I Went Viral on TikTok, and it Changed the Way I Thought about Travel
One chart, one post, and 300,000+ views later — here's what I learned about soulful travel and being seen.
A few days ago, I posted a short video on TikTok about one of my favorite hidden gems: The Wild Center in Tupper Lake, New York. We went there last summer during our “staycation” tour of the Adirondacks. The year before we took the kids on their first international trip, but somehow had barely explored our backyard.
This post wasn’t part of a strategy or “content plan.” I just loved it there, and I wanted to share.
By that night, I was getting my Sunday checklist done, and then:
10,000 views.
50,000 views.
Over 300,000 views! As of right now, it has 489.7K!
My son tells me that it does not count until you’re over 700k, but I still thought it was pretty crazy for someone with less than 200 followers. It felt surreal — and honestly? A little hilarious. But also: meaningful. Because that is exactly what I created Charted for.
I wanted to help people create travel plans that are more than what looks good on paper. I wanted to help people create experiences that feel good.
If you can believe it, not everyone who knows me in real life knows how much I think about astrology. Some may not even know that in 2023, I became a Disney Travel Planner. But I think everyone knows how much I like helping people.
I have learned in that time that making a vacation special is not about how much money you spend, how Instagram-worthy your accommodations or room views are, or the quality of your meals. It’s about understanding who you are, who you are traveling with, and what you want from this experience.
So why did that TikTok resonate?
Because people don’t just want travel tips. I think they want easy travel that fits. I was taken aback by how many locals saved and commented on the post. They were so (rightly) proud of tiny Tupper Lake. It is a great place.
Whether you're a quiet wanderer, a sunrise chaser, a history nerd, or a “one and done” adventurer, your chart can help guide you toward trips that feel less forced and more aligned.
And apparently, I’m not the only one craving that.
So if you’re new here (hi, TikTok friends 👋), welcome.
If you’ve known me since my teaching days, my principal days, or even just from the yoga studio or around the kids’ school, thanks for being here, too.
This moment reminded me: sometimes you’re just sharing what you love, and it ends up being what someone else needed to see.
We’re building something here. Not just a business, but a way of planning — and living — that makes more sense.
See you out there,
Cat 🌙