Twelve months, twelve trips, no excuses. What was the moment that gave you the courage to just do it?

I really had a sense that, this is it. This is my last chance to be young and carefree. This is the last chance to make memories where I can look back when I’m older and talk about all the crazy things I did in my 20’s. The minute I crossed the threshold into 29 it was a ticking clock much stronger than any biological clock because there was no way to extend this one – my 20’s were ending. Quickly. Imminently. It was now or never.

Not only do you have such a great sense of humor in the book, but you made it fun to tag along with you, sharing your destinations. Some of your trips have been on my list of travel goals for a long time. Can you share with me your top three favorite places that you traveled to and why?

I appreciate the kind words! The top 3 places that year were the South of France, Cambodia, and Florence. It’s hard to narrow down favorites but you can’t go wrong with any of these.

I loved frolicking in lavender fields while singing Beauty and the Beast songs in the South of France. It was like a real-life fairy tale.

In Cambodia, having a private guide escort me around Angkor Wat felt like a VIP experience and I learned a lot, not to mention getting a blessing from a Buddhist monk.

The legendary pieces of art in Florence made it a trip to remember! My inner nerd loves being able to say I’ve seen the Statue of David IRL.

For those out there who dream about traveling the world, but are afraid to just do it—or don’t feel like they can afford the expenses—do you have any tips or advice to make it a reachable goal?

Yes! First, sign up for my free webinar on 12tripsin12months.com to get all my best tips on doing your own travel challenge. Next, try some cheap flight hacks! Often the flight is the most prohibitive expense – there is budget food and lodging almost everywhere.

My 3 guaranteed ways to find cheap flights are:

1) Flight alert programs like Going and Thrifty Traveler

2) Budget airlines like PLAY air and Frenchbe

3) Points and miles through travel credit cards.

Another important tip to remember is that you don’t have to pay everything all at once. With the popularity of websites like Google Flights, Kayak, Booking, Expedia, and the like, you can easily plan your own trip. Spread out the expenses so it doesn’t all hit you at once. I call this my DIY travel layaway plan. You can book the flight this month, hotel next month, activities the month after that, etc.

This book is more than just a book about a woman taking 12 trips in 12 months It’s about a woman that many can relate to that will vicariously through your journey. You may not have found the man of your dreams, but you found something more important. Tell me how it feels to find true love within yourself, with new Jen? What advice would you give old Jen?

It’s an ongoing journey and I can say that I’m so grateful for every risk I’ve taken because it’s helped me build confidence in myself. Whenever I doubt myself, feel like I’m not moving fast enough, or suffer from those general nagging feelings of not-good-enough-ness (which I don’t think ever leave us), I combat it with all the proof I have to the contrary.

I look back at how many countries I’ve visited. I think about how I took a chance leaving behind law and have actually made a living as an entrepreneur. I think about the places I’ve moved to, the times I’ve put myself out there, the people whose lives I’ve impacted. Then I think, would I bet on myself? Absolutely.

That’s where true self love comes from, in keeping promises to yourself.

Your book was inspiring and empowering, and I feel so many women will relate and connect with your experience, especially with encountering Mr. Wrongs. What advice would have for women that are feeling challenged by society’s expectations and are looking to be more fulfilled and find happiness?

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to have it all and feeling frustration if the pieces haven’t fallen into place yet. The most important lesson I’ve learned is that you must enjoy the journey. You cannot reserve happiness for the moment in time where you have it all.

Think about that for a second.

Are you telling me the only time in your life when you’re allowed to be happy is when you’ve met all the checklist requirements? When you’re sitting in your white picket fence house with your perfect husband, 2 kids, golden doodle, size 4 body, and no wrinkles?

First, what if that never happens? Second, how sustainable is that? Third, wouldn’t you want the messy parts?

Life is full of joy to be had at every single stage. It’s meant to be enjoyed. I think we forget this. We think life is meant to be won or meant to show others up. It’s really all about you and how you can get the most joy out of life. Absolutely everything comes back to that.

You get a good job, so you can afford experiences that bring you joy. You find a partner, because sharing your life with someone who loves you brings you joy. You travel because going to new places and seeing sites you’ve only seen in pictures brings you joy. Chase that feeling, not society’s mold for “winning.”

You were bold, brave, and followed your heart. Would you have done anything along the way differently?

With hindsight being 20/20, I wish I’d taken more videos and taken better care of transferring and backing up content from my trips between phone upgrades.

I also wonder how things might have been different if I’d gone to Morocco instead of Argentina, for several reasons that I’m sure readers will know!

Ultimately, however, I hesitate to say I’d change anything because even the missteps led me to where I am, and I’m certain I’m on the right path, doing exactly the right thing at exactly the right time.

I can’t wait to see what’s to come with your future adventures and where life takes you. Where can readers find you?

Thank you so much! You can find me across social media at @jenonajetplane and on my website, jenonajetplane.com.

And as a bonus, if you’re interested in flight alert programs where you get notified of flight deals to your inbox, I have a freebie with a list of 16+ flight alert programs here.

About 12 Trips in 12 Months:

Bestselling author Jen Ruiz takes readers on a trip around the globe in 12 Trips in 12 Months, defying societal expectations of what a woman is supposed to be—and empowering others to do the same.

The year before her thirtieth birthday, Jen Ruiz decided to change everything. Despite being professionally accomplished and contributing to the world as an attorney at a nonprofit, she had yet to achieve the most important goal, according to society: becoming a wife and mother. So, after more ghostings than a graveyard, tired of dating apps and sitting in a windowless office, Jen embarked on an epic challenge to send her twenties out in style.

Twelve months, twelve trips, no excuses.

She started booking flights instead of swiping right, teaching English online to cover costs. Over the course of the year, Jen descended into a volcano in Iceland, volunteered at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, called in sick to fly in a hot air balloon, and went scuba diving at an underwater museum in Mexico.

She ended up taking twenty trips, almost double her original goal.

In a moving and inspiring story, Jen invites readers along through the year wherein she decided to stop waiting for others and start living for herself, discovered the power of solo travel magic, challenged herself physically and emotionally, made meaningful connections … and learned that she could feel fulfilled and happy on her own.

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