Thank you for sharing your story and experience. That exact lifestyle has been my plan for the last several years when my daughter‘s graduate college this summer. But after 17 years of being a single parent, I have finally met an incredible partner and now I’m not so sure I’m ready to leave it all behind for a nomadic around the world lifestyle. But I’m definitely sticking to doing the summer abroad and seeing how it goes from there. I love that you did this! And are doing it.
I just left my 20-year career as a marketing exec for all the same reasons. I'm trying to live slowly and simply, writing about the process and discovering my next life. You have captured it so very well. Thank you for sharing this piece. It resonated so deeply.
This is really interesting and inspiring. Thank you for writing it in detail. This is my first read here and I wish I would get to read a lot more of these. Keep writing and keep inspiring!
Living the same life, only in Mexico. Loving my minimalism, silence and freedom as well! We really only live once, and life is even more precious than, say, tenure. 🤗💪🏻🙏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🌞♥️
This piece really resonated with me. I’m in my 20s and have drifted from place to place, traveling around the US in short term rentals. It has been incredibly interesting but also challenging and isolating to live "off the beaten path" — especially when interacting with my family and more structured friends! I feel so much pressure to have a "plan" and yet I genuinely enjoy the fluidity of a life unsettled.
I loved this line: "I’m still living in limbo—and I’ve been trying to learn to love it. Because I can either think of myself as a homeless, jobless, drifter—or I can embrace the freedom of an unsettled lifestyle."
Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability in describing your experiences. I’m so happy I found your page!
A year ago we sold everything with no plan for the future. All I knew was that this wasn’t it and it was time to figure it out. We’ve been roaming through Europe and it brought me a sense of ‘I’ll be okay’ because I’m able to do what feels good for me. It’s not always easy and sometimes I long for a place to unpack, but I don’t want to rush this process of becoming who I’m supposed to be. I’m so happy for you you took the leap and found a place you love. I hope it works out one way or another!
I love this, and I honestly see myself on this trek one day either when my youngest graduates or sooner if after some travel, my daughters want to move—yay. And I’m from Mobile, AL—love New Orleans. ⚜️
I love your post! I have literally been in your shoes for almost a decade... I had the same life process as you - married, business, kids, forgot who I was entirely. Then I got divorced worked 3 jobs to keep my house I had built in Hawaii, had awful neighbors that made me not even want to come home to my dogs and I felt there must be something more for me! I decided to jump blindfolded into the abyss. I signed up for an animal osteopathy class ( 5.5 years to complete) in the mainland, sold my house, gave most of my stuff away and thought I would find a spot in the mainland and settle while I learned. Turns out not so much.... I did not love Austin where the class was based and so I kept moving and trying to find the spot that felt like home ( and the entire time I still missed parts of and felt the connection to Hawaii still). I lived in so many room rentals, house shares, studio rentals, in over 10 states. Pre covid my son had a severe TBI and that turned my world upside down and then during COVID I lost one parent and 2 siblings ( I am 57). About 2 years ago I started getting sick and lost my rental in CA. I moved to NC and got sicker and sicker and really had hit the wall of wanting to just have a "base" so I could start my business and gain clientelle, but I was so ill that I couldn't work or barely function. I had to leave everything again and move from the moldy place and have had to move 9 times in 12 months due to homes not being tolerable ( mold or water damage) - during this entire journey my family and friends have thought I am nuts... why don't I have regular income? How will I support myself? Expenses are mounting now... They all thought I was making up the mold illness til I showed them Lab results. So now I really want to find a way to be location independent and work via zoom helping others ( now trained as a massage, lymphedema therapist and do osteopathic and cranial sacral techniques and energy work), and find a base location that I can afford ( tough when you went back to school and then were not able to make a living that was sustainable) and keep healing in. I also am working on getting an Austrian passport ( as my dad's family perished in the holocaust) so I can maybe plan to go to EU like you... I wish you all the best! It is tiring being a nomad and yet it has also taught me so very much about myself, life, patience, inner work, and trust.
Thank you for this post, and for your blog. My audacious jump to save my life was adopting a 7 yr old Great Dane 4 months ago. Though I know I have bigger choices to make regarding my job and my happiness, Jeff is certainly a healing first step. These gentle giants are pure love and I walk 15k steps a day, which feels great, and clears my head for the day ahead, and better than a glass of wine at the end of the day.
I look forward to reading more from you and your followers. You inspire me. Thank you!
Anne your story is so inspiring. I applaud you for your courage of leaving the chaos behind and start a new adventure. All these comments remind me how I must go on with the plan of moving to Europe at some point of my life. I hope that is not too late!
I quit my life almost 3 years ago, and can relate on so many levels. It transformed everything, including the work i do. I blew it up (carefully) and on the other side there has been magic. After two years of being nomadic my word for 2024 was “rooted,” and as such we have put down roots for now in a mountain town in colorado. I can’t wait to get to know you more here and be assured I’m cheering you on!!!
All of the stories in this thread are so inspiring. You are all so brave and adventurous. I’ve been thinking at the end of 2025 I want to move too. I know I need a certain amount of security or j will just feel consumed with anxiety, but I also know that some environments are much better for me than others and where I am now just doesn’t seem to be the right fit. Maybe it’s ok just to take a chance on something new. And if it doesn’t pan out, try again.
Hi Anne! I just chucked it all as well. Not from academia but from government work. So much resonated in what your life was and what mine was. Where we landed, is only partially the same. My daughter is 10, so I still needed the life with all the things she needs, school, friends, stability. But 2 months into a smaller home, lesser mortgage…. Not working on anything but writing and regaining my creativity and sense of self. I had my kiddo late (and solo) because I galavanted around a bit in my 20s and so my wanderlust was satiated a bit back then. 53, starting over….1500 miles from where I was, with no roots to speak of… it’s still new. It’s still limbo. But I’m getting settled and am relieved. I just feel relieved - for now.
That’s wonderful to hear. It’s hard sometimes, but I know the relief you speak of. I have felt it too. And it’s helpful to remember that. So thanks for reminding me!
Thank you for sharing your story and experience. That exact lifestyle has been my plan for the last several years when my daughter‘s graduate college this summer. But after 17 years of being a single parent, I have finally met an incredible partner and now I’m not so sure I’m ready to leave it all behind for a nomadic around the world lifestyle. But I’m definitely sticking to doing the summer abroad and seeing how it goes from there. I love that you did this! And are doing it.
I just left my 20-year career as a marketing exec for all the same reasons. I'm trying to live slowly and simply, writing about the process and discovering my next life. You have captured it so very well. Thank you for sharing this piece. It resonated so deeply.
This is really interesting and inspiring. Thank you for writing it in detail. This is my first read here and I wish I would get to read a lot more of these. Keep writing and keep inspiring!
Living the same life, only in Mexico. Loving my minimalism, silence and freedom as well! We really only live once, and life is even more precious than, say, tenure. 🤗💪🏻🙏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🌞♥️
Well said! Thank you for sharing!
Ah, Paris!!!
This piece really resonated with me. I’m in my 20s and have drifted from place to place, traveling around the US in short term rentals. It has been incredibly interesting but also challenging and isolating to live "off the beaten path" — especially when interacting with my family and more structured friends! I feel so much pressure to have a "plan" and yet I genuinely enjoy the fluidity of a life unsettled.
I loved this line: "I’m still living in limbo—and I’ve been trying to learn to love it. Because I can either think of myself as a homeless, jobless, drifter—or I can embrace the freedom of an unsettled lifestyle."
Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability in describing your experiences. I’m so happy I found your page!
Welcome, Malia! Sounds like you are finding the limbo rewarding as well. I’m glad you found us here. :)
A year ago we sold everything with no plan for the future. All I knew was that this wasn’t it and it was time to figure it out. We’ve been roaming through Europe and it brought me a sense of ‘I’ll be okay’ because I’m able to do what feels good for me. It’s not always easy and sometimes I long for a place to unpack, but I don’t want to rush this process of becoming who I’m supposed to be. I’m so happy for you you took the leap and found a place you love. I hope it works out one way or another!
Thank you, Rieneke! I hope you find the right path/place/life for you! It’s an incredible journey. :)
Did I miss what happened with your daughter? Is she on this journey as well - and how is that part going?
She’s in college and having a wonderful experience.
I love this, and I honestly see myself on this trek one day either when my youngest graduates or sooner if after some travel, my daughters want to move—yay. And I’m from Mobile, AL—love New Orleans. ⚜️
I love your post! I have literally been in your shoes for almost a decade... I had the same life process as you - married, business, kids, forgot who I was entirely. Then I got divorced worked 3 jobs to keep my house I had built in Hawaii, had awful neighbors that made me not even want to come home to my dogs and I felt there must be something more for me! I decided to jump blindfolded into the abyss. I signed up for an animal osteopathy class ( 5.5 years to complete) in the mainland, sold my house, gave most of my stuff away and thought I would find a spot in the mainland and settle while I learned. Turns out not so much.... I did not love Austin where the class was based and so I kept moving and trying to find the spot that felt like home ( and the entire time I still missed parts of and felt the connection to Hawaii still). I lived in so many room rentals, house shares, studio rentals, in over 10 states. Pre covid my son had a severe TBI and that turned my world upside down and then during COVID I lost one parent and 2 siblings ( I am 57). About 2 years ago I started getting sick and lost my rental in CA. I moved to NC and got sicker and sicker and really had hit the wall of wanting to just have a "base" so I could start my business and gain clientelle, but I was so ill that I couldn't work or barely function. I had to leave everything again and move from the moldy place and have had to move 9 times in 12 months due to homes not being tolerable ( mold or water damage) - during this entire journey my family and friends have thought I am nuts... why don't I have regular income? How will I support myself? Expenses are mounting now... They all thought I was making up the mold illness til I showed them Lab results. So now I really want to find a way to be location independent and work via zoom helping others ( now trained as a massage, lymphedema therapist and do osteopathic and cranial sacral techniques and energy work), and find a base location that I can afford ( tough when you went back to school and then were not able to make a living that was sustainable) and keep healing in. I also am working on getting an Austrian passport ( as my dad's family perished in the holocaust) so I can maybe plan to go to EU like you... I wish you all the best! It is tiring being a nomad and yet it has also taught me so very much about myself, life, patience, inner work, and trust.
Thank you for this post, and for your blog. My audacious jump to save my life was adopting a 7 yr old Great Dane 4 months ago. Though I know I have bigger choices to make regarding my job and my happiness, Jeff is certainly a healing first step. These gentle giants are pure love and I walk 15k steps a day, which feels great, and clears my head for the day ahead, and better than a glass of wine at the end of the day.
I look forward to reading more from you and your followers. You inspire me. Thank you!
Beautiful! An animal can bring so much into your life. Enjoy your Jeff!
Anne your story is so inspiring. I applaud you for your courage of leaving the chaos behind and start a new adventure. All these comments remind me how I must go on with the plan of moving to Europe at some point of my life. I hope that is not too late!
I’m glad you enjoyed my post. I wrote it a while ago. You might also like my more recent post, “Why I Left.”
I quit my life almost 3 years ago, and can relate on so many levels. It transformed everything, including the work i do. I blew it up (carefully) and on the other side there has been magic. After two years of being nomadic my word for 2024 was “rooted,” and as such we have put down roots for now in a mountain town in colorado. I can’t wait to get to know you more here and be assured I’m cheering you on!!!
Thank you, Marni! I like your word for 2024. I wish I was ready to make that my word for this year. I’m yearning for some roots. :)
Root deeper into yourself and the clarity will come!!!
I love this! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you. My new post is about just that—reaching deeper and looking to put in some roots. :)
All of the stories in this thread are so inspiring. You are all so brave and adventurous. I’ve been thinking at the end of 2025 I want to move too. I know I need a certain amount of security or j will just feel consumed with anxiety, but I also know that some environments are much better for me than others and where I am now just doesn’t seem to be the right fit. Maybe it’s ok just to take a chance on something new. And if it doesn’t pan out, try again.
Hi Belinda—I wrote this post quite a while ago. You might enjoy my recent post “Why I Left.” More food for thought, perhaps. Best of luck to you!
Hi Anne! I just chucked it all as well. Not from academia but from government work. So much resonated in what your life was and what mine was. Where we landed, is only partially the same. My daughter is 10, so I still needed the life with all the things she needs, school, friends, stability. But 2 months into a smaller home, lesser mortgage…. Not working on anything but writing and regaining my creativity and sense of self. I had my kiddo late (and solo) because I galavanted around a bit in my 20s and so my wanderlust was satiated a bit back then. 53, starting over….1500 miles from where I was, with no roots to speak of… it’s still new. It’s still limbo. But I’m getting settled and am relieved. I just feel relieved - for now.
That’s wonderful to hear. It’s hard sometimes, but I know the relief you speak of. I have felt it too. And it’s helpful to remember that. So thanks for reminding me!
Wish I was there. Enjoy dear one xx