You Don’t Need Permission to Start Living Life for You

Hi, I’m Joy — and if no one’s told you lately: you are allowed to do something just for you. Not because you earned it, not because everything’s finally in place, and not because someone gave you the green light. Simply because you deserve it.

Women tend to put everyone else’s needs ahead of our own. We’re caretakers, planners, problem-solvers, and encouragers. But somewhere in the middle of being everything for everyone else, we forget how to be there for ourselves.

And that’s where I come in.

My name is Joy, and I’m the creator of Travel With Joy TV. I help women—whether they’re married, divorced, widowed, or single—feel confident, informed, and inspired to explore on your own terms, through solo travel. No guilt. No fear. Just joy, freedom, and that deep-down feeling of finally doing something for yourself.

But my story didn’t start with plane tickets and packing lists.

At just 33 years old, I was diagnosed with cancer – stage 4. My world stopped. I lost my shoulder-length hair during treatment enduring three years of hardhitting chemo, and I had to face my own mortality—suddenly, painfully, and way too young. And yet… I made that mess into my message finding my purpose.

In the middle of the chaos, I decided I wasn’t going to let cancer steal my joy. I modeled wigs in different styles, lengths, and colors, posted the photos online, and transformed a traumatic experience by turning my heartbreak into an online fashion show.  I gathered support and encouragement from my community while they voted on their favorite new looks for me during treatment. I published a book (Cancer with Joy), spoke on stages receiving standing ovations, and started a podcast that was featured on the front page of the Lincoln Journal Star newspaper (Dose of Joy).

But most importantly, I learned a difficult truth that guides my life today: You don’t know how much time you have, so don’t wait to live your life.

That’s when I prioritized traveling solo more often.  I bought less and saw more.  New places, new experiences, and new feelings that I wouldn’t trade for a full closet of stuff.  

I realized I didn’t want to wait for someone else to have the time off work. I didn’t want to beg friends to go somewhere they weren’t interested in, that was where I really wanted to go. I didn’t want to put my dreams on hold until someone else was ready.

So I went. I explored. I learned. I healed. And in the process, I created Travel With Joy TV — a place where I share solo travel tips, destination inspiration, and real encouragement for women who are tired of waiting and ready to start living.

I get it — solo travel can feel scary. Maybe you’ve never done it before. Maybe you’ve Googled a few things and thought, “This feels overwhelming.” Or maybe you have that one friend who always shoots down your dreams or says, “You could never do that…”

Let me say this: If information alone was enough, you’d already be doing all the solo travel you dream about.

What you need is a personal guide. Someone who’s been there, who gets your hesitations, and who can help you navigate everything from the planning, paying, and packing to the emotions with kindness, humor, and insight.

That’s me. I'm not here to hold you back — I’m here to make sure you live before you die.

Because while the world is full of naysayers and jealous people who want you to play small (because they’re scared to go big)… I’m not one of them.

I want you to explore. I want you to rediscover what lights you up. I want you to be that woman who comes home glowing because she did something bold — and it changed her.

And I will help you do it.

I’ll send you free travel tips, inspiring solo travel stories, and powerful suggestions you can use to start exploring — whether that’s a weekend getaway nearby or a bucket list trip you’ve been dreaming about.

Ready to start living life with fewer regrets and more joy?

👉 Sign up at http://www.TravelWithJoyTV.com/newsletter to get solo travel ideas, inspiration, and practical guidance delivered straight to your inbox.

It’s time to say yes to you. And I’ll be right here to cheer you on.