Radiant Voices interview with Kelly Questions, “Less work, more travel”
Another awesome conversation with an audacious woman who found a way to follow her dreams of life outside the box and now inspires others to do the same.
A weeks long Indian wedding and a birthday in Paris are just part of the adventure.
Kelly gave me two juicy things to think about – one, how there’s always more work, and two, the five friends who make transformation possible.
Many of us followed the script: study hard, get the job, climb the ladder. Then, at some point, we look up and realize—there’s nothing ahead but more work. Even with promotions, there’s just more of it. It’s not necessarily a fear of work, but if work is endless, shouldn’t it at least be work that feels aligned, energizing, and right for us now?
For some, that realization sends us into a spin. We start questioning what we’re doing and why. I recognized myself in Kelly’s story—how she studied hard, followed a traditional career path, then stepped away to travel. I did the same, diving into science and law before pivoting into engineering, then landing in a secure government job.. But after a few years, I felt the same weight: an unending horizon of werk. So, I too spun out—into travel, then family life, then a long and winding path toward discovering the work I truly wanted to do.
Looking back, I see it now—travel wasn’t just an escape; it was a pause, a stepping sideways rather than forward. Letting go of control for a while to see what might show up. Was I on the right track? Had I even chosen the track, or was I just following the next logical step?
At first, it was a single trip, a break from the grind. But that pause stretched into years of wandering—mostly through different ways of living, working, and being. The search kept shifting shape, but the questions remained: What am I building? What actually matters? And am I still choosing this path, or is it just unfolding beneath me?
Travel – and the journey itself – doesn’t give me a single, clear answer. But it does offer distance—the chance to stand back, like an artist, and take in the whole picture of my life. To see what was working, what wasn’t, and what might need to shift. And even though I eventually return to many of the same responsibilities, something in me has changed. And maybe I see myself more clearly.
Kelly’s story also reminded me that no transformation—whether through work or travel—happens alone. We all need the five friends who make the journey possible:
1️⃣ The Invitation Friend – The one who opens the door to something magical, a surreal experience that wakes us up in wonder.
2️⃣ The Inspiration & Instruction Friend – The one who goes first, showing us what’s possible and how to begin.
3️⃣ The Adventure Companions – The ones who validate and affirm the choice to step away, sharing the thrill of exploration.
4️⃣ The Trickster Friend – The one who bails at the last minute, testing our resolve and pushing us to own our decision.
5️⃣ The Ripple Effect Friend – The one who later tells us that our daring gave them permission to take their own leap.
We all play these roles in each other’s lives, sometimes without realizing it. And we all need them, in travel, in work, in life.
Reflecting on all this, I see the relationship between productive work and pleasure travel—the balance between practical, economic responsibility and the kind of connection and inspiration that makes life feel expansive. Maybe the real challenge isn’t choosing one over the other but learning how to blend them in a way that feels sustainable. So that joy, perspective, and meaning aren’t just occasional escapes but part of the fabric of everyday life.
And maybe we don’t navigate these shifts alone. Who are the five friends in your own story—the ones who invite, inspire, encourage, challenge, and witness your journey? And which role might you be playing for someone else?
For a Curious Mind: Notice what thoughts and judgments arise as you listen to this interview. What else would you like to know?
For a Connected Heart: Notice what feelings follow each other as Kelly’s story unfolds.
For a Creative Body: Dance it? Ricky Martin – Livin’ la vida loca
Breaking routine, finding purpose
When work and life feel out of sync, could transformational travel be the missing piece?
Rachael and Kelly explore the power of stepping away to reconnect with what truly matters—complete with tech hiccups, personal revelations, and the wisdom of the road.
Spark up*
Reflection resources to support your embodied transformation story:
- Recalibrate for AuDHD-friendly joy: free 20minute audio guiding you towards acting on what really lights you up.
- Rest, Reflect, Rewire Retreat: Take the break, make the connections in your life to rediscover joy. Early bird pricing ends 1 April.
Invitation to wonder: As you listen to Kelly’s story, I invite you to become aware of the exciting parallels between her story and yours.
Is there an invitation hidden here for you?
Encouragement for Sensitive Souls:
If you’re also feeling a little daunted by Gloria’s story, I want to remind you that it’s okay if your journey looks different, or if you’re not ready to take the leap just yet.
It’s normal to feel uncertain, especially when work and life feel out of sync.
Trust that, at your own pace, your path will unfold in ways that honor your unique needs and rhythms.
You’re already doing the hard work by listening, reflecting, and considering what truly matters.
That’s enough for today.
Keep showing up for yourself, even if it feels slow.
You are worthy of rest and transformation, and your story is unfolding exactly as it needs to. 💛
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