16 Months Out Of A Suitcase
6 days from now, I will leave my home and friends in New York City to board a one-way flight.
30,000 applicants, and I'm one of the few chosen ones.
One suitcase.
16 months.
16 countries.
And one big idea to prove to myself that I can create a new thriving digital business, be fully creatively expressed, immerse myself in every new culture, connect deeply with others (and through that, with myself), and most importantly - wake up every day with a sense of joy and fulfillment.
A big feat.
Hi, new friends. My name is Ksenia, and here are 3 things you should know about me from the get go:
- I'm a professional social media addict [aka digital strategist and blogger - I'll be explaining in the next posts wtf it means exactly and how I make money on Instagram].
- I'm a big believer in using meditation to create a successful business and life; I'm also a certified Strala yoga instructor [I've led retreats in Nicaragua and Brazil].
- I was into wanderlust before the term was cool - I started traveling straight out of the womb as my family relocated from Russia to Australia. I've been to 26 countries so far, and have lived in San Francisco and New York for the last 8 years.
I'll be sharing more juicy details about each of the above points as we get to know each other (hey, let's take it slowly;), but for now let me tell you how I got myself into the whole 16 months out of a suitcase situation.
After achieving a longtime dream of mine and becoming a permanent resident of USA last fall, I noticed an unexpected burning desire within. It was an urge to get rid of all my possessions and live as a digital nomad, exploring new places and working at the same time. It feels like second teenagehood, with a punk rock attitude of making my own rules, being free from obligations, and questioning every aspect of my values and identity. According to astrology, most of us go through this phase in some shape or form. It hits when we're about 27 years old, and it's called Saturn Return (look it up - it's fascinating).
Thankfully, I have a profitable blog, Breakfast Criminals that so far has given me the freedom to make money from eating (and making) delicious healthy breakfasts around the world.
I expect it to shift and evolve in the next 16 months, and I'm about to launch a new website that will explore the relationship between digital entrepreneurship and wifi-free enlightenment.
So far, the itinerary looks something like this:
Missouri - Arizona - California - Colorado - New York - Indonesia - Russia - Croatia - Portugal - Morocco - Bulgaria - Serbia - Czech Republic - Colombia - Argentina - Peru - Mexico.
4 months on my own, then 12 months with Remote Year.
I'm excited to be taking you along with me on this crazy journey!
I will definitely look out for your posts, this sounds amazing! Good luck on your journey.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Welcome to the steemit community. Look forward to reading your posts! I would love dome insight into social media marketing. Thanks and good luck fitting everything in one luggage...especially for that long.
Thanks @sgnsteems! Any specific questions about social media marketing?
Hello! I just found your post, very interesting story. I would like to feature you on my profile as co-author. Please let me know how I can contact you, since you don't have rocket chat. We can also talk on instagram, my username is @sirtonywinchester
Just checked out your content, you're killin' it. Would love that! How do I get rocket chat?!
Weclome Ksenia! You will do well here sharing your journey on Steemit while enjoying the worlds best coffee.
Haha - right?! Thanks for saying hi cryptobro!
https://steemit.com/hidden-gems/@dragonslayer109/daily-pick-of-hidden-gems-33 here is where I will be featuring your post today
Honored! Thank you for featuring my first post!
Welcome to SteemIT..... but do yourself a huge favour and add a 17th country..Cape Town South Africa ... you WILL fall in love !! Travel well, and I look forward to your blogs !!
Thanks for stopping by! Funny - I'm actually considering it in November, as my schedule's not in stone yet. Why do you love it?
A bit of a cosmopolitan melting pot of cultures, beautiful beaches, wine lands, mountains and lakes, fantastic restaurants... and for visitors...very affordable. I have done some osts on Table Mountain... you can see there some of the charm. Our currency is 14/1 to the dollar... so you can buy a 5 course fine dining tasting meal with paired wine for around $40 ... or a 300gm Fillet for $9 ...
Sounds epic, I'm seriously considering it!
One word: Amazing!
One word: THANKS!
All the best from another Steemit person, raised in Australia by migrant parents, now living New York!
How cool! Go team AUS-NYC!
Welcome to Steemit. I just made a breakfast meal for tonights dinner. Breakfast food is awesome! And so is travel. Have fun! I will be following.
looking forward to following your travels
Thanks, Lady Penelope :)