by As someone who spends most of their time bouncing from airport lounges to backpacker hostels, from remote mountain trails to hidden beach cafés, I’ve come to believe that everything in life—travel included—boils down to one simple question:
What is truly worthy?
What’s worthy of our time? Our energy? Our trust? Our money? Our memories?
It’s a question I ask myself every time I pack a suitcase, book a flight, or sell something I once thought I couldn’t part with. And recently, I discovered that this very question—“What is worthy?”
So let me take you on a journey. Not across continents this time, but into the world of value, letting go, smart selling, and how Worthy helped me do something I never thought I would: turn an old piece of jewelry into the funds that started my next adventure.
From Sentimental to Sustainable: The Jewelry I Let Go
I never imagined I’d sell my engagement ring.
It sat in my drawer for over a year after the breakup, tucked into a little velvet box like it was still sacred. At first, I told myself I’d keep it “just in case”—for memories, for value, for… I don’t know, something.
But then I realized: it wasn’t the ring that was valuable. It was what the ring could enable me to do next.
A friend mentioned Worthy, and I was skeptical. I mean, selling something that personal online? Sounds sketchy, right?
Turns out, it wasn’t. In fact, it was one of the most empowering and liberating decisions I’ve made in a long time.
What Is Worthy.com (and Why Should You Care)?
Worthy is an online luxury resale platform specifically designed for high-value jewelry. Think diamond rings, fine watches, designer earrings—anything that sparkles and has a price tag to match.
But here’s what makes them different: they don’t get paid unless you get paid. Their fee is commission-based, which means they’re literally invested in helping you get the best deal.
They pair every seller with a personal auction manager (yes, a real human), who walks you through every step—from shipping to auction day. Then, they present your piece to over 1,000 professional buyers, who compete in real-time auctions to offer you the best price possible.
They handle insurance, appraisal, photography, listing, and even return shipping if you say “no thanks” to the final offer. Which is why I felt comfortable enough to give it a shot.
Spoiler alert: I said yes to the offer. And used that money to fund an unexpected trip to Vietnam.
Why Selling Something Valuable Helped Me Reconnect with What Truly Matters
I’m not one of those travelers who sold everything to travel the world with a backpack and a dream. I still have a small storage unit, a few favorite books, and a camera I can’t live without.
But the more I travel, the more I understand the importance of traveling light—mentally, emotionally, and even materially.
That ring I sold? It was beautiful. It had meaning. But the life it represented wasn’t mine anymore. Holding onto it was like holding onto an old chapter I had already finished reading.
By selling it through Worthy, I turned that closed chapter into an open door—into new stamps in my passport, new people, new stories, new sunsets in places I’d never seen before.
Let’s Talk About Trust (Because Online Selling Can Be Scary)
I’ll be honest: I had every concern in the book.
“What if they lose it?”
“What if the offer is lowball?”
“What if it’s a scam?”
Here’s how Worthy addressed every fear:
- Insurance & Shipping: They send you a prepaid, fully insured FedEx label. Your item is protected from door to door.
- Transparency: You see the market estimate, auction offers, and get real-time updates. You’re never in the dark.
- No Pressure: If you don’t like the offer? They send it back. For free. No guilt trip. No weird emails begging you to change your mind.
- Privacy: They don’t ask for irrelevant personal details, and they don’t share your info with random buyers. Your identity stays safe.
I didn’t just feel like a seller. I felt like a partner in the process.
The Business of Letting Go
Selling with Worthy wasn’t just about the money. It was about value in a broader sense.
We live in a culture that tells us to hold on—to memories, to stuff, to what we “should” keep. But letting go is a kind of freedom too.
That freedom allowed me to book a ticket I was hesitating to buy. It allowed me to say “yes” to a long train ride through rice paddies in Ninh Binh, to late-night pho in Hanoi, to the unexpected kindness of strangers.
And yes, the cash from the ring helped. But more than that, it was the mindset shift. The recognition that value isn’t fixed—it’s fluid. And sometimes, converting something physical into something experiential is the best trade you can make.
Worthy for Travelers: Why It’s a Hidden Gem
Okay, let me speak directly to my fellow nomads for a sec.
You know that piece of jewelry you inherited but never wear? Or that expensive watch you thought you’d sell “someday”? That diamond ring from a past life? It’s just sitting there, isn’t it?
Worthy gives you a way to unlock that trapped value without dealing with pawn shops, eBay listings, or lowball Facebook Marketplace messages.
It’s fast, it’s professional, and it’s built for people like us—people who don’t have time to haggle or wonder if we’re being ripped off.
And maybe, just maybe, it can fund your next big leap—whether that’s Machu Picchu, Medellín, or Marrakech.
What I Did With the Money
People always ask me, “What did you actually do with the money?”
Here’s the breakdown (roughly, and yes, I kept a note because I’m a nerd like that):
- Round-trip flights to Southeast Asia: $870
- 3 weeks of accommodations (guesthouses, Airbnbs, hostels): $720
- Food, trains, local transport: $300
- Motorbike rental: $70
- One epic overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay: $150
- Travel insurance, SIM card, random souvenirs: ~$90
- A couple of spontaneous splurges (sunset cocktails, new sandals): $100
Total: ~$2,300
What the ring sold for on Worthy: $2,485 after their cut
You do the math.
So, Was It Worth It?
Absolutely.
I let go of a physical object, and in return, I got:
- 3 countries
- Dozens of unforgettable meals
- A tan that lasted 2 months
- A new tattoo (don’t tell my mom)
- Countless new stories
- And the peace of mind that comes from moving forward instead of staying stuck
That’s the thing about value—it’s personal. But when something no longer adds to your life, it’s okay to let it go and let it serve a new purpose.
Worthy helped me do that, and they did it with class, clarity, and care.
Final Thoughts: What Are You Holding Onto That Could Set You Free?
I don’t write sponsored posts lightly. And while this one isn’t technically sponsored (just inspired by a personal experience), I genuinely want more people—especially fellow travelers, dreamers, rebuilders—to know that selling your jewelry doesn’t have to feel like a loss.
Sometimes, it’s the smartest, most worthy thing you can do.
So, here’s my question to you:
What are you holding onto that no longer serves you?
And what adventure could you unlock if you finally let it go?
Whether you use Worthy or not, I hope you take the time to ask yourself what’s truly worthy in your life.
Because the moment you stop clinging to the past, you make space for something beautiful—and brand new—to begin.
