Supermums

Some of the most inspiring travellers I meet are the mothers. Not those with little kids, but those who have weans my age and who, like my own inspiring, wonderful mum, have found their own new lease of life post-kids.

L, who shared many of the same cities as me through Thailand and Laos, decided to take a sabbatical from her job and travel SE Asia and then some of the less stable countries of the world. She missed her daughter's thirtieth, can't do everything she wants because of back problems, but is otherwise vibrant and completely unstoppable.

Likewise B, who I rode elephants with. Her son is the one with the steady job and income. B lives on a 36' yacht and currently runs a yoga centre in Hawaii. Her whole take on life is incredible.

All these amazing mums around me are making me realise motherhood - a club I eventually want to join - is not a one-way ticket; the rat-race is jump-offable and I don't have to rush to fulfil all my other desires and dreams before decorating the nursery. Oh, and the supermums are always ready with a few much-appreciated wise words for a young independent female traveller like me!