Why I Started Unchartered Queer: A Journey of Healing, Identity & Belonging

This post was written at the end of my twelve-month sabbatical. It details my journey of redefining my professional path.

Twelve months ago, I walked away from a stable career: one defined by predictability, recognition, and a sense of security. I didn’t know exactly what I was walking toward. But something in me knew it was time to let go, even if I didn’t yet know what would come next.

I had spent my entire career working in sustainability, leading teams and working across continents on issues I deeply cared about. On paper, my life looked successful. But inside, I felt lost: exhausted by perfectionism, disconnected from joy, and afraid to slow down enough to feel what I’d been avoiding for years.

Somewhere along the way, amid endless Zoom calls and five years of remote work, I began to feel disconnected: from the places I was trying to protect, from the communities I wanted to serve, and from myself. I was burnt out and I felt out of alignment. I’d lost touch with the very reasons I started in the first place.

Reconnecting through slowness

That’s what led me to slow down. Literally. Through slow travel—road-tripping across southern Africa, hiking through the Andes and Sacred Valley, going offline for two weeks in the Amazon, and enjoying the rhythm of island life in Thailand—I began to reconnect. Nature has always grounded and inspired me, and through these experiences, I was reminded of how essential that connection is to my well-being.

Yet it wasn’t just about being in nature. It was also about how I wanted to live and work. I realized I was craving a more balanced, integrated path; one where I could still contribute to sustainability in meaningful ways, while also exploring other parts of myself: the creative, embodied, intuitive aspects I’d lost touch with over the years.

A turning point along the coast

But this inspiration didn’t arrive quickly. It came eleven months into my sabbatical: through heartbreak, slow walks along the Oaxacan coast, and the stillness of a small beach town in southern Mexico. 

I was finally still enough to hear what I’d been ignoring; the life I’d built no longer felt like mine. I found myself questioning not the importance of the work I’d dedicated my career to, but my relationship to it.

Reconnecting through holistic practices

Through yoga, somatic therapy, meditation, and nervous system work, I’ve experienced firsthand how powerful holistic practices can be. These tools have helped me shift from a place of chronic stress and disconnection into one of presence, resilience, and self-compassion. They have helped me regulate my nervous system, reconnect with my body, and process stored trauma. 

And I’ve become passionate about learning more about and sharing these modalities with others, especially queer folks, who are navigating their own healing journeys.

Writing as a way back to myself

Writing has been another essential part of this process. Over the last few months, journaling became a daily ritual, sometimes three times a day. It’s helped me make sense of the emotional waves I’ve been riding and has given me a clearer lens into my patterns, fears, and growth. 

Sharing pieces of that journey with close friends and family taught me the power of vulnerability. I’ve been blown away by the conversations it’s opened up; how often people say, “Me too.” Powerful words that reminded me how universal our inner struggles really are.

The birth of Unchartered Queer

That’s how Un°Chartered’ Queer’’ was born. Not as a business or a brand, but as a personal offering. A space to share my journey as a queer nomad navigating life outside of traditional norms. A place to write, reflect, and share practices that have helped me find my way back to myself.

"I’m not walking away from sustainability, just reshaping how it fits into a more balanced and aligned career path."

I’m stepping into a career that feels purposeful, inspires and supports others, and creates tangible impact, all while fostering real community. These principles, along with my core values, are what’s helping me build a more holistic, values-aligned life.

For the first time in a long time, I feel excited—not because I have it all figured out, but because I’m finally listening to what feels true. I’m embracing uncertainty, following curiosity, and trusting that the path will continue to reveal itself.

Let’s see where this unchartered journey leads!