Gallivanting Wellness

17/08/2026

Travel can bring out reactions you do not expect. You book the trip, move abroad, or start living life on your terms, and suddenly some people pull back, get quiet, or have something to say about it. It can catch you off guard, especially when it comes from people close to you.

If you have traveled solo, relocated overseas, or built a life outside the norm, you have probably felt this. How do you handle it when people around you respond with distance or jealousy instead of support? Drop your experience below.

03/08/2026

Driving Abroad Is Not Like Driving at Home
Living abroad teaches you things you never expected.

One big lesson for me? Weekend driving in the UK is a different world.

Back home in the States, I could hop in my car and drive anywhere on a weekend without much thought. Here in the UK, I try to stay close to home unless I have no other choice.

Why? Heavy traffic, congestion charges, low emission zone fines, and parking that is nowhere near as easy to find as it is in America.

There are not many parking lots here. Paid parking spots can be hard to spot too. And when you do not know the area well, it makes everything harder.

This weekend I decided to push past my comfort zone and drive to a new farmers market I had never visited before. It turned into a bit of a nightmare. I am sharing the full story on

TikTok, so go watch the clip and see what happened.

Have you ever had a travel moment that turned into an unexpected adventure? Tell me in the comments.

👉 Watch the full story on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8nL8rjt/

24/07/2026

New Passport Rule Alert

The State Department is revoking passports from parents with unpaid child support debt. The program is run with the Department of Health and Human Services under a 1996 law. It started in May 2026 with parents who owed $100,000 or more. The threshold has since dropped to $50,000, and officials say it will keep going down toward the legal minimum of $2,500.

If you owe child support and travel internationally, here is what to do:

1. Contact your state child support enforcement agency now
2. Ask about your current arrears balance (the total unpaid child support you owe)
3. Set up a payment plan if you cannot pay in full
4. Confirm your case is marked as current once you pay

Once your debt is paid and your case is no longer delinquent, you can apply to get your passport back.

Read more here: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/ap-report-americans-who-owe-significant-child-support-will-have-their-u-s-passports-revoked

Under the new policy, HHS will inform the State Department of all past-due payments of more than $2,500 and parents in that group with passports will have their documents revoked, the department said.

21/07/2026

What It Felt Like to See Julien Alfred and Gabby Thomas Race Live

I attended the Diamond League in London, and I am still buzzing about it. As a track and field fan, this was a bucket list moment.

The race everyone was waiting for did not disappoint. Julien Alfred and Gabby Thomas went head to head in the women's 200m, both reigning Olympic champions in their events, and Alfred took the win in a new meeting record time of 21.66 seconds, with Thomas right behind her at 21.81.

I was on my feet the entire race. When they came around that final bend, I was screaming so loud I lost my voice a little by the time it was over. I did not care. That is what being a true fan feels like. Standing in that crowd, watching two of the fastest women in the world battle it out stride for stride, was one of those moments where you forget to even think. You just feel it. I was on cloud 9.

This is exactly why I love travel. You do not just see a new city. You get to be part of a moment like this one.

Now I want to hear from you. Have you ever attended a sporting event, concert, or festival while traveling in another country? What was it, and how did it feel to be there live? Drop your story in the comments. I would love to hear where in the world you have been on cloud 9.

Follow Gallivanting Wellness for more travel stories, tips, and real life moments from life abroad.

17/07/2026

Have you ever had that feeling someone is watching you? While hiking a trail in the UK, I looked through the trees and saw something that stopped me in my tracks. Watch what happened on my TikTok, link in comments. Solo travel is amazing, but staying alert can save you. Always trust your gut and know your surroundings.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8GopXdu/

16/07/2026

A stomach bug called Cyclospora is spreading across the U.S. right now. It causes explosive, watery diarrhea that can last for weeks. Over 30 states have reported cases this summer, and health officials are still tracking down the source.

Good news, it does not spread person to person. It spreads through contaminated food and water, often fresh produce.

If you are traveling this summer, here is how to protect yourself.
Wash your hands often, especially before you eat.

Rinse fresh fruits and veggies well, even if the package says prewashed.
Cook produce when you can. Heat kills the parasite.

Watch for symptoms like ongoing watery diarrhea, fatigue, or loss of appetite, and see a doctor if they show up.

Full story here: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/13/cyclospora-outbreak-parasite-explosive-diarrhea

Officials say inquiry into cyclosporiasis outbreak continues but early results point to salad greens and lettuce

09/07/2026

Long lines. Delayed flights. Sweaty airports. Summer travel is testing everybody right now.

Your feet hurt. Your patience is thin. The heat is not making it easier.

Here is your reminder. A hard travel day does not cancel a good trip. Breathe. Drink your water. Find some shade when you can.

You booked this trip for a reason. Keep going. The destination is worth it.

06/07/2026

What Is Happening With TPS and Who It Affects

Temporary Protected Status, known as TPS, gives people from certain countries the right to live and work legally in the United States when it is not safe for them to return home. This status was created in 1990 for situations like war, natural disaster, and unstable governments.

Right now, TPS is ending for many countries. The government has already ended or moved to end TPS for over a dozen countries, including Haiti, Venezuela, Honduras, Nicaragua, Nepal, Somalia, and Syria. A Supreme Court ruling in June 2026 cleared the way for many of these endings to move forward. All together, more than one million people could be affected.

This matters because TPS holders are not just numbers. Many have lived and worked in the United States for years, some for decades. They have families, homes, jobs, and children who are U.S. citizens. When TPS ends, people lose their legal right to work. Some may face the risk of detention or deportation unless they qualify for a different kind of legal status.

This is an evolving situation, and legal challenges are still playing out in the courts for several countries. If you or someone you know may be affected, it is important to speak with a qualified immigration attorney to understand your options.

Learn more here: https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/fact-sheet/temporary-protected-status-tps-overview/

This fact sheet provides an overview of how TPS designations are made, what benefits TPS confers, and how TPS beneficiaries apply for and regularly renew their status.

01/07/2026

Culture Shock: No AC in the UK

Living in the UK as an American has taught me something new. Most homes here do not have air conditioning. I am used to AC after visiting 46 countries, so this caught me off guard.

Right now it is summer heat in the UK, and AC units are sold out online and in stores. A portable air conditioner can cost around $400, but after a hot night of sweating and struggling to sleep, it is worth every penny to me.

I understand why many people here weigh the cost against the need. The heat usually only lasts a few weeks before it cools back down to the 60s. So it becomes a question of whether the investment is worth it for such a short stretch of time. You will notice windows open all over town as people try to catch a breeze instead.

This is a great reminder for anyone moving abroad. Always check the small things. Does the home have AC? Does it have heat for winter? Do you have money saved for extras you may need? These details make a big difference in your comfort.

Traveling and expat life come with lessons like this. You learn to adjust, plan ahead, and appreciate the simple things, like a cool breeze on a hot day.

30/06/2026

Name one destination where you truly felt like yourself

Think back to one trip that just felt right. A place where you could breathe and simply be you.

I find different parts of myself in different countries. Sometimes it is the slow pace of a place that keeps my nervous system calm. Sometimes it is standing in the ocean, feeling small and free at the same time.

Travel is not only about checking places off a list. It is about finding the places that remind you who you are.

What destination made you feel most like yourself? Was it the pace, the people, the water, or something else?

what place brought you back to you?