Last time I wrote a blog I talked about famous women who were inspirations to us all, but I felt I didn’t do all the inspiring women in the world justice.  I picked out a selected few who really have changed the world and inspired me in the process, but I didn’t write about the people who inspire me on a daily basis.

So here is my list of inspiring women...continued.

My first boss

When I was 14 years old I got a job at a boutique.  It was my first job, and I felt SO special that I had gotten a job there.  I was hired by a woman who opened a store by herself when she was in her 20s.  She taught me about the job, but she also taught me about life. She carried herself with such poise, grace, and style that I couldn’t help but admire her.  She created a successful business by herself. Do you remember the question you had to answer during job interviews, or during college applications where you had to write about your role model?  Well mine was my first boss. She made such an impression on me that years later I still ask myself, “how would she handle this situation?”

My mom

It is hard to talk about women you admire without talking about your mom.  She is the person who would jump off a cliff for you. She puts you above everyone else and would do anything to ensure your happiness.  My mom pushes me, while teaching me a lesson through all of her actions and reactions. She molded my character, yet handled every situation with grace.  How could you not be inspired by that?

My friends

Sounds cliche, right?  But I truly don’t know where I would be without my friends.  They push me to be the best version of myself. I enjoy myself constantly whenever I am with them and they keep me in check.  They know me better than anyone. They teach me, laugh with me, and cry with me--they are my people. You can’t ask for a better person to look up to than someone who has such a measurable impact on you.  They balance life in a way that seems impossible to me, but with their help I can strive to be like them.

My barista

I feel like before I have my coffee in the morning, I am just a terrible person to be around, but as I enjoy my coffee in the morning, I talk to the person who made it for me and am opened up to a new level of admiration.  Living in a college town, so many baristas are students. For some it just seems like a good gig because of tips, but for others, this is the way they pay their rent and tuition. They are working more than 20 hours a week while being a full-time student.  They wake up early for their shift after staying up until 2:00 in the morning to finish a paper. Some are putting themselves through school so they can go to new heights with their degree. Often that is lost in the morning grouchiness of no coffee, but when you step back and admire their determination you can’t help but be inspired.  

The smiling cashier at the grocery store

Sometimes it isn’t a specific person who inspires you, but their actions.  Whenever I go to the grocery store, I always go to the same checkout lane. The line could be significantly longer than others, but it has my favorite cashier who works that lane.  I have no idea if she remembers me each time I go through the line, but I know that she smiles and asks me about my day. For the few minutes that we interact, she makes my day. She has a job that some might consider mundane, but she has a heart full of enthusiasm for it.  Her happiness makes me smile--I only wish I could have that impact on the people I interact with.  

So as I said before, it can be easy to be lost in admiration of a world that seems untouchable to us.  We can try to embody the passion of people we have never met, but sometimes, if you look around at the people around you, you can measure the impact of their life on yours.  And from that you can easily find inspiration. It makes you feel like you can have a true impact on others and that is something I find helps me have the desire to be a better person.

By women for women, the Sherpani Travel Blog talks about all things travel (& all things Sherpani!). Explore topics like solo travel, destination guides, women's travel safety, personal essays, and much more! This is a space to amplify female voices and celebrate our belief that travel restores the human spirit.