Every Great Journey Begins with Courage

Hello everyone!

This is my very first blog post — and I’m very excited to be writing it! I want you to feel connected to me, and that’s why I decided to start by sharing a little more about who I am. I’m a Brazilian woman in my 30s, and yes — I love to travel (you’ve probably guessed that already). But traveling, for me, has always been more than posting pretty photos on Instagram. Every journey changed me in ways I never expected — through the people I met, the stories I heard, the history and the cultures I encountered.

Over the last 10 years, I’ve had the chance to explore more than 20 countries. But if I look back, there was one turning point that shaped the path I’m walking today. One thing I needed more than anything else: Courage.

The first time I left home alone wasn’t for an international trip or to chase sunsets in Paris. It was to start my adult life — I joined the military in Brazil.

At only 18 years old, I was stepping away from home into a strict, deeply masculine environment, without even realizing the impact it would have on me. Everything moved fast. I had to transform overnight from a high school student into a soldier. It was tough, but it also taught me something very important: women can rise together. I witnessed the strength of sisterhood — women supporting each other through fear, exhaustion, and uncertainty. And I learned that lifting each other up is a quiet act of rebellion and love.

From the very first day, I knew that military life wasn’t for me. But at that moment, I had no other option, so I stayed. I started college and learned one more thing: things do not happen at the exactly moment we want them to happen, and we need to be patient.

After three long years, I finally made a decision that changed everything. I chose to leave. And I needed courage.

Courage to walk away from the life others thought I should live.

That decision led me to Irvine, California — where I was granted the opportunity to study at UCI through a scholarship. It was the first time I saw the world from a new perspective. I made international friends, I improved my English, and most importantly, I discovered that true freedom was never about the place. It had always been inside of me.

Since then, I’ve been living, moving, changing, learning, getting lost, and finding new versions of myself along the way. Every trip brought stories — real stories — that I’m finally ready to share.

This blog was born from all of that. I’m carrying in my backpack not only memories but emotions, fears, loneliness, friendships, love, and the quiet power of dreaming. This space is for anyone who, like me, has ever wanted to break free and give life a try, but felt afraid.

And for those who feel connected to this journey, or who want to share your own story — I want to hear from you. I want the world to hear you too.

Let’s gather our courage, and rebuild the world one step at a time.

What moment in your life required courage? I'd love to know - share it with me in the comments!

Thank you for reading — and welcome to my blog. I’m so glad you’re here.

Nice to meet you,

Leticia Estrela