Hi everyone, it’s been a while. Today marks my one nomad anniversary. Can you believe it’s been a year! I’m currently in Seattle after wrapping up my stay in San Francisco (SF) and Portland (PDX) for a few months. The saying “a lot can happen in a year” perfectly describes my year. I had the opportunity to live in six different cities and visited lots of other places old and new. This year has been so liberating. I love bouncing from city to city, exploring and navigating a new place at my own pace. The freedom I feel is indescribable. I'm in such a happy healthy space, at peace with everything and I’m enjoying life.
When I decided to start this journey I only had one goal in mind, and that was to stick with this plan for at least one year. I was not allowed to quit and move back to Maryland. I am so proud of myself for making it a year. I’ve had some highs and lows but I wouldn’t change anything. I've learned so much about myself, my planning abilities, what I want and don’t want out of life, my career, family, friendships, and moving lol I’m an expert now. I’ve also learned to embrace a softer life. I enjoy a life of fun and ease (says the person who has moved 7 times in the last year lol).
I’m grateful to my family, friends old and new and everyone I met along the way. They made this adventure easier. I know sometimes I get stuck in my own little world and forget to reach out but thank you to the people that continue to reach out and check in. I’ve come a long way.
It’s been a year and I’m still not in a rush to pick a place to put down some sort of roots. I do have a city in mind, I just have to figure out the details. Honestly I’m scared to look into rent prices with all the stories I’m hearing. I am ready to settle down for at least a year. I think I’ll most likely end up in San Francisco. SF is more my vibe. I feel more happy there and I love that city. It has everything I want right now: beaches, hikes, wine, food, the list goes on. All in all, I’m really happy I took this step. I’m ready for the next chapter of my life. I don’t know what that looks like but I’m trusting God and the universe to lead the way.
Portland Recap:
To recap the last few months, after San Francisco I moved to Portland Oregon mid February during my busy season. This was my first time in Oregon and
I was in for a surprise. Before moving there the only things I knew about Portland was it’s a white utopia, it rains a lot, Nike is headquartered there and Multnomah Falls. All of these things are true but it’s far from utopia and the amount of homeless people living in tents there is astounding. My first impression was whew chile the GHETTO! As a black woman the extreme lack of diversity is a bit shocking and uncomfortable coming from the DMV. Sometimes being the lone chocolate chip feels like everyone is watching you. Most of the people I encountered were nice with the exception of one passing incident. The only thing PDX has going for itself is the food, tax free shopping and nature, other than that it’s trash. Not a lot to do there and the weather sucks. Overall Portland is three out of ten.
“Lone chocolate chip” - what a cute way of putting something that sucks about certain states . . . anyways, congratulations on killing the Nomad lifestyle Tosin!!! so inspiring!!! ❤️❤️❤️