Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of traveling the world. Instead of applying for college, I applied to teach English in the remote mountains of Costa Rica. When that fell through, I joined the Marine Corps (pretty bold move, I know). My aspirations to see the world, turned into a desk job in the Pentagon and commuting from suburbia each morning. I was on the fast track to “success” as most of us were taught. As I transitioned out of the military, I was finishing up my Bachelor’s degree and had a job lined up with the biggest public relations firm in the world. I was spending so much time climbing the ladder that I didn’t take the time to look around and realize it didn’t lead to my dreams.
Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of traveling the world. Instead of applying for college, I applied to teach English in the remote mountains of Costa Rica. When that fell through, I joined the Marine Corps (pretty bold move, I know). My aspirations to see the world, turned into a desk job in the Pentagon and commuting from suburbia each morning. I was on the fast track to “success” as most of us were taught. As I transitioned out of the military, I was finishing up my Bachelor’s degree and had a job lined up with the biggest public relations firm in the world. I was spending so much time climbing the ladder that I didn’t take the time to look around and realize it didn’t lead to my dreams.
It took me a long time to understand that we each get to define success for ourselves. There is no universal definition.
I never would have stopped climbing that ladder if I didn’t get knocked off. As this big transition was happening, the pandemic was just emerging, and life as we knew it flipped upside down. The company I was planning to work for had a hiring freeze, I was going through a breakup, and I had to move from my apartment. I felt as though I had instantly lost everything I had been working towards.
Out of desperation and hopelessness, I moved into my car and headed west without a plan. I set out to visit the family and friends that I hadn’t had a chance to see in so long – and to my dismay I was welcomed with open arms. I began exploring on my own, hiking all over, and even camping alone in the wilderness. It took baby steps and a lot of courage, but as I started following my passions and surrounding myself with like-minded people, the world began to open up. I finished my degree from the road, started my own business, and landed a flexible remote job that allowed me to continue exploring. So far, I’ve driven across the U.S. three times, lived in Hawaii, solo backpacked in Central and South America, and deployed to SE Asia.
I’ve learned that life is unpredictable and that’s exactly why we should all say yes more often. Yes to seeing that old friend. Yes to getting out of bed a little earlier to watch the world wake up. Yes to taking one baby step that might change your life.
I didn’t set out to live a grand adventure, but the right pieces fall into place when you let them.
It took me a long time to understand that we each get to define success for ourselves. There is no universal definition.
I never would have stopped climbing that ladder if I didn’t get knocked off. As this big transition was happening, the pandemic was just emerging, and life as we knew it flipped upside down. The company I was planning to work for had a hiring freeze, I was going through a breakup, and I had to move from my apartment. I felt as though I had instantly lost everything I had been working towards.
Out of desperation and hopelessness, I moved into my car and headed west without a plan. I set out to visit the family and friends that I hadn’t had a chance to see in so long – and to my dismay I was welcomed with open arms. I began exploring on my own, hiking all over, and even camping alone in the wilderness. It took baby steps and a lot of courage, but as I started following my passions and surrounding myself with like-minded people, the world began to open up. I finished my degree from the road, started my own business, and landed a flexible remote job that allowed me to continue exploring. So far, I’ve driven across the U.S. three times, lived in Hawaii, solo backpacked in Central and South America, and deployed to SE Asia.
I’ve learned that life is unpredictable and that’s exactly why we should all say yes more often. Yes to seeing that old friend. Yes to getting out of bed a little earlier to watch the world wake up. Yes to taking one baby step that might change your life.
I didn’t set out to live a grand adventure, but the right pieces fall into place when you let them.
