeder never felt drawn to the traditional life script. The idea of chasing a steady job, marriage, and a mortgage didn’t resonate. While her peers followed the “right steps,” she saved for something different: freedom.

Once she had financial stability, she began reshaping her life around long-term travel. It wasn’t a radical break, but a quiet, conscious decision to step away from what was expected and move toward what felt true.

Slow Travel, Soft Structure

Today, Lynn and her partner are travelling through Southeast Asia—slowly. They stay longer in each place than most travellers would. In Tetebatu, a quiet village tucked into the hills of Lombok, they stayed nearly a week and soaked in everything it had to offer. The pace suits them. It allows for connection, creativity, and space to breathe.

Their rhythm changes depending on where they are, but most days include some exploring—camera in hand—followed by creative work: editing, writing, or sharing on social media.

“We probably stay longer in one place than most people would—but it's exactly what we need.”

A Moment That Changed Everything

One memory that stays with Lynn is their flight from Sumatra to Singapore. After a month of travel, she looked around the airport and realised the people around her were likely heading home from their holidays.

But she wasn’t going home. She was simply going forward. The feeling hit hard in the best way.

“The feelings of freedom and euphoria in that moment were immeasurable.”

It wasn’t a milestone moment, just a quiet knowing. But that realisation captured what she’d been building toward all along.

Holding Joy and Longing Together

There isn’t much Lynn finds difficult about this lifestyle. But being away from family is the one real ache.

She misses the everyday closeness, the spontaneous conversations, the tiny, irreplaceable moments with people she loves. If she could bring her family into this life, she would. But for now, she holds the joy of travel and the longing for home at the same time.

No Pressure to Conform

Unlike many, Lynn hasn’t faced much pressure to “settle down.” She’s always felt clear that this path was hers. That said, if the time comes when travel no longer feels right, she knows she can choose something new.

“If it doesn’t feel like the right thing anymore, I can always choose to settle down.”

This flexibility—the ability to shape her life again and again—is something she doesn’t take for granted.

What Freedom Means Right Now

For Lynn, freedom is about time. She no longer has to ask anyone for permission to live her life. Her time is her own, and her days are structured by choice, not obligation.

“Not having to ask for days off at work.”

She doesn’t know exactly where she’ll be in a few months—and that’s part of what makes this feel so alive. Freedom is not just mobility, but autonomy.

For Anyone Starting Out

Change doesn’t have to be massive. Lynn believes the best way to start is with one small step—researching, saving, reaching out to someone living the life you want.

Know your “why,” and let that guide you through the uncertainty.

“If you break one big goal into small, actionable steps, it becomes much less overwhelming.”

Still Learning to Slow Down

Even with all the travel and distance from her old routines, Lynn finds that stress still catches up sometimes. Old habits—productivity guilt, restlessness—don’t vanish overnight. But now, she sees them clearly. And she’s working on shifting how she responds.

“I try to become more mindful and truly enjoy the here and now.”

Travel didn’t erase those feelings—but it gave her the space to examine them. Now, she’s choosing presence more often, even in the small moments.

Follow Lynn's Story

📍 Instagram: @vanderlustjourney
📝 Website: vanderlustjourney.com
📺 YouTube: @vanderlustjourney

The Freedom Series: Life On The Other Side of Should is a storytelling project from Slower Travels, sharing honest reflections from people carving their own paths. Want to be part of it?

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