Books by Cole

Filling My Bucket

A Year of Solo Travel Across Seven Continents

Filling My Bucket book cover by Cole Sjoholm
The Story

Not a diary of the trip — the story behind it

Filling My Bucket isn't a daily account of the travel itself (that account lives on Cole's blog). It's a story of adventure, self-discovery, and the transformative power of travel — written to inspire readers to pursue their own dreams and embrace the rich tapestry of human experience around the world.

2023 was the most challenging and remarkable year of Cole's life. From Australia to Europe, and Antarctica to the Far East, he realized he wasn't just checking items off a bucket list — he was actively filling his bucket. Along the way, he redefined the acronym YOLO ("You Only Live Once") into YODO: You Only Die Once. Every day is a chance to live fully.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Barnes & Noble

What the year looked like

Seventy-one flight segments. 110,246 miles flown. 167 nights away. 25 countries. Over 50 destinations. All seven continents. Solo, as an LGBTQ+ traveler, in a single calendar year.

The lessons from that year — about freedom, connection, risk, and what it actually means to live fully — continue to shape how Cole travels and how he helps his clients travel today.

Coming next: People 'n Places

Cole is currently working on a second book, "People 'n Places: The Untold Story," a collection of street photography and unplanned portraits captured in locations around the globe. Check back here or follow along on Instagram for updates.