Last week, my husband, Noah, and I celebrated our 4-year anniversary as nomads. On May 24th, 2019, we closed the doors to our Dallas apartment, turned in our keys, and moved into a fiberglass camper of 84 square feet. It was a big deal.
Interestingly enough, our 4-year anniversary last week passed me by without notice. It didn’t dawn on me until the next day that we had just missed celebrating this milestone.
“Your story is remarkable.”
A friend of mine recently reminded me that while my life feels “normal” to me now, it’s truly something to celebrate.
Giving up 95% of my belongings and the stability of a brick-and-mortar house shattered my sense of safety and predictability.
Sharing 84 square feet with another human being (and two dogs) every single day for the last four years hasn’t always been easy for our relationship.
Learning to get comfortable with not knowing where we might sleep any given night has pushed me beyond any semblance of comfort I once had.
Our story is remarkable.
It’s a story about courage and adventure.
It’s a story about living with no regrets.
It’s a story about saying “no” to what doesn’t bring us joy.
It’s a story I will always be proud of when I remember this time.
After four years, living in a tiny camper and traveling full-time might feel “normal” to me now, but it doesn’t mean that it’s not remarkable.
We all have stories in our lives that feel “normal” to us, but that in reality, are quite remarkable.
What is your “normal” that deserves to be celebrated?
When did you last do something that felt really terrifying?
How are you refusing to live by other people’s standards and instead, honor your own?
How are you honoring your values in the way you live your life?
How are you impacting other people’s lives, even in the smallest of interactions?
What small hurdle did you overcome yesterday not just in your task list, but in your mind?
The stories to celebrate in our lives aren’t only about the massive challenges we’ve overcome. The things to celebrate are also the experiences that feel “normal”.
What is “normal” to you wasn’t always “normal”. You worked hard to get there.
What is “normal” to you might inspire one person to make a life-transformation change for them. That’s powerful.
What is “normal” to you deserves not to be swept under the rug (as I did with our “nomadaversary”), but rather, acknowledged and celebrated.
This week, go out and tell people about your “normal”.
Your “normal” is truly remarkable.
P.S. Let’s work together! Here’s how:
1:1 coaching: I can help you create your most joyful life and career - a life of no regrets. Book a free call to explore working together this month.
Company workshops and speaking: I offer company workshops and conference keynotes on topics related to team building, equity and inclusion, confidence, and negotiation. My latest series is all about navigating change with less fear and more joy. I’ve worked with companies like Accenture, Ecolab, HEI Hotels & Resorts, the University of Minnesota, and others. Get in touch to explore how I can help your team.
Your normal is truly inspiring ! I'm almost one year down on my nomad life, and hope I'll still be living it in three years like you are :)) And I hope along the way I will also be able to inspire others to follow their heart, just like you do :)) Love your work !!