Joyful Living

How to Ride a Camel and Keep Your Dignity Mostly Intact

A sunburned, sand-blown, wildly unglamorous tutorial from the deserts of India and Morocco

Jul 2 • Karen Custer Thurston

Unexpected Walkabout: Stranded in New Zealand (Part II)

I Took the Ride… and Hoped My Instincts Were Right

May 1 • Karen Custer Thurston

Unexpected Walkabout: Stranded in New Zealand (Part I)

No Beds. No Buses… and About to Hitchhike for the First Time (As a Solo Female Traveler)

Apr 15 • Karen Custer Thurston

I Just Want a Hot Fudge Sundae (And a Break From Healing)

Why healing from trauma is exhausting—and what keeps me going anyway

Apr 1 • Karen Custer Thurston

Welcome Friends, My Name Is Karen and I’m “The Woman on Fire!”

First time visitors, please read this post first...

Mar 26 • Karen Custer Thurston

The Valentine My Inner Child Has Been Waiting For

Why I no longer wait to be chosen—and choose myself instead

Feb 10 • Karen Custer Thurston

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