When Life Decides to 86 You: Finding Freedom in the Freefall
In the restaurant world, "86" is like the ultimate buzzkill, whether you're pouring drinks behind the bar or sitting at a table.
Picture this: you've just finished a long, exhausting ten-hour shift. Maybe your feet are aching, or you've been glued to your desk all day. Your brain feels wiped out, and all you really want is your favorite craft beer. When you finally get to the bar and eagerly order, maybe even a little desperately, the bartender regretfully says,
"Sorry, friend. We just 86'd the House Kat."
Suddenly, your favorite pint is out of stock, and it might make your day feel a little longer as you decide which beer to try next—while still craving that familiar, beloved brew.
You might wonder, Bel, what does a canceled beer have to do with traveling? Well, surprisingly, quite a bit!
Many of us have experienced moments in life when, in a sense, we also get "86'd." Whether it's heartbreak, losing a job, or saying goodbye to a loved one, these moments shake us to our core. When life suddenly crosses your trusted routine off the menu, it pushes you into an unexpected freefall.
And that freefall, whether we wanted it or not, is exactly what we needed.
At first, reality sinks in: being abruptly "out of service" makes you feel like you've lost your sense of security, purpose, or even your ego. But once that initial panic passes, a turning point begins. That’s where travel comes in.
For solo travelers, a trip often becomes the way we restock our personal menu and rebuild who we are. Most of us solo travelers can remember our first big trip after being 86'd. Mine was a road trip from Denver to Moab. I still remember the whirlwind of emotions I felt while driving—ranging from anxiety about whether I had COVID (thankfully, I didn’t), to sudden tears from the actual heartbreak, to a profound feeling of freedom standing at the edge of Dead Horse State Park 2,000 feet above the Colorado River. It was a raw, beautiful release, a moment that set me on a whole new life path. Hello to Wandering Bel, and a short story in a published, award-winning book.
How about you?
Did you get that life-changing phone call that made you realize you were finally free from a toxic workplace? One that drained your energy and made you lose friends? That moment of being let go probably felt like the most exhilarating rush of adrenaline you’ve ever experienced. It was the sudden discovery that you were finally done with the gaslighting, endless 60-hour workweeks, and the “normal” routines that were slowly chipping away at your spirit. You weren’t just another line item on a spreadsheet anymore; you were free to breathe.
Or maybe it wasn't life that made the decision for you…
Maybe you decided to leave your old life behind by moving to a new place, changing careers, quitting a job you felt forced into and now felt trapped by because they needed someone, or taking a daring leap to discover yourself and a new purpose.
Whether the change was caused by you or happened to you, being "86'd" isn't usually the end; it’s often the beginning of something new. It’s that unsettling yet liberating moment when you begin crafting your own future.
Just like solo traveling.
You take one trip, and it opens your eyes and mind to something new. Then you realize you are on your 3,679th trip, and you want to 86 your life, or maybe that’s the inverse way you decide for you.
So, while it’s okay to mourn or complain that the House Kat is no longer available, consider trying something completely different, like a new spicy cocktail called a Strawberry Sting. We should add some flavor, especially when the universe offers us the spice.
Have you ever been 86'd from a life that no longer served you? Whether you changed careers, embarked on a solo adventure, or simply walked away from what was comfortable, I’d love to hear your story. Share it in the comments below, and let's chat about how you found freedom in that leap.