In a world that at times stipulates how far and wide a woman can go and what she can do, Kokilavathi chose the road less travelled, quite literally. A full-time teacher by profession, a relentless wanderer by heart, she found that travel wasn’t an escape; it was an extension of herself, the means to reclaim dreams long deferred.

Kokilavathi grew up in a home where survival often came before dreams. She watched her parents carry hopes they never got to chase and promised herself she would not let her own dreams wait forever. That determination led her to complete both a degree and a master’s in Teaching English as a Second Language, but her heart was always drawn to something beyond textbooks and classrooms: the world, waiting to be explored.

In 2019, while in her master’s program, Kokilavathi reached a breaking point. Mentally and emotionally exhausted, she impulsively booked a solo trip to Indonesia. Carrying her assignments alongside her backpack, she wrote papers in bustling stalls, completed coursework in hostels, and wandered unfamiliar streets. That trip didn’t just mark the start of her travels; it marked the beginning of choosing herself.

Traveling alone as a South Asian woman came with its different set of challenges. People would often ask her, “Who is she to wander the world by herself?” or “Why isn’t there a man with her?” Yet, Kokilavathi didn’t allow tradition or fear to define the borders of her life. She learned that courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s deciding that something else matters more.

Every journey she embarks upon, every story she comes across, reinforces her belief in freedom, resilience, and the joy of living on one’s own terms. Kokilavathi’s story just goes to remind one that life does not wait for permission, perfect timing, or approval.

The lesson is simple but powerful: when you choose yourself, face your fears, and step into the unknown, you will find a freedom and strength you never thought you were capable of.