Nomadic Narrative

My main motivation for starting this blog was to have an outlet to help me discover my voice as a writer. I didn’t realize in the beginning that I’d learn so much about myself in return.

Those of you who have been following along from the beginning may remember that this journey began after The Leap ― my unapologetic step into the unknown. Two years later, I feel stronger in the craft of writing; however, I’m not sure I’ve tapped into the core of who I am. Close friends don’t see me expressing my more irreverent, opinionated and humorous side. I know it’s there (The Leap is just one manifestation of this, minus the humor), but how can I let it out? Or, a better question is: why haven’t I?

Part of me feels that because I’ve been presenting my blog as a professional writing sample and because I’m afraid of marginalizing myself too much that I’ve censored myself. Not making much money off of this blog (though I’ve gotten a good amount of freelance writing work) and on the verge of a second Leap gazing at the Tonle Sap River from the balcony of an open-air café in Phnom Penh , Cambodia, I’m starting to think SCREW IT; if you don’t like me, take a hike ― and I’m not talking about the kind around Costa Rica’s Monteverde Cloud Forest.

The fact is: I’m a forty-year-old woman who lives life passionately and spontaneously. I’ve skirted convention in pursuit of adventure, which has invited both applause and criticism. While some admire my decision to live on the edge, some simply don’t understand it, which tends to conjure up a mix of resentment and disbelief.

As I sit here in reflection, I’m wondering why I have ever cared about what people think. So what if people can’t fit me into a neat little box to prevent their world view from being challenged, or worse turned upside down. After all, there are plenty of people who support and even feel inspired by my lifestyle. If I could focus more on the inspired audience, how might this affect my voice?

It’s the smart ones who can see that there are tradeoffs with every choice we make. I’ve chosen to forgo the “safety” of steady employment, marriage and children in exchange for mobility and the opportunity to explore and write about our world. If your passion is to be a homeowner in a committed relationship with kids on the way, then follow your dreams. While dreams do not always come true, whether or not you pursue them is a choice.

Sometimes we come to find that the choice we made did not pan out in the way we had expected. In this case, we need to harness our flexibility and choose a new direction for our project, our career or our life. Now, once again, my flexibility is being put to the test. What shift in consciousness do I need to make to reveal the uncensored Beverly?

I’ve met up with good friends Tony and Thomas from ContemporaryNomad.com on their epic journey. As we explore, write and reflect, I have no doubt that inspiration and new direction will be borne.

I guess only time can tell where this will end up!