I’m Mindful Meggie, a neurodivergent traveler who navigates the world, my brain, and my emotions.
I’ve helped readers on Lonely Planet and Fodor’s Travel with my stories and resources. And now, you! Welcome to a more inclusive travel space for mental health!
Have you ever thought: Did I forget my passport at home? Was that guy staring at me, or am I just paranoid? What will people think of me? Why do I feel so emotionally down? Is my neurodivergence getting in the way of my travels? Am I burning out? Should I even travel at all?
Yeah, I’ve been there too. You’re doing just fine. I want to give you grace and validation for your experiences. You and I have been through lots of ups and downs while traveling.
Traveling through 24 countries (including an 8-month digital nomad trip as a solo female through Asia, Oceania, and Polynesia), I’ve learned strategies and mindsets to take care of my mental health while traveling (and working!). I want to share these with you because mental health should not be a travel barrier. If anything, taking care of your mental health is key to enjoying your travels, traveling longer without severe burnout, and knowing how you best have fun!
What does fun look like for you? For me, it’s hiking through Taiwan, laughing at a Kiwi’s dry humor, and drinking the best coffee in Vietnam. On the other hand, I wouldn’t enjoy a party hostel because it’s overarousing for my sensitive nervous system, and I need more rest than most people.
That’s the key. It’s knowing what you like and don’t like. Not only are you taking care of your mental health, but you’re enjoying your travels on your own terms!
Don’t deny the fun of travel just because it has its ups and downs mentally (they’re gonna happen anyway). And if you’re neurodivergent like me, you deserve to enjoy traveling. I cannot help with your specific situation since we’re all different, but I want to guide you in the right direction based on tips, resources, and professional help if need be. Travel can help you appreciate this beautiful world with beautiful people. And guess what? You’re beautiful too.
I’ve managed to travel, work, party, and meet awesome friends even with an alphabet soup of emotional and mental considerations: A stands for anxiety, E for an empath, H for a highly sensitive person, O for OCD, and T for trauma. (Well, 5 out of 26 isn’t too bad, I guess.) It’s thanks to my years of visiting therapists, learning about the world through travel, and using my dry sense of humor to cope that I’ve made it this far in looking after my mental health while traveling.
I’m still struggling and learning. But that’s the joy of the journey, not just in terms of travel but life too! Together, let’s thrive on our travels while caring for our mental health and having fun!
Whether you are dealing with everyday anxieties or a diagnosed mental illness, I’ll answer your practical and curious questions:
- What resources are out there for neurodivergent travelers?
- How can I be more mindful during my travels?
- What mindsets can I use to cope with mental obstacles?
- What is it like traveling with a mental illness?
- How do I get help from professionals while traveling?
My work has been featured in publications such as Lonely Planet, Fodor’s Travel, Skift, and the International OCD Foundation. (More on my Press page).
Here’s what readers like you are saying about my blog!
I appreciate you and your openness a lot. The way you share and advocate for yourself and others is courageous! Thanks for being so bravely, openly, & authentically you. – Lauren Hjalmarson, moderator and mascot actor at Club Penguin, broadcast journalist at KelownaNow, community manager at the Kelowna Innovation Society
Very detailed and informative guide on getting mental health services around our travels! Thank you for taking the time to collect & share this information! – Victor, wildlife and nature enthusiast
Here are my travel favorites:
- Countries: Vietnam, New Zealand, Mexico
- Cities: San Francisco, Wellington, Melbourne
- Natural space: Fiordland National Park in New Zealand
- Accommodation type: Homestay
- Funny story: I was invited to an Egyptian wedding… only to fly to the wrong side of the country.
Fun facts about me!
- I’m a Gen Z Vietnamese American with a home base in the Los Angeles metro.
- I graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts (English) degree. I completed the English degree while studying abroad in England, of all places.
- I am a well-known figure in a gaming community associated with the hit virtual world, Club Penguin (I don’t know how 3,000 people are following my Twitter gaming account, @Tech70CP).
- When I am not writing, I work as a producer at Party Parrot World, Club Penguin’s spiritual successor.
Disclosure: There are affiliate links on my website at no additional cost to you. I earn a commission if you make a purchase. This helps support the costs of running the site so travelers can continue to get support from the site’s free mental health resources. I recommend only products and companies based on research and my own experiences using them.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or therapist. Do not use this blog as a diagnosis, official treatment, or therapy. I only share my experiences and research that may be useful to you. Everyone’s situation is different. Please visit a registered doctor or therapist before basing any mental health decisions on my website.