Life is a moving adventure.

A couple years ago, my dear cousin and friend Annie gave me a magnet with the quote:
“She wasn’t where she had been, she wasn’t where she was going, but she was on her way.”

I was touched by how pertinent the statement felt at the time. While the magnet has moved from fridge to fridge, the sentiment still rings true. I have a feeling it always will. While some days and situations may feel more stable than others, as long as there are more ahead, we will always be in transit in the journey of life.

Over the past year, when people ask me where I live I tell them, “I’m from Minnesota and based in Washington DC.” Without intention, I have become somewhat of a professional nomad. Since graduating from college in 2009, I moved from Chicago to Oklahoma for a job. When my lease was running up, I questioned if Oklahoma was really the place for me, so I packed up my apartment and moved home to Minnesota. After some months in my parent’s suburban basement, I applied and got into graduate school at University of Minnesota which prompted a move downtown Minneapolis. Two great years in the most perfect apartment, my lease was running up, my fellow graduates were planning moves to Washington DC and I was wondering if Minnesota really was where I wanted to be to start my post-grad career. I put in my notice, packed up my apartment, and moved to a tiny studio in the heart of Washington DC. As my lease was running up at the end of August, I started to think about whether I really wanted to stay or if it was time to pack up my apartment again…

Thus began the fourth cross country move in just under five years.

While I think I’m pretty consistently downsized, every time I move I get rid of clothes that haven’t been worn since the last move, paperwork no longer needed, and other items not worth taking across state borders. A few years back I was introduced to the genius of the late George Carlin. Every time I’ve moved since, I have his classic bit on “Stuff” running through my head. Linked below for viewing enjoyment.

I used to think this pattern of moving meant I had commitment issues, but I think it’s actually re-commitment issues that spawn the location changes. I don’t mind committing to a new adventure, and I usually do so whole heartedly. But when the time comes to decide if I want to keep doing what I’m doing, I get the itch for the next adventure, and the next location to call home as I explore. Your location determines a lot. Mainly, how you interact with the world every day. And so, before I decide where I move next, I moved my stuff to Minnesota and plan to take in the adventure of the Big Shared World journey!

3 Questions. 3 Months. 30 Countries. 300 People.

Thanks for coming along for the journey, let’s make it a good one! -C

A couple years ago, my dear cousin and friend Annie gave me a magnet with the quote:
“She wasn’t where she had been, she wasn’t where she was going, but she was on her way.”

I was touched by how pertinent the statement felt at the time. While the magnet has moved from fridge to fridge, the sentiment still rings true. I have a feeling it always will. While some days and situations may feel more stable than others, as long as there are more ahead, we will always be in transit in the journey of life.

Over the past year, when people ask me where I live I tell them, “I’m from Minnesota and based in Washington DC.” Without intention, I have become somewhat of a professional nomad. Since graduating from college in 2009, I moved from Chicago to Oklahoma for a job. When my lease was running up, I questioned if Oklahoma was really the place for me, so I packed up my apartment and moved home to Minnesota. After some months in my parent’s suburban basement, I applied and got into graduate school at University of Minnesota which prompted a move downtown Minneapolis. Two great years in the most perfect apartment, my lease was running up, my fellow graduates were planning moves to Washington DC and I was wondering if Minnesota really was where I wanted to be to start my post-grad career. I put in my notice, packed up my apartment, and moved to a tiny studio in the heart of Washington DC. As my lease was running up at the end of August, I started to think about whether I really wanted to stay or if it was time to pack up my apartment again…

Thus began the fourth cross country move in just under five years.

While I think I’m pretty consistently downsized, every time I move I get rid of clothes that haven’t been worn since the last move, paperwork no longer needed, and other items not worth taking across state borders. A few years back I was introduced to the genius of the late George Carlin. Every time I’ve moved since, I have his classic bit on “Stuff” running through my head. Linked below for viewing enjoyment.

I used to think this pattern of moving meant I had commitment issues, but I think it’s actually re-commitment issues that spawn the location changes. I don’t mind committing to a new adventure, and I usually do so whole heartedly. But when the time comes to decide if I want to keep doing what I’m doing, I get the itch for the next adventure, and the next location to call home as I explore. Your location determines a lot. Mainly, how you interact with the world every day. And so, before I decide where I move next, I moved my stuff to Minnesota and plan to take in the adventure of the Big Shared World journey!

3 Questions. 3 Months. 30 Countries. 300 People.

Thanks for coming along for the journey, let’s make it a good one!