After three years in a relationship where “no” became the default—thanks to COVID, excuses, and a partner who dampened the joy of travel—I found myself single and craving freedom. That’s when I made a decision that would change my life: I declared a Year of Yes.
Inspired by the Jim Carrey movie Yes Man, I committed to saying “yes” to (almost within reason) every opportunity that came my way—trips, events, spontaneous brunches, and anything in between. I didn’t always have the time off, or even the money, but I promised myself I would find a way. And I did.
One of the most memorable adventures from my Year of Yes started with a call from a friend. She was chatting with a guy at a yacht club who pitched her a trip of a lifetime—a weeklong catamaran adventure through the British Virgin Islands. The catch? She needed to Venmo a $1,000 deposit to a stranger named Ed based on a 15-year-old YouTube video and some Facebook credibility. When she invited me to join, every instinct screamed scam! But then I remembered: this was my Year of Yes.
So I sent the money.
Over the next eight months, we met Ed at brunch and a few yacht club meetups. Then, suddenly, I was on a flight to the BVI with a suitcase and a sense of adventure. I only knew one person—my friend Carol—but it didn’t matter. We spent a week sailing, snorkeling, dancing, and mingling with airline employees and fellow “yes people” on 30 other catamarans. We never saw a single race (apparently it was a regatta), but the nightly beach parties more than made up for it.
For $3,000 (not including airfare), I got an unforgettable experience on crystal blue waters, surrounded by strangers who quickly became friends. It was spontaneous. It was a little reckless. And it was absolutely worth it.
Here’s what I learned from my Year of Yes: saying no often feels safe, especially when you’re tired, overwhelmed, or short on cash. But saying yes—especially when it’s inconvenient or intimidating—opens up your world. You meet new people. You collect stories. You rediscover yourself.
That trip was just one story from my Year of Yes, but it was the grand finale. It reminded me that freedom, joy, and once-in-a-lifetime moments often hide behind the scariest yeses. I may have ended the year with only $6 in my checking account and $0 in savings, but I also ended it with memories that were priceless.
So here’s my challenge to you: say yes. Not to everything, but to more than you usually would. Especially to travel, especially to friendship, and especially to life. You might be surprised where it takes you.