Welcome to My Checked Baggage

Hey… I’m Monnie (one of my many nicknames)! This blog is my open journal of life, travel, and transformation. At 37, I decided to embrace starting over, rediscovering myself, and living more fully with every step I take. My Checked Baggage is not just about where I am going in the world, but also about where I am going within myself. Every story, reflection, and destination here is meant to inspire you to look at your own journey with fresh eyes.

What Each Section Means

U.S.A. passport held in front of a teddy bear on a luggage cart with a pink suitcase and black plastic chair.

TRAVEL

Travel is more than stamps on a passport. It is about experiences that change you, stories that shift your perspective, and the beauty of stepping outside your comfort zone. Through these posts, I share adventures, lessons, and honest reflections about being on the road and what it teaches me about life.

Woman in a blue swimsuit sitting by a pool overlooking the ocean on vacation.

SELF-LOVE

This is the grounding piece of the blog. It is about how I talk to myself, how I honor my needs, and how I hold space for my growth. You will find reflections, lessons, and practices that have helped me evolve into a more confident, self-assured version of myself.

Woman sitting cross-legged with arms outstretched in front of a waterfall in a rocky outdoor setting.

REBIRTH

Rebirth is about transformation, new beginnings, and embracing the unknown with courage. It is also where I share new discoveries while traveling, fresh ideas that shape my journey, and personal and professional advice that has helped me expand & redefine my life.

Woman in yellow outfit, helmet, and sunglasses celebrating while walking on a hanging bridge in a forest during ziplining in Honduras

WHO THIS BLOG IS FOR

This space is for women and men who know they are not broken, just evolving. It is for the person who loves adventure, who is tired of living small, and who craves growth both inside and out. It is for the dreamers, the doers, the heartbroken, the hopeful, and the ones ready to believe in themselves again.

So if that is you, welcome. You are exactly where you are supposed to be.

Subscribe to my Newsletter

If you are not already subscribed, I invite you to join the newsletter. Check your bag and add your name to the Baggage Claim Crew. Subscribers receive a weekly post that is not published on the website. It is something more intimate, more raw, and written just for my inner circle. Think of it as a behind-the-scenes seat to my life and lessons.

WHY JOIN THE JOURNEY

By being part of this space, you will not only read my stories, you will be encouraged to see your own journey differently. Maybe you are starting over, maybe you are craving adventure, or maybe you just want to feel less alone in your own process of discovery. This blog is a mirror for anyone who has ever felt the weight of old baggage but is ready to carry it with wisdom, not shame.