“Doing what you want is freedom, liking what you do is happiness.” ~Frank Tyger
Life is an online of uncertainty, the place we regularly imagine we’re on the best path, solely to comprehend we’ve been wandering down the unsuitable highway all alongside. Ever been there? Considering you have got your entire life deliberate out? Deciding to go after the issues that you just assume will make you content, solely to finish up dissatisfied on the opposite facet? In that case, I fully perceive how you’re feeling.
There’s no definitive map resulting in a contented or fulfilled life. There is no such thing as a proper or unsuitable means. Society offers us with predefined milestones like commencement, marriage, and homeownership, however what if these standard objectives don’t carry true happiness to you?
Let me be the primary to say, there’s nothing unsuitable with these objectives, however for some, these objectives really feel out of alignment with what we would like for ourselves in our lives.
Two years in the past, I discovered myself relentlessly questioning my existence. “What am I even doing with my life?” Not within the standard means of needing a brand new profession or relationship, however extra in an existential disaster of “ I used to be put right here for a motive, however for what?”
These nagging ideas turned loud and urged me to seek for an alternate path, a life much less standard, one fully out of my consolation zone and brimming with pleasure. It was time to embrace the nomadic spirit and embark on a journey of self-discovery. We determined we have been able to promote all the things we owned and go on the highway in an RV, dwelling off financial savings at first.
The choice was made, we bought our stuff, purchased our trailer, and we hit the open highway, able to discover our nation and uncover its mysteries. However life had different plans.
On the day we set off, tragedy struck; my father handed away unexpectedly. I had made it six hours away earlier than I acquired the devastating information. We instantly pulled over in the midst of nowhere to resolve our subsequent transfer. Sitting at a truck cease in Wisconsin, shocked and heartbroken, I questioned my selections as soon as once more. “What am I doing with my life? Why is that this occurring proper now?”
Amidst the shock and grief, I knew I needed to press on. I couldn’t change what had occurred, and I couldn’t afford to dwell on it; I needed to hold transferring ahead.
My dad had been thrilled about my subsequent journey. He was so happy with me for taking an enormous leap and for embracing all of the experiences this nation needed to provide. Proper earlier than he died, he advised me to return again with good tales and I intend to take action in his honor. And so, our nomadic journey started, and over the course of the subsequent yr, it reworked our lives in methods we couldn’t have imagined.
Some might understand touring as escapism, a solution to flee from actuality. Nevertheless, our journey turned an awakening, a confrontation with the deepest points of our lives and minds. On the highway, we reevaluated our priorities, understanding what actually mattered and what wanted to be left behind. It offered the house for self-reflection and development, shedding the constraints that had held us again for therefore lengthy together with some we didn’t even know existed.
Routine, we found, was a thief that stole our valuable time. Staying throughout the consolation zone disadvantaged us of wealthy experiences, and a shortage mindset barred us from seizing alternatives. However breaking free from these so-called chains was liberating, enabling us to seek out ourselves in methods we by no means thought potential. We began dwelling somewhat extra for the surprising components of our lives versus counting on our routine to maintain us going.
Within the face of life’s challenges—together with well being and authorized points on prime of the lack of my father—we found the so-called secret to happiness. It wasn’t about avoiding adversity; it was about embracing life absolutely, irrespective of the circumstances. To decide on to understand that in every second one thing optimistic can come out of it and recognizing that happiness was inside my grasp.
Now, after a yr on the highway, our priorities have shifted dramatically. Maintaining with societal expectations not appeals to me. As an alternative, I crave a slower, extra intentional life—a life the place I immerse myself within the current, valuing experiences over materials possessions, and forming significant connections with others.
You could marvel how one can infuse your on a regular basis life with happiness with out embarking on a nomadic journey. Listed here are a number of of our recommendations.
Embrace playfulness.
Rediscover the enjoyment of being childlike. Have interaction in actions that carry out your playful facet, whether or not it’s snowboarding, climbing bushes, or observing lizards. These moments of play can rejuvenate your spirit.
Embrace challenges.
Dare to step out of your consolation zone. Attempting one thing new, whether or not it’s a sport, a course, or a ability, broadens your perspective and encourages development.
Domesticate gratitude.
Search out issues to be glad about, irrespective of how small they could appear. Gratitude transforms your outlook on life and actually means that you can keep in mind how a lot you have already got.
Embrace novelty.
Break away from the shackles of routine. Search out new experiences, whether or not it’s attempting a unique meal at your favourite restaurant, exploring new locations in your city, or attempting one new exercise every week.
Life will be bewildering, but it surely’s via shaking up our strategy to dwelling that we discover our means again to ourselves and happiness. Residing absolutely is a alternative, a aware resolution to hunt pleasure within the face of challenges, grief, and routine. So, irrespective of the place life leads you, embrace it with open arms and select to stay out loud over and over.
Since we hit the highway, our new mantra is to stay nicely by exploring extra. Exploring extra love, extra intentions, extra connections, and extra experiences that gentle our souls on hearth. For us, now we have determined to create our personal definition of happiness each day, and you’ll too.
About Christina Mendelson
Christina Mendelson is a gross sales director, journey author, and full-time digital nomad. She shares her adventures and classes from the highway to assist others stay nicely by exploring extra. Try her adventures on Instagram @livewellexploremore