Coming Out Story & Why I Disappeared in 2016

Although I have been active every day on Twitter, Instagram & Snapchat, 2016 was the year I took a break from YouTube & blogging.
Why?

Well, I needed a break from the internet. Kim Kardashian broke the internet with her butt, and the internet broke me… and my butt. Actually, I really wanted to spend the year trying my hardest to live life not through a laptop screen, camera screen and SO MANY OTHER SCREENS (seriously though, count how many screens you use & see on a day-to-day basis, it’s actually insane).

I know I’m in my early 20s and I shouldn’t have an existential crisis about life, but life after school is… well a learning process. Even after school, you are constantly learning to live. It’s insane. I always thought school was the hardest thing when you’re constantly piled in homework, assignments and numbers judging you; whether you’re smart or not. I thought life after school would be so much easier; I was wrong. After school, you’re constantly piled in work and still being judged by your numbers; whether you’re doing a good job or not.

I’ve traveled to 20 countries so far in my 20s (more on my 2016 travels below) and have encountered many challenges throughout my travels: hiding my sexuality in Morocco, getting catcalled and labeled as a “faggot” in London based on my Pride outfit, and even coming out to my parents…

…but when I compare my travel challenges as a gay male to the challenges I faced in 2016 in normal day-to-day life, I rather leave day-to-day life behind and travel full-time. My travel challenges are nothing compared to other life challenges I faced this year.

I’m all about staying positive on this blog, but I also want to be real with you guys.

So here are the life challenges I faced in 2016:

  1. I fell in love and in the same year had my heart broken
  2. I fell in love with a job and got fired without any verbal reason
  3. I fell in love with a place I called home and also lost it.
    Also Donald Trump became president of the USA – THERE I SAID IT

Either way, I firmly believe you need to experience bad things to realize all the good things in front of your eyes that you never noticed in life.

So if you’re curious to know the amazing traveling I did in 2016, which are always my favourite things to talk about, and I’m sure yours as well, or why else would you be reading this fabulous travel blog?

BY THE WAY, how do you like the re-brand? I’m obsessed with the name “Out With Ryan” since I’m out of the closet and constantly out and about in the world traveling. It literally took me all of 2016 to re-brand everything and getting 103 opinions from other travel bloggers, youtubers and my dog. I think he liked the name the most. He wagged his tail, so that must translate to “YASS DADDY SLAY I LOVE THE NEW NAME” in dog, right?

ANYWAYS! Here is a list of all the places I traveled in 2016, so expect lots of blog posts and youtube videos on my adventures!

Taiwan

Hong Kong

Los Angeles x 2

San Francisco

Las Vegas

Seattle

New York City

Jersey Shore

And So Much CANADA, eh

I really took 2016 to travel my home country, especially the hard to reach places. And honestly, I didn’t realize how freakin’ beautiful and fabulous Canada is.

BUT LOOK AT THIS:

2017 is also the 150th Anniversary of my country, and I’m excited to continue to explore more of Canada, because it’s honestly fabulous, even during the cold winters (warning: Do dress in 50 shades of layers or you might be 50 shades of #dead!)

All in all, 2016 was a rollercoaster of emotions and I don’t think I was tall enough to ride it in the first place, but I learned my lesson. My grandma always told me bad things happen in 3’s, and 3 horrible things happened to me in 2016, but y’know what? Things happen for a reason, and I’m not going to live my life with regrets. So #NoRagrets.

That’s it. My first blog post in what feels like ages in internet years, but realistically, less than a year.

Feel free to leave me a comment on how your 2016 went, and although you might mention all bad things, let me know something positive that happened as well 🙂

Stay Fabulous Bestie!

Love, Ryan xo

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Ryan Thomas Woods is the voice behind Out With Ryan. He’s an LGBTQ+ Activist & Travel writer for this website and many other publications. He was recently voted 2018’s Travel Influencer of Year in Canada and dedicated the award to all LGBTQ+ travelers making the world a better & safer space for our community, as he strives to do on his website & social platforms.

Find me on: Web | Twitter | Facebook

6 Comments

  1. February 6, 2017 / 2:48 pm

    Proud of you. Inspired by you. Infinitely <3 you. Here's to me getting up to Canada this year! 😀

    • OutWithRyan
      February 7, 2017 / 12:15 am

      Thanks so much Elayna! <3 Come visit me in Canada before I make my next move 😀
      Also, subscribe for my monthly newsletter! https://www.outwithryan.com/newsletter/

  2. Rob & Lisa
    February 12, 2017 / 11:46 pm

    We’re in progreso. Let’s all meet up.

    • OutWithRyan
      February 14, 2017 / 3:30 am

      I just left Progreso 🙁

  3. Jeremy
    May 7, 2017 / 6:12 pm

    This was such a good read..

    • OutWithRyan
      May 7, 2017 / 8:27 pm

      Thanks Jeremy❤️