I’m not sure about you, but when I traveled consistently over several months, there were lots of expected (and unexpected) things that unfolded. Don’t get me wrong, my 2023 was pretty epic. I figured out by December, I had visited 12 states and 2 countries over the course of the year, all while exploring what my future may bring. I set out with a few intentions about vetting possible new locations to buy a home, but it quickly evolved to just being on adventures and allowing myself the luxury of time in new places.
I don’t know that I have some grand lightbulb moment from my travels, but I will say that I learned a lot about myself and what it takes to maneuver across multiples states, countries, and time zones. First off, it’s probably good to know that I actually really like being home. Not quite fully “homebody”, but definitely someone who is fully at peace being home. A friend recently asked me if I get bored, and I almost instinctively said- no, rarely ever. I sometimes don’t love too much alone time (I am a people-person at heart and definitely thrive when I relate to others), but all in all, I function pretty well on my own.
While I did have chunks of solo time (which always has its pros and cons!), my adventures also were with people I love, both old and new friends, along with my mom. I knew that I would enjoy seeing beautiful places alongside people I care about. If I happened to feel a big YES inside my heart about a particular location along the way, that would be icing on the cake.
I surprised myself with how much I simply enjoyed seeing friends in their element; in their homes, with their families, living life as they know best to do it. It’s fun to be part of people’s routines, one of the things I loved most about my temporary living situation with a dear friend over the last 8 months. Witnessing their life may have seemed simple, but it actually was a great privilege for me. I got to meet the “other” friends of my friends, hear great stories of past and present, with the added bonus of eating meals with people. Something I don’t really talk about much is the envy I’ve felt for people who are partnered or with families and how they have the opportunity to eat together! I really value having a dinner companion.
I started 2024 without an answer to…so, where do you want to live? Maybe that seems ridiculous considering all the time I’ve given myself to vet places and experiences. That’s the thing about giving yourself space- yes, maybe some clarity comes, but it’s really just about learning to appreciate the space. I’ve spent a significant portion of the last 5 years de-conditioning my striving, grasping, trying HARDER to stepping back and allowing more openness. Waiting for the right invitations to step into. So, as you can imagine, it’s been a wild ride of recalibrating to a different way of thinking and living. I’m closing in on my one-year anniversary of selling my condo, and I assure you I didn’t think I’d still be here, technically without a new home. But, I’ve felt for some time now that I’m on my own path, courageously trying not to WILL a new life to emerge. Rather, I’m taking the right next steps as I see them.
