and my life takes a turn in yet another direction . . .
we’ve been loosely planning it,
we’ve been looking forward to it.
now it’s actually H.E.R.E.
my family and i become global nomads in one month.
with a “grand opening” adventure of 6 countries in 5 weeks.
we’re traveling to the european continent for an extended field trip.
spain, france, switzerland, italy, monaco, and portugal.
we will delight in as many adventures as we possibly can.
while driving endless miles and encountering unknown situations.
we’ve been journeying to various places in the world for several years.
we’ve visited many u.s. cities and states.
we’ve driven down the alaska-canada highway,
through the yukon territory and british columbia.
we’ve spent time in vietnam,
and also in china.
several south american countries have become favorites.
(especially argentina and our apartment in the sky.)
but those have all been test runs.
rehearsal trips for the real thing.
we’ve always had what i’ll call a simulated life to return to.
one that often felt like playing house to me.
as if it wasn’t permanent or real in some way.
a make-believe attempt at a traditional life.
that somehow never completely fit my style.
and i think it’s because
the essence of who i am is different.
it always has been.
it’s taken me awhile to discover and embrace it.
i’ve tried to fit in.
i’ve also laughingly shunned the crowd.
but i wasn’t being true to myself in either case.
bottom line?
i don’t usually do things the way others do things.
so now?
i am fully and without apology ME.
it’s okay for me to dig up my roots and open my wings.
because it’s who i am.
i know that i don’t manage as well when i stay in one place.
and i don’t have to try anymore.
a permanent residence is no longer part of the landscape.
we’ve made the last break from conventionality.
and are free to live the untethered lifestyle that we’ve been craving.
this decision hasn’t been without its hiccups though, like:
- seeing my 15-year-old son occasionally hesitate to come on board (with the wild ideas his parents devise)
- leaving behind the pets that we adore sometimes (while ensuring their safety and comfort)
- witnessing my two sons approach life in unique ways (which allow them few commonalities with their peers)
- feeling overwhelmed at the minutia and the logistics (despite my notebooks filled with lists)
- keeping up with an online business (in terms of personal discipline, technical issues, etc)
- homeschooling wherever we happen to be (which calls for a certain amount of imagination and flexibility)
- supporting my husband in his entrepreneurial ventures (even though he’s quite experienced in this area)
we’ve all learned to adapt and survive.
and we’ll continue to adjust as needed.
everyone is different.
this way of life may not suit other people.
and i understand and appreciate that.
but i have found my essence.
and i feel content.
and purposeful.
and alive.
and happy.
how do you define your essence?
have you been able to integrate who you know you are
with the way you interact with your world?
maybe you’re just about to take the plunge.
or perhaps you’re still holding back, unsure of how to proceed.
i understand each step of this internal expedition.
contact me if you’d like to explore a bit further,
if you would appreciate gentle guidance.
i love assisting others as they make this thrilling discovery.
i so enjoy the thoughtful comments i receive from you.
thank you.
and please feel welcome to say more.
tell me about your essence quest.
I admire your ability to do such an inspiring life trial. My you be blessed and a blessing on the road.
thank you so much, fred!
I can’t wait to follow your journey! I want to plan to experience the world as well. I think I am going to start small like you did. Travel the US first to get experience being away long term. Homeschooling my son makes it possible, but I too have a pet that I adore and afraid to leave home for such long periods.
i’d love to share my travels with you, denise! the pet angle is a difficult one – this time we will have a housesitter, but 5 weeks is a long time to be away. i’m still fretting a bit about this.
What an inspiring post. I can feel your excitement and anticipation building with each paragraph. I sincerely hope you’ll blog about your trip so we can share in your liberating journey as well as the excitement of planning.
thanks, mairead – yes, i am over the top excited! 🙂 several people have asked me to journal about the trip . . . i would love to share along the way.
Well done for finding a way to live a life that allows you to be your authentic life.
I travelled & then found a way to live a free range life. My pets are part of my business & help me as we share the journey with our clients. Its a wonderful feeling to wake up each day knowing you are where you fit. I was always told my job hopping would get me into trouble. Now I see I was trying things out & collecting skills & experience along the way. Everything in life is valuable, nothing goes to waste. I am free range & happy & I wish you well & those you meet along the way are blessed.
a free range life sounds fantastic, mel! i like your fresh perspective on approaching life. it certainly does feel great to know where i fit. thank you so much for the well wishes.
Thanks again for your wonderful post, and your adventure coming up! this is such a huge learning, I was talking to a friend on Friday on how powerful it is to be better connected on your essence! and the impact it will have on your life and your business
you said the words i love to hear, yasmine – “better connected on your essence!” discovering and embracing one’s essence is the philosophy my whole business is built on. thank you for sharing your insights.
Ahhh I smell freedom! I love the feeling that I am master of my own destiny. Just the other day I was dreaming about going to a remote Aboriginal Community to work and taking my family with me. To live on the land and live like nomads. Freedom! I love what you write – being true to yourself is so important and liberating.
to experience freedom is really why i do everything i do. from owning my own business to homeschooling my kids. to be the “master of my own destiny.” thank you for your inspirational words, sonja.
April, I LOVE your posts! And I really look forward to hearing about your journey. Too bad you’re not planning on stopping by in The Netherlands, I would have loved to meet you. 🙂 Life is all about your essence and it is so inspiring to read about yours!
thank you so much, nathalie. i would love someday to travel to the netherlands and meet you in person (and i think there’s a high likelihood that could happen! :))
Bold move and well done on understanding what makes you thrive while building space for those around you to do the same.
thank you, arthur. i appreciate your use of the word “bold.” being bold while stretching my limits is the pledge i’ve made to myself, but some days it just feels scary. that’s okay though – being courageous does not mean lacking fear, does it?
April, I am SO excited for your adventure – both within and without! Travel undoubtedly awakens some dormant part within, and I know that your understanding of who you truly are – and what you truly want! – are going to lead and guide you on every step of this adventure!
you are sweet to be so excited for me, sabrina! what a lovely comment. and i agree – “travel undoubtedly awakens some dormant part within.” experiencing new places/cultures gives me an entirely different perspective of my life and the world in general.
I am so happy that you are happy. I had tears in my eyes while reading this!
that’s the definition of a best friend. thank you, dear kellee. 🙂