Getting Lost, Finding Belonging, and Living Authentically

No Shrinking Violets

Tracy Smith and I trace how a one-way ticket to Iceland opened a lifelong practice of choosing ourselves, building belonging from the inside out, and letting imperfect trips change more than itineraries. Tracy shares candid stories from panic in Reykjavik to deep friendships in Vietnam that redefined courage and connection.

• learning to say yes to yourself without “reinvention”

• fear, airports, and the pause that finds the right door

• belonging as an inner practice, not sameness

• solo travel, movement, and making conversation easier

• Vietnam friendships that grew beyond the tour

• modeling boundaries and choices for our kids

• embracing messy trips and small first steps

• book details, website, and Substack links

• future plans: gorilla trekking in Uganda, dreams of Petra