About Me
Photo credit: Jessie Festa
Who Even Am I?
I’d call myself the “average Jane” of digital nomads. I believe that if I, an introvert with anxiety can travel solo, that anyone can! Here’s what you need to know about me:
🐶 I traveled full-time with my now 14-year-old dog, Elgie, for nearly four years. Now he accompanies me on shorter trips.
🚗 I almost always travel by car–my own car that I’ve had for 8 years.
💼 I have a “normal” remote 9-5 job.
💸 I’m not wealthy.
🏝️ I’ve been a digital nomad and solo traveler for nearly four years.
🏡 I book most of my long-term housing through Furnished Finder and stay at least a month in each place.
You’ll never see me talk about how many countries I’ve been to because I’ve only been to 6 countries. And that includes the U.S., where I was born and have lived my entire life.
But I’m here to show you that you can be a digital nomad in one country, even if it’s your home country.
Plus, the U.S. has some amazing places to visit solo, and it’s the perfect spot to be a digital nomad, whether you’re from the U.S. or another country, and through my writing, I’ll be your guide.
Some of my favorite places I’ve been:
NYC
New Orleans
Florida Keys
The Redwoods
The Grand Canyon
Colorado
Each place I mentioned is completely different from one another, even though they’re all within the same country. That’s the beauty of the U.S.–each state has something unique about it, and sometimes crossing state lines can make you feel like you’re in another world!
Digital Nomad Life Is More Attainable Than You Think
With all the possibilities of remote work out there, it’s easier than ever to become a digital nomad.
The United States is a fantastic country to be a digital nomad because you will never be bored here. Whether you want to live and work in a city, near the beach, or in the mountains, you’ll find what you’re looking for here.
I’ll guide you through the best places to live in the U.S. based on my personal experience. As a full-time traveler for years now, I’ll let you in on everything I’ve learned from the logistics of nomad life to my favorite destinations.
Why Solo Travel Is Perfect for Introverts
Let’s face it–there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of solo-traveling introverts out there. Many solo travelers–at least those with a public presence–seem to be confident, outgoing, and at ease, charming their way around the world.
As an awkward, shy, neurodivergent introvert, I don’t fit that mold. I’m far from it. I’m more of an outsider (see what I did there?).
But should I and others like me be banished to our hometowns forever, just because we don’t “fit in” with the world? Of course not! Even the most introverted of introverts can find pleasure in the pursuit of the unknown through travel. We often like to go at our own pace and off the beaten path (there’s fewer people there).
In fact, I think introverts are likely to thrive when solo traveling. The digital nomadic lifestyle can seem lonely to a lot of people, but we introverts are cool with being by ourselves, so it works!
I’ve challenged myself more than ever before and pushed myself way outside of my comfort zone because of this lifestyle.
I even went to Mardi Gras, one of the biggest festivals in the country, alone!
If you’re the type of introvert who wants to meet people on your travels, like I sometimes do, I’ll be covering my best tips on this blog as well.
Why I Started a Blog
-To help people travel solo, especially new solo travelers
-To prove that you don’t have to leave your home country to live an adventurous life full of travel
-To show that digital nomad life is more attainable and achievable than you think.
-To inspire folks to travel the U.S.
My goal is to help curious folks considering solo travel or the digital nomad life who are feeling anxious, afraid, or doubtful to go ahead and take that trip–especially my fellow introverts! I aim to do that by providing solo travel tips and tricks, destination guides, and my own travel stories as an introverted digital nomad.
Think of me as your solo traveling guide who brought her pup along (and way too many other things). I seek out my own adventure, and in the process, hope to inspire your next adventure.
Nothing will be left out! I didn’t intend for this blog to be a highlight reel. I’ll share the challenges I’ve faced, what’s worked and hasn’t worked (including some really cringy stories), and everything else. If nothing else, maybe you’ll learn what not to do by watching me!
Oh Hey, I Made a Side Project for People Like Me
the bare minimum journal
An anti-self help journal for those tired of being told to “hustle more” or “just manifest it.”
If any of these are true:
- Hearing about “the grind” make you want to projectile vomit
- You’ve been called a “ray of sunshine”–sarastically
- You have weird friends who would love this
This journal might be for you.
Why I Became a Digital Nomad
I don’t have a dramatic exit story. I didn’t quit my job or have some profound moment of self-discovery shine upon me.
Basically, in 2022, I packed up and took everything with me. At least the important stuff–my dog, my computer, and my air fryer.
In all seriousness, here’s how it started. In 2021, I was sitting at my desk in my one bedroom apartment in Minneapolis and a thought hit me. A groundbreaking, totally original thought. And that was, wouldn’t it be cool to travel around the country and like, see different stuff?
So I went online and found that I was far from the first person with this idea. I went down the rabbit hole of digital nomad blogs and learned all about how to travel solo on a budget, what to bring, where to go, and so on.
At the time, I was in a relationship with someone that was terrible for me, and I was just starting to realize that.
But I wouldn’t call this an eat pray love story. Though I knew that if the relationship failed (spoiler…), that I had a plan B–to become a digital nomad.
As time went on, I couldn’t help feeling more excited about plan B than plan A.
When the relationship ended, one of the first things I did was book a solo 6-week long trip to California, where I acquired a taste for solo adventure and never looked back.
And the rest is history…
Meet Elgie, My Travel Companion and Best Friend
I guess it’s debatable whether or not I’m actually a solo traveler. This little guy has gone just about everywhere with me, and if you’re looking to become a digital nomad with a dog, you’ve come to the right place.
His name comes from the initials L.G. (I use the spellings “L.G.” and “Elgie” interchangeably). L.G. stands for Little Guy. He’s a 14-year-old lab/corgi mix. I’ve had him since he was 6 months old. He’s become accustomed to his mom packing him all over the country.
He’s swum in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico. And countless rivers and lakes.
He’s barked at strangers in over 20 states.
He’s snuggled with me on countless couches.
He’s climbed mountains with me–once he even climbed a thirteener!
He’s the best travel companion I can imagine.
So, with all that being said, I hope I can inspire you to follow your travel dreams, no matter how big or small, even if you’re an “outsider,” like me.