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.

Have you ever felt like you're living someone else's version of your life?

Like there's this nudge inside telling you there's more…more meaning, more adventure, more YOU, but you don't know how to find it?

I know that feeling intimately.

Because five years ago, that was me.

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

Hi, I’m Ashlee

I spent my twenties doing everything "right." I graduated from Old Dominion University, started a career in international development in Washington, D.C., and built the life I thought I was supposed to want. On the outside, everything looked fine. But on the inside, I felt hollow. Disconnected. Like I was watching my own life from the outside.

The breaking point came on a Tuesday night at 11 PM. I was still at my desk, eyes burning from staring at spreadsheets, when my landlord's email came through: another rent increase. $300 more per month than I didn't have. I sat there in that fluorescent-lit office, doing the math in my head, working 60-hour weeks and still barely affording a one-bedroom apartment I was never in. I started crying right there at my desk. 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 a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with my employer, packed up my belongings, and moved abroad. One week later, I was standing on a beach in Tulum, Mexico, watching the sunrise, and I felt something I hadn't felt in years: awake. Alive. Like myself.

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

That break-free moment started with three weeks in Mexico and a simple question: "What if I just keep going?"So I let my curiosity lead the way.

Colombia was supposed to be three months. It turned into nine months in Medellín, falling in love with salsa music, mountain views, and a city that taught me home isn't about permanence; it's about presence.

Then came the wandering: UK, Croatia, Montenegro, Portugal. After a reset in Mexico, Portugal pulled me back. This time, I was sure. I found an apartment in Lisbon, bought furniture, and started learning Portuguese. I was staying.

Until the email arrived: an opportunity to work and live 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 the destination.

That year in Nairobi changed everything. Not just visiting, but truly living. Working, learning Swahili, navigating matatu rides, and 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

What WokenHeart Is About

WokenHeart is a space for women who refuse to settle for a life half-lived.

If you're feeling stuck in the routine, craving deeper meaning, or dreaming of solo travel but don't know where to start—you're in the right place.

This isn't about perfect Instagram photos or luxury resorts. This is about real transformation. I share honest travel guides for women who want to explore the world (even if it scares them), wellness practices that actually work (not toxic positivity), and stories that remind you it's never too late to rewrite your story.

WokenHeart is where travel meets self-discovery. Where wandering with an open heart leads to coming home to yourself.

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.