A few years ago I read the following quote: “Look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself, what do I want to do for the rest of my life… do that.” I wasn’t left cold by the lines. Of course, I asked myself that question – more than once. I had an inkling.
I was aware that traveling would always have a great significance in my life. It always has, even as a child. My parents often travelled with my two older sisters and me. My first trip as a baby was to Southern Switzerland, where we regularly spent our vacations. Later we went on beach vacations to France, Croatia and Spain. Really exciting were the four weeks on the east coast of the USA when I was about 9 years old. We drove from New York to Miami in a rented car. My parents hardly spoke a word of English and yet they were brave enough to go and discover the world with their three daughters. And it all worked out. Mostly only with hands and feet, but it worked out. I was aware even then that I was privileged and that this trip was something special. When I think back on that family adventure today, I think it laid a foundation for me. The foundation to dare, to take a risk and go see the world with my own eyes.
A few years ago I read the following quote: “Look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself, what do I want to do for the rest of my life… do that.” I wasn’t left cold by the lines. Of course, I asked myself that question – more than once. I had an inkling.
I was aware that traveling would always have a great significance in my life. It always has, even as a child. My parents often travelled with my two older sisters and me. My first trip as a baby was to Southern Switzerland, where we regularly spent our vacations. Later we went on beach vacations to France, Croatia and Spain. Really exciting were the four weeks on the east coast of the USA when I was about 9 years old. We drove from New York to Miami in a rented car. My parents hardly spoke a word of English and yet they were brave enough to go and discover the world with their three daughters. And it all worked out. Mostly only with hands and feet, but it worked out. I was aware even then that I was privileged and that this trip was something special. When I think back on that family adventure today, I think it laid a foundation for me. The foundation to dare, to take a risk and go see the world with my own eyes.
At the age of 15, my biggest dream was to travel the world. When I was 22, I went traveling on my own for the first time. I had just been accepted for a new job, but I knew I wanted something different. I wanted to get away. Do something crazy and discover something new. So I packed my backpack and went to India. During two months I travelled in groups or alone through this inspiring country. You either like India or you hate it. And I loved it! I felt alive, free, adventurous and so right with myself. I learned to listen to my intuition, to be open, to meet people with an open mind, to trust them and most of all to trust ME. Packed only with the most important things, I realized how little was needed to be happy. I wanted to go on like that forever.
Since then, traveling has been a part of my life. Because it makes me feel the way it did on my first adventure trip to India. And I will never stop traveling! Meanwhile I know: THIS is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I came to this realization only through many detours. I tried many things, stopped again, tried something else. I felt driven and never really arrived. Until I realized that being on the road was good for me, that too much routine was my enemy and that I needed a lot of free space. I found this positive energy not only in traveling, but in being (out) on the road or in nature in general. The Corona time taught me that you don’t need to travel far to have adventures. And the start of my training as an “outdoor guide” last year triggered a lot of things for me. In the great outdoors, I can clear my head and recharge my batteries. Nature grounds and inspires me.
And here I am now. One year ago I finally quit my longtime job in project management and my beloved apartment. I put my furniture in temporary storage with family and friends. And then I just took some time to be spontaneous, to hike, to be outside. I wanted to be on the road and free and above all – detached. Let life come to me and just see where it leads.
In exchange for a fixed job and a fixed apartment, I traded temporary jobs and furnished apartments. I’ve traded my security for freedom. You could say I live a nomadic life. Maybe that’s what I’ll do for the rest of my life. Maybe it isn’t. I’ll figure it out. And until then, I’ll do what I love. What do you want to do for the rest of your life?