Welcome to

WokenHeart

Scenic view of a European cityscape with colorful buildings, red-tiled roofs, and a cathedral in the background. The foreground features a rooftop terrace with seating, greenery, and people enjoying the atmosphere under a clear blue sky at sunset.

WokenHeart is about building a life you don't need to escape from.

Not through perfection. Not through having it all figured out. But through intentional choices, authentic connection, and the courage to start over when something isn't working.

I know what it feels like to live a life that looks right but feels completely wrong.

Person standing in a stone archway with a scenic view in the background.

Hi, I’m Ashlee

I spent my twenties doing everything "right." College degree. Career in international development. An apartment in a city I could barely afford. On paper, I had it all figured out. In reality, I felt hollow. Like I was watching my own life from the outside.

The breaking point came on a Tuesday at 11 PM. Another landlord email. Another rent increase. I sat at my desk, still working at a job that demanded 60-hour workweeks, doing the math in my head and realizing I couldn't afford to keep living like this. I started crying right there under those fluorescent lights.

That's when I knew. This wasn't living. This was just existing. And I was too young to feel this old.

So I did what terrified me most. I ended my lease, negotiated remote work, packed everything I owned into storage, and bought a one-way ticket to Mexico.

One week later, I was standing on a beach in Tulum watching the sunrise, feeling something I hadn't felt in years. Awake. Alive. Like myself again.

That break-free moment started with a simple question: "What if I just keep going?"

So I let curiosity lead.

A woman standing on a rocky trail during sunset, with a large mountain and lake in the background.

Colombia was supposed to be three months. It turned into nine in Medellín. Then came the UK, Croatia, Montenegro, Portugal. After a reset in Mexico, I circled back to Lisbon, found an apartment, bought furniture, started learning Portuguese. I was staying.

Until an email arrived with an opportunity to live and work in Nairobi, Kenya.

I'd just unpacked. Just stopped moving. Just started building roots. But some opportunities don't wait for convenient timing. So I said yes to uprooting everything again, to trusting the journey even when I couldn't see where it was going.

That year in Nairobi changed everything. Not just visiting, but truly living. Working. Learning Swahili. Navigating matatu rides. Building friendships that redefined what community means. Kenya wasn't another stamp in my passport. It was the place where all those other places finally made sense.

From there, Southeast Asia unfolded. Surfing in Sri Lanka. Hiking volcanoes in Bali. Yoga on Kathmandu rooftops with the Himalayas stretching endlessly beyond.

Forty-one countries. Three years. More uncertainty than I ever thought I could handle.

And somewhere along that winding road, I stopped searching for home in places. Because I finally understood that home isn't a destination. It's something you build within yourself when you're brave enough to keep saying yes.

Boats on water at sunset with colorful sky and clouds

Here's what I want you to know: You don't have to quit your job and travel to 40 countries to build a life you don't need to escape from.

Your transformation might look completely different than mine. Maybe it's finally having the hard conversation you've been avoiding. Maybe it's setting boundaries at work. Maybe it's investing in friendships that actually nourish you instead of drain you. Maybe it's removing your phone from your bedroom and reclaiming your sleep. Maybe it's saying no to what you think you should want and yes to what you actually need.

The specifics don't matter. What matters is listening when that voice says "this isn't it" and being brave enough to do something about it.

WokenHeart exists to remind you that:

  • You're allowed to want more, even when your life looks "good enough."

  • Transformation doesn't require permission or a perfect plan.

  • Starting over isn't failure. Sometimes it's the bravest thing you can do.

  • The life you're building matters more than the life you're performing.

  • You don't have to have it all figured out to take the next step.

What you'll find here:

  • Real stories from women who chose courage over comfort and built lives that reflect who they actually are

  • Honest reflections on what it takes to live intentionally, from building habits that stick to navigating major life transitions

  • Practical tools for creating the kind of life you don't need a vacation from

If you're here, you're probably navigating your own version of that journey. Maybe you're stuck in a life that looks right but feels wrong. Maybe you're between chapters, unsure of what comes next. Maybe you're just tired of living small.

Welcome. You're in the right place.

Ready to build a life you don't need to escape from? Sign up for the WokenHeart newsletter and join a community of women choosing intentional living over autopilot.

WokenHeart Values

  • Through travel, self-reflection, and meaningful experiences, WokenHeart encourages you to evolve and grow. This space is dedicated to supporting and empowering women to embrace their strength and potential.

  • WokeHeart believes in the power of curiosity to fuel exploration, learning, and a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us, encouraging a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and new experiences.

  • WokenHeart values a holistic approach to wellness that emphasizes mindfulness, self-care, and living with an open heart. We believe in fostering compassion and empathy in our interactions and content.

  • WokenHeart is committed to building an inclusive community that welcomes diverse perspectives and supports individuals from all backgrounds on their journey.