It was the middle of the night, and I was sitting with a patient who had just been placed on hospice. We started talking about life—the good, the bad, and the regrets. He told me something that stuck with me: “I put all my time and energy into my job and missed out on the important things—exploring the world and sharing new experiences with the people I love.”
That conversation hit me hard. I’d always loved the idea of travel, but I realized then that I didn’t want to look back one day and wish I had done more. Life is too short to put off the things that truly matter.
Working as a nurse with 12-hour shifts gave me an unexpected opportunity—chunks of time off between shifts that I could use to explore new places. I started squeezing in quick getaways, sometimes flying out after a shift and coming back just in time for the next. It wasn’t always glamorous, but it was worth it.
I also lucked out by having a lot of friends who worked shift work and were just as eager to see the world as I was. We took off on spontaneous trips, made unforgettable memories, and reminded each other that life isn’t just about working—it’s about living.
That hospice patient’s words changed my perspective. Travel isn’t just about checking places off a list; it’s about embracing experiences, creating memories, and making the most of the time we have. Because at the end of the day, I don’t want to have regrets—I want to have stories. ✈️🌍
