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The Grounded Hippie

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Aditi Roy starting over at 40 as a solo female traveller and blogger
Reflections

Starting Over at 40: The Brutal, Beautiful Truth

I’ve rebranded more times than I’d like to admit, but this time feels different. I’m not chasing perfect or keeping up with algorithms — I’m simply coming back to the words. Maybe it’s not a new beginning at all… just a return to who I was always meant to be.

updated on April 14, 2026November 2, 2025
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About Me

Aditi Roy
Aditi Roy

Hi, I’m Aditi. I’m an Indian woman who once swapped heartbreak for a backpack and never really looked back.

Since 2013, travel has been my quiet rebellion: from teaching in tiny Vietnamese villages and wandering through the backstreets of Bali, to chasing sunsets in Laos and losing my heart somewhere in the mountains of northern Thailand.

Now, I live in Pak Chong, a small town in Thailand where I teach English, write stories, and plan my next slow escape over endless cups of coffee.

The Grounded Hippie is where I share the unfiltered bits. The journeys, the stumbles, and the comebacks are all here to remind you that it is never too late to begin again.

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Recent Posts

  • AsiaDestinationsUzbekistan

    Bukhara Old City: The Ultimate Peaceful Sanctuary for Solo Travellers

  • AsiaDestinationsUzbekistan

    How Easy Is the Afrosiyob Train in Uzbekistan?

  • AsiaDestinationsUzbekistan

    What Uzbekistan Really Cost Me: An 8-Day Budget Breakdown

  • AsiaDestinationsUzbekistan

    Mosaics and Magic in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

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The Hippie Souls Society! 🌿

Slow travel guides, solo itineraries, and no-nonsense stories from twelve years on the road.

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Follow me on Instagram

thegroundedhippie

🌏 I travel because I must, not because it trends ✈️ 8 countries, 2 continents 🇮🇳➕🇹🇭🟰❤️

Every country has a personality and I will not be Every country has a personality and I will not be taking questions on this.If you want the less funny, more detailed version of some of these places, I write about them properly on the blog. Subscription link in bio 🔗. [P.s. It's free!][solo travel Southeast Asia, Indian solo traveller, travel humour, slow travel, budget travel Asia, solo female travel, Thailand life]
I think in my 20s, I treated travel a little like I think in my 20s, I treated travel a little like proof.Proof that I was adventurous enough, spontaneous enough, brave enough, “living enough.” There was always this quiet pressure to keep moving, keep seeing more, keep collecting experiences before time somehow ran out.And while I’m still deeply grateful for every version of myself that chose to explore the world, I think age and life slowly changed my relationship with travel.These days, I care less about how much I can fit into a trip and more about how a place actually makes me feel.I like knowing what a city feels like after sunset.I like figuring out public transportation systems.I like returning to the same café twice.I like not feeling rushed all the time.In other words, slowing down doesn’t make travel less exciting. Instead, it makes it feel more authentic and meaningful. 🩶[slow travel, mindful travel, solo female travel, travel in your 30s, travel in your 40s, Samarkand travel, Uzbekistan travel, cultural travel, thoughtful travel, independent travel, travel creator, Southeast Asia travel]
Fun fact: Uzbekistan is the only country in the wo Fun fact: Uzbekistan is the only country in the world surrounded by other “-stans” (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan). [Uzbekistan travel, Samarkand, Central Asia travel, Silk Road cities, Samarkand itinerary, slow travel, Uzbekistan culture, Indian travelers, offbeat travel destinations, Tashkent Metro] #uzbekistantravel
This is not a single vs. non-singe debate. I am en This is not a single vs. non-singe debate. I am entitled to my own opinions and experiences, just so you know before you start lashing out 😂
Wrote the full breakdown and process on the blog. Wrote the full breakdown and process on the blog. It’s free. Your Netflix (that 5 other people watch but ONLY YOU pay for) isn’t. Priorities, people! Priorities. [budget travel India, Bangkok to Laos train, solo travel Southeast Asia, travel on a budget, Indian passport travel, slow travel, affordable international travel]
The "Visa Ranking" no one asked for, but every Ind The "Visa Ranking" no one asked for, but every Indian traveler needs.I've been to 7 countries so far, and every single one has been a different experience.I’ve also learned that a border crossing is 10% paperwork and 90% how much the officer at the counter likes the look of your $20 bill.That being said, my recent trip to Laos via the new train station was actually a total breeze. You can read about the full process and my experience obtaining the Laos VOA at Vientiane Train Station on the blog. Link in bio🔗
The internet makes you think that “launching” is t The internet makes you think that “launching” is the finish line. In reality, it was just the start of a very long to-do list that had nothing to do with code and everything to do with real life.I’m learning that building a space for my stories doesn’t mean I stop living them. It just means I’m more intentional about where I put my energy—whether that’s in a Thai classroom or on a slow train across a border.Speaking of slow, my guide on the Bangkok to Vientiane train is already live for those who prefer the scenic route. And because I’ve finally found my rhythm, another post drops tomorrow. If you haven’t joined the Hippie Souls Society yet... respectfully, why? Link in bio 🔗
Train journeys in India aren’t just about getting Train journeys in India aren’t just about getting from A to B. They are like a full trip inside of a trip. And, I just realised how different it is anywhere else in the world. Wrote a full post on the blog about taking the overnight train from Bangkok, Thailand to Vientiane, Laos. Link in bio 🔗
Btw, I just dropped a post on how to take the budg Btw, I just dropped a post on how to take the budget AC sleeper train from Bangkok to Laos. Read it to know how to book the train, what to expect, and much more. Link in bio 🔗Image credits - @insenroy 🫶
I recently wrote a full post on how giving myself I recently wrote a full post on how giving myself the permission to experience a new culture at my own pace made me stop waiting for permission. Check the link in bio 🔗 for a good read. And, if you have been sitting on a trip, a move, a whole different life, give yourself the permission to flow.Image credits - @aisshwarryyaaa 🩶
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About The Grounded Hippie

Hi, I’m Aditi. I travel solo, slowly, and on my own terms — sharing stories that prove exploration doesn’t come with an age or gender limit.

Categories

  • Asia
  • Bangkok
  • Destinations
  • Laos
  • Reflections
  • Solo Travel
  • Thailand
  • Travel Itineraries
  • Travel Resources
  • Uzbekistan
  • Visas

Recent Posts

  • AsiaDestinationsUzbekistan

    Bukhara Old City: The Ultimate Peaceful Sanctuary for Solo Travellers

    June 2, 2026
  • AsiaDestinationsUzbekistan

    How Easy Is the Afrosiyob Train in Uzbekistan?

    May 26, 2026
  • AsiaDestinationsUzbekistan

    What Uzbekistan Really Cost Me: An 8-Day Budget Breakdown

    May 19, 2026

Follow me on Instagram

thegroundedhippie

🌏 I travel because I must, not because it trends ✈️ 8 countries, 2 continents 🇮🇳➕🇹🇭🟰❤️

Every country has a personality and I will not be Every country has a personality and I will not be taking questions on this.If you want the less funny, more detailed version of some of these places, I write about them properly on the blog. Subscription link in bio 🔗. [P.s. It's free!][solo travel Southeast Asia, Indian solo traveller, travel humour, slow travel, budget travel Asia, solo female travel, Thailand life]
I think in my 20s, I treated travel a little like I think in my 20s, I treated travel a little like proof.Proof that I was adventurous enough, spontaneous enough, brave enough, “living enough.” There was always this quiet pressure to keep moving, keep seeing more, keep collecting experiences before time somehow ran out.And while I’m still deeply grateful for every version of myself that chose to explore the world, I think age and life slowly changed my relationship with travel.These days, I care less about how much I can fit into a trip and more about how a place actually makes me feel.I like knowing what a city feels like after sunset.I like figuring out public transportation systems.I like returning to the same café twice.I like not feeling rushed all the time.In other words, slowing down doesn’t make travel less exciting. Instead, it makes it feel more authentic and meaningful. 🩶[slow travel, mindful travel, solo female travel, travel in your 30s, travel in your 40s, Samarkand travel, Uzbekistan travel, cultural travel, thoughtful travel, independent travel, travel creator, Southeast Asia travel]
Fun fact: Uzbekistan is the only country in the wo Fun fact: Uzbekistan is the only country in the world surrounded by other “-stans” (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan). [Uzbekistan travel, Samarkand, Central Asia travel, Silk Road cities, Samarkand itinerary, slow travel, Uzbekistan culture, Indian travelers, offbeat travel destinations, Tashkent Metro] #uzbekistantravel
This is not a single vs. non-singe debate. I am en This is not a single vs. non-singe debate. I am entitled to my own opinions and experiences, just so you know before you start lashing out 😂
Wrote the full breakdown and process on the blog. Wrote the full breakdown and process on the blog. It’s free. Your Netflix (that 5 other people watch but ONLY YOU pay for) isn’t. Priorities, people! Priorities. [budget travel India, Bangkok to Laos train, solo travel Southeast Asia, travel on a budget, Indian passport travel, slow travel, affordable international travel]
The "Visa Ranking" no one asked for, but every Ind The "Visa Ranking" no one asked for, but every Indian traveler needs.I've been to 7 countries so far, and every single one has been a different experience.I’ve also learned that a border crossing is 10% paperwork and 90% how much the officer at the counter likes the look of your $20 bill.That being said, my recent trip to Laos via the new train station was actually a total breeze. You can read about the full process and my experience obtaining the Laos VOA at Vientiane Train Station on the blog. Link in bio🔗
The internet makes you think that “launching” is t The internet makes you think that “launching” is the finish line. In reality, it was just the start of a very long to-do list that had nothing to do with code and everything to do with real life.I’m learning that building a space for my stories doesn’t mean I stop living them. It just means I’m more intentional about where I put my energy—whether that’s in a Thai classroom or on a slow train across a border.Speaking of slow, my guide on the Bangkok to Vientiane train is already live for those who prefer the scenic route. And because I’ve finally found my rhythm, another post drops tomorrow. If you haven’t joined the Hippie Souls Society yet... respectfully, why? Link in bio 🔗
Train journeys in India aren’t just about getting Train journeys in India aren’t just about getting from A to B. They are like a full trip inside of a trip. And, I just realised how different it is anywhere else in the world. Wrote a full post on the blog about taking the overnight train from Bangkok, Thailand to Vientiane, Laos. Link in bio 🔗
Btw, I just dropped a post on how to take the budg Btw, I just dropped a post on how to take the budget AC sleeper train from Bangkok to Laos. Read it to know how to book the train, what to expect, and much more. Link in bio 🔗Image credits - @insenroy 🫶
I recently wrote a full post on how giving myself I recently wrote a full post on how giving myself the permission to experience a new culture at my own pace made me stop waiting for permission. Check the link in bio 🔗 for a good read. And, if you have been sitting on a trip, a move, a whole different life, give yourself the permission to flow.Image credits - @aisshwarryyaaa 🩶
Follow Me
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The Hippie Souls Society! 🌿

Slow travel guides, solo itineraries, and no-nonsense stories from twelve years on the road.