One year since the pandemic started, and almost a year since I (re)started this blog. A lot has changed this year and most notably, my perspective on life and what it means to me. Taking a step back from “normalcy” has opened my eyes to what normal really should be. Like many others, I was in an endless cycle of work, social events, commitments, and arrangements. I hardly had time to breathe, but that was exciting wasn’t it?? I felt like I was doing something right since I was busy all the time. Now I realize that I was busy for the wrong reason – for others and not for myself. With everything stripped away last year, I realized how blind I’ve been to my dreams. As my personal goals have surfaced through the nothingness of the outside world, I’m busier than I ever was before. And this time, just for myself, as I’m finally heading down the path I’ve always dreamt for myself.
There was a shift mid-pandemic for me, where my rationalizing fear didn’t paralyze me anymore. The voice inside my head that kept repeating “What if…” switched to “What if I didn’t?” and the latter scared me even more. It was the impetus I needed to start planning the life I envisioned. This planning came into fruition when I went on my nomadic trip last fall. I bought a one-way ticket and truly lived in the moment for the first time, letting my feelings dictate where I would go next. After spending six weeks in the Southwest, I felt called to head to Boston, where I’d celebrate my birthday with friends. Little did I know, the universe had a bigger plan for me there. 😉
Life hasn’t been the same since I had my first taste of being a digital nomad. As work-from-home policies continue to extend, my possibility to work anywhere expands. Late January, I went on a month-long trip around the Northwest, working through three weeks and taking one week off. After, I started doing Workaway while maintaining my full-time job, and it’s been a thrill to experience life this way. I’ve made new friends, developed more skills, and learned from others’ life stories. Currently, I’m home in SF to get my affairs in order before embarking on another months-long trip. These recent travels have steered me towards a different direction in life and it’s given me more courage to take future leaps of faith (more to come on that).
I’m not sure if there’s a lesson here, but I wanted to share how my mindset has changed during Covid. I’m sure everyone will come out of this a different person, and the question is: are you more true to yourself now than you were previously? I hope so, and it’s something I’m still working towards, but I’m thankful that I’m on the right path.
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