A Life Shaped by Travel: StephMyLife on Courage, Curiosity, and Following Your Dreams
As The Aer Lingus Hub celebrates its first anniversary, we’re reflecting on a year filled with stories that have inspired Irish travellers to explore, dream, and discover more of the world. From city breaks to bucket-list adventures, travel has a unique way of broadening our horizons — and few capture that spirit better than Irish content creator Stephanie Barry Woods, better known as Stephmylife.
Originally from Cork, Steph’s story is one of courage, curiosity, and carving a new path. In 2015, she was living what many would consider the dream: a great job, a circle of close friends, and a life in London with her fiancé. But something inside her stirred – a sense that there was more to explore beyond the predictable routine.
“Living in London was one of the best times of my life,” Steph reflects. “I had money for the first time, I met my husband, and made lifelong friends. But as much as I loved London, it was never a ‘forever’ place for me. It gave me the confidence to start aiming for more.”
That “more” began with a trip to Japan and Thailand — one that would completely change her outlook. Inspired by the freedom she felt abroad and the people she followed online who were travelling full-time, Steph decided to press pause on the corporate world and start a new chapter of adventure. “On one of our trips to Thailand, it just hit me that I wasn’t going back to a life I really wanted anymore,” she says. “The joy I felt when we would travel, how free I felt, and how much possibility I saw in the world — that changed everything.”
“There’s so much life out there beyond what you know. Don’t overthink it — just go. You’ll never regret booking that flight.”
A Life Shaped by Travel
Fast forward almost a decade, and Steph’s travels have taken her across continents — from the bustling streets of Tokyo to the beaches of Thailand, and now to Abruzzo, Italy, where she and her husband spend their summers when not running tours or travelling across Asia.
“Italy has such a special place in our hearts,” she smiles. “It’s where we’ve built our first home together, and somewhere we love going back to. Abruzzo isn’t very touristy — it has beaches in summer, skiing in winter, and it’s beautiful all year round.”
Over the years, Steph’s approach to travel has evolved. Once driven to tick off countries and landmarks, she now embraces a slower, more mindful style of exploring.
“Now we travel slower, more intentionally. I try to learn the language, understand the history, and really connect with the local culture. I’m more aware of my privileges as a traveller, so I always try to give rather than take — tip generously, support small businesses, and be respectful of the places we visit.”
Her favourite destinations? Thailand and Japan remain at the top of her list — both deeply personal and transformative.
“Thailand was the first place I went in Southeast Asia, and it’s where I’ve grown the most as a person. Japan constantly draws me back; I’d love to live in Tokyo one day — we’re actually working on that dream at the moment!”
From Inspiration to Influence
Steph’s digital journey began with a mission to make travel more accessible. Her platform, StephMyLife, was born from a desire to show others that adventure doesn’t have to be intimidating or expensive.
“Travel seems so much scarier before you do it,” she explains. “But when that plane touches down and you’re looking out at the world from your hotel window, you realise how worth it it is. I wanted to show people that travel isn’t out of reach — it’s totally doable, and you’ll grow so much from it.”
Camogli, Italy
Behind the polished posts and dreamy destinations lies a lot of unseen work.
“People don’t see how many days we spend inside working,” Steph laughs. “There’s a lot of admin behind the scenes — and our screen time is way too high!”
But for her, it’s all about balance. “When I go somewhere special, I get the content shot right away so I can put the camera down and just enjoy the experience. That’s the best way to share and still be present.”
Tips for the Modern Traveller
As someone who has turned travel into a lifestyle, Steph has plenty of advice for Irish travellers eager to explore Europe.
“For short trips, planning really does make a difference,” she suggests. “Make lists of the must-sees and restaurants you want to visit and save everything in a shared Google Map — it gives your trip structure without taking away spontaneity.”
Amalfi Coast, Italy
When it comes to planning, she’s a healthy mix of organised and adventurous.
“I plan a lot, but I rarely book anything in advance. That keeps things flexible and fun!”
And her number one tip? “Be loyal! You can save more by sticking with a few brands and building up points. Collecting Avios with Aer Lingus, for example, has saved me so much over the years.”
A Moveable Feast: Paris and Beyond
When asked about her favourite Aer Lingus destination, Steph doesn’t hesitate. “Paris! I love the food, the museums, and the romance of the city. We spent a few months living there, and I completely fell in love.”
Her idea of the perfect Aer Lingus weekend getaway? “I’d send people on a romantic trip to Paris, inspired by Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast,” she says. “Stay in the Latin Quarter, have a picnic by the Seine, browse the bookshops, and finish with dinner at La Refuge Des Fondus — it’s quirky, fun, and perfectly Parisian.”
Paris, France
Looking Back — and Forward
From quitting her job to building a global community, Steph’s story is a testament to following your instincts and embracing the unknown.
“When I started my blog in an Airbnb in Australia, I had about 10 readers a day. When I hit a million views, I felt like I’d made my younger self proud.”
As The Aer Lingus Hub marks one year of sharing travel stories that inspire people to explore more, Steph’s journey reminds us why we travel in the first place — to grow, to connect, and to rediscover the beauty of the world around us.
Tromsø, Norway
“There’s so much life out there beyond what you know,” she says. “Don’t overthink it — just go. You’ll never regret booking that flight.”
As The Aer Lingus Hub marks one year of sharing travel stories that inspire people to explore more, Steph’s journey reminds us why we travel in the first place — to grow, to connect, and to rediscover the beauty of the world around us.
“There’s so much life out there beyond what you know,” she says. “Don’t overthink it — just go. You’ll never regret booking that flight.”
