Back to Reality…

There is nothing more affirming than when the US Immigration official hands you your passport and says..

Welcome home, Ms Kohler…

After 4 months in Europe, calling Belgrade, Lisbon, Prague, Munich, Salzburg and Sofia home; I’m back in America. Home.

Ah, home.. time to recalibrate, take in the experience and ensure that I take all this quality growth and help transform my life. Without getting too philosophical and morose, we all do know that America (maybe the world too) is going through seismic changes in what we do, how we work, our infrastructure and our culture. Rather than acquiesce to accepting that manic corporate behavior is the norm and the only way to make a living, I jumped at dipping my toe into the nomadic pool with Remote Year’s pilot summer program. Now that it’s over (deep sigh), I’ve come back with an invigorated spirit. I can claim that my creativity has been jolted, expanded and awakened. OK, it was awesome… Here’s why

1- Discover your personal resiliency. Constant travel is not easy. Long term travel is not vacation. There are all sorts of quirky experiences that occur that can set you on your heels. You learn to take them in stride and as trite as it sounds.. roll with it.. Sometimes the outcome is totally unexpected and can be far better than ever anticipated. If you open yourself to the possibilities. It’s also comforting to know that a jaded bureaucrat in Eastern Europe is essentially the same as the jaded bureaucrat at the Florida DMV.
2- You too can live with 23kg of possessions (50.6 pounds). Yes, I did travel for 4 months with 1 suitcase weighing in at 23 kg. I did have a computer bag and a carry on (under 8 kg, just in case my luggage was lost. This would give me 3 days of clothes and ziplock bag of toiletries). You become incredibly discerning in your wardrobe choices, realizing how much you’ve spent in the past on clothing and what you really need vs. want. Less does give you more. Oh, and shoes are really, really heavy. When in doubt, wear black. Chic, utility and you can clean it together.
3– Living in the city center is great! There is a vibrancy of living in the middle of everything that is highly energizing. You find yourself an instant part of a neighborhood. People are curious about you and within a week there are smiles and interaction. You become part of the daily flow. It’s alluring and very special.
4- There is life without TV.. but I also need more Internet! Yes, a contradiction… but, I found that when you enter a new community you should be out exploring not watching TV. As a result, you walk more get more fresh air, talk to people and don’t need to sit mindlessly watching stories of people living better or worse lives, being pandered to buy products you don’t need and discovering that your life is lesser than because of overt marketing. No, thanks. Yet on the Internet side, having access to the worlds information at a few clicks has enhanced my experience. I am now completely dependent on my mobile device. Google Maps and Translate have made navigating Eastern Europe and the Cyrillic alphabet a non-issue. Data is a wonderful thing.
5- In-season, fresh food is amazing! I was pleasantly surprised to find that everywhere I stayed this summer had abundant fresh produce. Farmer’s markets or pop-up stands are prevalent. The food is fresh, incredibly flavorful and plain delicious. I made meals from a fresh succulent tomato and few sprigs of basil.
6- Our lives are completely overstimulated. Imagine that everyone around you speaks a language you do not understand. This quickly diminishes your distraction. You have no idea what they are talking about as a result you find yourself insulated in a bubble of sorts. It’s very weird, but it does help with focus. Living this way was somewhat meditative at times. You start to realize how much noise you process as soon as you are back in your own environment.
7- Do I really need a car? I had not driven for four months other than a side trip (It was on the German Autobahn which if you must drive, is the only way to drive!). Living in a city center promotes walking and mass transit. I found that I enjoyed my walking commute. It gave me an essential pause from home-to-work and got me sufficient daily exercise. You get sensible walking shoes and an umbrella. It worked.
8- Street Art! I loved the visual impact of the local street art. Each destination delivered. In an Instagram age, what a better way to promote your city than street art. There also should be a call out to the city gardens, statuary and green spaces that punctuated every city. Each was captivating. I took over 4500 pictures! Most of my art images are outdoor murals, not curated museum pieces. I’d like to include street music in the same. I’ll never forget a cellist on Sofia’s pedestrian street, attacking AC/DC’s Back in Black with the verve of Rachmaninoff. Perfection
9- Cool people are everywhere… I knew I would meet people on Remote Year. I was pleasantly surprised to also meet and befriend locals and expats. After a certain point in life, it is very difficult to meet new people. The opportunity to make new friends diminishes. This was the highlight of my experience.
10- My work opportunity expanded. I developed two separate business streams that are gaining momentum and traction. Big difference than my corporate resume. This is the point where to demonstrate that I fully understand marketing process, I will refer this as the final step that brings feedback to the first step.. Discover your personal resiliency. A year ago, I would have led any work-life discussion with work. I’ve turned the corner, where life finally leads and work fuels it. I guess I am trainable.

Net- If you get the opportunity to work offshore for 4-months, take it.

You will not regret it. It will be challenging at times, but there is real growth there. The benefits are huge. I re-discovered my abilities, expanded my tapestry of experiences and believe that my work has never been better. I’ve met wonderful, talented, funny and caring people that have enriched my heart and nourished my soul. I dream big again.

It’s interesting when the physical workplace barriers are removed. You become free range and suddenly the possibilities are endless. Embrace it, see the world and discover.

Thank y’all for sharing my journey, look forward to seeing you on the road. I’m thinking Australia, Thailand or Bali for the next rev.. any recommendations?