I’m Leaving Amsterdam to Travel the World

Life Goals

Do you know this feeling when you bump into a book that summarizes your life, inspires you to take the risk and makes you do things that you wouldn’t do otherwise? Well, it happened to me few times and each time I ended up packing my backpack and going traveling full-time :).

Airport life of a backpacker.

This time, it was also just like that. My decision to leave Amsterdam and get back to full-time blogging and traveling has been partly influenced by a very inspiring book called”Radical Self-Love: A Guide to Loving Yourself and Living Your Dream” by Gala Darling, where I read:

Set a goal that scares you! If your goals are boring, your life is going to be incredibly dull. Goals should feel like a stretch; they should terrify you and make you nervous! Come up with something that terrifies you! Set a goal that makes you gulp as you write it down. How about something like “Move to Australia by November” or “Start my own business and leave my boring office job within two years? FEAR! Tremble!

My goal is to explore the world.

Although my life and the full-time job in Amsterdam were not dull and boring, my life goals changed.

Stunning Amsterdam.

My current goal is to continue exploring the world without limits. I want to collect moments and memories and I feel like pushing my boundaries beyond my comfort zone once again and discover the beauty of the world while learning from it at the same time.

Going Dutch for one afternoon.

I feel like it’s the right time for me to hit the road again, learn new lessons while traveling, binge on local food while still trying to stay in a good shape, get lost and blog about it because Etramping will be one of my main focuses on this journey.

Goodbye Amsterdam. Hello new adventures!

On Friday 29 July I left Amsterdam for good. I quit my full-time office job, moved out of my apartment, sold my bike, contributed all junk and clothes to the Salvation Army and said goodbye to friends, roommates and co-workers.

One of my last Amsterdam pictures.

I’ve closed another chapter of my life when leaving the city where I spent nearly 2 years cycling each day, visiting hidden spots and cafeterias with awesome people and getting inspired at work with a bunch of creative and self-motivated people.

Tulips in Amsterdam.

My last 4 weeks in the Netherlands were amazing – a lot of catching up with friends and awesome work colleagues, country trips with my girls and a lot of good workouts with my gym team. There was a lot of good music involved, epic evenings full of inspiring talks and I even managed to visit all spots across the country that I planned to see when arriving in the Netherlands for the first time!

On top of A’DAM Lookout with a wonderful fellow travel blogger, Snapchat addict and my friend – Jessica of A Wanderlust for Life.

I’m grateful for all experiences and lessons I’ve learnt at work, university, home and gym when living in Amsterdam. Thank you to everyone who contributed to my happiness and progress – I really appreciate small and big gestures! 

Poki team!

What’s next, Agness!?

I’m spending August in Poland to get my new passport, required visas and necessary vaccinations for further traveling. My first stop will be in Seoul, South Korea and from there I will decide where to go next. Although I set off as a solo female traveler, I will meet my travel partner in crime – Cez – sooner than later!

Wish me good luck and thank you for all your support and kind words! I’ll keep you posted on my travel adventures here on Etramping and our social media channels: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

  To travel is to live – Hans Christian Andersen.

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Agness Walewinder
Agness Walewinder
Travel freak, vagabond, photography passionate, blogger, life enthusiast, backpacker, adventure hunter and endless energy couchsurfer living by the rule "Pack lite, travel far and live long!"
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57 thoughts on “I’m Leaving Amsterdam to Travel the World”

  1. I literally cried while reading this and already miss you! I’m so glad I got to see you last month and am so incredibly happy we became. You are an inspiration and I can’t wait to follow you on your new journey. I wish you all the best and we’ll see each other again!!!

    1. Agness Walewinder

      Oh Jess, thank you for such amazing words and support. You were one of the first people I shared my decision with. I would like to say thank you for having me at your place, exploring Amsterdam with me and being such a lovely friend. Please send my regards to Shaun and I will miss you a lot!! Enjoy Amsterdam and hope to see you soon!

  2. Meagan | LifeOutsideOfTexas.com

    That’s so exciting! How long will you be in Korea? I definitely recommend traveling around a bit. If you need anything just let me know. And if I don’t know the answer I can put you in contact with other bloggers that still live in Korea. Safe travels!

    1. Agness Walewinder

      I’m not sure how long I’ll stay in South Korea. It depends on how I will feel there. If I really like it I may spend even couple of months there :).

  3. Tina Littlemoon

    I’m truly happy for you Agness and wish you a bunch of adventures and timeless memories! I couldn’t imagine you anyway with a full-time office job and settling down because to me you’re a real wandersole and inspiring travel writer!
    We will keep following your adventures around the globe and remember that you can always count on our support! :)) If you’re happen to be in Prague, stop by, you’re always welcome.
    Greets from acoupleofcountries, Tina and Hemmo

  4. It seems that I haven’t read ur blog for a long time … I didn’t know that u have lived in Amsterdam for 2 years! I thought u travelled here and there! Okay, now I need to bookmark your blog so I won’t miss a thing again haha!

    Anyway, good luck and have fun ;)

    1. Agness Walewinder

      I was based in Amsterdam for 2 years but I was travelling in the meantime as well ;) Cheers, Timo!

  5. Kathryn Burrington

    Safe and happy travels Agnes. Have you really been in Amsterdam for 2 years?!! Looking forward to following your adventures. I’m sure there will be many.

  6. It’s been 2 years already? It feels like just a couple of months ago you announced that you were leaving China with a heavy heart. I wish you all of the best! Can’t wait to read about South Korea. Are you brave enough to go to North Korea too?

  7. Congrats!! Amazing news! I’ve been following you and your adventures since before moved to Amsterdam, so I’m totally not surprised you’ve made this decision! I feel like once a traveler, always a traveler. I lived in Madrid a few years ago, and traveled around the country/Europe before coming back to the U.S. I did the full time job thing for a bit but it felt so stifling, even though I did learn a lot in my role at a startup and am grateful for it. I just didn’t want to spend my days sitting in a tiny office when I could be out exploring the world! Headed back to Spain this fall for more travels (and tapas and wine) and couldn’t be happier. Best of luck, can’t wait to hear more!

  8. Wow! Big news! I wish you all the best and an awesome time. When you get to Mexico let me know. Have a blast and that all your dreams come true!

  9. Vanessa @ The Travelling Colognian

    Wow, these are indeed great news, Agness. Best of luck on your journey, have an amazing time and always happy travels. It’s a shame that we never met in person although we were living so close to each other (Amsterdam – Cologne) for almost two years but I hope that our paths will cross somewhere else on this amazing planet. I am looking forward to read about your adventures and to find out where your journey will take you.

  10. So exciting and I can’t believe it’s been 2 years already! you really make me much more inspired to move abroad next year to start a new job. I’ve been umming and ahhing but this is deffo pushing me towards the decision of go! Best of luck Agness and enjoy your time at home!

    1. Agness Walewinder

      Yes, it’s been almost 2 years. I can’t believe it either. Time really flies! Thank you Sandra for kind words and all of your support. We really appreciate that! :)

  11. Pooja @lostinprettyeurope

    What a great news, Agnes! I admire your courage and am sure you will have a lot of fun. Looking forward to reading all about it. Good luck to you! :)

  12. Shikha (whywasteannualleave)

    This is so exciting Agness – good luck!! I went to Seoul earlier this year and I absolutely loved the street food at the night markets. Looking forward to seeing your travel updates :)

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