In 2025, women are being encouraged to transform their lives through travel and ancient Japanese psychology principles. Monika Lewicka, the founder of empowered.travel, has created a self-guided framework across four weeks to help women through major life transitions or burnout. This framework is based on the principles of deep rest, finding purpose, connecting with people and nature, and integrating what has been learned upon returning home. Women are often sacrificing their wellness trying to do everything, and Lewicka believes that they need support and a framework for life transitions to realize their greatness and balance their feminine and masculine traits.
The first stage of the empowered.travel framework involves taking time for deep rest in the present moment. This includes finding a place to rent for a week that promotes solitude and silence, allowing for a break from distractions such as social media and books. The Japanese idiom ‘ichi-go ichi-e’ is emphasized, encouraging individuals to live in and appreciate the present moment without distractions. This stage is focused on experiencing deep rest and will provide a foundation for the following stages of the journey.
After a week of deep rest, the next stage involves exploring the Japanese principle of ‘ikigai’, which focuses on finding one’s reason for living and purpose in life. This stage includes various tools and activities to help individuals determine their purpose and what motivates them each day. This process can be done anywhere, including at home, and serves as a guide for understanding one’s sense of purpose and direction in life.
The third phase of the empowered.travel framework is constructive action, which involves traveling to a culturally foreign destination and immersing oneself in new experiences and connections. This stage encourages individuals to embrace challenges, imperfection, and build resilience while also practicing selfless service through giving time to others. Recommended destinations for this phase include various locations in Europe such as the Slovenian Alps, the Pyrenees in Spain, and the Azores Islands in Portugal, among others. Keeping a diary during this time is encouraged to gain insight into oneself through journaling exercises.
Upon returning home, the final and most important stage involves integrating the lessons learned and experiences gained during the journey. This phase includes introspecting on the experiences, reviewing existing relationships and hobbies, and identifying actionable changes to implement over the next 12 weeks. The focus is on the Japanese concept of ‘kaizen’ or action-oriented growth, where individuals make small improvements that gain momentum over time. This stage provides the opportunity to reflect on the journey and make changes towards personal growth and empowerment.
Overall, the empowered.travel framework aims to help women transform their lives through travel and ancient Japanese psychology principles. By following a self-guided framework across four weeks, women can navigate major life transitions or periods of burnout while finding purpose, connecting with people and nature, and integrating their experiences upon returning home. Through deep rest, finding purpose, taking constructive action, and integrating the lessons learned, women can embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment in 2025.
