Book

A Year Without Make-Up

: Tales of a 20-Something Traveler

Have you ever wanted to quit your job and go travel the world? At 25 years old Stephanie Yoder was already fed up with the monotony of 9-5 life. After much agonizing, she quit her stable desk job to backpack around Asia. During a year of travel through Ja

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Stephanie Yoder (10)

“There's not really any difference between you and me. I'm not rich, nor am I exceptionally brave (I'm afraid to order pizza on the phone). I'm not crazy. I'm not even that impulsive. I just saw something I wanted more than anything else, so I went after it.”

— Stephanie Yoder, amazon.com

Tagged: Memoir, twenty-somethings, Being In Your 20s, Growth, motivation

“I think that in the United States we have a very myopic view of work and leisure. Unlike other cultures where gap years are common (see: the UK and Australia), in the US we are taught from an early age that we need to focus almost exclusively on our education and career. Travel is a luxury that many…”

— Stephanie Yoder, amazon.com

Tagged: Memoir, twenty-somethings, Being In Your 20s, Growth, Travel Advice

“While your twenties are tough and emotionally exhausting, they are also pretty intense, fun and awesome. That's the reason I'm so keen on people traveling in their twenties. It's such an intense time, when you learn so much about yourself, and travel just accelerates the process.”

— Stephanie Yoder, amazon.com

Tagged: Memoir, twenty-somethings, Being In Your 20s, Growth, Travel Advice

“Now, in my late twenties I'm a bit more circumspect. Every year so far has felt like a lifetime: an individual universe of life lessons, future defining decisions and self-contemplation. There's been a lot of fun parts and a lot of intense parts but the takeaway is that man, being in my twenties is…”

— Stephanie Yoder, amazon.com

Tagged: Memoir, twenty-somethings, Being In Your 20s, Growth

“In pictures I may not look like a model, but I don't look half bad. My beauty secret was written all over my face: I looked so, so happy. Smiling eyes totally make up for a lack of eyeliner.”

— Stephanie Yoder, amazon.com

Tagged: Memoir, natural beauty, Being Happy

“I think that when you are traveling long term, it is just impossible to keep up that enthusiasm and adrenaline that you might have on a shorter trip. Day to day living can get you down no matter where you are.”

— Stephanie Yoder, amazon.com

Tagged: Memoir, Travel Advice

“Don't worry about manners if you are genuinely feeling unsafe. Women in particular are conditioned to always be polite, even when we feel uncomfortable. Predators know this, and they take advantage of your good nature. But safety always trumps manners. Don't be bullied into giving out information or…”

— Stephanie Yoder, amazon.com

Tagged: Memoir, Travel Advice, twenty-somethings, Solo Travel, Females

“The desire to learn and explore is something innate and important, and I think that many of us (particularly in the US) neglect those urges. I think that's part of why travel is so dangerously addictive: once you uncover that drive to explore and discover, it's pretty hard to keep denying it.”

— Stephanie Yoder, amazon.com

Tagged: Memoir, Traveling, Wanderlust

“When I made the commitment to go travel, I knew I was making a decision to go it alone. 'Isn't there someone who wants to go with you?' my mom would ask pleadingly, 'one of your friends maybe?' No Mom, nobody I know is crazy enough to take a year away from their careers and backpack around the world…”

— Stephanie Yoder, amazon.com

Tagged: Memoir, Travel Advice, twenty-somethings, Solo Travel

“Some people will tell you to wait to travel until after you are established. Wait until you are making more money. Wait until you are retired. But just when is that perfect time actually going to arrive? Chances are that never again in your life will you have the resources, lack of commitments, ener…”

— Stephanie Yoder, amazon.com

Tagged: Memoir, Travel Advice, twenty-somethings, Being In Your 20s