Here is how to live your dream
A cheeky headline, huh?! I know! But you must admit that this is probably true for almost everything in life. At least, I had that feeling over the past few years before I started my digital nomad life. I found taking action to be key if you want things to happen and live a happy life. So, when I set off in 2011 to discover the world, I eventually found my passion in life: travelling. But moreover, I realised that the freedom to go wherever I wanted WHENEVER I wanted became my big obsession. This led to a chain of actions that I took which made it possible for me to still be on the road today – after more than 6 years! Check out my post on how to earn a little extra as a digital nomad, and now, sit back and get inspired if you need that last push to finally start to live your dream too.
Why should you live your dream too?
When I was in elementary school, my parents were asked to go see my teacher one day. At the age of 9, I refused to copy the specific technique my teacher showed us in art class. According to mini-me, there was a better way of holding the brush in order to get more beautiful sprinkles. He didn’t like that response and complained about our conversation with my mum. I remember her proud face when she came back home from that meeting with my teacher. She told me that he was not amused by her response either when she said that ‘Julia has her own way of doing things, always has and always will’. My mum was right back then…it’s the one characteristic that seems to be consistent throughout my life so far.
After quitting my job in 2011 and when I had sold almost all my belongings that wouldn’t fit into my backpack, I remembered that day back in art class. No one really thought it was a great idea that I took a break from my so well-established career at the age of 28. In fact, I left one month before I turned 29, which meant that I had only one year left before the magic number 30 would bring the big changes to my life that everyone was talking about. Well, I guess it’s true the 30ies have brought big changes to my life. But I can clearly say that they were for the better. For people who stay in one place their whole lives, it’s hard to understand that age doesn’t need to be a bad thing.
To be fair, ever since I had crossed that magic border of my 30’s, I must admit that I got more and more excited when I saw little babies…perhaps the only difference for me is that I began to imagine how this little mini-me would be most comfortable on top of my backpack! Check out my post on how my life has changed since I have become a mother.
Anyways, I had mixed feelings when I said goodbye to start my journey in 2011. No, it was actually sheer panic when I set off and didn’t know what to expect. At the same time, I felt that it was the right thing to do. Somehow, I felt that I was starting a completely new chapter in my life. It was the excitement of leaving everything behind and facing a whole new unknown world. My parents (again) were the least surprised when they learned about my new plans. Perhaps they were not amused about the idea of their daughter travelling around the world by herself, but hey, they kind of always have known that they can’t expect me to NOT do it my way ☺
So, I left with the plan to return 6 months later, but I never did…
Pictures say much more than words. So here is a list of reasons why I am utterly happy about my decision to live the way I want to and why you should contemplate doing so too… Take it with a grain of salt though, I had a lot of fun to put this list together! Perhaps too much!
WHY YOU SHOULD BE TRAVELLING AND LIVING YOUR DREAM TOO:
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- You get to meet really interesting people…
Superman on Kao San Road for New Year’s Eve 2012/13
- You start thinking in other dimensions…
No, that is not an optical illusion (his name was Walley and he was famous for being as curious as the divers at the Great Barrier Reef…) - You get to hang out in pretty nice places…
On Bali’s East coast for a Visa Run before returning to Australia -
You’ll leaver your comfort zone to discover new places…
Me, a bit scared to go in there all on my own… but at least I had a fancy helmet on! - …then again you find rocks to lean on…
Western Australia…it was hot! - You’ll become a lot stronger from time to time…
Unfortunately, it was closed that day… but still impressive to see the Twin Towers in KL from below! - …probably because you get to eat your favourite food whenever you want to…
Mmmmm…Padthai for my belly! - …or maybe because you get to kiss magic snakes…
I look a lot more comfortable than I felt in that moment…I have to admit 🙂 - And finally you realise that you can actually live your dream if you dare to!!!
I was never sooooooooo pumped with adrenaline like that day! Even days after that jump (2012 in New Zealand over Lake Tapo), I still had a huge smile on my face!
- You get to meet really interesting people…
Summary
Am I doing it right? I don’t know, honestly. But I do know that you can live your dream eventually if you stop waiting! With this blog, I not only want to share my experiences with you but I also want to show that there is not only ONE way to live your life. Because when I started to make my plans, I was fighting against conventional thinking patterns, prejudice and other people’s opinions.
- Just do it:
Smile. Jump. And start to live your dream.
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Did you like this post? What are your thoughts on this topic? Are you already living your dream? Let me know in the comments below!
NOT DONE READING YET?
Perhaps you want to get into the nitty-gritty stuff and wonder how to finance a lifestyle filled with travels? Make sure to check out both of my posts on Let’s talk money, part 1 and part 2!
Or simply enjoy our latest post about events in 2018 for like-minded people who are already living the digital nomad lifestyle.
