Note No. #6 // Choose Your Own Adventure
Where’s the fun in living like everyone else?
Happy Sunday!
When I graduated in 2018—my second time in two years—I walked off campus with two degrees and absolutely no idea what to do next.
It’s a crossroads many of us face when the pre-written script of education ends. If you’re like most people, you might have had a job lined up, or maybe you fell back on a summer gig while spending your free time sending out applications.
Not me.
In those final years of school, I became captivated by the idea of traveling the world. I devoured every issue of National Geographic Traveler I could find, filled my walls with doodles of dream destinations, and seized every chance to explore—whether it was a short spring break trip or visiting friends who were studying abroad.
But as I walked across that stage for the last time, the idea of applying for jobs felt wrong. The thought of settling into a conventional career left me uneasy…this couldn’t possibly be all there is to life.
Thanks to a nudge from my mom, I took a leap. I signed up for a four-month trial with Remote Year, determined to find a way to freelance my way through it.
I scraped by, just covering my bills, but I was in love. When a friend from the group suggested we join another trip the following year, I didn’t hesitate. Hell yes!
I quickly became addicted to this unconventional lifestyle. Working from anywhere in the world, becoming a global citizen? Yes, please! Keep signing me up.
Choosing my own adventure became my way of life. I was writing my own path, free from convention.
But somewhere along the way, this "unconventional" life became my new normal. What once felt daring and different started to feel like just another path—a well-trodden one in the digital nomad world. It was different, sure, but it had become safe. Easy. A choice I wasn’t consciously making anymore.
That realization hit me hard, and I started to wonder: What now? What’s the next chapter in this adventure called life?
I find myself drawn to stories of others who chose to live differently, who blazed their own trails. Take Lael Wilcox, a pro-cyclist who’s currently attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest female circumnavigation by bicycle. She’s not just riding a bike—she’s challenging what’s possible, redefining limits.
Then there’s Chris Guillebeau, who set out to visit every country in the world all while sparking a social movement around the art of non-conformity. He connected and inspired a global community of people determined to live differently, just as I’d once felt so inclined.
And of course, there are the Olympics—filled with elite athletes who have chosen to live and train differently, all in pursuit of their dreams to compete at the highest level. Their dedication reminds me that sometimes, choosing a different path isn’t just about avoiding the conventional—it’s about striving for something extraordinary.
Then there’s Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier, who use their photography to share stories and protect the world’s oceans through their nonprofit, SeaLegacy. They’ve chosen to live differently to make a difference on a global scale, merging passion with purpose.
These stories reignite something in me. They reminded me why I first fell in love with this lifestyle—why I chose to live differently in the first place. It’s not about rejecting convention for the sake of it; it’s about chasing the things that set your soul on fire, the challenges that push you to grow.
So here I am, at another crossroads. I’ve toyed with the idea of moving to Denver or Seattle, maybe even heading abroad. But I know myself. Those are the easy choices, the safe bets. At this point, I know I could make anywhere in the world work for me.
But that’s not what I’m searching for.
I still yearn to explore the world deeply. I dream of learning the keys to happiness from monks in Bhutan, exploring true nomadism with the tribes of Mongolia or Kazakhstan, or surviving the harsh landscapes of Namibia or along the Pacific Crest Trail.
I’m not sure what my next adventure will be, but I know one thing for sure: it’s time for something new.
Here’s to the next challenge!
Becca
It’s a lonely road for those of us who choose to be remarkable, and the path of convention can sometimes be appealing. That path is paved with safe lives, middle of the road monotony, and little chance of failure. But where’s the fun in being like everyone else out there?
Chris Guillebeau
Where in the World:
This month I’m writing from back home in Buffalo, New York. Something about being back home creates space to re-think. Space that’s sometimes hard to come by on the road when you’re constantly face by new experiences, new decisions, and unknowns. I thrive in that space, but every now and again I need the familiar to reset. Plus being around family replenishes the soul.
Photo from the Archive:
Happy accidents. As I hit the shutter lightning struck the Zambian savannah. Zambia marked country 50 on my journey to travel and explore our world. And what a way to ring in 50 countries than exploring Victoria Falls on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe with a group of friends.
Where I Find Inspiration:
Collection of random stuff that might inspire you too:
[Movie] Young Woman and the Sea – A new movie on Disney+ detailing the incredible true story of Trudy Ederle, the first woman to successfully swim the English Channel.
[Podcast] Lael Rides Around the World – daily podcast updates from Lael Wilcox’s attempt to break the Guinness World Record for fastest circumnavigation by bicycle (female.)
[Olympics] My favorite stories from these Olympics:
The US Women’s Rugby team clinched bronze, with Canada taking silver. I've been following rugby sevens since 2019, and I never would have predicted the US and Canada knocking out Australia. This is a monumental moment that will forever change the landscape of women’s rugby in both countries.
A family affair in kayaking/canoeing: Two Australian sisters dominated the women's events, taking gold in every race. The older sister is now the most successful paddler of all time, and they’re coached by their mom, an Olympic medalist from 1996. It's incredible to see such a legacy unfold on the world stage.
[TV Series] National Geographic Photographer – each episode follows the story of an iconic Nat Geo Photographer as they strive to create images that illustrate the untold stories of our world.
A Question for you:
How might you live a little more unconventionally?
What would you do differently if you were to choose your own adventure today?
