When I think back to my time living in South Africa, I remember how often I spoke about, and intuitively felt, that I was meant for something greater. Others doubted my seriousness, they thought I would never leave. But circumstances shift whether you are ready for it or not. And when that greater purpose materializes, you must grasp toward it, even if the way forward is unknown.
We can grow tied to circumstances, even ones we long to transcend. There are places and things whose familiarity and comfort are difficult to imagine life without. And warming though the embrace of old creature comforts may seem, they are what bind you to circumstance. The world is a big place, and I’d lived my life by shrinking myself into a pre-existing narrative. There was a limit to what I could achieve if I accepted the limits of society and my environment.
And I learned then, in the tug-of-war between ambition and circumstance, the comfortable and the familiar are the enemy of growth.
Becoming a nomadic entrepreneur has challenged me to grow in ways I never imagined. It has pushed me into unfamiliar territory, personally and professionally, requiring me to adapt to different cultures, communication styles, and paces of life. When you refuse to rest on your laurels, every day is a new lesson, navigating new cultures, meeting new people, embracing the unknown. No price can be placed upon the value of the experiences I’ve had since, and the incredible people within my network.
One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned along the way is to reject the obsession with material things, and to let go of people that no longer serve me.
Such is the life of a nomad. It can be lonely and unsettling. It’s not for everyone. But for those of us who aspire to grasp beyond our circumstances, I can think of little more rewarding. You learn a lot about yourself, and you do so quickly, you must in order to survive.
Nomadic life provides perspective. It taught me not to live beyond my means at any given time. This is not to say my dreams or visions ever shrink. In fact, the truth is anything but. This lifestyle creates the space in which to fully process these dreams and ambitions, to examine and understand their scope, and to set actionable short- and long-term goals through which to take them from the abstract into the tangible.
I see the world now in ways I never could have imagined in my old comforts in South Africa. Ambitious though I was, the life of a nomadic entrepreneur presents so many wonderful avenues you couldn’t dream of. Like the first nomads, guided by glittering constellations to unfathomable frontiers.
The people you meet along the way color your life every bit as vibrantly as your successes. I found myself house-sitting and pet-sitting, connecting with beautiful families and their loving pets. The cross-pollination of cultures perfuming my every day has enriched my life personally and professionally. I’ve expanded my mind, challenged myself to think critically, and become more aware.
My growth has been immense; the lessons I’ve learned have grown beyond count. And still, I find myself discovering more about myself and the world thanks to these amazing individuals across cultures, countries, and continents.
Among so many lessons and highlights, it’s almost impossible to choose a parting thought to leave you with, particularly when I know the next great discovery is around the next corner. However, I think the most important step in my journey was the first one, because it is the hardest and most frightening one to take.
Let go of things. Embrace the experiences. Develop self-trust, spirituality, and go toward the unknown. And take that leap with both feet, even if you’re unsure of your footing. Because I promise you it’s a risk worth taking. These experiences are the greatest gifts you can give yourself.
