Additional Coverage:
- I spent 22 years as a military wife. After our divorce, I finally lived the dream we’d planned together. (businessinsider.com)
Local Woman Finds Solace and Strength Through Solo Journey After Divorce
Bryanne Salazar, a former military wife for 22 years, embarked on a transformative solo journey to Thailand and Vietnam after the dissolution of her nearly 25-year marriage. Her adventure, a testament to resilience and self-discovery, began after her husband’s military retirement and the subsequent end of their relationship in early 2022.
Salazar, who had dedicated decades to supporting her husband’s career with the promise of future travel together, found herself adrift when the marriage ended. “When his military career ended, it felt like he lost his sense of purpose,” she shared. “I tried to hold things together, but the unhappiness and bitter fights left me drowning, too.”
Initially, fear kept her in the marriage, stemming from a challenging upbringing and a lack of familial contact. “I worried that without my husband and children, I’d have no one,” she admitted. However, the emotional toll of staying eventually outweighed the apprehension of leaving.
Following her divorce, Salazar moved to Hawaii and dedicated a year to healing and self-reflection. This period involved extensive walking, therapy, reading, leaning on female friendships, and maintaining close ties with her sons. Through these efforts, she confronted her habit of people-pleasing and learned to prioritize her own needs.
By late 2022, feeling fulfilled yet restless, Salazar was ready for a new chapter. On December 31, she booked a solo flight to Bangkok, despite having limited savings.
Her decision was met with questions of fear from loved ones, including her sons. “I was nervous, but fear was no longer in the driver’s seat of my life,” she stated, recalling her oldest son’s words: “You’re so brave, Mom.”
She vowed to embody that bravery.
Just two days before her 43rd birthday, Salazar landed in Bangkok, immersing herself in the local culture, food, and temples. The freedom of independent travel was a revelation.
In Chiang Mai, she visited a massage studio employing former female prisoners, an experience that resonated deeply due to her late mother’s past incarceration. A small act of kindness from her masseuse, braiding her hair, brought her to tears.
Thailand offered Salazar unprecedented freedom to explore at her own pace, a stark contrast to her previous travels. “It was the first trip I’d ever taken where I didn’t have to conform to someone else’s desires,” she explained. “I was living for me.”
Her journey continued to Vietnam, where she found Hanoi to be a city of “chaotic yet charming atmosphere.” She noted that navigating the bustling streets required confidence and a steady pace, likening it to a metaphor for her own life.
A memorable motorcycle ride with a local named Lee, who shared stories of the Vietnam War and the resilience of Hanoi’s people, struck a chord. “Hanoi people are strong,” Lee told her, a sentiment that resonated with her own efforts to rebuild her life.
“In a small way, I was doing the same.”
The trip concluded with a reflective cruise and kayaking experience in Ha Long Bay, where the serene environment allowed her to internalize her achievements. Salazar returned to Hawaii not only having fulfilled a dream of adventure but also having proven her own strength and determination.
Now, Salazar is embarking on a new professional path as a freelance writer and book editor, ready to live life on her own terms. Her story stands as an inspiring example of courage and the transformative power of self-discovery after significant life changes.