This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Depend®. The opinions and text are all mine.

When I was growing up, I didn’t stray far from home. A camping trip here. A visit to Grandma’s there.

Once I hit adulthood and found myself bringing home my own paychecks, I discovered that I had a passion for traveling the world.

My eyes weren’t set on Grandma’s house anymore (though I still visited often), and they weren’t set on my own backyard (though a staycation is always fun). Rather, my heart was drawn to adventures on other continents, different cultures, and exotic cuisine.

My 30’s were spent traveling the globe by land, air, and sea.

In Singapore I climbed to the top of a rainforest. Indonesia had me swimming with sharks in the South China Sea. And the U.S. Virgin Islands kept my mouth drooling over conch fritters. I met the love of my life and became a mother.

My 40’s have surprised me. As I’m well into this decade now, and rapidly approaching the next, I’ve found that I’m more adventurous than ever, pushing myself beyond what I thought I would (and could) do.

Here’s what I’ve learned…at this time in my life, there are things that won’t stop me from traveling and chasing my dreams.

4 Things That Won’t Stop Me From Traveling

AGE

I lost my mom when she was in her 50s. As I approach that decade of life, I find myself a little anxious.

The world has told me that I’m getting old. My wrinkles and gray hair have told me that I’m getting old. My body often screams I’m getting old.

So why do I feel more confidant than ever? Why do I feel like I’m younger than my mom was in her late 40s?

Recently I had the opportunity to chat with nationally known psychotherapist, award winning reporter, and author, Dr. Robi Ludwig. With academic credentials including a doctorate in psychology, and appearances on the Today Show, CNN, and Oprah, I wanted her to weigh in on what I was feeling.

She’s written a book on this very topic, “Your Best Age is Now”, and shared with me that I’m not alone in this thinking. Dr. Ludwig said, “Old myths about aging are simply not true and midlife is no longer the time it once was”.

I’m sitting here blogging in what has become my second career, one I’m passionate about and allows me incredible opportunities to travel the world. Truth be told, there have been many times where I have been made to feel “too old” for this. Many a writing job where I was not allowed to apply because of my age. Many a press trip where young millennials were simply shocked to find out my age.

Yet Dr. Ludwig explains it’s in these moments where it is important to not “give ourselves false excuses to be out of the game”. I couldn’t agree more.

So you will find me pushing myself out of my comfort zone (even if it scares me) – kayaking through Florida creeks, ziplining over Kauai’s lush greenery, and walking the red carpet in Hollywood.

FEAR

There are a lot of things to be afraid of in this world.

Fear comes easy to me, I’ll admit. Those close to me have learned I think in terms of “worst case scenarios”because of the losses I’ve experienced in life. I’m not saying it’s good for me, it’s just my personality.

Whether it is concern about the uncertainties in parts of the world, challenges of traveling solo, or the fear of getting motion-sick while cruising an island, I will not let fear win.

I choose to travel despite my fear.

I choose to travel because of my fear.

MOTHERHOOD

Recently, I was heading off on two back to back press trips to destinations I was thrilled about. My 96-year old grandmother, very predictably, asked, “Well, who is going to take care of your little girl?”

Now mind you, I love my grandmother dearly, and she does come from a different era. BUT, if my husband was heading off on two back to back work trips, not a single person would ask him who was watching his little girl. Not one. Am I right?

That said, I have an incredible husband who happily watches as I trot out the door, suitcase in hand, to take a helicopter tour off the Napali Coast or interview Michael Douglas in Hollywood.

My daughter is always well taken care of at home,  if she’s not got her bags packed and joining me already.

No, motherhood, you will not stop me from traveling.

BLADDER LEAKAGE

Were you expecting this one? If not, why not?

It’s often part of the aging process, and yes, for mid-life or even after (or because of) motherhood. In fact, 65 million Americans experience bladder leakage in one form or another.

It’s not something that we often talk about publicly, but that is something that should change. Dr. Ludwig agrees. She said, “There’s a lot of power in belonging to a larger group” and mentioned that life can feel so satisfying “in the smaller moments of connecting in authentic ways”.

Just opening up to a small group of friends with topics like pre-menopause and bladder leakage can really make you realize you are not in this alone. You get away from that automatic response “why me?”.

But here’s the thing – bladder leakage (of any amount) doesn’t have to get in the way of living a confident, uninterrupted life. It doesn’t have to stop you from traveling.

And while my amount of bladder leakage is not something that’s ever prevented me from traveling, I know that thanks to Depend® it never will.

We have technology now that not only always us to feel confident, but comfortable (and you cannot tell one is wearing these undergarments)!  I wonder what my great-grandparents did when products like the Depend FIT-FLEX® Underwear did not exist.

TIP: Depend FIT-FLEX® Underwear now comes in more sizes for better comfort, making it the brand’s best-fitting, most comfortable underwear yet. It is designed to fit and feel like underwear for all body shapes, so you can reconnect with the people and things you love.

No bladder leakage, you won’t stop me from traveling. Whether I’m concerned about a long flight, thrilling rollercoaster, or belly-laughing with friends, I will keep on.

As I grow older, I will embrace this new part of me, thankful that Depend® works hard to help us feel and do our best!

What “thing” won’t stop you from traveling? Chasing your dreams?

For more information about incontinence and Depend® products, please visit: here. For product samples, please visit: here, and follow Depend on: Depend.com, Facebook: @Depend, and Youtube: @kc10dependchannel.

Comments submitted may be displayed on other websites owned by the sponsoring brand.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Depend® brand. The opinions and text are all mine.

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